Minnesota Vikings: Predicting the 2017 Vikings record

The Minnesota Vikings are about to kick off their season against the New Orleans Saints, but how will the Viking season go as a whole? Let’s predict the Vikings record!

We have finally made it, Skol Nation! The Minnesota Vikings will shortly be playing game one of their schedule and fans will all know what type of team they have. Can the team break through or will they be stuck in total mediocrity yet again? Perhaps some fans think mediocre may be too positive for this team; we are all going to find out soon.

The Vikings have an intriguing schedule, to say the least. Of course some fans will point toward an alleged fifth easiest schedule and thrust them directly into the playoffs. Others may point towards the abysmal effort the first team offense put forth in the preseason and say they are a six win team.

Yes, the Vikings do only have six games against playoff teams. Yes, the record of the Vikings’ opponents was 115-139-2. Again, that was 2016 and this is 2017. Teams change drastically from year-to-year. All it takes is one team to hit in free agency and the draft and suddenly, that 6-10 record turns into 10-6.

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Before the season starts, the Sporting Sota team is here to give their best prognosis. We will refrain from breaking down every single game but we will give our overall record and why we went with that prediction.

Justin Ekstrom: 7-9

Call me a naysayer or a negative Nancy or whatever you want to but the offensive line scares all that may be holy out of me. The schedule is not as easy as first predicted, in my mind anyway. However, if the Vikings can find a way to win in Washington and sweep the NFC North at home, they will have me singing a much happier tune. The home schedule is quite favorable; if they hold steady at the home of Super Bowl 52, 10 wins is not out of the realm of possibility.

Jake Anderson: 9-7

Regardless of the struggles in the preseason, the Vikings have a talented roster. The defense is the staple of this team and I don’t expect their preseason difficulties to continue. A successful season really comes down to the offense. They failed to score in the preseason, but the run game looks better with Dalvin Cook. Look for this team to be built around the run game, which should open up the passing attack. Even so, the offensive line is still a concern, but it’s hard to imagine they will be worse than last year’s group. Overall, I think 9-7 is realistic.

Travis Young: 9-7

Having been a Vikings loyalist for the past 40 years, I am not sure why I keep coming back for more. So many disappointments, I thought the last straw was the Blair Walsh miss. But, here I am back for more. Some nice looking rookies, but the preseason was bad. It is not the end all, I know. But, with a whole new offensive line, it is difficult to be optimistic. A shot at a wild card is realistic with a 9-7 record.

Nolan Schmidt: 6-10

I am very skeptical of this Vikings team, especially offensively. The defense is obviously the trademark of the team, but I see the offense as the key to success this season. With the loss of Adrian Peterson and Matt Asiata, they are left with rookie Dalvin Cook and Jerick McKinnon. That is not to say either of those two will be successful. it’s just that Cook has yet to prove himself and McKinnon has been seen as nothing more than a receiving back his entire career.

In a league that is trending towards offensive firepower, the Vikings fall behind in that regard. As solid as I think Sam Bradford can be, he has not proven his consistency to me quite yet. It certainly does not help that the Vikings play a tough opening schedule, where their only real favorable match up in their first six games is against Chicago.

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I foresee a 1-5 or maybe 2-4 start which may stunt Minnesota as they take form throughout the season. I do not see them making it over .500 again this season.

Collin Kottke: 10-6

This Vikings team is really, really odd. This team could go 13-3 or 5-11 and I don’t think I’d be totally shocked by either result. It seems like the Vikings have a decent schedule, which is a crapshoot to analyze before a month of the season is actually played. The good news is that the Vikings get to play both the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears twice this season.

I’m going to be uncharacteristically optimistic and have the Vikings at 10-6. I have faith in Sam Bradford and I have faith in one of the best defenses in the NFL.

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Which of the prognostications will come true? Maybe none of them come true and the Vikings rattle off a 13-3 record. Maybe something drastic happens and the Vikings end up with five wins or less. Whatever the case, Sporting Sota will be there to report the true outcome.

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