NFC North 2007 Previews and Projections
Minnesota: The Viking faithful are not a pleased bunch heading into this new season and especially after posting a final record of 6-10 straight up last year which includes losing 8 of their final 10 games after a 4-2 straight up start.
There are many questions to be answered prior to the start of the regular season and at the top of the list is "Who will be the starting QB"? Will it be the young and inexperienced Tarvaris Jackson who critics say is the odds on favorite for the job or will it be former Badger Brooks Bollinger? It most certainly won't be former Cowboy QB Drew Henson because the Vikes cut him from their roster and added career backup Kelly Holcomb to the mix in exchange for a draft pick with the Eagles.
Whichever QB gets the nod will have a new weapon with recently acquired WR Robert Ferguson who in a surprise move was cut by the Packers.
In the big picture, due to the weakness at both the QB and WR positions, look for the Viking offense to be geared more towards the running game and why not with RB Chester Taylor in the backfield along with former Sooner Adrian Peterson? Taylor was a work horse for the Vikes last year with 304 rush attempts for just over 1200 yards and a 4.
0 yard per rush average, Peterson should be just what the doctor ordered with regard to having a reliable backup to spell Taylor, however, without a passing game opposing defenses with be able to key on either player and easily shut down what appears to be a one dimensional attack.
Defensively, the Vikes will spend way too much time on the field if their offense sputters as they figure to do, this is not a good thing for a unit that will have their 7th defensive coordinator in the last 9 years due to Mike Tomlin's promotion to Pittsburgh as their HC.
Look for the Vikes to duke it out with Detroit for the title of cellar dweller.
Projected record: 6-10 **Look to play the AGAINST Minnesota on Sept 16th when they visit the Lions, Detroit has been installed as a home doggie to the Vikings seven of the past eight seasons and in all likelihood will be a home dog to the Vikes again this year and with good reason when considering that Detroit has now lost 24 of their last 30 divisional games in straight up fashion and in head to head competition has lost 13 of their last 14 games against the Vikes.
The line on this affair will probably be further inflated due to the Lions opening their season at Oakland while Minny opened at home against Atlanta.
With a little luck the Lions will look terrible in their first game while Minny looks like a world beater.
The thought process here is that we will be catching the Vikes on a "down tick" after opening their season at home, meanwhile, the Lions will be on a emotional high playing in their home opener regardless of what happens in their season opener at Oakland, the Lions have talent on their roster on both sides of the ball and if they gel could surprise a lot of teams this year including the visiting Vikes.
Keep an eye on how Detroit does in their opener at Oakland because a check of the ole history book reveals that Detroit is a perfect 6-0 ATS in September when playing at home and coming off a straight up and point spread loss.
There are many questions to be answered prior to the start of the regular season and at the top of the list is "Who will be the starting QB"? Will it be the young and inexperienced Tarvaris Jackson who critics say is the odds on favorite for the job or will it be former Badger Brooks Bollinger? It most certainly won't be former Cowboy QB Drew Henson because the Vikes cut him from their roster and added career backup Kelly Holcomb to the mix in exchange for a draft pick with the Eagles.
Whichever QB gets the nod will have a new weapon with recently acquired WR Robert Ferguson who in a surprise move was cut by the Packers.
In the big picture, due to the weakness at both the QB and WR positions, look for the Viking offense to be geared more towards the running game and why not with RB Chester Taylor in the backfield along with former Sooner Adrian Peterson? Taylor was a work horse for the Vikes last year with 304 rush attempts for just over 1200 yards and a 4.
0 yard per rush average, Peterson should be just what the doctor ordered with regard to having a reliable backup to spell Taylor, however, without a passing game opposing defenses with be able to key on either player and easily shut down what appears to be a one dimensional attack.
Defensively, the Vikes will spend way too much time on the field if their offense sputters as they figure to do, this is not a good thing for a unit that will have their 7th defensive coordinator in the last 9 years due to Mike Tomlin's promotion to Pittsburgh as their HC.
Look for the Vikes to duke it out with Detroit for the title of cellar dweller.
Projected record: 6-10 **Look to play the AGAINST Minnesota on Sept 16th when they visit the Lions, Detroit has been installed as a home doggie to the Vikings seven of the past eight seasons and in all likelihood will be a home dog to the Vikes again this year and with good reason when considering that Detroit has now lost 24 of their last 30 divisional games in straight up fashion and in head to head competition has lost 13 of their last 14 games against the Vikes.
The line on this affair will probably be further inflated due to the Lions opening their season at Oakland while Minny opened at home against Atlanta.
With a little luck the Lions will look terrible in their first game while Minny looks like a world beater.
The thought process here is that we will be catching the Vikes on a "down tick" after opening their season at home, meanwhile, the Lions will be on a emotional high playing in their home opener regardless of what happens in their season opener at Oakland, the Lions have talent on their roster on both sides of the ball and if they gel could surprise a lot of teams this year including the visiting Vikes.
Keep an eye on how Detroit does in their opener at Oakland because a check of the ole history book reveals that Detroit is a perfect 6-0 ATS in September when playing at home and coming off a straight up and point spread loss.
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