Last season, the Minnesota Vikings were not that far off, and with the right moves, this season promises to be quite fascinating. With the new head coach Kevin O’Connell’s formula, the team is bound to achieve most of the ambitious goals it set for itself at the beginning of the season.
The beginning of every new season is always filled with optimism and hope for change, especially one that is coupled with a new head coach. Some teams realize this optimism, while others continue with their struggles.
Most head coaching tenures amount to just three years, and co-coordinators, more often than not, are never able to make the head coach. However, Kevin O’Connell has proved his competence and leadership acumen this season with the Vikings.
Top 5 Tackle Tandem
The Vikings can have a top 5 tackle tandem; with Brian O’Neill’s consistency and Christian Darrisaw’s encouragement, the Vikings can achieve this long-term tackle that would propel them to glory.
Both these players are equipped with immense athleticism and have the right mentality making this a formidable and prominent partnership. This partnership, led by the new head coach and coupled with Kirk Cousins’s formidable offense, means the Vikings can achieve this mean feat.
Took command.#Skol pic.twitter.com/zNCZyDS5tB
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 9, 2022
Have three 1000-yard Receivers
The Vikings haven’t had three wide receivers that can pull good numbers in a while. This season, however, the team can aim to change this with Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen working in tandem.
Kevin O’Connell, the new head coach, hopes to create an expansive offense with three receivers able to achieve the 100 yards milestone.
While Thielen might be more of a possession player, he is a great weapon despite his recent injury. K.J Osborn also accounts for this challenge as he demonstrated his abilities in the end zone.
The Vikings reached a new peak in power rankings.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 8, 2022
Get an average of 3.5 sacks a Game
Last season the Vikings had Danielle Hunter play in the defense for only seven games, yet achieving three sacks a game was a possible feat. Viking’s new defensive coordinator will switch the game to a 3 -4 base scheme.
Za’Darius Smith, the former Green Bay Packers free agent, was also acquired, providing the much-needed edge.
With veterans like Harrison Phillips and Dalvin Tomlison in their rooster, the Vikings can easily achieve the 3.5 stacks a game. This feat has not been achieved since the Denver Broncos back in 2015.
Great play by James Lynch in relief of Dalvin Tomlinson: good leverage and punch to shock Norwell's pads and create penetration into the backfield, great job reading the back and crossing Norwell's face to make the TFL. pic.twitter.com/71qtLNyepW
— Nick Olson (@NickOlsonNFL) November 8, 2022
Win the Super Bowl?
Winning the Super Bowl should be the target for the team every season. However, the Minnesota Vikings have decided, under the new head coach, to fine-tune rather than change. O’Connell is quite confident in his skills and desire to make noise in his role.
While the Vikings have never won a Super Bowl, this does not change the fact that a win is well within their reach this season. Their luck could soon change, and the ceiling is quite achievable, especially with the new head coach’s tactics, prolific talent, and depth that the Vikings have stacked this season.
Currently, ClutchBuzz prices the Vikings at +1600 to win the Super Bowl this season.
Peter is here!
and we are talking @Vikings & @BuffaloBills… Is this a realistic Super Bowl preview?
"You're talking about two fanbases who are so hungry… starved for that Lombardi."@PSchrags pic.twitter.com/OVihy431gE
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) November 9, 2022
How Can The Vikings Reach The Ceiling This Season?
Any team wishing to reach the ceiling ought to keep their players healthy to actualize this. Last season ended with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills at the top of the NFL while also being the two least injured teams. One cannot ignore the correlation between wins and injuries.
This season already, the Vikings have had major injuries, and their roster is full of injury-prone players. Za’Darius Smith makes his return after a back injury, and Danielle Hunter, who played only seven games in two seasons after a neck and pec injury. Thielen, whose injuries have caused a nosedive in the Vikings’ pass, presents the biggest challenge.
The question now remains whether the Vikings are sustainable with their injury-prone players; some players may be prone to injury but might not get injured. The ability to reach the ceiling now depends on whether a major injury or too many injuries on one side occur.
Come for Coach O'Connell breaking down @JJettas2's TD and stay for him analyzing @TheeHOCK8's first celebration with the #Vikings 🤣
📺: https://t.co/wPOVZNIx6J pic.twitter.com/9pX2KluHkp
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 9, 2022
Vikings Success Stories
The Viking’s win over the Chicago bears cemented the belief that this year will be good for the team. This year has been marked by a few technical elements yet to master, especially in the defense.
Seemingly, the Minnesota Vikings have had quite the success, with Christian Darrisaw being the best PFF grade, and Ezra Cleveland and Garrett Bradbury’s numbers are quite encouraging. The defensive front is quite promising, with DJ Wonnum increasing pressures.
If the Vikings aim for the ceiling this season, they should develop some players. The rookie Ed Ingram who ranks 54th as a guard, second-year safety Cam Bynum, third-round linebacker Brian Asamoah and corner Andrew Booth Jr. are some of the players who, if developed, could propel the team to the ceiling.
Almost every bad play that Ed Ingram has starts with his feet. His first step isn't bad, but notice how slow his feet move here compared to the rest of the OL. His base gets too wide, he lunges, and gets his head on the wrong side of Daron Payne, giving up the inside. (A thread) pic.twitter.com/qft6nGL3WZ
— Cole Smith (@SkolSmith) November 8, 2022
Credits on Featured Image: Joe Bielawa, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
