By Sean Gannon

I love my team, and for a change of pace, I am starting to believe that we have a real shot at making the playoffs. Their draft was confusing. I felt like we gave up a lot to receive very little in return. But I love some of the players we got (Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr), to name a few. We made some quality Free Agent signings in the offseason, getting guys like Harrison Phillips, Jordan Hicks, and Za’Darius Smith. These players are filling key position groups for our defense that was lackluster the last two seasons. The secondary is the defense’s weak link, and Minnesota will rely on Smith and Danielle Hunter to get after the quarterback. Drafting Cine and Booth to provide talent and depth was the right call for Minnesota, who did nothing significant to help their secondary during Free Agency.

The offense will look the same; they can put up numbers, pass the ball downfield, and run well. As the offensive coordinator for the Rams in 2021, Kevin O’Connel helped Cooper Kupp notch the wide receiver triple crown (first among receivers in catches, yards, and touchdowns). What he can do with Justin Jefferson… I am excited. Expect less running from the Minnesota Vikings team that relied on Cook for the last two years under Mike Zimmer. They will be less reliant on Cook leading to more efficient runs and hopefully fewer injuries.

You’re probably wondering, well then, Sean, if the defense will be slightly better and the offense will maintain, why should we believe in them? The Packers. That is why. Green Bay traded away Devante Adams, who had 1,553 receiving yards last season. The next receiver on the team only had 513 yards. Since 2017 Adams has led the Packers team in receiving yards and touchdowns, and no other Green Bay wide Receiver has had a 1,000-yard season in that span. His rapport with Rodgers was like no other during that span, even combing for 18 touchdowns in 2020. They have torched Minnesota, amassing an outstanding 93 receptions for 1,050 yards and 13 touchdowns in 15 games. With Adams out of the equation, I believe the Packers’ offense will take a step back. They might not be as dominating as they were before. This allows a team like the Vikings to scheme their way and get themselves a playoff bid by winning the NFC North with only ten games.