Top 5 Storylines Of The Vikings' Season After The Bye Week
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Minnesota Vikings sit at 4-5 after their bye week, but where do we begin when it comes to evaluating the first half of their season?
So much has happened both on and off the field that the Vikings have been a hot topic for most of the NFL season. With seven games left, the Vikings are relying on a rookie quarterback, a rookie linebacker on defense and several young players at key positions to lead them to a successful season.
With seven games left, what makes 2014-15 a success? Can Minnesota still contend for a playoff spot? Here are the top storylines from the season before the Vikings got a week off and as they head into Chicago to face the Bears.
Adrian Peterson's Off Field Issues
Adrian Peterson has played just one game for the Vikings this season, a 34-6 win over the St. Louis Rams. He was deactivated in Week 2 after news game of allegations of child abuse in Texas. The Vikings activated him the following Monday, starting a firestorm of controversy among fans and the NFL. He was eventually put on the NFL's exempt list while the legal process played out, and he pleaded no contest last week to a misdemeanor charge in the case.
The NFL will have a hearing next week and make a ruling, and if he's reinstated the Vikings must decide whether to bring him back or cut him. The team has had to adjust in his absence, and they'll head to Chicago without him. Players have said they support him and want him back, but the fans don't necessarily agree. It's been arguably the biggest story of the season and has nothing to do with the team's performance on Sundays.
Teddy Bridgewater's First Win, Progress
With Adrian Peterson out, the Vikings had a leader they needed to step up in veteran quarterback Matt Cassel. That is, until he was put on injured reserve after breaking bones in his foot in a Week 3 loss at New Orleans. Now the Teddy Bridgewater era is underway, and he got the fan base excited with a 41-28 win over Atlanta in his first start. His progress has been gradual, but Bridgewater has helped lead the Vikings to consecutive wins over Tampa Bay and Washington before the bye. He's 3-3 as a starter and is averaging about 220 passing yards per game with three touchdowns and five interceptions. He also has 95 rushing yards and a touchdown. Bridgewater has shown incredible poise in tough situations, but can he lead the Vikings to a playoff spot?
Everson Griffen's 9 Sacks Through 9 Games
Jared Allen and Kevin Williams departed the Vikings defensive line in free agency, and Minnesota paid Everson Griffen big money in the offseason in a gamble. So far, it's paid off. Griffen leads all NFL defensive linemen with nine sacks through nine games and has 35 tackles on the season, with 29 being solo tackles. He's stepped up to be a leader in Minnesota's defensive front after being a big question mark heading into the season. He's been a big reason why the Vikings have been able to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and he'll likely get more chances to perfect his creative sack celebration dance.
Anthony Barr's Progress As Rookie LB
The Vikings knew Anthony Barr had big potential when they took him in the first round of the NFL Draft. But how far he's come in such a short amount of time has to be a surprise to Mike Zimmer and the organization. He's played linebacker for about two years since converting from running back at UCLA and had his biggest moment so far in an overtime win against Tampa Bay. Barr single-handedly won the game with a tackle and forced fumble that he recovered and ran back for the game-winning touchdown. He's the Vikings second-leading tackler with 58 on the year, including 47 solo tackles and four sacks. He's had a big rookie season, but nobody could've expected what he's done so far.
Matt Asiata, Jerick McKinnon Fill In For AP
Adrian Peterson's absence due to legal troubles left a gaping hole in offensive coordinator Norv Turner's plan for the Vikings. But in the "next man up" mentality, Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon have filled in admirably in a tough spot. Asiata leads the Vikings with six rushing touchdowns, which he collected in wins over Washington and Tampa Bay. He's averaging a little more than three yards per carry. McKinnon, in his rookie season, is doing more than he thought he might but has given the Vikings a needed spark with his speed. He's had the burst to complement Asiata's bruising straight-ahead style, and he's averaging about five yards per carry.
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While Vikings fans need to face the reality that their team is unlikely to make the playoffs this year, the reality is that the young players have contributed enough to keep them relevant. And if Peterson returns, it's just one more piece that the Vikings can add back to the offense in their efforts to get to the postseason. If you asked Zimmer with all that's gone on that the Vikings would be 4-5 at their bye week, he wouldn't say it publicly but he would take it. Things could be a lot worse than they are.
