Vikings Territory: Vikings Get ‘On The Rise' National Attention

Press release from Vikings Territory:

Dustin Baker Dustin Baker

2021-08-21

You wouldn’t know it by the performance from the Minnesota Vikings in the first week of the preseason, but the team is evidently “on the rise” per ESPN’s determination.

Only one other team was afforded such kudos — the Cleveland Browns.

“The 2021 Vikings are also an extremely fascinating team. Minnesota has an intriguing, high-pedigree offensive line, as well as near-completely overhauled interior defensive line and cornerback units. That defense will also have standouts Anthony Barr and Danielle Hunter back after the duo missed all but a combined 91 snaps last season due to injury. As if that’s not enough, stars Eric Kendricks (who also missed time last year) and Harrison Smith are sure to make a big impact. Coach Mike Zimmer is known for elite defense, and following a rough 2020, he now has the team on paper to get back to that in 2021. QB Kirk Cousins remains a polarizing player, but he played well last season and led Minnesota to the fifth-most offensive touchdowns. He has plenty of support in the form of Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson and Irv Smith Jr. Minnesota is on the rise.”

What’s more, the Mike Zimmer-led Vikings own a strange tendency. Since 2014, the franchise alternates very good seasons with subpar ones. Here’s a look at the win-loss records per season:

The Vikings avoid all-out bad seasons under Zimmer while frustratingly showcasing mediocre ones — every other year. It’s akin to what heralded franchises like the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New Orleans Saints do when they encounter “bad” seasons. That is — a bad year for the Patriots, Steelers, and Saints is in the ballpark of 8-8.

And that’s the knock on Zimmer. His brand of Vikings feels stale to some solely because Minnesota cannot conduct playoff-bound operations in consecutive years. To an extent, none of that matters for 2021. Odd-year voodoo is on the menu, so if the Vikings continue the clockwork trend, the playoffs should be self-fulfilling.

If these 2021 Vikings finally protect Kirk Cousins to the tune of 16th-or-better in the NFL, an offense not yet seen from the Vikings can be unlocked. Cousins always leads a Vikings offense in spite of poor pass protection. One time — it would be fabulous to see the full potential of Cousins-Cook-Jefferson-Thielen with apt offensive line play.

This press release was produced by Vikings Territory .The views expressed here are the author’s own.