How confident are you in the Vikings for 2014?

[DK Sweets]

I share your optimism, I really do. But saying this offense is a better supporting cast than the 08 Patriots is where you lost me. We have talent, but that 08 squad was virtually the same offense that set records the year before. Cassel, I think, is better this time around, and we have AD. But even with Brady we wouldn't go off like the 07 Pats, even if we're one of the better units in the league this year.

I think we'll be better than most people (even on this board) suspect. But...I don't share your evaluation of this talent.

[Mothman]

I'm confident they will be a very competitive team but not confident they will be good enough to make the playoffs or finish with a winning record. If they reach the postseason, and I definitely think that's possible, I'll consider it a pleasant surprise. Basically, I'm right where I've been all offseason: I think they're moving in the right direction and they could be anywhere from a sub-.500 team to a 10 win team but I feel the odds favor a mediocre record in the 7-9 to 9-7 range.

Count me among those who think preseason outcomes are an unreliable indicator of what's to come in the regular season. I think it's always good to win and when a team performs well in the preseason, that can instill confidence and a positive attitude to be carried forward but preseason football is simply not the same as regular season football so I'm not reading much into what the Vikes did this preseason or their 4-0 record. It's an encouraging start to the Zimmer era but I'll feel a lot more encouraged if they beat the Rams a week from tomorrow.

So, I'm definitely not feeling all "doom and gloom" but I'm not so confident that I expect a breakthrough year, a top 10 offense, a top 10 defense and a division title. That's very optimistic (and hopefully, it's what we'll see happen, because it would be awesome).

[NDVikeFan]

I am way more confident in this team than I have been in years. The reason is the new coaching staff. I think it's pretty obvious, even this early, that Frazier should not have been given the head coaching job.

As for wins and losses part of me says we won't have many. Maybe 5-7. But than I think back to last year when we were 5-10-1. Having a laughable defense that cost us games, having an embarrassing QB carrousel and inept coaching.

Well the Defense will be MUCH better, are QB situation will be stable, and like I said I have confidence in our coaches.

So I can see people saying 10-6. I can also see people saying 5-11 because of all the new parts and brutal schedule to start.

I myself will be happy with 8-8. Gives us something to build off and keeps us pointed in the right direction. Add a few wins next year and we would be in the 10-6 range. Don't take any steps back, draft well, grab a few FAs here and there, and we could be in the 10 plus win category for years.

With all that being said I will predict 9-7 for this season. We will be in the hunt late but I think we just miss out on the playoffs.

[Laserman]

The preseason has been a source for optimism but we'll see by week 6 what's the truth

[J. Kapp 11]

Here's what I'm NOT sold on ... the so-called "power" of the NFC North.

Minnesota had a poor defense last year, for sure. But Chicago was nearly as bad, and Green Bay was in the mid-20s in both points allowed and yards. Detroit had the best defense in the division, and they ranked 15th. A record of 8-7-1 won the division crown. This is not a strong division at all. The West and the South are much better.

So if we improve to 8 wins, we're probably going to be in outside contention for the division (but not the Wild Card). That's just a 2.5-win increase. With the improvements we've made in personnel, philosophy, and play-calling, I think this is highly possible. Nothing guaranteed, for sure, especially with our early schedule. But highly possible.

I believe our defense will be improved, but it will take a minor miracle for it to move into the top half of the league. This has less to do with our coaching, scheme and personnel, and more to do with our opponents. We have to face Rodgers and Stafford twice each, Brees, Brady, Ryan ... the list goes on. OK, I guess I'll include Cutler if I must. The point is, we have so many games against high-powered offenses that it's going to be tough for Zimmer to help this defense improve to the degree he did his first year in Cincinnati (27th to 12th). I will say this. If we break into the top 15 in defense, I'm pretty confident we'll make the playoffs.

Offensively, I would be absolutely shocked if we didn't improve on our position of 14th in the NFL last year. Look at our situation last year. We had a quarterback mess ... a star running back who was hobbled much of the year ... a dynamic wide receiver who was barely used ... a Pro-Bowl tight end who missed half the season. Even if you say Bill Musgrave is the equal of Norv Turner -- and I'll never, ever agree with that -- just the healthy return of key personnel, a stable quarterback situation, and greater use of Cordarelle Patterson virtually guarantee improvement. How much? Probably depends on Matt Cassel. If Norv Turner can help him return to the form of one of his Pro-Bowl type seasons, our offense could improve a lot. We have the weapons.

I agree with Jim. Our most likely record is somewhere between 7-9 and 9-7. Based on our solid play in the preseason, in particular our lack of penalties and our +5 turnover margin, I'm going to lean toward 9-7. Will that win the division? We'll see.

[Orion]

We are making the playoffs this season. Every time we went 4-0 was followed by a very strong regular season. The Packers, Bears, and Lions are also not too threatening. 9 wins will most likely be enough to win this division and right now I expect us to win at least 10 games- @St. louis, Atlanta, Detroit, @Buffalo, @Tampa Bay, Washington, Green Bay, carolina, New York, chicago.

Only home game I expect us to lose is against the Patriots then all we need is 2-3 away wins and we're in business.

[Purpnation]

One thing people tend to forget is that 8 wins won the NFC North last year. And just like last year the NFC North was expected to put forth 3 strong teams and it simply didn't happen. Of course Rodgers missed a lot of the season without a feasible backup plan, but there's nothing to say they would've won the games lost without him as they were against some tough teams. I'm sure some of you will get all in a tizzy about that last statement and I'm not trying to debate anyone on that, as my point is even if the Vikings "only" went 9-7 that doesn't mean they miss the playoffs. Otherwise I think you're estimates are still too conservative. Don't forget our offense ran that well in the offseason WITHOUT Adrian Peterson.

Lol you really think Aaron Rodgers wouldn't have had the Packers better then 8 wins last year? Lol comon man, I know you stated you weren't going to debate this, but you cant say somethin ridiculous and devoid of common sense and not expect to be called on it.

[Purpnation]

A wild card spot may be feasible if we are this year's over achievers, Rodgers alone is good for 11 + wins and as long as he is upright, GB takes the division.

9-7 No playoffs.

[PurpleMustReign]

We are making the playoffs this season. Every time we went 4-0 was followed by a very strong regular season. .

In 2002 we had one of our worst years ever... losing to the 1-15 Panthers and the 2-14 Lions. We went 4-0 that year. So...

[radar55]

Unfortunately the pre season means nothing when it comes to evaluating the team that will be playing week #1. Rarely do starters play more than a quarter and some don't even play at all. What it does do is give the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate new faces in game situations that they would not otherwise have but those players are in against opposing teams 2nd or 3rd squad so what do they learn, our scrubs can beat their scrubs or visa versa but what good is that since they wont be playing against scrubs when the regular season starts?

IMO.....The offense will be productive and score a lot of points, certainly enough to win a lot of games but unless the defense has improved significantly with the schedule we have...........we wont win more than 6.

[Mothman]

The preseason has been a source for optimism but we'll see by week 6 what's the truth

That sums things up in one sentence. Right now, the Vikes are like a blank canvas and people can paint what they want on the upcoming season, whether it's doom and gloom or a division title and a playoff appearance. Having confidence is one thing, and it's good, but I don't think declarations of impending success, of how much Zimmer is a clear improvement over his predecessor, of how great Cassel or Bridgewater will be, etc. mean a darn thing until the real games are played. 6 weeks into this season, Zimmer might look like a Coach of the Year candidate or just another first year HC struggling to find wins with a team that needs work. Cassel might be on his way to a Pro Bowl season or sitting at the end of the bench, and so on.

Thankfully, the time for all these predictions and declarations is almost over and we're going to get meaningful football games and some real answers a week from today. Hopefully, the Vikes will go into St. Louis, put an even bigger whuppin' on them than they did last time, and give the Pats plenty to worry about when they prepare to come to Minnesota in week 2.

[Texas Vike]

That's sums things up in one sentence. Right now, the Vikes are like a blank canvas and people can paint what they want on the upcoming season, whether it's doom and gloom or a division title and a playoff appearance. Having confidence is one thing, and it's good, but I don't think declarations of impending success, of how much Zimmer is a clear improvement over his predecessor, of how great Cassel or Bridgewater will be, etc. mean a darn thing until the real games are played. 6 weeks into this season, Zimmer might look like a Coach of the Year candidate or just another first year HC struggling to find wins with a team that needs work. Cassel might be on his way to a Pro Bowl season or sitting at the end of the bench, and so on.

Thankfully, the time for all these predictions and declarations is almost over and we're going to get meaningful football games and some real answers a week from today. Hopefully, the Vikes will go into St. Louis, put an even bigger whuppin' on them than they did last time, and give the Pats plenty to worry about when they prepare to come to Minnesota in week 2.

Can I get an "AMEN"?

[Mothman]

Can I get an "AMEN"?

LOL!

I'm fired up for the season! I wish I was feeling the level of confidence GBFavreFan is obviously feeling but even without that, I'm eager to see the 2014 Vikes play some games that count. I can't wait to see Peterson take the field again and I'm hoping Patterson will be an even bigger playmaker than he was down the stretch last year. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the refurbished defense plays with a game plan behind them and over the course of 4 quarters (against an opponent that has also game-planned for them).

It's fun to watch players try to make the team and to see the final roster take shape in the preseason but I think the games are pretty lousy when compared the regular season football so let's get the season rolling already!

[NDVikeFan]

One thing people tend to forget is that 8 wins won the NFC North last year. And just like last year the NFC North was expected to put forth 3 strong teams and it simply didn't happen. Of course Rodgers missed a lot of the season without a feasible backup plan, but there's nothing to say they would've won the games lost without him as they were against some tough teams. I'm sure some of you will get all in a tizzy about that last statement and I'm not trying to debate anyone on that, as my point is even if the Vikings "only" went 9-7 that doesn't mean they miss the playoffs. Otherwise I think you're estimates are still too conservative. Don't forget our offense ran that well in the offseason WITHOUT Adrian Peterson.

Actually 8 and a half wins won the division last year. IMO GB easily beats the Giants with Rodgers, and easily beats us instead of tying us. So that's 10 wins with Rodgers. Rodgers plays at home against Philly and they possibly win there so they are in the 11-5 range.

9-7 could get us in but I think that's about as high as we go.

When you say the offense ran well with out Peterson in the Offseason do you mean preseason? Not sure what you mean by that.

[Orion]

In 2002 we had one of our worst years ever... losing to the 1-15 Panthers and the 2-14 Lions. We went 4-0 that year. So...

Outlier