For the first time since 2010, the Green Bay Packers were not crowned NFC North champions following the 2015 regular season. Instead, it was the Minnesota Vikings who finished on top in their division and they will look to continue that success this year.
The Vikings began their 2015 campaign with a rocky start, dropping their first game to San Francisco and their fourth game to the Broncos. At 2-2 during the Week 5 bye, Minnesota turned things around and strung together five consecutive wins, ultimately finishing with an 11-5 record. The team was No. 4 in the league with 138.2 rushing yards per game thanks to Adrian Peterson, who won the league rushing title. The running back picked up an astounding 1,485 yards on the ground and scored 11 rushing touchdowns.
The team's defense was also a big part of its success though, as the group allowed just 18.9 points per game, the fifth-lowest total in the NFL. Only Seattle, Cincinnati, Kansas City and Denver posted better numbers.
The last two times the Eagles and Vikings met, Minnesota had the upper hand. In 2013, the Eagles hit the road and dropped a 48-30 decision in Week 15. The story was much the same back in 2010 when the Vikings defeated the Birds at Lincoln Financial Field, 24-14, in Week 16.
This time around the teams will go to battle much earlier in the season, playing one another at Lincoln Financial Field at 1 PM in Week 7.
| Minnesota Vikings | |
|---|---|
| Key Additions | Key Losses |
| CB Mackensie Alexander | SS Robert Blanton |
| G Alex Boone | WR Mike Wallace |
| FS Michael Griffin | LB Casey Matthews |
| LB Emmanuel Lamur | CB Josh Robinson |
| TE Brian Leonhardt | LB Jason Trusnik |
| T Andre Smith | |
| WR Laquon Treadwell | Â |
