Minnesota is coming off a tough 2020 season. The Vikings, somewhat due to injuries and somewhat due to incompetence, finished the season 7-9 and without a playoff berth.
But with Mike Zimmer as coach of the team, Minnesota usually finds a way to make things work after a down year. Zimmer has made the playoffs every odd year and has missed them every even year, a strange happening for Vikings fans to experience.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell thinks that pattern could break next season. He projected the 14 teams to make the playoffs in 2021. The Vikings were not on his list.
Barnwell had the Packers being the lone representative from the NFC North in the playoffs. Green Bay went 13-3 in the regular season this year and will play in the NFC Championship game on Sunday against the Buccaneers.
I think it’s safe to say Green Bay is better than Minnesota right now. That said, I’m not convinced of either wild card team Barnwell picked. The Falcons and Rams need a lot to go their way. The Vikings have a shot at competing for a wild card spot with those two.
