Minnesota Vikings - 2021 NFL Season Preview & Win Total Predictions

Last Updated: 07/15/2021 at 9:06 PM ET

The Minnesota Vikings head into the 2021 season looking to bounce back from a sub .500 season after finishing the year 7-9. The NFC North is wide open with all the questions in Green Bay with Minnesota having the best shot to take advantage of the opportunity. Kirk Cousins will have to start the year much better as Minnesota opened last season 1-5 before the bye, while Cousins looked to be on his way out of the league.

The Vikings ranked 5th in the NFL in 2020 in total yards per game thank in large part to a top 5 rushing attack combined with a top 15 passing game. Dalvin Cook will return for the Vikings at running back coming off one of the best years of his career. Cook was the #1 weapon last season compiling 1,557 yards and rushing touchdowns on 312 carries, while adding 361 receiving yards on 44 catches with 1 score.

Minnesota had and explosive offense in 2020 but the defense ranked in the bottom half of the league in all categories including 26th in points allowed per game giving up 29.9 points per contest. The Vikings have spent the majority of the offseason revamping the defense adding Dalvin Tomlinson to the defensive line and Patrick Peterson and Xavier Woods to beef up the secondary. Minnesota has also signed several defensive players back and these improvements have Minnesota ranked as high as 5th overall defensively headed into the preseason.

The Vikings looked to the draft to improve one of the league worst offensive lines drafting Christian Darrisaw from Virginia Tech as well as Wyatt Davis from Ohio State. Both of these rookies are expected to make an instant impact to help with one of the biggest weaknesses Minnesota has.

Minnesota was 6-6 last year with 4 games to go and a realistic shot at the playoffs, but finished the year 1-3 to miss the playoffs. Kirk Cousins has the keys to this team and will determine the teams success in the 2021-2022 season. Cousins really seemed to get going in the second half of the year finishing 6-4 despite the atrocious season end. With all the questions in Green Bay the Vikings will have a real shot to win the division and get to double digit wins with an extra season game. Final Season Prediction, Minnesota Vikings OVER 8.5 wins.

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