Minnesota’s QB Schedule Among the League’s Easiest
K. Joudry
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Recently, Mike Sando’s QB ranking has been in the headlines. His piece considers the anonymous opinions of 50 NFL coaches and executives. Each put together a ranking of the league’s quarterbacks, and Kirk Cousins came in at 15th overall. Sando published another piece, though. This one features the author “stack[ing] the league 1-32” in terms of the difficulty of the QBs teams will be facing. In other words, teams who face more Tier 1 and Tier 2 QBs rank higher on the list since the competition will likely be more challenging. Minnesota’s QB schedule doesn’t look too bad.
According to the Sando article, the Vikings have the 25th hardest schedule when it comes to QB schedule:
The Vikings went into last season with what projected as the third-toughest schedule of opposing quarterbacks, using 2021 Tiers results. They split with Rodgers, beat Wilson and beat Herbert. The schedule projects as softer this season and could get softer if Ryan continues his recent decline, and if Murray begins fading around midseason (the Vikings play Arizona in the Cardinals’ eighth game of the season).
Obviously, playing in a division with Aaron Rodgers presents some challenges, but there aren’t too many elite QBs left on the schedule. Josh Allen has become an excellent player, but he stands alongside Rodgers as the only Tier 1 QB on the schedule (again, based on Sando’s survey). The next best are Dak Prescott, Kyler Murray, and Matt Ryan.
Minnesota’s defense is looking to bounce back after two-straight poor seasons, so getting some easier QBs to matchup with is certainly a good thing. Of course, a lot can change between now and the regular season. It’s very possible that Mac Jones – currently viewed as a Tier 3 QB – ends up playing like a high-end Tier 2 QB. Perhaps Prescott elevates his game, and maybe Ryan is the perfect fit for the Colts. It’s also quite plausible that Justin Fields does significantly better as a sophomore.
The point, folks, is that Sando is offering an educated guess. Part of the beauty of football (and sports in general) is that we truly don’t know how things will work out. Very few of us expected Joe Burrow the elevate his Bengals to such a degree that they could make a run to the Super Bowl. 2022 will feature its own group of surprise players and teams.
Meanwhile, Minnesota is hoping that Kevin O’Connell’s presence can help Cousins to keep improving. The 33-year-old QB has long been a good player. Becoming a great player would certainly be a welcome development.
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