Adam New’s Predictions for the 2024 Vikings
After a successful preseason that saw three victories, the Minnesota Vikings will kick off their 2024 season in a little under three weeks on the road against the New York Giants. With the season almost upon us, I bring you my predictions for the 2024 Vikings, the third season the Vikings play under the guidance of head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Adam New’s Predictions for the 2024 Vikings
Minnesota enjoyed contrasting fortunes in O’Connell’s first two seasons. A division title and a 13-4 record in Year 1 was followed by a 7-10 record last season. What will the Vikings’ record be this year? I had my say in that in a previous article. Here, I want to look at some predictions for other aspects of the Vikings season.
Career Year for Sam Darnold
Of the six seasons Sam Darnold has been in the NFL, his second season with the Jets was statistically his best. Darnold started in 12 games and had a 7-6 record. He had career highs in completion percentage (61.9), passing yards (3024), and touchdowns (19). If Darnold plays in all 17 regular season games for the Vikings this season, he will surpass those numbers for passing yards and touchdowns. Completion percentage is another matter, but if he can get that figure up into the mid-60s, then Darnold will have had a good season.
The problem that has plagued Darnold’s career so far is interceptions. Bad things happen when you don’t look after the football. There have been far too many INTs in Darnold’s career. He needs to look after the football better this season if he will take advantage of the golden opportunity in front of him. My prediction for Darnold is that he goes over 4000 yards and 20 touchdowns for the first time in his career.
Justin Jefferson Goes Over 1,809 Receiving Yards
There is an opinion in some quarters that Justin Jefferson will struggle to put up huge numbers this season because of the QB situation. The 476 receiving yards and two touchdowns he got in the last four games last season with Nick Mullens (and a bit of Jaren Hall) tell me he will be just fine. He can put up big numbers with any of Darnold, Mullens, or Hall. He is simply just that good.
Jefferson wants to be the first man to break 2,000 receiving yards in a single season. I don’t think he will manage that this season, but I do think he will still put up huge numbers. His career best of 1809 isn’t beyond him, and I predict he goes past that this season but falls short of 2000.
Dallas Turner Leads NFL in Sacks Among Rookies
From the evidence we’ve seen over the preseason, Dallas Turner will be a menace to opposing quarterbacks. In Brian Flores’s aggressive defense, I expect him to have ample opportunity, even if he is behind Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel on the depth chart. I back Turner to lead the NFL in sacks among rookies this season.
Last season, Kobie Turner of the Los Angeles Rams led rookies with nine sacks. If the Vikings rookie is to top the list this season, his main competition will likely come from fellow first-round picks Jared Verse, Laiatu Latu, and Chop Robinson. I predict that Turner will lead the way and reach double figures with at least 10 sacks on the season.
Vikings Significantly Increase 2023 Interceptions Total
Last season, Minnesota only managed 11 interceptions as a team, which was somewhat short of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who led the league with 25. Vikings defenders showed a nose for the football during the preseason, coming up with four interceptions. I predict that will continue into the regular season, and the Vikings will significantly increase their 2023 interceptions total.
Byron Murphy led the team last season with just three INTs, while veteran safety Harrison Smith failed to register one. Minnesota needs better cornerback play this season, and part of that will be the CBs making plays and taking the ball away. Murphy and new signing Stephon Gilmore will do that and set the tone for the rest of the team.
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