Well...almost. Vikings fans have to wait one more day, but for a Monday night bout against A.P. and the team that cheated their way to a Super Bowl (I still think they deserve an * on that trophy), I'd say it's worth the wait.
As you twiddle your thumbs, bounce your knee or pee your pants in anticipation for Monday's game, I thought I'd provide three possible outcomes for the 2017 season. Let's call them the heaven-forbid woeful season, the miracle season and the probable season.
1.Miracle Season
"Favre back to pass, pumps to the left. Eight seconds left. He gets away from the pressure. Fires to the endzooooooone. It's caught! It's Greg Lewis! TOUCHDOWN! Oh my heavens!"
It was game 3 of the 2009 season that we all knew there was something magical about the Favre-led Vikings. The Vikings will need that same kind of magic to make a playoff run this year.
I'm talking Dalvin Cook has to run in a way that makes us say, "Adrian, who?" Sam Bradford needs to show us why he was picked #1 overall in 2010, instead of taking the sack the moment his first chuck-down option isn't available. And our defense needs to play like they did the first five games of last season.
None of this is out of the question. Cook probably won't pull a Kareem Hunt in game one, but he could deliver a special season, especially if Bradford is able to prove to defenses that he can throw. And while our defense isn't identical to last year -- it's close enough.
If all three of these come together for the bulk of the season...Sam Bradford and company could have some serious home field advantage in February.
Chances of this happening: 12%
2. Heaven-forbid Season
This one is pretty simple. Basically, if you watched the preseason...that's how the regular season team looks. The Vikings habitually fail to score TDs in the red zone.
This is a solid football team that could easily go 6-10 by kicking field goal after field goal. While this would be great for my fantasy team, field goals aren't enough to beat most the teams on the Vikings schedule.
Couple this with a defense that takes a step back without Munnerlyn and Greenway and the Vikings are in trouble.
Chances of this happening: 24%
3. Probable Season
Here's my prediction for this season. I think we have a much better running game, a similar passing game and a slightly worse defense.
A lot of 20-17 sorts of games making for a kind of boring season. One big upset victory. Two losses with time-expiring field goals by the other team.
Chances of this happening: 64%
Vikings Season Prediction
Week 1 (vs Saints): Electric game at home. Everyone says, "Whoa. These Vikings are legit. Win.Week 2 (at Steelers): No offense. Everyone says, "Nevermind." Loss.
Week 3 (vs Bucs): An ugly...Win.
Week 4 (vs Lions): Deja vu from last season. A shoulda-won... Loss.
Week 5 (at Bears): Vikings take care of business in a boring game. Win.
Week 6 (vs Packers): The game that makes the whole season worth watching. Win.
Week 7 (vs Ravens): Back on track. Win.
Week 8 (at Browns): Rolling now...Win.
Week 9: NOT GOING ON VACATION
Week 10 (at Redskins): Hangover...Loss.
Week 11 (vs Rams): Back on track. Win.
Week 12 (at Lions): A new era has begun where the Lions always beat the Vikings. Loss.
Week 13 (at Falcons): Too distracted by the shiny new stadium. Loss.
Week 14 (at Panthers): The long road stretch really gets to us. Loss.
Week 15 (vs Bengals): A fairly fun game. Win.
Week 16 (at Packers): Don't bother interrupting your Christmas plans. Loss.
Week 17 (vs Bears): Out of the playoffs, so nobody really cares...Win.
Final Prediction: 9-7. I mean, come on, playing the Super Bowl in our own stadium was too good to be true.
That being said...there's still a 12% chance we go to the Super Bowl so...you never know.
No comments:
Post a Comment