Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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As the great Kevin McCallister said in Home Alone, "This is it. Don't get scared now."
Ready or not, the 2020 NFL season is upon us.
It seems Week 1 came flying out of nowhere, considering the cancelation of all four preseason games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But in just four days, the Vikings will host the Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium for their season opener. Kickoff is set for noon (CT).
Heading into this unprecedented season, which players will come out as the year's stat leaders?
ESPN recently asked four of its analysts to weigh in on a number of statistical categories, and three Vikings – Dalvin Cook, Danielle Hunter and Adam Thielen – were among the names highlighted as projected standouts this season.
ESPN's Matt Bowen expects Cook to lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns this season. Bowen wrote:
Cook led the NFL with 29 goal-to-go carries and posted 13 rushing scores last season. One of the league's best tight red zone runners, he combines upper-level acceleration and vision to find daylight for a run-heavy offense in Minnesota.
Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano picked Cleveland's Nick Chubb, and Mina Kimes tabbed Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott.
Saints receiver Michael Thomas unanimously was predicted to have the most catches, but Fowler predicted that Thielen will lead the league in receiving yards.
He was dominant in 2018 when healthy, and his target share should reach career-high levels with Stefon Diggs in Buffalo. Expect Thielen to be among league leaders in third-down conversions.
Other players who received votes for most yards were Thomas (Kimes), Julio Jones (Bowen) and Odell Beckham, Jr. (Graziano).
On the defensive side of the ball, Bowen projected Hunter to be the NFL's sacks leader for 2020.
Hunter has racked up 29 sacks over the past two seasons. He's long at the point of attack, with the ability to win with speed, power or counters. The 25-year-old Hunter has some explosive traits off the ball.
Graziano and Kimes selected Cleveland's Myles Garrett for the category, and Fowler highlighted Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack.
To see ESPN's stat-leader projections in their entirety, click here.