Vikings a Playoff Team in 2013? (1 Viewer)

[smackdaddies]

but yes, this is the topic in the Strib today

...here's the good news. While this inevitably will be a rebuilding year, a legitimate wild-card run could be in the equation for 2013.

May I say for every lucid person - throw away the crack pipe. Please. It's just not good for you.

 

[BallparkFrank]

The only chance the Vikings have to make the playoffs in 2013 is for them to move to Los Angeles and have the NFL undergo immediate realignment. Outlook: not so good!

 

[Andy Dufresne]

They're talking the '13-'14 season. Not the '12-'13 season.

So the hypothesis is plausible.

 

[greggorymac]

With an A. Rogers injury it's possible.

 

[cr8f]

Maybe Favre's coming back.

Hope springs eternal especially for reporters that never played.

Anything's possible. Look at how fast the Pats and Rams rose from obscurity.

 

[Statcruncher]

Anything is possible, but the NFC North has got to be one of the toughest places to try to make the make the playoffs.

 

[nickdib]

Ya I see 2 definite losses to the packers and lions each year and at maybe a split with the bears. Gonna be tough to get in from the NFC north

 

[cstu]

The Vikings look better, but so does the rest of the division. A wild card is not impossible, but a long shot.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Its all about QB play, can Ponder take the next step?

 

[FreeBaGeL]

You must be new to the NFL.

 

[cstu]

Its all about QB play, can Ponder take the next step?

If he stays healthy and has time to pass I definitely think he can. He was pretty impressive as a rookie behind a shaky OL and now he has Kalil protecting his backside. They also added a couple of talented receivers in Wright and Childs. I believe Childs could be the #1 for the Vikes if he returns to his pre-Achilles play.

 

[Sweet Love]

I look at the Vikings situation, quite like that of the Redskins in the NFC East. While they are not as bad as we give them credit for, they have a "murderer's row" of divisional opponents to get through. Like the Skins, while there is/has been an opportunity for them not to finish last in their division, it is rare when three teams from the same division get into the playoffs. So, they may beat the Bears, but then have to get through Detroit and GB, to take the next step. What makes their situation even more daunting is that the NFC in general, is light on elite teams (though they have one of the two in their division), but are HEAVY on good teams. Preseason favorites (or teams better on Day One than the Vikes) would look something like this (in no particular order):

Eagles

Giants

Dallas

Atlanta

New Orleans

San Francisco

Detroit

Green Bay

Now, that is a list of 8 teams that I think everyone would agree are in better shape than the Vikes (I am going for little to no debate here). Now lets throw in "like teams":

Carolina

Tampa

Washington

Arizona

Chicago

Basically, the Vikes have to get through the bottom group and also at least a couple of the top half in order to be considered for playoff status...I don't see that in 2012, and really not in 2013 either.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Its all about QB play, can Ponder take the next step?

If he stays healthy and has time to pass I definitely think he can. He was pretty impressive as a rookie behind a shaky OL and now he has Kalil protecting his backside. They also added a couple of talented receivers in Wright and Childs. I believe Childs could be the #1 for the Vikes if he returns to his pre-Achillespatella tendon play.

Fixed

 

[The Kuhn]

Ya I see 2 definite losses to the packers and lions each year and at maybe a split with the bears. Gonna be tough to get in from the NFC north

The same Lions that almost lost to Webb last year? I think last year is also the first time the Lions won in MIN in years...Lions are a better team on paper, but I wouldn't call them auto-wins.With the changes the Bears made in the offseason, I consider them more well-rounded than the Lions at this point.

 

[Heatman]

I don't think it's an impossibility by any stretch. However, a LOT of things have to go right between now and then for that to happen.

 

[Herb]

There's so much flux in the league from year to year that there is no way you can just dismiss out of hand the Vikes going to the postseason following the 2013 season.

Going into the 1999 season, I'm pretty sure most everyone that followed the NFL would have penciled the Rams in for about 4-6 wins.

Going into the 2001 season the Pats looked like they could be a .500 team if things went well.

Things change fast.

 

[mr roboto]

SKOL mother####ers!!!

 

[Red Forman]

I think the Vikes are gonna make a lot of people eat crow THIS year.

Ponder will have an entire offseason and preseason to prep with a vastly upgraded o line and IMO, very good weapons in Harvin, Childs, Wright, Simpson, Jenkins, Aromashadu, Rudolph and Carlson. Not to mention being able to hand off to ADP, who is already beating his teamates in wind sprints. Peterson will be ready.

We lead the league in sacks with a depleted secondary. Cook is back, Winfield is healthy, and with the additions in FA and the draft.., our secondary should at least be decent, which is all we need with that front D line.

Take us lightly at your own demise..

 

[Shawnky]

This team has no talent outside of Harvin and a broken Peterson. He's no longer all day or whatever.

 

[ty247]

At least Ponder isn't Gabbert.. ?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

This team has no talent outside of Harvin and a broken Peterson. He's no longer all day or whatever.

Jared Allen and Kevin Williams say hi.

 

[Prussian]

Absolute anything is possible in the NFL when looking ahead two seasons. Absolutely anything.

If Ponder pans out, the Vikes sign another WR weapon and CB, they are competitive again. Should anything happen to division teams that they slip (injuries, poor draft, etc.), then the Vikes can be in the mix in two seasons. Sure.

As examples in the last three years, I give you AZ, CIN, SEA, and even DEN. None of which looked like playoff teams two years prior to their wild cards or division championships. (And arguably, maybe they shouldn't have been when they did make the playoffs - but they did.)

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

I look at the Vikings situation, quite like that of the Redskins in the NFC East. While they are not as bad as we give them credit for, they have a "murderer's row" of divisional opponents to get through. Like the Skins, while there is/has been an opportunity for them not to finish last in their division, it is rare when three teams from the same division get into the playoffs. So, they may beat the Bears, but then have to get through Detroit and GB, to take the next step. What makes their situation even more daunting is that the NFC in general, is light on elite teams (though they have one of the two in their division), but are HEAVY on good teams. Preseason favorites (or teams better on Day One than the Vikes) would look something like this (in no particular order):

Eagles

Giants

Dallas

Atlanta

New Orleans

San Francisco

Detroit

Green Bay

Now, that is a list of 8 teams that I think everyone would agree are in better shape than the Vikes (I am going for little to no debate here). Now lets throw in "like teams":

Carolina

Tampa

Washington

Arizona

Chicago

Basically, the Vikes have to get through the bottom group and also at least a couple of the top half in order to be considered for playoff status...I don't see that in 2012, and really not in 2013 either.

2010: NFC Championship2011: 7-3 with Cutler

Offseason added Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Michael Bush.

Yet you think Chicago is a .500 team...don't think so.

Chicago is 8-6 with Cutler vs that top group the last two years. Losses: 3 vs GB, @ NO, @ NYG, @ DET(5 games lost vs defending Super Bowl champs and @ DET, nothing to be ashamed of).

3-1 with Cutler vs the bottom group for those keeping track at home.

 

[smackdaddies]

In order for the Vikes to make the playoffs, they must have only good things happen

In order for the lions/pack/bears to not have a chance, bad things must happen

Bet against the vikes

 

[cvnpoka]

bengals have made the playoffs twice in the last 3 yrs in a tough conference. anything is possible.

 

[coolnerd]

I would take the bet, not so much because i trust anything going on with Vikings, but because the NFL is pretty random from year ot year. Right now there is some team who is going to the play-offs in 2012 that 90% of the board thinks is silly. Every year, at least one team goes from 10-6 or great to 6-10 less and another goes from 6-10 or lesser to 10-6 or greater. About half of the playoff teams don't make it back the next year. Over the last five seasons only 4 teams have not made the playoffs. Being a playoff team is a fairly low standard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NFL_franchise_post-season_droughts#Longest_active_post-season_drought

 

[Biabreakable]

Simpson is fast.

Background: Last week, just a few days before diving headfirst into the draft, the Vikings signed Simpson to a one-year deal. The hope is that the 2-year-old receiver can add a needed element of speed and athleticism to the Vikings’ passing attack.

Says Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder: “The guy's unbelievable. I was throwing post routes and trying to overthrow him and I couldn't. The guy is so fast.”]

Just imagine Simpsons potential if he grows up.

 

[breadtree]

There's so much flux in the league from year to year that there is no way you can just dismiss out of hand the Vikes going to the postseason following the 2013 season.Going into the 1999 season, I'm pretty sure most everyone that followed the NFL would have penciled the Rams in for about 4-6 wins.Going into the 2001 season the Pats looked like they could be a .500 team if things went well.Things change fast.

I'm a Packer fan living in the Twin Cities, so I despise the Vikings. But this post is exactly right. Raise your hand if you had the 49ers getting a home game in the playoffs going into last year. Or the Bengals making the playoffs. Raise your hand if you had the Chiefs going 10-6 and making the playoffs going into the 2010 season. Those were predictions you were making a month in advance, not 15 months in advance.I wouldn't bet $100 on any team making or not making the playoffs in 2013 without getting long odds.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

Simpson is fast.

Background: Last week, just a few days before diving headfirst into the draft, the Vikings signed Simpson to a one-year deal. The hope is that the 2-year-old receiver can add a needed element of speed and athleticism to the Vikings’ passing attack.

Says Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder: “The guy's unbelievable. I was throwing post routes and trying to overthrow him and I couldn't. The guy is so fast.”]

Just imagine Simpsons potential if he grows up.

3 flips on his way to the endzone?

 

[Snotbubbles]

I look at the Vikings situation, quite like that of the Redskins in the NFC East. While they are not as bad as we give them credit for, they have a "murderer's row" of divisional opponents to get through. Like the Skins, while there is/has been an opportunity for them not to finish last in their division, it is rare when three teams from the same division get into the playoffs. So, they may beat the Bears, but then have to get through Detroit and GB, to take the next step. What makes their situation even more daunting is that the NFC in general, is light on elite teams (though they have one of the two in their division), but are HEAVY on good teams. Preseason favorites (or teams better on Day One than the Vikes) would look something like this (in no particular order):

Eagles

Giants

Dallas

Atlanta

New Orleans

San Francisco

Detroit

Green Bay

Now, that is a list of 8 teams that I think everyone would agree are in better shape than the Vikes (I am going for little to no debate here). Now lets throw in "like teams":

Carolina

Tampa

Washington

Arizona

Chicago

Basically, the Vikes have to get through the bottom group and also at least a couple of the top half in order to be considered for playoff status...I don't see that in 2012, and really not in 2013 either.

2010: NFC Championship2011: 7-3 with Cutler

Offseason added Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Michael Bush.

Yet you think Chicago is a .500 team...don't think so.

Chicago is 8-6 with Cutler vs that top group the last two years. Losses: 3 vs GB, @ NO, @ NYG, @ DET(5 games lost vs defending Super Bowl champs and @ DET, nothing to be ashamed of).

3-1 with Cutler vs the bottom group for those keeping track at home.

This is based on 2-3 years down the road. Not next season.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

I didn't even know you could make the playoffs when you finish 4th in your division.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

The way things are going, they'll win the NFC West in 2013.

(I'm aware that realignment wouldn't happen that fast. It's a joke. One not very funny to Vikings fans.)

 

[mad_dog]

There's so much flux in the league from year to year that there is no way you can just dismiss out of hand the Vikes going to the postseason following the 2013 season.Going into the 1999 season, I'm pretty sure most everyone that followed the NFL would have penciled the Rams in for about 4-6 wins.Going into the 2001 season the Pats looked like they could be a .500 team if things went well.Things change fast.

I'm a Packer fan living in the Twin Cities, so I despise the Vikings. But this post is exactly right. Raise your hand if you had the 49ers getting a home game in the playoffs going into last year. Or the Bengals making the playoffs. Raise your hand if you had the Chiefs going 10-6 and making the playoffs going into the 2010 season. Those were predictions you were making a month in advance, not 15 months in advance.I wouldn't bet $100 on any team making or not making the playoffs in 2013 without getting long odds.

Good post.