2019 Record - 10-6-0
Head Coach - Mike Zimmer
New Players in 2020 - Tajae Sharpe (WR), Anthony Zettel (DL)
Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - Michael Pierce (DL)
OFFENSE - Kirk Cousins (3,603 passing yards, 26 TD, six interceptions) is the starting quarterback as he enters his third season with the Vikings. Sean Mannion will back him up.
Dalvin Cook is the primary running back and he is coming off a season in which he rushed for 1,135 yards (4.5 ypc average) and scored 13 touchdowns. He also had 53 receptions for 519 yards. Alexander Mattison (462 yards, 4.6 ypc and one TD) is a nice complementary back.
Adam Thielen will look to bounce back from an injury plagued season that saw him with only 30 receptions for 418 yards with six touchdowns. Rookie Justin Jefferson (LSU) will get his chance this training camp to become a starter. Tajae Sharpe (25, 329, four TD) comes over from Tennessee and will likely be third wideout. The tight end combination of Kyle Rudolph (39, 367, six TD) and Irv Smith, Jr. (36, 311, two TD) is reliable for the passing game.
The Vikings sported a solid running game a year ago, finishing sixth in the NFL (134 ypg) while the total offense was 16th, gaining 354 yards per game. The Vikes averaged 220 passing yards per game and scored 25.4 points per game.
DEFENSE - Defensive End Danielle Hunter (14 1/2 QB sacks) leads the front line and will team with Shamar Stephen, Jaleel Johnson (3 1/2 sacks) and Ifeadi Odenigbo (seven sacks) while Eric Kendricks, Eric Wilson (three sacks) and Anthony Barr man the linebacker spots. Defensive tackle Michael Pierce, a free agent signed from Baltimore, opted out for this season.
The secondary has safeties Anthony Harris (league leading six interceptions, including one for a touchdown) and Harrison Smith, who had three picks last season. Mike Hughes will be one starting cornerback while either rookie Jeff Gladney (TCU) or Holton Hill will play the other corner spot. Cameron Dantzler (Mississippi State) and Harrison Hand (Temple) are two other corners who were taken in the draft. Kris Boyd and rookies Josh Metellus (Michigan) and Brian Cole II (Mississippi State) add depth.
OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - Minnesota made the playoffs for third time in five seasons a year ago as they played aggressive defense and took advantage of turnovers (plus-11) snagging 17 interceptions and they also registered 48 quarterback sacks. The Vikes were also stingy in the red zone as they allowed only 18.9 points per game while finishing 14th overall in total defense, allowing 342 yards per game. The defense allowed 108 rushing yards and 234 passing yards per game.
The Vikings' defense looks to be adjusting on the fly with new personnel coming into this season as they took nine defensive players in the NFL draft to offset four players leaving via free agency.
As long as Cook stays healthy and continues to pound the ball, the offense should do well. Cousins doesn't turn it over very often and he was sacked 28 times a year ago. The receiving corps will be without Stephon Diggs (traded to Buffalo) but if Adam Thielen can come back strong he is definitely a top option.
Limiting turnovers and controlling the football is the key to success for Minnesota and Head Coach Mike Zimmer would like to see that continue as well as the solid defense the team plays. Playing in the NFC North division is tough and Green Bay looks solid once again and Chicago and Detroit always seem to give the Vikings a hard time. This team can reach the playoffs again if they play to their game plan.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Green Bay
Week Two - at Indianapolis
Week Three - vs. Tennessee
Week Four - at Houston
Week Five - at Seattle
Week Six - vs. Atlanta
Week Seven - BYE
Week Eight - at Green Bay
Week Nine - vs. Detroit
Week Ten - at Chicago
Week Eleven - vs. Dallas
Week Twelve - vs. Carolina
Week Thirteen - vs. Jacksonville
Week Fourteen - at Tampa Bay
Week Fifteen - vs. Chicago
Week Sixteen - at New Orleans
Week Seventeen - at Detroit
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