After producing a disappointing 8-9 finish, the Minnesota Vikings have a lot to improve for the 2022 NFL season. With Justin Jefferson looking to build off yet another superb campaign, the sky is the limit for both the predictions and record for this team.
Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook, and Kirk Cousins all return to lead this upstart offense that now has Kevin O’Connell leading the way. Coming over from the Los Angeles Rams, O’Connell assumes the HC role after Mike Zimmer was fired and inherits a pretty strong team across the board.
Pro Football Network doesn’t think all that highly of O’Connell’s prospects leading this team, as he is ranked dead last in the HC ranks for the upcoming season. While a newbie, O’Connell certainly has more on the table than he is being given credit for, hence the three early predictions that follow.
*Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (click here for a free trial)*
Vikings Way Too Early Predictions For The 2022 NFL Season
3. Vikings will earn a coveted Wild Card spot
28.6 percent of all new head coaches, which includes those in their first HC gig or a veteran HC with a new franchise, have made the postseason in their first year – and O’Connell will help boost those numbers this season.
With seven teams making the postseason from each conference, there are three spots open for the taking after the divisional winners are crowned. As the Green Bay Packers are well-positioned to take the NFC North yet again, the Vikings are going to be playing for the Wild Card instead.
Of the likely teams fighting for those final three spots, the Vikings will likely be close with the Saints, 49ers, and Eagles/Cowboys, and you could fight for them having the most talented roster of that group. If O’Connell is able to earn the respect of his roster early on this offseason, anything could happen for the Vikings.
2. Cook & Thielen have career years in 2022 – but never play for MIN again
Cook and Thielen are getting into that area of their career where age begins to play a big factor in their contributions. While only 26 and 32, respectively, both players have had their fair share of injuries that have kept them on the sidelines for long chunks of time.
In Cook’s case, Alexander Mattison has looked quite good in relief, and when Cook was injured, and since Mattison is around 3 years younger, he could slide in and become the starter next season. Even if Cook puts together a healthy season in a contract year and even if his ongoing legal situation ends up figured out, the Vikings likely will shy away from giving an age-27 RB a big deal.
Just like Cook, Thielen has an out in his deal after the ‘22 season, making for a likely parting of ways. Plus, with the type of money Thielen will likely want and with how dominant Jefferson has been, moving on from Thielen makes the most sense.
Thielen missed some time last season (4 games) last season and put up his second-lowest receiving yardage total since 2015, even though his year was saved by his 10 receiving TDs. If the Vikings are smart, they will likely move on from two of their offensive stalwarts from years past.
1. Surprise, surprise – Jefferson (yet again) sets career-high marks
52 more targets resulted in 20 more receptions resulting in 216 more receiving yards resulting in 3 more receiving TDs – it is safe to say that Jefferson has fully arrived on the biggest stage. But in his year in a new offense, can Jefferson continue that?
Not only will Jefferson continue to rank as one of the league’s best WRs, he will succeed mightily in O’Connell’s new scheme and launch himself into the record books for the Vikings. While Cousins and the rest of the offense may experience a slower start to the season, Jefferson will continue to shred opposing secondaries on his way to 1,700 yards and 13 TDs.
The Vikings are one of the teams in the NFL that have a ton of talent but just can’t seem to put it together – maybe a new head coach will be that final piece that they needed.
Follow Us
Subscribe