Guest Post: 2015 Vikings Season Bold Predictions

Bridgewater Minicamp 2015

[Editor’s Note: As you all know, it’s important to us at Vikings Territory to provide a platform for voices other than ours to be heard through Guest Posts. This time around, we’re welcoming back an old friend, Branden Lemke, who wanted to do a series of five bold Vikings predictions headed into next season. Today, we’re posting predictions #5 and #4. Check back in the near future for the rest of his predictions. You can follow Branden on Twitter at @BrandenLemkeMN and make sure to be on the lookout for his new blog launching in the near future.]

Let me start by saying I couldn’t be more pleased to be back contributing to Vikings Territory with Adam and Brett. I took a long break from sports writing in general for personal reasons, but decided it was time to start up again. For those who don’t know me, I used to work with Adam at Vikings Gab, and then with Adam and Brett here at Vikings Territory for a short period a few years ago. I have a new Vikings blog launching this summer with Jake Schroer, so be sure to keep an eye out for that as well!

Bold Prediction #5: Teddy Bridgewater Eclipses 4,500 yards, 25 touchdowns.

Needless to say, there are no question marks at quarterback this year for the Minnesota Vikings. (That sure feels good to say after struggling to find a long term quarterback for about a decade.) Although Bridgewater’s numbers themselves last year (2,919 yards, 14 touchdowns, 12 interceptions) were nothing statistically shocking, he clearly showed that he has what it takes to be a leader for years to come. He boasted a completion percentage of 64.4% and a league leading 75% under pressure – all without playing the entire season.

Assuming Bridgewater starts all 16 games next season, there’s no question his numbers will go up. But I still think his numbers are going to be bigger than most of us expect. It’s not crazy to say he will throw for 3,500 yards, maybe even 4,000. But I think there are some games this year that will become shootouts, and Teddy will have a couple 400 yard passing games, even with Adrian Peterson back. I believe Bridgewater can get to 4,500 yards on the season.

Teddy was better known last year for his performances in clutch moments than touchdowns, despite his first nickname in purple, “Touchdown Teddy”. However, the Vikings offense is a different monster this year with a seemingly revamped offensive line, an improved receiving corp, and oh yeah… Adrian Peterson is back. Having the best running back in the game line up behind Bridgewater will certainly help his receivers get more open. And certainly the addition of Mike Wallace helps. Teddy has weapons almost everywhere with Wallace, Charles Johnson, Jarius Wright, a hopefully improved Cordarrelle Patterson, and a healthy Kyle Rudolph at tight end. I think he could almost double his touchdowns from last year and end the season with a total of 25 on the season.

I am predicting Teddy finishes with 4,511 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. No sophomore slump for this quarterback!

Lemke’s Bold Predictions #4: Vikings 2015 Pro Bowlers

Over the last couple seasons, Roger Goodell and company have tried to make the annual NFL Pro Bowl a watchable game again. In my opinion, they have done a good job so far of at least attempting to fix the problem by having former NFL stars host the teams. I think they need to go one step further and have the players vote on who makes the Pro Bowl, not necessarily the fans. Often times a player deserving of Pro Bowl honors can be overlooked by the general fan base because of the popularity of another name in the NFL. For example, our own Harrison Smith had 93 combined tackles, 5 interceptions, 3 sacks, and a defensive touchdown. He did not make the Pro Bowl because Seahawks safety Earl Thomas won the fan vote, despite only posting 1 interception, zero sacks, and no defensive touchdowns.

Nonetheless, players still take pride in making the Pro Bowl roster, because it is looked at as an award for being one of the best at their position. The Vikings appear to have a lot of talent and potential on their roster this season, and I think we will definitely see an increase in Pro Bowlers on this squad.

Here are a fewer players I think will make the Pro Bowl this year:

1. RB Adrian Peterson

I don’t feel an explanation is necessary for this one. He’s back on the roster… So he makes the Pro Bowl.

2. FS Harrison Smith

As I just mentioned, I think it’s a shame “Harry the Hitman” didn’t make it to the Pro Bowl in 2014. He probably could have made it in 2013 had he stayed healthy the entire season. Assuming he keeps up his consistent play, and puts up similar numbers this year, I don’t see how he doesn’t get the fan vote. The Vikings have a shot to get more national attention this year (and in a positive way), so I think that could definitely help his case.

3. CB Xavier Rhodes

Same goes for Rhodes as far as the Vikings defense getting more attention league-wide. Rhodes is no longer an up and coming shutdown corner in the NFL to me; he has already arrived. Aside from a few games last season, Rhodes seemed to matchup perfectly with everyone – holding some of the league’s top receivers to very low numbers, and posting 18 pass deflections on the year (Fourth best in the NFL). He has earned the nickname “Rhodes Closed,” and I think this next season will be his best yet.

4. DE Everson Griffen

Griffen was another player in 2014 who posted Pro Bowl worthy numbers. He posted 12 sacks, which was 2nd in the NFC among defensive ends. He also had a special teams touchdown against Carolina. I think Griffen will post even more sacks, around 14 or 15 this season, paving his way to the Pro Bowl.

5. LB Anthony Barr

The Vikings linebackers are suddenly a very talented young group. The addition of Eric Kendricks in the draft, the emergence of guys like Gerald Hodges and Audie Cole, and Anthony Barr coming off a good rookie campaign makes me excited. We still have Chad Greenway, but there is no question in my opinion that Anthony Barr is the more dominant outside linebacker. He missed several games last year, and still posted 70 tackles, 4 sacks, and a game winning defensive touchdown against Tampa Bay. If he stays healthy, I think he has a high ceiling in the amount of sacks and tackles he could record this year. It wouldn’t surprise me if he makes the Pro Bowl, and I think his good friend and new Viking linebacker Eric Kendricks could join him in the near future.

[Editor’s Note: Check back soon for the continuation of this series with bold predictions #3, #2 and #1.]

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