MINNESOTA VIKINGS
2017 Offense: 9th Overall (13th Passing, 8th Running, 10th Scoring, 12th YPP)
2017 Defense: 1st overall (2nd passing, 2nd Running, 1st Scoring, 1st YPP)
2018 Outlook:
OFFENSE: Finishing 9th overall in offense when your starting QB and your stud young RB miss most of the season is a testament to the depth and coaching the Vikings have.
Swapping Keenum for Cousins should be an upgrade, despite the fact that Keenum played at a very high level, made a ton of plays when protection broke down, and pretty much executed Pat Shurmur's offense to near perfection. Getting Dalvin Cook back should boost the running game, and somewhat negate the loss of a very good scat back in McKinnon, who left to be the 49ers starter.
Minnesota boasts perhaps the best 1-2 WR duo in the league. Neither is a burner, but both Diggs and Thielen, are quick, run precise routes and have very good hands. TE Rudolph and the OL are average, and this OL was exposed very badly by a fierce Philly pass rush.
Overall, the Vikings should once again be a top 10 unit offensively.
DEFENSE: This was the best defense in the game during the regular season, and they only got better with the addition of Sheldon Richardson. Drafting CB Mike Hughes was done specifically with the intent of being able to match up with teams that like to spread defenses out, a la New Orleans and New England.
This defense was historically great during the regular season. In all my years of tracking I have never seen a defense finish top 2 in every significant category. Even when Seattle and Denver had those super dominant defenses, they still had some metrics that were outside the top 5.
The almost comeback by the Saints, and the complete demolition by Philly has definitely cast a shadow over this amazing D, but Mike Zimmer admitted to playing his D Line starters too much, and it's quite possible the D just ran out of steam in the playoffs.
I have Minny as the best D in the game, the front four is absolutely scary, the LBs are super active, and they have two elite players in the secondary in Rhodes and Harrison Smith.
I simply don't see how Green Bay is lined more or less to win the same number of games as the Vikings. The Vikings have the most complete roster in the NFL, have a super solid coaching staff, and one of the best home field advantages in the league. Even with a tough schedule this should be a 10+ wins team in a very competitive NFC conference.