Next on the horizon: the Horn Blowers of the North.
Easy to dismiss as a top '21 threat because they weren't great last year, and you, know, Cousins. But Kirk is, in truth, a top 14 QB and he has two elite receivers in Jefferson and Thielen. Dalvin Cook might be the best RB in the NFC.
Vikings were 7-9 last year and 10-6 in 2019.
Here's the stunner you won't believe: Vikes gave up more points last year than the Cowboys! That's crazy as under Mike Zimmer they are typically a lock for a top-12 defense. Clearly the D is item #1 for that's what they've got to turn around. They had a couple of covid opt-out players, but the big problem in Viking country is a lot of attrition of their best defensive players the past few years.
To fix things they signed stout Dalvin Tomlinson, and once-elite-but aging Patrick Peterson. A big question with Minn is their star Edge Danielle Hunter, who is disgruntled with his contract. I'm not seeing a sudden Viking rise, but with Zimmer's ability to cook up a defense, it wouldn't surprise me.