Vikings’ loaded roster has chance for championship

After disappointing in 2018, the Minnesota Vikings have the talent and coaching staff to bounce back and create havoc this season.

Best-case scenario

The Super Bowl. Coming off a disappointing 2018 campaign, Kirk Cousins and the Vikings still have plenty of talent on their current roster to end the upcoming season with the franchise’s first-ever title.

The defense has never been a problem for Minnesota under head coach Mike Zimmer, it’s been the play of the offense that has failed to be consistent. If the Vikings can get things clicking on the offensive side of the ball in 2019, the rest of the league could be in big trouble.

Worst-case scenario

Cousins may not be a quarterback who can carry an entire NFL team on his back, but he is still a very important part of what the Vikings are trying to accomplish in 2019. If he has to miss any time with injury, Minnesota’s season could end up falling completely off the rails.

If he has to miss a few games, the Vikings will likely have to turn to Sean Mannion as his replacement. Mannion has never thrown a touchdown during his four seasons in the league and he doesn’t exactly strike fear in opposing defenses when he’s on the field.

If Minnesota is going to be successful in 2019, Cousins has to be healthy for the majority of the season.

Confidence level (Low, medium or high)

Medium.

As much as it would be nice to have a ton of confidence in the Vikings’ chances this season, keeping their expectations at more of a medium level seems like the right choice. Just look at how Minnesota performed last year when some were selecting them to make it to the Super Bowl.

If there is one thing Vikings fans know, it’s to expect the unexpected when it comes to their favorite team. They rarely ever meet their expectations when they are high, so let’s just set them at a reasonable level and see if they can possibly fly under the radar this season.

X-Factor

Dalvin Cook.

It seemed like Cook was destined to be the Vikings’ next great running back after his first few games in purple. But since then, Cook has missed 17 games due to a torn ACL and other nagging injuries.

If he can remain healthy for the majority of the 2019 season, Minnesota’s offense could potentially elevate to an elite level. With the combination of Cook on the ground and Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen in the passing game, opposing defenses would have their hands full with the Vikings’ offense each week.

Turning point

Week 13 at the Seattle Seahawks.

It’s been 10 years since the Vikings last got a win over the Seahawks. It’s been even longer since Minnesota got a road win in Seattle (2006).

Attempting to defeat the Seahawks on their home field in a primetime matchup is a very difficult task for any team. During the Pete Carroll era, Seattle is 17-2 in homes games that kick off after 7 p.m. EST.

This matchup could potentially be the Vikings’ toughest of the season. If they can leave Seattle with a victory this year, then there’s a good chance that Minnesota is in the middle of a season that results in them emerging as a championship contender.

Best moment in team history

Minneapolis Miracle.

Throughout their history, the Vikings have had a ton of memorable moments. But none have ever been as memorable as the magic that went down inside U.S. Bank Stadium against the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 playoffs.

Case Keenum tossing a game-winning touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs as time expired is something that doesn’t happen to Minnesota. The Vikings are normally the team on the wrong side of a play like that. But for whatever reason, Minnesota was actually able to pull off the miracle victory.

The unlikeliness of this happening is probably why Vikings fans felt like 2017 was finally the year their team would win the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen but thanks to Diggs and Keenum, Minnesota’s fans have a magical memory that will live on forever.