14. Minnesota Vikings
I'm opening up the season as a skeptic of the Minnesota Vikings, and part of me feels bad about it. I've doubted the Vikings just about every year of the Kevin O'Connell era, and to be fair to O'Connell, he's made me look bad on multiple occasions.
I waited all throughout the 2024 season for the clock to strike midnight on Sam Darnold, and even though the Vikings lost in the playoffs, that never really happened. I thought the Vikings would be terrible last season with their QB issues, but they were resilient and won 9 games.
It's understandable that Kyler Murray has renewed optimism for this team, but the defense also has a lot of new pieces, especially up front. The jury is out for the Vikings, but they have the potential to win their division.
13. Washington Commanders
The Commanders can overcome a lot of their other roster issues if Jayden Daniels can get back to playing the level of ball we saw from him in the 2024 season.
I just don't know if that's going to happen.
Daniels struggled with injuries this past season, and I'm skeptical that he's going to be able to get back to the form we saw in 2024, even with Stefon Diggs joining the fold this year at the receiver position.
The Commanders have significant offensive line issues right now. They have to prove the defense can be better than dead last in the NFL in yards allowed. GM Adam Peters has put the pieces in place, but this feels very much like a make-or-break year for Dan Quinn, even after taking Wahsington to the NFC Championship during the 2024 season.
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