The Green Bay Packers may have lost Davante Adams, whom most consider to be the best wide receiver in the NFL, but many still think highly of their chances this season.
In Pro Football Focus’ NFL power rankings that were released on July 18, the Packers ranked sixth.
Meanwhile, the next-highest ranked team in the NFC North was the Minnesota Vikings, who were at No. 22.
Many are down on the Vikings’ chances this year, but with the changes both teams have made, there is a scenario where Minnesota actually finishes with a better record than its longtime rival.
It may take a lot going right for the Vikings, but it can happen.
Justin Jefferson Is An Underrated Wideout
One of the bright young receivers in the NFL no one seems to talk about is Justin Jefferson.
He is one of just a handful of wideouts who put up at least 1,400 yards in both of his first two seasons and heading into Year 3, he could have another big season.
He recently said that by the end of 2022, he will surpass Adams as the best wideout in football.
Last season, Jefferson ranked second in the NFL with 1,616 receiving yards, and he actually finished ahead of Adams, who was third on the list.
Jefferson also had 10 touchdowns, just one less than Adams.
Justin Jefferson is a freak of nature. #Vikings pic.twitter.com/pYF14RaI90
— The NFL Lead (@NFL_Lead) July 17, 2022
Will Kirk Cousins Have A Strong Season?
In 2021, Kirk Cousins did well statistically, putting up 4,221 passing yards and 33 touchdowns while recording a passer rating of 103.1, which was tied for fourth in the NFL.
However, the Vikings have never been a very strong offensive team with him under center.
It will be up to him to get the most out of Jefferson, as well as Adam Thielen, the team’s WR2 who had 726 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021.
Kirk Cousins pulled off the biggest upset in NFL HISTORY and he threw the best pass OF ALL TIME vs the Saints in the loud Superdome, yet he's still called a choker who doesn't show up when it matters the most🤔 pic.twitter.com/doDuvFNzwH
— #Skol#BleedGreen#TCU (@IwalkVikCelts) July 15, 2022
Cousins will be playing for a new head coach in Kevin O’Connell, but the two are already familiar with each other, as the two worked together in 2017 when the latter was the Washington Redskins’ quarterbacks coach.
Last season, O’Connell was the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams as they powered their way to a win in Super Bowl LVI.
The Vikings Have An Underrated Running Back
Dalvin Cook doesn’t get a lot of press, but he is one of the more productive running backs in the league.
In 2021, he registered 1,159 yards and six touchdowns, just a year after a monster season of 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Cook has been a bit injury-prone throughout his career, but if he plays a full 17-game schedule, it will greatly bolster Minnesota’s chances of winning its division.
Minnesota Now Has a Piece Of Green Bay’s Defense
Last season, the Vikings’ defense was porous, as they ranked 24th in points allowed, 28th in passing yards allowed, and 30th in both overall yards allowed and first downs given up.
The team went out this offseason and signed Za’Darius Smith, a pass rusher who had spent the past three years with the Packers.
Smith missed most of 2021 with a back injury, but in 2019 and 2020 he made the Pro Bowl as one of the better outside linebackers in the game.
He will give the Vikings some much-needed heat on their front seven, and who knows, he just may have some intel on Aaron Rodgers that they can use in their two contests versus the Packers this season, including in Week 1.
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