Before preseason began this year, I decided to make my predictions for the Vikings' 2012 season. There were a lot of Negative Nancys around at the time and the general consensus was that the Purple would do well to win 5 games. However, given our favourable schedule, especially before the bye, I had to disagree. See below for the picks I made back in July (and yes, you'll just have to trust me that I made them then- otherwise this post is rather pointless):

So I got the Colts and the 49ers the wrong way around (along with everyone else in the football world) and I Doug Martin ruined my week 8. Other than that, it's looking pretty good so far. I had us upsetting the Bears on the road, something which I am feeling pretty good about with the prospect of Jason Campbell leading their offense. Then there's a 5-game slide of self-destruction which I hope to the gods proves to be wildly inaccurate. Most would argue that the Rams game is winnable, but I reasoned that we would be on tilt after two straight division losses and a playoff dream all but over. So overall I picked us at 8-8, which was pretty much the best record anyone was willing to give us before the season started. It's not looking so far-fetched now!

That said, if we can actually beat the Bears and then the Packers on the road, we would sit atop the NFC North based on tie breakers. As Tom Pelissero mentioned, even if we can just split the remaining six games, we will be looking good for a wildcard spot.

Did anyone else make early predictions that they'd like to share? What about picking the remaining games knowing that the Vikings are 6-4 and playing the way they are playing? In hindsight I would definitely change the Rams pick to a W and maybe even one of the Packers games. The Pack is back, but definitely they look a lot shakier than last year. Let's hope they keep Mason Crosby around a little longer!