5 reasons Vikings can win the Super Bowl this year

The Vikings won’t enter the 2020 season as the favorites to win the Super Bowl, but discounting Minnesota’s chances of winning it all is a huge mistake.

Mike Zimmer piloted the Minnesota Vikings to a 10-win season in 2019, but the team will approach 2020 with bigger goals in mind. Their front office has assembled a deep, talented roster that is capable of making a run towards a Super Bowl title.

That doesn’t mean the Vikings will enter the season as anyone’s favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, but they deserve a lot of attention as a potential dark horse candidate. Minnesota isn’t blessed with big names up and down their roster, but the bones are there for the team to make a serious charge towards an NFC North title.

If Minnesota can win the division, they’re going to be a nightmare to oust in the playoffs. Here are five major reasons why the Vikings could become this year’s surprise Super Bowl champions.

5. Dalvin Cook can make big plays

Cook may not be overjoyed with his contract, but he’s still going to show up and play for the Vikings this season. As long as he stays healthy, the former Florida State star should be poised for a big campaign.

The fact that Cook managed to play 14 games a season ago has to be interpreted as an encouraging sign. That allowed him to rack up 1,135 yards on 250 carries. If the Vikings’ offensive line can take a modest step forward in 2020, there’s no reason to think he can’t increase his efficiency to somewhere around five yards per carry.

Add in Cook’s ability to make a positive impact on the team’s passing game and it’s clear that Minnesota has a borderline star running back on their hands. His ability to make big plays at a high rate gives the Vikings a chance to make a lengthy postseason run.