2016 Minnesota Vikings - Go Gophers! Or Something.

[ifmanis5]

By current statistical models, the best team in football.

http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-nfl-predictions/?ex_cid=538twitter
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/dvoa-ratings/2016/week-5-dvoa-ratings

I keep waiting for them to revert to something less than their record but it looks like this is sustainable after all- even without AP and with whatever QB they throw out there.
They deserve a thread. And they have a good coach.

 

[mauf]

I'm not even sure there's a rational argument that the Vikings aren't the best team in the NFC.

It turns out if you have a strong O-line and a terrific defense, you can get by with modest talent at the sexy "skill positions." I suspect the O-line was also making TBW and AP look better than they actually were, as opposed to Bradford and McKinnon/Asiata being much better than we thought.

 

[BigSoxFan]

I'm not even sure there's a rational argument that the Vikings aren't the best team in the NFC.

It turns out if you have a strong O-line and a terrific defense, you can get by with modest talent at the sexy "skill positions." I suspect the O-line was also making TBW and AP look better than they actually were, as opposed to Bradford and McKinnon/Asiata being much better than we thought.

Right now, you have to give it to them. They've looked very dominant. However, I think both Seattle and Dallas have the potential to surpass them by year end. That 12/1 game against the Cowboys is looming large for potential playoff seeding.

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

I chuckled when I first heard people use the Bradford/Plunkett comparison...but now I'm starting to agree with it. Looking like a great trade for all parties involved.

 

[Super Nomario]

I'm not even sure there's a rational argument that the Vikings aren't the best team in the NFC.

It turns out if you have a strong O-line and a terrific defense, you can get by with modest talent at the sexy "skill positions." I suspect the O-line was also making TBW and AP look better than they actually were, as opposed to Bradford and McKinnon/Asiata being much better than we thought.

Minnesota's offensive line is awful though, and it's even worse now that Kalil (who was bad) went down.

 

[mauf]

Minnesota's offensive line is awful though, and it's even worse now that Kalil (who was bad) went down.

I'm skeptical that they're as bad as the CW says, though "strong" was probably overselling it. Obviously, they can't absorb an infinite number of injuries on the line without it affecting performance.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Minnesota's offensive line is awful though, and it's even worse now that Kalil (who was bad) went down.

Mark Domink on ESPN Radio today suggests the Vikings trade a pair of second-rounders to Cleveland for Joe Thomas

 

[Super Nomario]

I'm skeptical that they're as bad as the CW says, though "strong" was probably overselling it. Obviously, they can't absorb an infinite number of injuries on the line without it affecting performance.

Why are you skeptical the OL is bad? It's not like the offense as a whole is particularly good. They're 14th in points per game, 30th in yards per game, and 23rd and 27th if you go per drive. Their 2.5 yards per carry ranks dead last in the NFL. PFF ranks Minnesota's OL 30th. Arif Hasan notes that they've changed the O to get the ball out of Bradford's hands quickly and he's still being pressured a lot. Things are so bad that they signed Jake Long out of semi-retirement. I don't see any reason to doubt that the OL stinks.

 

[mauf]

Why are you skeptical the OL is bad? It's not like the offense as a whole is particularly good. They're 14th in points per game, 30th in yards per game, and 23rd and 27th if you go per drive. Their 2.5 yards per carry ranks dead last in the NFL. PFF ranks Minnesota's OL 30th. Arif Hasan notes that they've changed the O to get the ball out of Bradford's hands quickly and he's still being pressured a lot. Things are so bad that they signed Jake Long out of semi-retirement. I don't see any reason to doubt that the OL stinks.

Thanks for the Hasan article. In the action I've seen, Bradford looks like he has enough time to throw most of the time. I wasn't savvy enough to recognize that the Vikings are achieving that by organizing their offense around shorter drops, quicker reads, etc.

 

[DanoooME]

And Minnesota is only 14th in PPG because the defense has 2 TDs and they have 2 return TDs. They are tied for 30th in the league in offensive TDs with Houston (with 9) and only 1 TD ahead of the last place Jets. Atlanta leads the league with 21 offensive TDs.

 

[ifmanis5]

Reversion-ing before our very eyes.

 

[Ale Xander]

And Minnesota is only 14th in PPG because the defense has 2 TDs and they have 2 return TDs. They are tied for 30th in the league in offensive TDs with Houston (with 9) and only 1 TD ahead of the last place Jets. Atlanta leads the league with 21 offensive TDs.

Exactly. They have no QB, no RB's, not a great line, a decent pass-catching TE who's not a great blocker, and 1 1/2 WR's (the 1/2 is a great returner)

 

[RhaegarTharen]

Yeah, their O-Line is shit. They weren't great even before they lost both starting tackles. The Defense is good enough that Norv was able to scheme up a way for Bradford to game-manage when given a lead, but the Eagles blew that up by basically showing that the o-line has little ability to provide Bradford any sort of protection against a blitz. When you're asking the offense to play catch-up, it's even worse. Sam is who we thought he was - and that's a QB who is just mediocre at best.

I hated the Bradford trade when it happened, and was reluctantly pressed to agree that it appeared to have worked out for both sides after their hot start. But I'm not sure that the sum of the offense, especially without Peterson, is strong enough to be a true contender.

Xavier Rhodes is legit, however.

 

[shoosh77]

Norv resigns:

http://www.startribune.com/norv-turner-resigns-as-vikings-offensive-coordinator-pat-shurmur-to-take-over-duties/399653581/

 

[Ale Xander]

Is shurmur expected to run the fast paced west coast offense that he did in Philly with Chip?

Especially as a Holmgren disciple