Minnesota Vikings: Biggest X-factor on each side of the ball in 2019
By Luke Parrish
The Minnesota Vikings have the same goal as 31 other NFL teams this upcoming season: Win the Super Bowl. Who are the X-factors that can make that a reality?
Every team in the NFL dreams of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy each February. For some, that dream is possible. For others, it is a far-fetched hope. The Minnesota Vikings have the talent throughout the roster to compete with the league’s best. From the offensive weapons to the defensive leaders, Minnesota has the necessary pieces.
As fans are well aware, the questions arise around Kirk Cousins and how far he can carry an NFL team. But Cousins has been the focal point of the roster since he signed his contract last season, so we’ll look past him for now.
The Vikings finished the 2018 season with an 8-7-1 record, good for second in the NFC North. The 2019 schedule is set to be a tough one for Minnesota. Their annual rotation pins the Vikings against the AFC West and NFC East where they will face several championship-caliber teams. The Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and Dallas Cowboys will all be road tests for the Vikings. That said, the Vikings must clean things up and find contributions across the board.
All NFL teams have their stars and fan-favorites. Minnesota has plenty of candidates for those categories: Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Harrison Smith, Everson Griffen, etc. While those players carry the team both on the field and off, they need help. Role players are vital in today’s NFL.
With all that in mind, here are the X-factors on each side of the ball for the Minnesota Vikings in 2019.