Fansided

5 reasons Vikings can win the Super Bowl this year

By Russell S. Baxter

Eagan, MN-August 6: Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook during training camp at TCO Performance Center. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Eagan, MN-August 6: Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook during training camp at TCO Performance Center. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 25: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings is tackled with the ball by Blake Martinez #50 of the Green Bay Packers third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 25: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings is tackled with the ball by Blake Martinez #50 of the Green Bay Packers third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

2. Protect the quarterback

In 2017, only the Jacksonville Jaguars totaled more rushing attempts per game then Mike Zimmer’s squad. In fact, the AFC South and NFC North were the only teams in the NFL to total at least 500 running plays that season. It was a bounce back year for the Vikings’ ground attack, one that finished dead last in the league the previous season. One of the keys were solid offensive line play as general manager Rick Spielman put the right pieces in place during free agency. The Vikings finished seventh in the league in rushing yards per game and allowed only 27 sacks. The former was made all the more impressive considering promising running back Dalvin Cook was lost after four games.

But it all came apart this past season. Only two teams finished with fewer yards on the ground and quarterback Kirk Cousins was sacked four times. Opposing pass rushers poured into the Minnesota backfield like last-minute Christmas shoppers. This offseason, Spielman used first- and fourth-round picks on center Garrett Bradbury (North Carolina State) and guard Dru Samia (Oklahoma). Veteran Josh Kline (Titans) is the new right guard. Second-year right tackle Brian O’Neill showed promise as a rookie.

It’s safe to say that the Vikings are more than aware of what outside linebacker Khalil Mack and the Chicago Bears’ pass rush can do these days. This offseason, the division-rival Green Bay Packers beefed up their front-seven with experience outside linebackers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith and first-round pick Rashan Gary. Matt Patricia knows a little something about defense in the Motor City and the Lions added effective defensive end Trey Flowers in free agency this offseason.

The bottom line is that Zimmer’s front has to come through in a big way on many fronts. Be it run blocking or protecting Cousins, getting out of the NFC North much less reaching the Super Bowl could prove to be even more difficult in 2019 if the offensive line isn’t up to the task once again.

Next: No. 1

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