A team with lofty aspirations for the 2016 season, the Vikings took a significant hit with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffering a season-ending, non-contact knee injury during practice this week. But with a stout defense and elite run game — plus a sparkling new stadium — Minnesota could nevertheless make some noise this year in the NFC North.
AT A GLANCE
Mike Zimmer returns for his third year as the Vikings’ head coach, having compiled an 18-14 record. Minnesota won its first division title since 2009 last year, but suffered a gut-wrenching loss in the Wildcard round to Seattle with a missed 27-yard field goal that would have won the game as time expired.