Most of us can agree the Vikings had an objectively successful season but that there's still a hump they need to get over. What position group is most critical to getting over that hump in 2020?
First take: Michael Rand
The Vikings have made strides investing in the offensive line, committing at least a third-round pick to that area in each of the last three drafts. And they improved their run blocking in 2019, finishing the regular season graded 12th in the league in that category per Pro Football Focus.
But I still say the answer is offensive line for multiple connected reasons: The Vikings have been graded No. 25 or worse (again per PFF) in pass blocking in four of the last five seasons, including 2019.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins had a grade of 94.4 on his 349 non-pressured dropbacks, but just 48.3 on his 200 pressured dropbacks (regular and postseason) in 2019. Teams could still derail the Vikings if they could get pressure on Cousins without blitzing. They won't win big in the playoffs until they fix that.
Andrew Krammer: I can't argue with that. Observers of the Vikings' loss in San Francisco saw an offensive line simply outclassed. Kevin Stefanski, along with Gary Kubiak, did an admirable job easing the line's burden by moving Cousins out of the pocket and building a reliable running game. Combined with slightly better personnel, the Vikings saw some improvement.
But they need more to get over the hump, particularly better players on the left side.
If not offensive line, what about quarterback? Cousins had his best NFL season, but the upper echelon of quarterbacks typically find ways to overcome pressure. If Cousins isn't that, then why not swing for the fences like Kansas City did in swapping Alex Smith for Patrick Mahomes?