2 reasons the Vikings can win the Super Bowl this season

1. The defense is ready to be back among the best in the NFL

After being undressed by the New Orleans Saints on Christmas Day, Zimmer said the 2020 Vikings’ defense was the worst he’d ever coached. And, quite frankly with stats to back it up, it was.

The Vikings’ defense lost Danielle Hunter, Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks and multiple cornerbacks to injury at various points last season. Hunter missed the entire season with a neck injury, and Barr suffered a torn pectoral in Week 2. Their top free agent signing, defensive tackle Michael Pierce, opted out of the season. Rumors of Hunter’s discontent have been resolved in the short-term with a restructured contract.

Dalvin Tomlinson was signed in free agency to pair with Pierce at defensive tackle. Just this week, Sheldon Richardson has been brought back to add a pass-rushing force on the interior of the Vikings’ defensive line.

In the secondary, veteran cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Bashaud Breeland have been signed to add much-needed experience after last year’s experiment with a litany of younger corners. Mackensie Alexander was brought back after a one-year detour in Cincinnati to be the slot corner. Safety Xavier Woods was signed to pair with perennial stud Harrison Smith.

Zimmer was not going to stand for the unit on which he has built a reputation being awful again. His influence over personnel is clear, all the way to the June signings of Breeland and Richardson. The Vikings’ defense is in line to be a top-tier unit again in 2021, and paired with what should be a top-10 offense a path to a Super Bowl ring can be blazed.