Yup, just like you can't help yourself being all in my kool-aid right? The Vikings improved their roster rather you want to admit it or not. You don't have to be worried, i'm sure Queens fans don't care.
Not kool-aid, just cold, hard facts. We are 15-1 in two seasons in the division. And there's a reason for that, we are a damn good team. But, I'll humor you. You continue to say they are improved while we are not. So, let's take a look without any blinders - just the facts:
Vikings:
Additions:
Jennings - Wrong side of 30 and coming off two seasons in which he was injured. Heck of a player, but not the elite talent he used to be. It'll be interesting to see how he fares without HOF QBs too. Not saying the QB's are the only reason he's a great talent, but his production will likely see a dropoff with that mutt QB they have.
Floyd - Rookie DT. They already had a good defensive line. He'll be good, but I'm not thinking a DT is the key to stopping the Pack.
Rhodes - By all accounts, a good CB. And he'll start from day 1. But, they still have a terrible secondary with Chris Cook - he of 0 INT's in three years - starting opposite him.
Patterson - Athlete, not a professional WR. Can't run routes. He'll be dangerous when he gets the ball in his hands. But, I'm holding off expecting huge numbers from him right away. Remember, WR's usually take a few years to develop in the NFL.
Losses:
Percy Harvin - The most electrifying and versatile player in the game. He lined up all over the field - including RB - to find mismatches. You cannot replace a talent like him.
Antoine Winfield - Downside of his career. But in that backfield, he was a leader and a good slot option. They don't have that now.
Chris Kluwe - Whatever.
So, they lost Harvin and Winfield. But added Jennings and three first-rounders. If there is improvement there, it is only a slight improvement unless all three first-rounders turn into studs immediately - an unlikely scenario even for the most optimistic.
Packers:
Additions (obviously only through the draft):
Datone Jones - Rookie DE. By all accounts, he's a great fit for our line in being able to play the run strong and get after the QB with some speed and strength. Considering Worthy started in his place last season, there is little chance we don't see some improvement there.
RB - Lacy and Franklin - Even though they are rookies, it seems hard to fathom how these two with DuJuan won't improve the stagnant rushing offense last season. Just a moderate improvement will pay dividends for what is already one of the top offenses.
Return of Injured players: Bulaga, Bishop, Perry, Jordy, Lang (to full health), Clay (to full health), Shields (to full health), House (to full health) ...
EDS - Replaces Saturday who was a complete sieve. He should be an improvement and showed it when he replaced Saturday - evidenced by teh 49ers only getting 1 sack in teh playoff game.
Losses:
Jennings - Our WR stable is deep. Sucks to lose him, but we are in good shape with Jordy, Jones, and Cobb.
Woodson - Consummate professional and leader. But, his play clearly declined last year and he was quickly becoming a liability. Our CBs are four-deep with Tramon, Shields, Hayward, and House. Our starting safety position is the same as last year - considering Woodson was out for most of it - and wasn't great, but also wasn't a liability.
So, we add some rookies, replace our center, and get back injured players. But lose Jennings and Woodson. I see an improvement that is comparable, if not better, than the Vikes.