The Washington Commanders surprised many around the league by winning double-digit games for the first time since 2012 and coming one victory away from reaching the Super Bowl. Now, there are higher expectations for the squad in the second year of the Jayden Daniels era.
The Commanders will have a tougher schedule this year by virtue of finishing second in the NFC East. Super Bowl contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions loom later in the year along with talented teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers. They will also experience a dramatic increase in travel miles, which includes a trip to Europe to play the Miami Dolphins.
Now that the season is on the horizon, Commanders.com is going to break down each of Washington's opponents. We'll move on to the Minnesota Vikings, who will have a new quarterback in the backfield this season.
**Date:** Dec. 7
**Time:** 1 p.m.
**Location:** U.S. Bank Stadium
* Passing Yards -- QB Sam Darnold (4,319)
* Passing TDs -- QB Sam Darnold (35)
* Rushing Yards -- RB Aaron Jones Sr. (1,138)
* Rushing TDs -- RB Aaron Jones Sr. (5)
* Receiving Yards -- WR Justin Jefferson (1,533)
* Receiving TDs -- WR Justin Jefferson (10)
* Tackles -- LB Blake Cashman (112)
* Sacks -- LB Jonathan Greenard (12)
* Interceptions -- CB Byron Murphy (6)
* DT Jonathan Allen (free agency)
* DT Javon Hargrave (free agency)
* G Will Fries (free agency)
* OL Donovan Jackson (draft)
* C Ryan Kelly (free agency)
* **What kind of quarterback is JJ McCarthy?** This is the biggest question the Vikings will need to answer, not just this year but for the long-term success of their franchise. It seems like he is set up for success; he has a head coach with a strong resume of helping quarterbacks thrive and a strong arsenal of weapons. But he does have a difficult act to follow, as Darnold not only rejuvenated his career but also helped the team win 14 games. If McCarthy can prove he's capable of being a franchise quarterback, it will dramatically shift the Vikings' plans for the future. If not, then it creates more questions about how they can capitalize on what is otherwise a solid roster.
* **Can the Vikings get a more successful running game?** Jones was a strong player for them last season -- it's why they brought him back this offseason -- but the Vikings need more than him if they want a better running game. So, they traded a pair of late-round picks to the San Francisco 49ers for Jordan Mason, who took a jump in production last season with 789 yards and three touchdowns. The move makes sense, but the Vikings also didn't draft a running back from what was considered to be a strong class. There are currently five running backs on the Vikings' roster with Ty Chandler slated as the third player behind Jones and Mason. Will that be enough to get them out of the bottom half of the league? Perhaps, but Jones will need to continue turning back the clock, as he will turn 31 during the season.
* **Who is the starting cornerback next to Murphy?** Murphy was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL last year and tied for third in interceptions. However, it's unknown how the rest of the position will play out. Mekhi Blackmon, a third-round pick from 2023, missed all of last season with an ACL tear but showed promise as a rookie, so he will likely play a role now that he's healthy. The Vikings also signed Jeff Okudah, who last played for the Houston Texans, as a possible option, although he has historically struggled to stay on the field and only played in six games last season. Despite Murphy playing well, the Vikings were 28th in passing yards allowed, and with so many dynamic offenses populating the NFC North, it's a problem they need to solve quickly to stay competitive.