Will 1, And It Work?

 

Football season is here, and I am guardedly optimistic about the Vikings' chances of having a really good year. The two big keys to that happening are Kyler being healthy and the Vikings' run game transformation being a thing.

Kyler's Health:
Kyler has tended to get beat up and injured throughout his career. For the past couple of years, the Vikings' O-line has been injured and beat up. The Vikings' O-line and Kyler are coming into the season healthy. My hope is that experience has taught the guys enough to avoid most situations where injury is a likely outcome. If the O-Line struggles with injuries again this year, it is likely that sooner or later Kyler will as well. Fingers crossed and knocking on wood!

Pound, Pound, and Slash/Pound, Pound, and Cut, Ya:

I am hoping that the hiring of Frank Smith marks a shift in KOC's pass-first and always philosophy. Frank Smith is a running game guru. Our O-Line is healthy. Jordan Mason is a very good running back. I think KOC is ready for a change in the results he has been getting. To me, the inputs add up to my thinking that the Vikings will try to be a bully-ball team that uses the run to control the clock and set up the pass.  I could be out to lunch on this hunch. We'll see.

Thoughts on the start of the season:

You never know what you are going to get to start the season. Everybody has rust to shake off and chemistry to develop. KOC has generally been a winner in the season opener and in the month of September. Starting off with two games in the division gives them a chance to get a leg up or dig a pretty big hole. Game One versus the Packers at home is huge for both teams. I think the Vikings will beat the Packers, but I'm nervous. Love is streaky, and when he gets hot, he's amazing.  It's the first game; you just never know what you are going to get.

  
SKOL!