The split opinions on how the Minnesota Vikings will look in 2025 have been hard to track, despite all fans knowing the roster's depth.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been at the center of Minnesota's lack of steady confidence as he enters his first full season as the starter. Minnesota is talented all around after spending nearly $300 million in free agency and having one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
There is stiff competition in the NFC North with the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears all looking like playoff contenders—one expert likes the Vikings over all three teams.
FOX NFL analyst Bucky Brooks shared his top 10 NFL teams, with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles taking the top spot. The most pleasant part of the rankings is Brooks's placement of the Vikings at eighth, ahead of all three NFC North teams.
“Despite the loss of Sam Darnold, the Vikings could be vastly improved with an inexperienced starter taking over. J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft, can thrive in a game-manager role, directing an explosive offense with a trio of unstoppable pass catchers (Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson) and supported by a dynamic do-it-all running back (Aaron Jones) playing behind an upgraded offensive line. With the defense featuring more disruptors at the point of attack (Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave), the Vikings are built to take over the NFC North this season.”
The Lions were right behind the Vikings at nine, and the Packers rounded out the top 10 in the tenth spot. Detroit won the NFC North by one game over the Vikings, with the Packers making the playoffs as a wild card.
Last year, the Vikings went 14-3, but a devastating end-of-season loss to the Lions in Week 18 forced them to travel to Los Angeles for their Wild Card loss to the Rams. Current Seattle Seahawks and former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold led the sixth-best passing offense in the NFL, as Minnesota averaged 237.8 yards per game.
McCarthy is now behind the wheel of an offense that rebuilt the interior line with three new starters and skill players that include Jefferson, Addison, Hockenson, and Jones. The defense loaded up with new talent with the signings of Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen, Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah.
Not many experts have gone as far as Brooks did to take the Vikings to win the NFC North, but there’s no doubt the talent level is there in Minnesota.
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