8/32: Why Will/Why Won't The Minnesota Vikings Win The 2016 Super Bowl? [SERIOUS]

I have some small bets with friends, where I'm expecting them not only to reach the playoffs, but also be a top 4 team. So let me try tell you why they...

Will

Their D impressed last season, Bridgewater looked as good as any in the second half of the season, and they're full of talented young players.

Adding Peterson to that team, a decent WR in Wallace, and improving their D even more in the draft, and they look like a very dangerous team.

If memory serves, they lost 3 or 4 games in the dying moments last season. So their 7-9 could have easily have been a 9-7, or even better.

Then you factor in how slow they were to start last season, D still trying to gel, going through QBs like toilet paper, and some other issues they worked out as the season went on (notably giving Patterson less time since he just wasn't working). If they go into next season with Bridgewater and their D playing as well as they showed later in the season, I see no reason why they can't get at least 10 wins next season.

With or without Peterson, I expect Vikings to be very good next season, and only improve over the next few seasons.

But with the best RB in the game coming back as fit as ever, rested, and with something to prove? Bears, Lions, and maybe even Greenbay could be in trouble sooner than expected.

Then looking at the rest of the NFC, if they can avoid playing Seahawks, I don't think anyone left would be notably better than them. Arizona are potentially good too but you never know, Eagles could do anything this season but surely can't be good right away, probably won't see much from the South again, and fuck the Cowboys. :)

By no means would I bet my house on it, but as far as longshots go, I don't see it as much of a longshot at all.

/r/nfl Thread