As mentioned more times than you probably care to read Zoneblitz is operated by a pair of homegrown Minnesota Vikings fans. That’s been more frustrating than joyous for the past six or seven years but you’ve got to stick with your team, don’t you?

Anyway, if Dr. Z at Sports Illustrated is right we Minnesotans might finally get our payoff this year. He’s pegged the Vikes to knock off Dallas, New York, New Orleans, and all other comers to grab the NFC berth in the big game.

Now let’s take a look at this. The two key additions this offseason have been Jared Allen, the pass rushing stud end from Kansas City and Bernard Berrian, a deep threat receiver who occasionally drops one but who has better mitts than Troy Williamson. Both players should prove helpful. Allen will not only complement Kevin and Pat Williams on the defensive line but should, through his rush, make the team’s long-inept pass defense better as well. And Berrian should at least create the threat of a downfield passing game – the key becomes whether or not QB Tavaris Jackson can get him the ball.

Now, all that aside, there are still question marks. The right side of the offensive line is far from dominant. Anthony Herrera has improved at right guard but the tackle tandem of Ryan Cook and Marcus Johnson are far from stellar. Matt Birk is still among the best, but he’s aging and he’s got to start sliding at some point. And Bryant McKinnie at left tackle is prone to getting embarrassed from time to time as well.

Furthermore, Vicente Shiancoe hasn’t really proven himself as a starting tight end and the aforementioned Jackson has a long, long way to go at quarterback. It’s also hard to argue against teams like Dallas, who pending total reinstatement, will improve their main weakness in the defensive backfield with Adam “Pacman” “Douchbag” “Assclown” Jones, and New Orleans, which added Jonathan Vilma and Sedrick Ellis to a defense that was the team’s Achilles heal last season.

As the offseason winds down I see the Vikings as greatly improved. If Jackson can be merely average, they would be my pick to win the NFC North, narrowly, over Green Bay. But while the NFC is for the most part a crapshoot, I think the Cowboys and Saints would be my early odds-on favorites to represent the conference in Tampa, Fla. next Feb. 1.

Thank you, though, Dr. Z. for giving Minnesota fans reason to get our hopes up. … Or maybe not – that might be the worst thing you could have done.