VikesRule

Most Valuable Player: Derek Carr, Oakland - I think the Raiders are poised for a huge season on offense that should result in a deep playoff run. Offensive Player of the Year: Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh - the Steelers look primed for another high-powered season on offense. Defensive Player of the Year: Joey Bosa, Los Angeles - he looked great as a rookie and I think he takes the next step this season. Comeback Player of the Year: JJ Watt, Houston - he's got a lot of help around him to help return to form. Offensive Rookie of the Year: Christian McCaffrey, Carolina - I love how he's been used in the preseason and I think he's in a great offense to utilize his skillset. Defensive Rookie of the Year: Solomon Thomas, San Francisco - I think the 49ers defensive line will surprise some people with how well it will play, starting with Thomas. Coach of the Year: Dirk Koetter, Tampa Bay - I think the Bucs will have a breakout season and grab a playoff spot.

Source I agree 100% with him. Everybody brings up Brady as if the exception disproves the rule. To be a successful, longterm QB you need to be drafted in the first or second round (with the rare exceptions like Wilson, Foles, and Brady). "Developmental" QBs just do not seem to ever pan out...

The NFL released the schedules today. Here's the Vikings: Week 1: @ St. Louis Rams Week 2: New England Patriots Week 3: @ New Orleans Saints Week 4: Atlanta Falcons Week 5: @ Green Bay Packers (Thursday Night Game) Week 6: Detroit Lions Week 7: @ Buffalo Bills Week 8: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 9: Washington Redskins Week 10: BYE Week 11: @ Chicago Bears Week 12: Green Bay Packers Week 13: Carolina Panthers Week 14: New York Jets Week 15: @ Detroit Lions Week 16: @ Miami Dolphins Week 17: Chicago Bears Source Overall it's not too bad for us. Rough start to the season with Rams, Patriots, and Saints all in the first three weeks (could very easily start out 0-3). Week 10 bye is nice, as is the end of our schedule, with 3 home games, then 2 road games in good weather (one in a dome, one in Miami). Then the Bears come to town Week 17 in what will probably be a very cold weather game. I don't have high expectations for us this year but I can't say it's necessarily a bad schedule for us, especially if we manage to win at least one of our first three games.

Really liking how much depth we've signed on the defensive line. Right now all we really need is another linebacker, another cornerback, and a decent QB. Easier said than done on that last one, though.

Definitely would be a nice guy to pick up... especially since it seems like Jared is all but gone.

If we can beat Detroit (which I'm not convinced we will but I never would have thought we could beat San Francisco) then I think you could argue we're worthy of the #2 spot in the NFC North (or at the very least the third best team). I still think Green Bay is a better team, and I also think Chicago and Detroit are just as good, if not better, than us still. But I do like the direction we are heading right now.