NFC North Power Shift: Minnesota Vikings Poised to Repeat

After a solid performance on Monday Night Football, the Minnesota Vikings are positioning themselves for another first place finish in the NFC North.

Green Bay may have started out as the 2016 favorite, but after four games into the season it appears that the Minnesota Vikings are primed to defend their title.

Minnesota is proving that last year was no fluke, it’s the Vikings time to shine.

Call them whatever you want, Purple Reign, Purple Craze, Purple People Eaters 2.0, it really doesn’t matter. The Minnesota Viking’ defense is playing lights-out football at the moment.

If you had asked anyone outside of the Vikings organization if this team had the chance to be undefeated heading into Week 5, you might have been laughed at. Marcus Mariota, Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Eli Manning– poof, all gone. Mike Zimmer has all of Viking’ Nation believing.

Every successful franchise in the NFL has solid leadership, and a blue-print that the team must follow. Sticking to the script has been a trademark for Rick Spielman and company, even with the numerous setbacks. The hiring of Mike Zimmer however has been the turning point.

History has proven that every great dynasty eventually falls, and the Packer’s decline started January 15, 2014. Mike Zimmer’s first year as the Minnesota Vikings head coach showed promise, but his second and third season’s have put Minnesota in the upper echelon of NFL franchises. Coach Zim has molded a team-first mentality that has sustainability. The Vikings young roster will be contenders for years to come.

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You could say it’s too early to crown the Vikings the NFC North champs, but after four games in you know what kind of team you have, and Minnesota is spanking the competition. I doubt we will win every game, but 14-2, or 13-3 is within range.

When looking at the schedule for this season, the first five games heading into our bye (Week 6) looked the most daunting. We seemed to have handled those teams fairly well so far. Looking at the remainder of the games, only Arizona (Nov. 20) and Green Bay (Dec. 24) seem to be the biggest obstacles.

Next: Antoine Winfield named to PFF All-Decade Team

Oh, and perhaps Blair Walsh. C’mon man!