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2008 Minnesota Vikings NFL Football Predictions
Overview: The Vikings were in position to earn a playoff berth last December after reeling off five straight wins following a 3-6 start, but they came up short down the stretch, losing their final two games of the season.  Still, their 8-8 finish was a two win improvement over the previous year.  That being said, six of their eight victories came against bottom feeders with losing records.
 
Owner Zigy Wilf opened his checkbook in the offseason, as Minnesota was a major player in free agency.  Wilf has let it be known to head coach Brad Childress (and anyone else that was willing to listen) that a Super Bowl appearance is the ultimate goal… a Super Bowl appearance in the not-to-distant future.
 
The Vikings do two things as well or better than any other team in football – they run, and stop the run.  Last year, they finished with the #1 rushing offense and the #1 rushing defense in the 32 team league.  There was a time in the NFL where those two things alone would make Minnesota an elite level teams.  But times have changed in the NFL – the ability to pass and stop the pass are mandatory for success.  Last year, the Vikings came up very short in both departments, finishing with the worst pass defense in the NFL and the #28 pass offense.
 
Offense: If Tarvaris Jackson really is ‘the next Donovan McNabb’, as Brad Childress (former Eagles offensive coordinator) described him following Minnesota’s reach up in the draft to nab him (pun intended), he’ll need to show real signs of progress in his third year as a pro.  Jackson is 8-4 as a starter, but he’s struggled to stay healthy and his 70.8 quarterback rating last year was certainly not in the upper echelon of starting NFL QB’s.  If Jackson can step up in 2008, Wilf may accomplish his Super Bowl dreams earlier than expected.  However, if Jackson falters or gets hurt, 37 year old Gus Frerotte will be forced into action and he’s no longer a reasonable option at this stage of his career.
 
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has made it very clear that he wants Jackson to take more shots down the field this year, giving the Vikings a big play element to their passing game.  Minnesota signed speedy free agent wide receiver Bernard Berrian to stretch opposing defenses, something he did extremely well during his tenure with the Bears.  Berrian will join Sidney Rice in the starting lineup, a second rounder in 2007, coming off a promising rookie season.  Aundae Allison showed limited flashes of big play ability in his rookie season, but he’s fighting for playing time behind veterans Bobby Wade and Rodney Ferguson.
 
Adrian Peterson was the most exciting offensive rookie in football last Fall, rushing for more than 1300 yards; 5.6 yards per carry.  In order to keep him fresh, Chester Taylor will get his fair share of carries as well.  Taylor ran for more than 800 yards last year; 5.4 yards per carry, pretty darn good numbers for a backup.
 
The success of both running backs can be placed squarely on the shoulders of a dominant offensive line.  Center Matt Birk is a pro bowler.  Guard Steve Hutchinson, the big free agent signee last year, is one of the best at his position in the NFL.  Left tackle Bryant McKinnie faces a short NFL mandated suspension for his off-field activities at some point this season, but he, too, is a dominant blocker.  Guard Anthony Herrera has improved by leaps and bounds, playing alongside this level of talent.  Four of the Vikings five offensive line starters played every game together last year, and all five return for 2008, giving Minnesota great continuity on this crucial unit.
 
Defense: The Vikings finished dead last in the NFL in pass defense in 2007, but at least some of that had to do with the fact that teams simply gave up on trying to run the football against their #1 ranked run defense.  That run defense starts with tackles Kevin and Pat Williams (no relation) who both earned trips to Honolulu last February as the premier duo at their position in the NFL.  In the offseason, Minnesota traded away much of their draft to Kansas City, picking up, arguably, the best pass rusher in the league as well.  Jared Allen led the NFL in sacks last year, despite missing two games.  His presence alone should help dramatically improve Minnesota’s numbers against the pass.
 
The Vikings linebacking corps is also an above average unit.  EJ Henderson made the pro bowl last year in the middle.  Chad Greenway was expected to be an impact first round draft choice in ’06, but he tore his ACL in training camp.  Less than 100% last year in his first season back from the injury, Greenway still finished second on the team in tackles.  Ben Leber isn’t as flashy as his linebacker-mates, but he’s as technically sound as it gets.  Minnesota has virtually no quality depth behind this trio, so injuries here could be particularly problematic.
 
The Vikings invested big free agent dollars acquiring versatile safety Madieu Williams from Cincinnati to shore up their secondary in the offseason, but Williams is suffering from a nerve problem in his neck that is expected to keep him sidelined for at least the next six weeks.  Another free agent addition, Michael Boulware (Houston) should be the beneficiary of Williams missed playing time, although second round rookie Tyrell Johnson (Arkansas State) could factor into the mix.  Strong safety Darren Sharper made the pro bowl last year, but he’s 33 years old.  Cornerbacks Antonie Winfield and Cedric Griffin are a solid, if unspectacular tandem, but the unit as a whole should improve by leaps and bounds as long as Allen can provide the pass rush that was sorely lacking in 2007.
 
Schedule: According to the ‘official’ numbers, Minnesota plays one of the toughest schedules in the NFL in 2008, based on last year’s results.  However, my numbers, based on the 2008 Over/Under win totals posted all over Vegas, show the Vikings playing a ‘middle of the pack’ opposing slate.  They do have a tough stretch in November and December, playing four out of five on the road.  And, with road games at Green Bay, Tennessee and New Orleans along with a home game against the Colts in the first five weeks, the Vikings will be hard pressed to get off to a great start, giving us enormous potential value with this squad in midseason.