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Vikings Mid-season Review

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Bleacher report, 2018.

Minnesota sits at 5-3-1, which could have easily been 7-2, or at least 6-3. With the Vikings under-performing in my opinion; they fly under the radar so to speak, and surprise some teams. I think the Everson Griffin incident did play into the defense not playing up to their potential for a couple games, and specifically against the Bills, where I also believe they looked past Buffalo. The offense has had a number of different issues that have hindered them as well. With enough time to have adjusted with a new quarterback and offensive coordinator; the Vikings best football should be ahead of them. The Vikings should round out more into form in the second half of the season, and hopefully heading into the playoffs as team that is hot. So, let's break down my amateur reasons for believing so.

1. Chemistry: The aforementioned signing of a new starting quarterback and offensive coordinator. The team also added other new pieces to the team, most notably starters to offensive and defensive lines, while also somewhat shaking things up in the secondary. With Newman exiting the field and becoming a coach, losing a very good rookie in Mike Hughes, Iloka is becoming more integrated, and also dealing with various injuries; the secondary should continue getting its feet under itself.

2. Health: Dalvin Cook is a playmaker that just makes the offense better. Cook started off slow, and did not look 100%. After missing time due to a nagging hamstring injury, he was active for the last game before the bye week against the Lions. In that game, Cook looked the best he has all year. This is a huge advantage to Minnesota, as Dalvin Cook is going to have fresh legs going down the stretch, and sharing carries with the very reliable play of Murray, and excellent depth behind them. Cook being completely back also helps the passing game as well. The Vikings backfield is a strong component of this team that many will overlook largely due to very slow start.

I am happy to hear Everson Griffin is getting his life back on track, and has been healthy enough to play in the past couple games. I believe him being out there helping his teammates helps him as well. The emergence of Stephen Weatherly has been nothing short of impressive. With Griffin back, and the obvious value of Weatherly to the rotation of the defensive line should not only keep guys fresh, but also help to minimize potential injuries as well.

The timing of the bye week has been very fortunate for Minnesota. Many of the players needed time to heal such as Sendajo, Barr, Theilen, Reiff, Morgan, and others. David Morgan's blocking ability will be missed, but getting him back around the last quarter of the season will be a boost the offense.

3. Fundamentals: The Vikings couldn't get out of their own way several times early on this season. They were committing too many penalties, missed blocks, assignments, and tackles. Zimmer looked like he was trying out different approaches to his defense, and has now zeroed in on some of the better play calls for the personnel. The penalties have been minimized since the beginning of the season. Whether right, or wrong; I believe when the Vikings played the Saints, Minnesota was the better team, and gave that game away. I think when the Vikings get out of their own way; they can beat any team in the league. Though, I still think they have yet to play a complete game. When the defense had its worst game against the Rams, Kirk Cousins and the offense were having arguably their best. And the Rams defense wasn't bad at all, the routes the receivers ran were excellent, the line took a step forward that game, and Cousins was throwing some of the best passes I have seen from a Minnesota QB. The defense had its best game against the Lions in which they set a franchise record of 10 sacks. When those two units get on track with each other; this team will do some damage.

4. Playmakers & Depth: Cousins is playing the best football from the Vikings' quarterback position in about a decade. Theilen & Diggs need no explanation, as they are the best WR duo in the league, and when your top two WRs compliment each other with excellent hands and excellent route running; good things will happen. Dalvin Cook is an explosive player that when added to Murray could see the team make a push for also having one of the best RB duos in the league. The quality of those four players opens the door for intriguing depth players such as Beebe, Boone, Robinson, Hamm, Treadwell, and others. (And yes, I can't believe I said Treadwell either, but he has actually played his best football over the past month). Danielle Hunter has come into his own, and opposite of Griffin with Weatherly stepping up in a big way will allow the defense to apply the pressure it needs to stifle offenses. Linval Joseph and Sheldon Richardson are impressive in the interior and with reliable veteran Tom Johnson rotating in; controlling the line of scrimmage is a huge advantage. Despite some statistics, I think Waynes has finally come into his own and having his best year. I was down on Alexander, and was not as optimistic after losing Hughes(whom I feel is going to be very good for a very long time), Mac has taken a step forward, and does a good job blitzing. And with Kearse rotating around as slot corner/LB/safety; Mac doesn't have as much pressure on him. The best corner Rhodes has been dinged up much of the year, and I think his best football of the season is in front of him. I think the same can be said with Smith as I expect the team to continue to make plays in the turnover and sack department, and think Harrison will be a significant part of some of those plays. The team is fortunate to have the depth it does opposite of Smith whether it is Iloka, Harris, Kearse, or Sendajo as he gets healthier.

5. Special Teams: Priefer is not having his best year, but all he needs to do is stabilize the situation. Kicking and punting have been improved the past few games. Special teams is one of the more questionable parts of this team outside of the LB core. (Though I am hoping Barr can turn it on down the stretch). I'm glad we have Dan Bailey, but I still don't trust him; I hope he can prove himself as the season moves on. I do like our punter Wile, and coverage has been good enough so far, but special teams will need to take care of business, especially with how important controlling time of possession is to the team's strategy.

As DeFilipo acclimates himself to the offense; I expect him to improve as a playcaller. He has done more good than bad in my opinion, but still has a lot of room for improvement. The lateral passes, and seemingly forced runs are areas he seems to have improved a little, and his playcalling will need to improve even more as the season goes by. The defense appears to have corrected their issues, and if so; they should get back to being dominant week in and week out.. If both units can continue to eliminate mistakes and build on their continuity, we should start to see the offense and defense feed more off of each other. The next four games will tell us if they have in fact become the Superbowl contending team many of us saw them as going into the season. Minnesota just has to get it together and keep it together. Becoming the hot team going into the playoffs often is the deciding factor in teams making it to the Superbowl. It starts Sunday night in Chicago, and as long as they can stay out of their own way, I think fans can will see some the franchise's best football.

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.