2009 Minnesota Vikings Football Preview

2008 Record: 10-6, First NFC North; 0-1 in postseason, lost to Philadelphia Eagles

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Head Coach: Brad Childress; Fourth year

Key Additions: QB Sage Rosenfels

Key Losses: C Matt Birk, QB Gus Frerotte, S Darren Sharper

1st Round Draft Picks: Percy Harvin – Wide Receiver

2nd Round Draft Picks: Phil Loadholt – Offensive Tackle

2009 Minnesota Vikings Schedule

Minnesota Vikings 2008 NFL Season in Review

2008 was the year of Adrian Peterson, not just for the Minnesota Vikings but for in many ways the rest of the NFL. His dominance over the season, finishing with 1,760 rushing yards and a 4.8 YPC average, marked the transition into an age in which he could be the premier running back in the league, standing even above stars such as LaDainian Tomlinson.

With Peterson, the club finished 5 th in rushing yards and 12 th in points scored. One has to wonder what Tarvaris Jackson did to put off the coaching staff, he performed far better than Gus Frerotte did, despite being replaced by him early in the season. Of course, looking towards the 2009 season it looks like Tarvaris Jackson will once again be denied an opportunity, as Brett Favre is seemingly coming to the team.

The defense was even more impressive against the run, allowing only 77 yards per game en route to finishing 1 st in the NFL. They were 13 th in points allowed and were spearheaded by cornerback Antoine Winfield, defensive end Jared Allen and his 14.5 sacks and defensive tackle Kevin Williams, who added another 8.5 sacks.

Minnesota Vikings 2009 NFL Season Preview

The Minnesota Vikings have already found out what the New York Jets did in 2008, which is that their season will be dominated by Brett Favre headlines. As of the time of this writing, Brett Favre was not an official member of the club but both the ownership team and Favre himself have stated that should he be healthy enough to play, he will play and it will be for Minnesota. In the meantime, the team is in flux and once again they feel they have all of the pieces they need to make a postseason run if the quarterback position was secured.

2009 Minnesota Vikings Offense:

As the Vikings have continually maneuvered over the last two years to try to find a better quarterback, they have done more harm than anything else, as Tarvaris Jackson's development and confidence have surely been stunted. If Favre is healthy enough to play for the Vikings in 2009, one has to wonder how much of an upgrade he truly will be.

Of course, whoever the quarterback will be, the offense will be run through Adrian Peterson. There have been a few rumors that people are worried that Peterson bulked up too much in the off season, saying it could slow him down more than it helps him. That said, it's hard to imagine him being slowed down very much.

Four players on the club caught 40 or more passes in 2008, but none more than 53. The Vikings need somebody to step up, and they hope the versatile play making ability of Percy Harvin could make him that man. With the spread of the Wild Cat formation and with Peterson in the backfield, it will be interesting how the University of Florida speedster is put to use.

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2009 Minnesota Vikings Defense:

The defense remains largely intact from a strong 2008 unit, despite losing safety Darren Sharper, who was the club's fourth leading tackler. Cornerback Antoine Winfield is one of the besting the game, but he needs help from the rest of the unit to help the Vikings get stronger against the pass. The futures of defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams could include suspensions, which would hurt the Vikings significantly in the opening weeks of the season. Jared Allen is one of the best defensive ends in the game and another double digit sack season will be necessary for the team to maintain form.

2009 Minnesota Vikings Prediction: Second NFC North

By Jake Emen
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer

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