Janik Eckardt’s 5 Predictions for the 2024 Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings finished the 2023 campaign with a disappointing 7-10 record. A slow start was followed by a promising few weeks. Kirk Cousins’ season-ending injury buried all hopes, although Josh Dobbs and his remarkable two-week stretch revived them for a second.
Janik Eckardt’s 5 Predictions for the 2024 Vikings
Kevin O’Connell’s group will meet the New York Giants in Week 1.
Here are five predictions for the 2024 Vikings.
5. The OL Is Fine
Many have been concerned about the offensive line, especially the interior. On the outside, the Vikings still employ stalwart tackles Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw.
The remaining three spots will be handled by veteran center Garrett Bradbury, third-year player Ed Ingram, and experienced former backup Blake Brandel. Bradbury and Ingram were part of last year’s decent group; Brandel is new in the starting lineup.
Minnesota’s coaching staff has been extremely confident in the former sixth-rounder, and while he will not enter any Pro Bowl conversations, he will be a serviceable player for the Vikings.
4. Offense and Defense Are Both Average
In the last few seasons, there has always been a problem on one side of the ball. Subpar defenses ruined the final two Mike Zimmer years, and the Ed Donatell defense got them eliminated in the 2022 playoffs.
Earlier in Zimmer’s tenure, offenses couldn’t match his elite defenses. Last year, the defense was strong in some stretches, but the offense turned the ball over. In other games, the offense did its job, and the defense struggled. It will be more balanced this year.
Explosive offensive outbursts can’t be expected from a team quarterbacked by Sam Darnold, but with O’Connell calling the shots and the explosive weapons, they will be productive regardless of the QB’s identity. On defense, Brian Flores is the reason for optimism. He will be helped by personnel who fit his scheme better than last year’s players.
3. The Vikings Miss the Playoffs But Aren’t Bad
The win totals on betting sites aren’t particularly optimistic, but the Vikings won’t be in consideration for the top draft position. Too good is the talent throughout the roster. Surely, there are some holes, which is why the playoffs will also be out of reach.
However, the Vikings will be in the playoff race longer than some would expect and play meaningful games in December. It’s a transition year for the franchise. Some fans might not like these 7-10 or 8-9 seasons, but it is where the Vikings will land in 2024.
2. Sam Darnold Makes Claim for Starting Spot
Darnold is an underwhelming QB1 option, to say the least. In six years as a professional signal-caller, he has yet to deliver a good season. The good news is that the aforementioned weapons will help him elevate his game to the next level.
He will not quite replace Cousins and his annual 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, but he will come close in Minnesota’s pass-heavy attack and earn a contract as a starter next year ‒ just not in the Twin Cities with J.J. McCarthy returning. Limiting turnovers is key for the veteran, and he will do that.
1. Justin Jefferson Re-Establishes Himself as WR1
Justin Jefferson was everyone’s top wideout after his Offensive Player of the Year campaign in 2022, but last year’s injury opened the door for others like Tyreek Hill or CeeDee Lamb to make their claim.
Despite losing his quarterback in free agency with whom he had formed an outstanding connection, he will put up big numbers as the continued focal point in O’Connell’s aerial attack and challenge his own franchise records.
Don’t be surprised if you read in the 2025 offseason that Jefferson registered 1,700 receiving yards, and a popular claim will be, “And he did it with Darnold.”
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt