CBS Sports Names the Vikings a Top “Value Pick” for Super Bowl 58
The Minnesota Vikings 2022 season ended prematurely after their Wild Card loss to the New York Giants, and now, they’ve entered the offseason tied for the 19th-best odds to win Super Bowl 58 at +5000. Even still, despite some questions with their financials and their roster heading into 2023, CBS Sports has named the Vikings a top “value pick” for Super Bowl 58.
In the article penned by Jordan Dajani, there are five teams listed as the best value picks to become Super Bowl champions next season. Joining the Vikings on the list are the New York Jets (+3500), Baltimore Ravens (+3500), Miami Dolphins (+3500), and surprisingly, another NFC North team, the Chicago Bears (+10000). Here is what Dajani had to say about the Vikings and their Super Bowl chances in 2023:
“The Vikings defense was terrible in 2022, but hiring Brian Flores to lead that side of the ball is an “A+” move in my opinion. Kevin O’Connell accomplished much in his first season as head coach — a 13-4 record and an NFC North title. I think adding another legitimate starting wideout is something Minnesota should do, but all-in-all I think the Vikings are an intriguing long shot to win it all. Throw in that Rodgers could be gone from the division, and that just furthers my case.”
It’s certainly a compelling case. The Vikings defense should get much better with Brian Flores at the helm, especially considering his resume with the Miami Dolphins from 2019-2021. If the Vikings were going to find a coordinator that could help them get into Super Bowl contention, Flores was the best coach available.
Then, as Dajani points out, there is a chance that Aaron Rodgers is out of the division with all the rumors of trade or retirement surrounding the QB. Apparently, we’ll soon find out what Green Bay’s longtime star wants to do after his “isolation retreat”.
On top of the Vikings hopeful improvements on defense, it’s hard to imagine why the Vikings offense would take a step back. They could go into the season without Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, but the Vikings were already hanging in the basement of the NFL in terms of their running game last season. They still have Kirk Cousins, Christian Darrisaw, Justin Jefferson, and company, so they should continue to be a top-10 offense next season.
All-in-all, the Vikings certainly look like a team that will be better than 19th-best in the NFL next season. By that logic alone, they are an intriguing Super Bowl pick for next year.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
