SI’S 2019
PREDICTION
11 – 5
2018 RECORD 8-7-1
SEP T. 8
VS. AT L
SEP T. 15
@ GB
SEP T. 22
VS. OAK
SEP T. 2 9
@ CHI
OC T. 6
@ NYG
OC T. 1 3
VS. PHI
OC T. 2 0
@ DET
OC T. 24
VS. WAS
NOV. 3
@ KC
NOV. 10
@ DAL
NOV. 17
VS. DEN
NOV. 24
BYE
DEC. 2
@ SEA
DEC. 8
VS. DET
DEC. 15
@ LAC
DEC. 23
VS. GB
DEC. 29
VS. CHI
like the team that played for the NFC title in 2017 than the one that missed the playoffs last year.
84
× THE OFFENSE THRIVES. I t s n e w
outside-zone system fits quarterback
Kirk Cousins, who ran the scheme at
Washington. The line improves with
the addition of mobile first-round center
Garrett Bradbury from
North Carolina State; un-
justly maligned third-year
pro Pat Elflein transitions
well from center to left
guard; and ex-Titan Josh
Kline brings a welcome
adequacy to the right guard
spot. New coordinator
Kevin Stefanski uses
creative route combina-
tions, particularly out of
bunch- and stack-receiver
alignments. This creates
clearer reads, allowing
Cousins to make the bold, anticipatory
throws that are his strong suit.
× ADAM THIELEN AND STEFON DIGGS
COMBINE FOR MORE THAN 2,500 YARDS.
Both are true No. 1 receivers. Thielen is
athletic and a master technician. Diggs
brings explosive change of direction.
Minnesota’s lack of receiving depth en-
tices defenses to double both of them, but
Stefanski counters this by often aligning
Diggs and Thielen on the same side, oppo-
site tight ends Kyle Rudolph and second-
round rookie Irv Smith Jr. from Alabama.
× HEAD COACH MIKE ZIMMER’S DEFENSE
RECAPTURES ITS DOMINANCE. Built on
an aggressive split-safety matchup zone
coverage known as quarters, the Vikings
continue to aggressively challenge receiv-
ers and tight ends. Cornerbacks press
while safeties play low. A stingy run de-
fense, led by veteran nosetackle Linval
Joseph, creates more third-and-long situ-
ations in which Zimmer selectively but
efficiently employs his disguised over-
loaded blitzes. All-world
safety Harrison Smith ,
with his shrewd presnap
movements and postsnap
instincts, remains the
defense’s key player.
× CORNERBACK DEPTH
PAY S O F F. In 2018 Min-
nesota’s downfield cov-
erage set up many of its
50 sacks, which tied for
third most in the league.
That formula continues
in ’19, as fervid boundary
corner Xavier Rhodes re-
gains his form after an injury-riddled
’18 campaign, while second-year corner
Mike Hughes, despite coming off a torn
left ACL, steals playing time from solid
No. 2 corner Trae Waynes and slot men
Mackensie Alexander (passing downs)
and Jayron Kearse (running downs).
This versatility and wealth of talent
give the Vikings an answer for every
type of receiving corps.
WHAT LIES AHEAD
St
re
ng
th
QB
16
RB
26
WR/TE
5
OL
23
FRONT 7
12
DB
4
MINNESOTA
