Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Another team in the NFC North looks vulnerable amid some drama, and here are two reasons the Minnesota Vikings can win the Super Bowl this year.
It’s 2021, which means it’s an odd-numbered year. It also means, the history of head coach Mike Zimmer’s tenure holds, the Minnesota Vikings will make the playoffs this season. Not matter how it looks, via a Wild Card spot or an NFC North title, money can be out on that with confidence.
It also looks like a critical season for Zimmer, and general manager Rick Spielman. A non-playoff season might be enough to bring changes, and all bets would be off in regard to some key players on the roster (trading Kirk Cousins?).
But for this year, the Vikings are all-in as currently constructed. Beyond being a hypothetical lock to make the playoffs, here are two reasons they can win the Super Bowl this season.
2 reasons the Minnesota Vikings can win the Super Bowl this year
2. The offensive line will automatically be better
The offensive line has been an ongoing issue for the Vikings, with a general failure to use prime resources to help things. Having the fairly unathletic Cousins under center has particularly exposed the failure to find competent guards.
The Vikings cut Riley Reiff, then drafted Christian Darrisaw in the first round to step in at left tackle. Third-round pick Wyatt Davis is lined up to step right in as the starter at right guard, which will shift 2020 second-round pick Ezra Cleveland (nine starts at right guard last year) over to left guard in an ideal design of the five who’ll protect Cousins and open up running lanes for Dalvin Cook. Better guard play, which is a practical guarantee, will help center Garrett Bradbury.
For once, the Vikings used not one but two fairly early draft picks on offensive lineman this year. The unit has a lot to prove, especially with two rookies in line to start. But Minnesota has the makings of a solid offensive line, with no one that stands out as unplayably bad in a broad sense.