Skip Bayless is not backing away from his belief in the Minnesota Vikings, even with the Los Angeles Rams viewed as one of the NFC's biggest threats. The outspoken analyst sees Minnesota as a legitimate contender to come out of the conference, and his confidence largely comes down to two major strengths: Kyler Murray's arrival and the Vikings' defense.
Bayless previously called Minnesota's decision to sign Murray the “biggest, best move in the entire offseason.” After moving on from Sam Darnold, the Vikings added a quarterback with starting experience and the ability to create plays outside the pocket. Bayless believes Murray could be in a better position to succeed in Minnesota than he was during his time with the Arizona Cardinals.
The quarterback addition is only part of the appeal, however. Bayless also sees Minnesota's defense as a major advantage in a conference filled with dangerous offenses. Its ability to make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks gives the Vikings another way to win, particularly in games where their offense may not be at its best.
That is also why Bayless appears less convinced by the Rams as an NFC favorite. Los Angeles has the talent to challenge any team, but concerns surrounding consistency and injuries have made the analyst question whether the Rams can maintain their level throughout the season.
Article Continues BelowMinnesota has to prove it can turn Bayless' confidence into results, especially with Chicago making noise in the NFC North. But with Murray under center and an established defensive identity, the Vikings have enough pieces to make a serious conference run.
For Bayless, those factors make the Vikings a stronger pick than the Rams.