The Vikings are a very trendy pick.
They have the hot young offensive genius coach, budding superstars at every skill position, and a quarterback that’s finally in a situation that should truly support him.
Not only do people think they’ll win on Sunday, but they are consistently picked to upset the Packers for the division crown.
I’m here to tell you it’s absolute nonsense.
Do I think the Vikings will be better this year than they were last year? Maybe. It’s hard to be worse than the ghost ship that was being run by Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman, but let’s not get carried away.
Their defense is beyond suspect. Sure they added Za’Darius Smith, but both he and their other best player Danielle Hunter are huge question marks from a health standpoint. Their third best player, Harrison Smith, is an aging safety that doesn’t nearly have the step he used to.
Their secondary is filled with inexperienced corners and they haven’t proven they can stop a toddler in the run game.
And oh by the way, they’re coached by Ed Donatelle. It’s not usually my way to criticize former Packers, but Ed Donatelle? That’s who you are trying to scare us with? The man responsible for 4th and 26? I didn’t think Donatelle was a good defensive coordinator 20 years ago, and I sure as hell don’t think he is one now.
Call me crazy but I’m not overly concerned about a has been coach stacking a bunch of nobodies on top of a couple aging superstars. That’s not how you stop Rodgers. The truth is Mike Zimmer gave Aaron Rodgers more fits than almost anyone. I expect number 12 to have a monster day on Sunday.
Their offensive line in Minnesota has proven nothing. They’ve been terrible for years and they made no changes except for adding a rookie in Ed Engram.
The Packers defense is quite literally the opposite of the Vikings skill wise. If you think that line is going to open holes for Dalvin Cook or protect Kirk Cousins against this defense you are out of your mind. This might be the best Green Bay defense in 20 years.
And most importantly, and I do mean most importantly Kirk Cousins is still the qb. I don’t care if Michael Irvin thinks he’s going to be the MVP. Hell I wouldn’t care if Vince Lombardi‘s ghost appeared at halftime and told me he was going to be the MVP. I still wouldn’t believe it. This is the ultimate stat stuffing, no difference making quarterback. People think Kevin O’Connell is going to do for him what they did for Matt Stafford? The problem is Matt Stafford has the ability to take a risk. Kirk Cousins is the most boring safe quarterback on the planet. And just like every moment of his entire career, when the game is on the line he won’t be able to make the throws that he’s able to make when the game isn’t on the line.
So go ahead predict away. The Vikings will win. The Vikings will take the division. The Vikings are going to the Super Bowl.
Enjoy your disappointment.
Packers 41 Vikings 17
