5 bold predictions for the Minnesota Vikings after the bye

The Minnesota Vikings have been higher than anticipated in 2022. Then once more, they’ve additionally been worse. With a 5-1 report, they seem like a legit contenders within the NFC, however whenever you watch their video games they do not constantly move the attention take a look at. In essence, the Vikings have been the NFL’s model of Kombucha. Candy at occasions, bitter the following, first rate at first and bitter on the finish.

Vikings followers understand how this story goes, however they’re hoping for a special ending in 2022. So what are the probabilities they will flip the script? Listed here are some daring predictions to assist us discover out.

1. Christian Darrisaw will make the All-Professional crew

When SI’s Albert Breer reported that Darrisaw was drawing Trent Williams comparisons throughout coaching camp, it was straightforward to dismiss as coach converse. Darrisaw was coming into his second season and Williams is on observe to changing into a first-ballot Corridor of Fame participant, however to date, Darrisaw has validated these claims.

Coming into Week 7, Darrisaw ranks sixth in PFF’s pass-blocking grades and fifth in pass-blocking effectivity. He is allowed three quarterback pressures over his final 4 video games and has two video games the place he hasn’t allowed a single stress.

It was secure to imagine Darrisaw was going to take a leap this yr, however no one thought it will be this large. Darrisaw seems to be a cornerstone of the offensive line and could possibly be the Vikings’ finest left deal with since Bryant McKinnie (and even Gary Zimmerman) was defending the blind facet.

2. Danielle Hunter will lead the Vikings in sacks

Whereas Darrisaw has been one of the vital nice surprises on the Vikings, Hunter could also be seen as a disappointment. The star edge rusher has simply 16 pressures and three sacks by means of the primary six video games, however there ought to be optimism that Hunter can flip it round.

PFF at the moment charts Hunter’s pass-rush win charge at 17.2%, thirty fifth amongst qualifying edge rushers with 20 p.c of the league lead in pass-rushing snaps. Za’Darius Smith leads the Vikings with a 22% win charge over the primary six video games, which is the very best charge on the crew.

The distinction between the 2 gamers is not that far off and it is also not too removed from Hunter’s profession win charge. In 2021, Hunter ranked tenth within the NFL with a 20.1% win charge. When he posted his highest general defensive grade in 2019, he had an 18% win charge. He had a 15.8% win charge in 2018 and nonetheless wound up with 13.5 sacks.

So what’s the issue? It could possibly be Hunter’s tackling. Hunter at the moment has a 20% missed deal with charge this season in comparison with 6.1% in 2021 and 6.6% in 2019. This could possibly be a residual impact from a season-ending pectoral damage final season and Hunter might get stronger because the season goes alongside.

If Hunter can end his alternatives, he ought to have the ability to problem Smith for the crew lead in sacks.

3. The Vikings will add a receiver down the stretch

Many Vikings followers are fantasizing about Odell Beckham Jr., but it surely is likely to be extra reasonable for the Vikings to scour the marketplace for another receiver forward of the commerce deadline.

Justin Jefferson at the moment leads the Vikings with 636 receiving yards however Adam Thielen is the following closest participant with 284 yards. With Ok.J. Osborn and Irv Smith trying extra like complementary items, perhaps the Vikings will look across the league for different choices like D.J. Moore, Chase Claypool or Elijah Moore.

D.J. Moore’s price ticket could possibly be out of the Vikings’ vary after ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Carolina Panthers view him as “a foundational piece” of their roster, however Claypool or Moore could possibly be acquired so as to add one other layer of depth at receiver.

The Vikings might additionally simply throw warning to the wind and kick cash down the highway on a possible deal for Beckham. The entrance workplace has proven a willingness so as to add void years to contracts – such because the $2.25 million they’re going to pay Thielen in 2025 – and Beckham is the identify that would present the most important affect even when he isn’t able to play till December.

O’Connell’s previous expertise with Beckham confirmed that you would be able to by no means have sufficient receivers and with the passing offense in a rut, it is a good wager that the Vikings will add somebody within the coming weeks.

4. Brian Asamoah will unseat Jordan Hicks at linebacker

Keep in mind, these are daring predictions. On that notice, Hicks owns the third-lowest defensive grade on the crew in keeping with PFF and his protection grade is 79th amongst 82 qualifying linebackers. With Hicks trying a step gradual on movie, it is curious as to why the Vikings did not carry again Anthony Barr, who’s on a less expensive contract ($1.9 million) and has higher grades with the Dallas Cowboys.

Regardless, the Vikings have to contemplate giving Asamoah extra enjoying time as his 8.9 relative athletic score and 4.56-second time within the 40-yard sprint might add a component of velocity to the protection.

If the Vikings are going to proceed to play a passive model of protection, they’re going to want one thing higher at linebacker. There’s all the time a cause why coaches are hesitant to belief rookies however Asamoah ought to at the least see extra time on the sector if the protection goes to enhance.

5. The Vikings will earn home-field benefit within the playoffs

Not even probably the most optimistic of Vikings followers would have believed this was a chance originally of the season, but it surely’s a aim that is inside attain after a 5-1 begin.

The Vikings have a number of winnable video games down the stretch and if they will handle enterprise, they need to at the least be a 10-win crew. The important thing can be video games in opposition to Dallas, New England, the New York Jets and Giants, and a rematch with the Packers. In the event that they go 3-2 in these 5 video games, they’ve a superb probability to be a 13-win crew with room for extra.

After all, that may imply leaping the Philadelphia Eagles, who technically have a two-game lead over the Vikings by advantage of their Week 2 victory in Philadelphia. The Eagles have some robust video games of their very own down the stretch, nonetheless, together with two video games in opposition to the Giants and a matchup on the highway with the Cowboys and a visit to Indianapolis the place Nick Sirianni labored below Frank Reich as his offensive coordinator.

It is unlikely that the Eagles would stumble sufficient to cough up home-field benefit but it surely’s inside attain. That is a far cry from the place the Vikings have been over the previous two seasons and may lead the highway to the Tremendous Bowl going by means of Minneapolis.