9 Bold Predictions for 2nd Half of Vikings Season
The Minnesota Vikings are 4-4 near the season’s midpoint, hoping to remain relevant in the NFC’s playoff picture after quarterback Kirk Cousins was lost for the season three days ago.
A daunting task, indeed.
9 Bold Predictions for 2nd Half of Vikings Season
And to get your wheels turning about the second half of the 2023 season, here are the VikingsTerritory writers’ bold predictions regarding the final nine games.
1. Joshua Dobbs Eventually Wins Fans’ Hearts
Prediction Maker: Dustin Baker
If one tosses on some of the Joshua Dobbs tape from the 2023 Cardinals first eight games, there’s not much to criticize. The man is mobile, smart beyond belief, and a playmaker.
Jaren Hall may not totally struggle, but for some reason or another, Dobbs will see regular season action and totally dazzle fans.
2. Vikings Finish with a Top 10 Defense
Prediction Maker: Janik Eckardt
Brian Flores’ unit held three consecutive opponents to 17 or fewer points, including the San Francisco 49ers. After having a shaky start, they are slowly transforming into one of the best defenses in the NFL and will finish in the league’s Top 10 per yards and points allowed.
3. Danielle Hunter Wins Defensive Player of the Year
Prediction Maker: Josh Frey
The Vikings defense has bounced back in a big way this season, and a major reason for that has been the play of their No. 1 pass rusher. Hunter leads the league in tackles for loss and sacks through eight weeks, and for the Vikings to make a run to the playoffs, they will need him to continue playing at a top-tier level. If they do make the dance, it will be hard not to give Hunter this award.
4. Vikings Defense Holds Serve
Prediction Maker: Kyle Joudry
The Flores defense maintains its position as a league-average group. Losing Kirk Cousins will make life difficult for the DC; poor offense leads to playing poor defense. But the DC has been overcoming the odds so far and finds a way of continuing to do so.
5. Vikings Claim NFC’s 7th Playoff Seed
Prediction Maker: Adam New
The Vikings have enough, whether it’s Jaren Hall or Josh Dobbs at QB, to hold on to the last wildcard spot in a weak NFC. Nine wins may be the magic number, which is attainable from the Vikings favorable remaining schedule.
6. Vikings Win the NFC North
Prediction Maker: Wes Johnson
That’s right. The Cousinsless Vikings, currently two games behind division-leading Detroit Lions, will surpass the Lions by the end of the season.
One thing that could be missed with Cousins lost for the season are some of the positives we are unaccustomed to (at least in recent seasons): PFF top-5 offensive line play, a pressure-inducing defense that confuses opposing quarterbacks, and a bevy of offensive pass catchers that can spread out opposing defenses.
The rest of the health of the roster will be vital, as will getting more from the run game, but a combo of Hall/Dobbs behind center should be competent enough to keep this team in any game.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell will have his work cut out for him, but the path and skill are there to succeed. And they’ll do it by winning The North.
7. Jaren Hall Fires up a 3 Passing TD Game
Prediction Maker: Ali Siddiqui
Obviously, the jury is still out on whether Hall will be good. We also don’t know how many games he will start this year for the Vikings, but given he has plenty of weapons and a good offensive line, he will have one very good game.
8. Vikings Reach the Playoffs
Prediction Maker: Cole Smith
My bold prediction for the second half of the season is that the Vikings can still make the playoffs. The NFC isn’t deep, and the Vikings defense is improving week-by-week. This will aid Jaren Hall or Joshua Dobbs, as well as a receiving corps that will help the backup quarterbacks.
9. Jaren Hall the QB1 the Rest of the Way
Prediction Maker: Ted Schwerzler
Jaren Hall starts against the Falcons on Sunday and impresses enough to get some leash the rest of the way. He will make more starts than Josh Dobbs but ultimately doesn’t deter Minnesota from picking a quarterback in the upcoming draft.
The Vikings Had a Busy Day with Trades
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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