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2014 Minnesota Vikings Odds | Season Preview | NFL Predictions

2014 Vikings NFL Handicapping

Vikings Destined To Finish In NFC North Basement Once Again In 2014

Looking back now it’s amazing the Minnesota Vikings managed five wins in 2013. They could have a tough time hitting that mark again in 2014. Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel, and Josh Freeman all started for Minnesota a year ago and its defense gave up more points than any other NFL team.

Leslie Frasier was fired and replaced by first-time head coach Mike Zimmer who comes over from the Cincinnati Bengals after his defenses consistently ranked among the best in the NFL over the past few seasons.

Zimmer worked with general manager Rick Spielman to add to his roster through both free agency and the draft but the Vikings aren’t ready to climb out of the NFC North basement just yet.

2014 Minnesota Vikings Team Preview/Predictions

  • 2013 Record: 5-10-1
  • ATS Record: 9-7

2014 Vikings Futures

  • Super Bowl Odds: +8000
  • Conference Odds: +4000
  • NFC North Odds: +1800
  • 2014 NFL Regular Season Wins: 6.5

Zimmer brought in Norv Turner as his offensive coordinator and will entrust him to make the most out of the talent available on that side of the football. Running back Adrian Peterson is 29-years old and the window is closing for Minnesota to take advantage of his elite skill set.

The Vikings drafted Teddy Bridgewater in the first round as their quarterback of the future but have committed to Matt Cassel as the starter heading in to this season. Cassel doesn’t have an elite arm but he is smart and can move the ball effectively if he is given time in the pocket.

In order for that to happen the Minnesota line needs to be better beginning with left tackle Matt Kalil, who made too many mistakes last season after being named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2012. Kalil will look to bounce back next to guard Charlie Johson on the left side while center John Sullivan, right guard Brandon Fusco, and right tackle Phil Loadholt all return.

The Vikings didn’t add a single wide receiver in either free agency or the draft and will rely on 2013 first round pick Cordarrelle Patterson’s continued emergence as their star No. 1 receiver.

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Greg Jennings, Jerome Simpson, and Jarius Wright fill out a strong receiving core while tight end Kyle Rudolph was signed to a long-term deal after missing most of last season due to injury.

Zimmer will be tasked with figuring things out on the defensive side of the football and he didn’t waste any time acquiring a star in rookie first-round pick linebacker Anthony Barr. Barr possesses an amazing blend of size, speed, and athleticism and will start on the strong side from the outset.

Jasper Brinkley was signed to take over at the middle linebacker spot while Chad Greenway remains an underrated playmaker on the weak side. The biggest changes will come up front where defensive end Jared Allen and defensive tackle Kevin Williams are both gone.

2013 first round pick Sharrif Floyd will be asked to do more after an average rookie season while Linval Joseph plugs the nose tackle spot. Everson Griffen takes over as Minnesota’s top defensive end with Brian Robison looking to prove his self on the other side ahead of third-round rookie Scott Chrichton.
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The secondary should be better with the addition of free agent cornerbacks Captain Munnerlyn and Derek Cox. 2013 first-round pick Xavier Rhodes has the potential to be a star and Munnerlyn will take over the other starting job with Cox plugged in to the nickel role.

Free safety Harrison Smith emerged as a solid starter last year and Kurt Coleman will push Jamarca Sanford to start at strong safety after being signed as a free agent.

Turner is an excellent coordinator that can make the Vikings’ offense respectable as long as he can get solid play from his quarterback. Cassel isn’t spectacular but he can get the job done while Bridgewater continues to develop.

Minnesota will lean on Peterson and Rudolph will be relied on as the security blanket in the passing game while Patterson continues to get better. Zimmer will stick to what he does best and that is defense. The Vikings’ defense might not have the talent to be a top-10 unit in 2014 but they will be better overall.

The new staff needs at least a couple of years to turn this team in to a contender and this season will be a step in the right direction.

2014 Vikings Predictions

  • Place they’ll finish in NFC North: 4th
  • Place they’ll finish in NFC Conference: 15th 
  • Over/Under Wins Prediction: UNDER

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