Vikes get no respect

In the run-up to training camp, the various sports publications are doing their usual pre-season guesses about how the teams will do in the coming season. Also as usual, the final results bear very little resemblance to the predictions (but that's why they play the games). Anthony, at Vikings War Cry finds that the usual suspects have indeed been rounded up:

Peter King and Dr. Z seem to hate the Vikings. Dr. Z absolutely refuses to take the Vikings in his weekly picks . . . if we played Florida Atlantic University, he'd go with the Owls.

Last time I checked, the Vikings still have the number one rush defense in the NFL, they still have a (mostly) talented offensive line, and they've put together a dangerous running back tandem.

Am I seeing the world through purple sunglasses? Maybe. But I'm sorry . . . the Vikes aren't a three win team, Peter King.

In other NFL rankings news, Football Outsiders ranked the Vikings 32nd in the league at quarterback.

There are plenty of reasons for even purple-dyed fans to feel that this season isn't going to see the Vikings winning the Superbowl: a starting QB who only has two regular-season games on his resumé, a completely no-name receiving corps, and several players coming back from injury on both offensive and defensive squads. They're not inducing migraine headaches in opposing coaches.

That being said, a good running back combination with a league-best run defence should win some games . . . but the opposing teams are going to be throwing the ball a heck of a lot. Nine wins would be a good season for this squad, based on what we know now . . . but we're still a long way from the opening kickoff.