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Unable to manage their end of matches, the violets let slip too many victories which stretched out their arms to envisage a happy end to the season. Added to this are the catastrophic performances of the defense, for the second consecutive year, which will have had the head of Mike Zimmer.
The Jarl is dead, long live the Jarl. It is now Kevin O’Connell’s turn to find the solutions to bring the Vikings back to the playoffs, which they have not known since 2019.
Last season: 8-9, 2nd from NFC North
Movements in the off-season
Notable arrivals: Za’Darius Smith (DE), Harrison Phillips (DT), Jordan Hicks (LB), Jesse Davis (RT), Chris Reed (LG), Albert Wilson (WR), Chandon Sullivan (CB)
Re-signatures : Patrick Peterson, Greg Joseph (K), Jordan Berry (P), Sean Mannion (QB)
Draft : Lewis Cine (S), Andrew Booth (CB), Ed Ingram (OG), Brian Asamoah (LB), Akayleb Evans (CB), Esezi Otomewo (DE), Ty Chandler (RB), Vederian Lowe (OT), Jalen Nailor (WR), Nick Muse (TE)
Notable losses: Anthony Barr (LB), Michael Pierce (DT), Tyler Conklin (TE), Nick Vigil (LB), Xavier Woods (S), Sheldon Richardson (DT), Rashod Hill (RT), Everson Griffen (DE), Mackensie Alexander (CB), Dakota Dozier (LG)
For his first off-season, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah struggled to make up for the losses. Anthony Barr is numerically replaced by Jordan Hicks, while Harrison Phillips comes to forget the disappointing passage of Michael Pierce. The offensive line continues to be considered with reinforcements from Jesse Davis and Chris Reed.
In terms of contract renewals, Peterson is extended for a year, like special teams players, Greg Joseph and Jordan Berry. This is also the case for Sean Mannion who will fight with Kelen Mond for the position of quarterback No. 2.
Among the players selected for the draft, Lewis Cine replaces Xavier Woods. The safety’s versatility is greatly appreciated by Ed Donatell, the franchise’s new defensive coordinator, who would consider having him play nickelback in certain games. Andrew Booth reinforces a weak group of receivers. The rookie impresses at the camps and could be an entry holder. Another rookie to stand out, Ed Ingram could go for the right guard position this year.
The strong points)
Today, the star of this franchise is Justin Jefferson. No receiver has racked up more yards than him since 2020. With 75 first attempts, including 31 of 3th attempt, the former LSU was decisive in moving the chains. On the other side of the attack Minnesota can always count on Adam Thielen. In statistical decline due to an injury at the end of the season, the veteran was still as effective as soon as the purples entered the red zone.
Less decisive in 2021, the ground game still remains a safe bet, with a Dalvin Cook who remains one of the five best runners in the league. In the last year of his rookie contract, Alexander Mattison is a very solid substitute who will want to prove that he has the shoulders of a holder.
If the defense of the violets has cracked, it is certainly not because of his pass rush. With 51 sacks in 2021, Minnesota finishes second in this area, behind the Steelers (55). This is all the more remarkable as no player has reached the 10 sack mark. A collective performance to be repeated and which should be facilitated by the arrival of Za’Darius Smith and, we hope, a Danielle Hunter who remains in good health.
The weak spots)
Solid in front but worrying behind, Minnesota has still not solved its air cover problem. It is not for lack of having tried to solve it by the draft with 4 cornerbacks selected in the first round since 2013. Today, there is not a single one left in the workforce. Far from his best level, Patrick Peterson will have to lead by example to help young Andrew Booth and Cameron Dantzler to develop.
We thought the Vikings would be quiet for a while at center when they brought in Garrett Bradbury in 2019. Judging by the latest reports from training camp, that’s not the case. His coach explained in particular that he expected more from him on pass protection, and a local newspaper (Skor North) even announced that Minnesota would actively seek a center to exchange. In the meantime, Chris Reed could well be the incumbent in week 1.
Finally, the uncertainty around the tight end position is great. Currently, the only fit player in the squad to have caught a pass, Johnny Mundt, has accumulated 93 yards in 5 years and has not scored a single touchdown. There is Irv Smith Jr, who has the talent to start, but it’s at the physical level that it gets stuck. Injured for the entire 2021 season, Smith Jr has already injured his thumb in the first training sessions. While the Vikings claim he should be back for the start of the season, he remains a visibly fragile player, and the fallbacks seem far from Tyler Conklin’s level.
The X Factor: Time Management
Over the past two years, no team has taken more points than Minnesota in the last two minutes of the second and fourth quarters. In 2020, Mike Zimmer’s men broke the record for points taken over these periods since the year 2000 with a total of 107. They managed to do better in 2021. By taking 128 points in the difficult “money time” of hope to exist.
Weighed down by the conservatism of their former coach, the Vikings hope that O’Connell’s youth and enthusiasm will help them solve this problem.
Player to watch: Dalvin Cook
Dalvin Cook’s 2021 season hasn’t been bad. Once again, he broke the 1,000 yard mark, for the third season in a row. However, Minnesota expected much more. With only 6 touchdowns and 57 first attempts obtained, Cook did not weigh as much as hoped.
With Mattison pushing behind him, Cook will have to raise the bar if he wants to avoid having to pack his bags at the end of next season. For this, he can count on the new dynamic that will want to trigger Kevin O’Connell. It’s going to be interesting to see how he plans to use it. Who says more pass-oriented attack means less balls for Cook. However, the new coach of the violets has already confirmed that he intends to involve his runner more in aerial games.
In any case, he will have to prove that he can continue to exist in an attack where he no longer has the keys.
Calendar
Packers, @Eagles, Lions, @Saints (Londres), Bears, @Dolphins, BYE, Cardinals, @Commanders, @Bills, Cowboys, Patriots, Jets, @Lions, Colts, Giants, @Packers, @Bears
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In summary
By playing 9 times at home, with two teams in difficulty in its division and with an affordable schedule, the Vikings must find the playoffs this year in view of the wealth of their workforce. If that might be a bit tight to compete with the league’s big names, Minnesota has enough to spoil the holidays next January.
Prediction: 11-6, 2nd of the NFC North and playoffs.