Fansided

How did each NFL team grade out now that the Super Bowl is over?

By Rucker Haringey

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs rolls out on a pass play in the AFC Divisional Playoff against the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs rolls out on a pass play in the AFC Divisional Playoff against the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 30: Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) takes a breather during an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears on December 30, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 30: Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) takes a breather during an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears on December 30, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Minnesota Vikings-D

The Vikings pushed all of their chips into the middle of the table when they signed Kirk Cousins to a massive contract in free agency. It’s fair to say Mike Zimmer’s team went bust. Finishing 8-7-1 was a huge disappointment to fans in Minnesota.

The real challenge for the Vikings is they lack the financial flexibility to really change things in the offseason. This team, for better or worse, is going to come back next season with the vast majority of their roster in tact. They may lose a few prominent free agents as well. Minnesota has to count on a good draft and internal improvement to get back to the Playoffs.

The good news is that the defense was still very good in 2018. They struggled a little bit to stop the run, but everything else was rock solid. It’s not hard to envision this group returning to elite status next year.

The offense, however, needs to improve drastically. In particular, they need to significantly improve their rushing output. There’s no reason a team with this much talent at the skill positions should only run for 93.3 yards per game.

The Vikings entered this season with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations and they didn’t come close to meeting them. In some ways, they are fortunate to receive a D.

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