2016 Record - 8-8-0
Head Coach - Mike Zimmer
Offensive Rank - 28th (315 yards per game, 20.4 points scored per game)
Defensive Rank - 3rd (315 yards allowed per game, 19.2 points allowed per game)
Sam Bradford is the starting quarterback after passing for 3,877 yards with 20 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Case Keenum (2,201 pass yards with nine TD and 11 INT) comes over from the Rams to provide depth as Teddy Bridgewater looks to come back from a terrible knee injury.
Running back is getting an overhaul in Minnesota as Adrian Peterson went to the New Orleans Saints, leaving either rookie Dalvin Cook (Florida State) or Latavius Murray (788 yards with 12 TD with Oakland) as the primary runner. Jerrick McKinnon, who had 539 yards (two rush TD) and also 43 receptions with two scores, is another option in the backfield.
Wide receiver has Stefon Diggs (84, 903, three TD) as a key player along with Adam Thielen (69, 967, five TD). The tight end is Kyle Rudolph (83, 840, seven TD). Second year receiver Laquon Treadwell is also in the mix.
Dannielle Hunter (12 1/2 QB sacks), Everson Griffen (eight sacks) and Brian Robison (7 1/2 sacks) head the defensive front while Xavier Rhodes (five interceptions) and Trae Waynes (three INT) lead the secondary for the NFL's number-three defense last season, which also netted 27 takeaways in the 2016 season.
OUTLOOK FOR 2017 - The Vikings finished at .500 last season and Head Coach Mike Zimmer would like to see the offense pick it up a few notches this year after ranking near the bottom of the NFL. Sam Bradford came over from Philadelphia and had a decent season (statistically) but the offense averaged just 20 points per game, putting too much pressure on a solid defensive unit.
If the team wants to get back to the playoffs, they must score more points and Bradford will lead the way along with two new running backs and a variety of receivers. It seems like there are too many questions facing the team heading into the season, especially on offense.
The key will be how the Vikings do against their division foes this year (2-4 in division games in 2016) as well as the offense having more balance as they averaged just 75 yards rushing per game.
It looks like another 8-8 season in Minnesota this year, unless the offense steps it up.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. New Orleans
Week Two - at Pittsburgh
Week Three - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Four - vs. Detroit
Week Five - at Chicago
Week Six - vs. Green Bay
Week Seven - vs. Baltimore
Week Eight - at Cleveland (London, England)
Week Nine - BYE
Week Ten - at Washington
Week Eleven - vs. LA Rams
Week Twelve - at Detroit
Week Thirteen - at Atlanta
Week Fourteen - at Carolina
Week Fifteen - vs. Cincinnati
Week Sixteen - at Green Bay
Week Seventeen - vs. Chicago
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