2013 NFL PREDICTIONS!!! (TYLER)

ON BOARD WITH THE VIKINGS

For Day 24 of my 2013 NFL Predictions i will be breaking down the MINNESOTA VIKINGS.

The Minnesota Vikings have been one of those teams that just doesn't quite get over the hump for serious contention. It doesn't help being in one of the most competitive and difficult divisions in the NFL right now. However, they do have some solid pieces to their overall puzzle. RB Adrian Peterson is the best running back in the NFL right now in my opinion and he determines how effective the offense will be. QB Christian Ponder is a good quarterback in my mind, but has struggled to be efficient as the general of the offense, and who could blame him? Honestly other than Peterson and WR Percy Harvin (who is no longer with the team), who has Ponder had to help him? With Harvin gone to Seattle, the Vikings acquired the services of WR Greg Jennings from Green Bay and Jerome Simpson from Cincinnati. TE Kyle Rudolph is becoming a threat on offense as well. On the defensive side of the ball is where is see the most problems. Other than veterans Jared Allen and Kevin Williams on the defensive line there aren't any playmakers, and that is going to hurt them especially against the QB's in division... Aaron Rogers, Jay Cutler, and Matt Stafford. Ouch. So what did the Vikings do to help the defense? Lets take a look at their draft class.

ROUND 1: Shariff Floyd DT (Florida)

ROUND 1: Xavier Rhodes CB (Florida State)

ROUND 1: Cordarrelle Patterson WR (Tennessee)

ROUND 4: Gerald Hodges OLB (Penn State)

ROUND 5: Jeff Locke P (UCLA)

ROUND 6: Jeff Baca OG (UCLA)

ROUND 7: Michael Mauti ILB (Penn State)

ROUND 7: Travis Bond OG (North Carolina)

ROUND 7: Everett Dawkins DT (Florida State)

I am very impressed with the Vikings draft. I can viably see their first seven of their nine picks starting or pushing for a starting spot. Shariff Floyd will start along side Kevin Williams on the D-Line. Xavier Rhodes will start at corner. Patterson will push his way into a starting spot at WR. With P Chris Kluwe gone to Oakland Jeff Locke will start at punter. And Penn State LBs Gerald Hodges and Michael Mauti will push for starting spots in a weak linebacking corp. Well done Vikings, (golf clap) well done. Now how does this draft translate for this season? Lets take a look.

OPPONENTS                                                W/L
@ DETROIT                                                     L
@ CHICAGO                                                    L
CLEVELAND                                                   W
PITTSBURGH                                                 W
BYE WEEK
CAROLINA                                                      W
@ NEW YORK GIANTS (MONDAY)              L
GREEN BAY                                                    L
@ DALLAS                                                      L
WASHINGTON (THURSDAY)                        L
@ SEATTLE                                                    L
@ GREEN BAY                                               L
CHICAGO                                                        L
@ BALTIMORE                                               L
PHILADELPHIA                                              W
@ CINCINNATI                                                L
DETROIT                                                        L

FINAL RECORD                                         4 - 12

I really like the way the Vikings drafted, picking up players that will have an impact on the future, however the "future" is not going to be this year. There are too many holes on this team, and the schedule isn't very forgiving. Adrian Peterson is going to win this team a couple of games especially early in the year when his legs will be fresher. I like what Minnesota is doing for the long term. I just don't see this year being like last year for this team. If they prove me wrong then great, but we will see won't we.

What do you think about the Vikings schedule and/or record? Let me hear it.