Analyst Falls in Love with Vikings, Offers Bold Prediction
Janik Eckardt
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Good Morning Football is one of the most popular shows in the football universe, and Kyle Brandt is one of the most popular pundits in the world of football. If the analyst makes a prediction about the Vikings, it usually makes massive waves on social media.
Every Wednesday, they come to the segment ‘Whiteboard Wednesday,’ ask themselves a question, and everyone gives his answer. Today’s question, asked by Will Selva, was, “The offense you think has the most potential heading into the season is?”
The origin of the question is the comment of a receiver from the New York Giants. Sterling Shepard said that he’s excited about the potential of their offense, especially the big plays.
Peter Schrager started with the Dolphins. Former Super Bowl champion Shaun O’Hara agreed with him. Indeed, the Dolphins have added a lot of talent to their offense. The fast superstar receiver Tyreek Hill came from the Chiefs in a trade. Terron Armstead and Connor Williams help solidify the offensive line. Last year the Dolphins had one of the worst blocking units in the NFL. They also hired a new coach. Mike McDaniel is a Kyle Shanahan disciple and was his run game and offensive coordinator.
The Dolphins have a case to be much more explosive in 2022 than in recent history. Kyle Brandt, however, had a team farther up north in mind.
The Vikings Offense Has Potential
First of all, he had to take a shot at his colleagues for picking the Dolphins.
“I forgot, today is Wednesday. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays we become an in-house Dolphins program. See you Friday, guys, we’ll do more Miami Dolphins talk.”
– Kyle Brandt, GMFB
All jokes aside, he loves what the Vikings did in the offseason. He’s especially a big fan of the new head coach Kevin O’Connell.
“You ever have a thing in the offseason, you just fall in love with the team and you’re not even sure why and you’re just keep talking about them? … Listen, I’ve said this a thousand times this offseason, I am really excited about the 2022 Vikings. Mostly because of Kevin O’Connell. I think they got one of those little McVay Russian nesting dolls that everyone’s trying to get. They got theirs, their offense is going to be amazing.”
– Kyle Brandt, loves the new Vikings offense
The arrival of head coach Kevin O’Connell impelled fans to believe in the Vikings. An exciting young head coach after having the complete opposite for almost a decade was at the very least a change. Before the first game has even been played, it’s impossible to say how good O’Connell actually is as a head coach. However, the energy in and around the building has completely changed.
The offense is expected to be good. That’s usually what happens when an offensive-minded head coach takes over from a defensive-minded one.
Cousins always produces 30 touchdowns and 4000 yards in his sleep, Jefferson is a superstar, and Thielen is a red zone nightmare for defenses. Dalvin Cook can still run the football with the best in the game. The offensive line is expected to be improved, especially with another step forward from Christian Darrisaw and the additions of the capable right guards, Ed Ingram, Chris Reed, and Jesse Davis. Scheme changes aside, at the very least, O’Connell has already changed the organization’s culture.
Brandt, however, didn’t stop there. The analyst had a bold prediction for Vikings fans, and it’s a good one.
“I’m predicting them to win the NFC North. I think the Vikings are going to win the division this year and that’s why I’m excited about them.”
– Kyle Brandt, picks the Vikings to win the North
In the last three years, the Packers owned the division. They have won 13 games in three consecutive seasons. The other teams didn’t have a chance, and the Packers could almost rest players halfway into the season after basically clinching the home playoff game.
In 2018, the Bears won the division. They later lost in the divisional round to the Nick Foles-led Eagles.
The last time the Vikings got crowned NFC North champions was after the 2017 season. After the 13-3 season, the Vikings had the ‘Minneapolis Miracle’ followed by a heartbreaking loss against the Eagles and, once again, Nick Foles. Winning the division is something Vikings fans desperately want to happen again. However, the Packers are still the team to beat despite losing Davante Adams and Za’Darius Smith.
If Kevin O’Connell is really like a McVay junior and his energy can inspire the team, the sky is the limit for the 2022 Vikings.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. He chose the Vikings as his favorite team, despite Christian Ponder being the quarterback at the time. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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