Early Thoughts (Week 9): The Suddenly-Hot Minnesota Vikings
It’s safe to say when it came to preseason predictions, there were the share of fans, writers, etc., who tabbed the Minnesota Vikings as one of the up-and-coming teams in the league and one that could threaten for a playoff appearance in 2015.
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They certainly fit the mold of a surprise club. Under first-time head coach Mike Zimmer, the Purple Gang finished 7-9 in his debut season and did that with a rookie quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater (for the most part), without perennial Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson for 15 games and with a new coaching staff and a slew of changes.
Nov 8, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) runs for a touchdown while hit by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) during the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
But right out of the gates on a Monday night at San Francisco, Bridgewater and his teammates laid an egg in the form of a 20-3 setback. The team would rebound with home victories over the Detroit Lions and San Diego Chargers but a 23-20 loss at Denver was little solace for a club that was 2-2 and suddenly trailing the Green Bay Packers by two games in the NFC North standings.
Slowly but surely, it has begun to come together. At times it hasn’t been pretty but not only has this team won four straight games, they find themselves tied with the suddenly-slumping Green Bay Packers for first place in their division.
On Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, Zimmer’s defense cooled off the hottest running back in the league, limiting rookie Todd Gurley to 89 yards rushing and one touchdown on 24 carries. Yes, the Rams did run for 160 yards on the afternoon, 66 of those coming on eight carries from wide receiver Tavon Austin.
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Yes, run defense has been one of this team’s bugaboos. The Vikings entered Week 9 ranked 15th in the NFL in this key category, giving up 104.7 yards per game on the ground. While far from perfect, strides have been made from a year ago, when only seven teams in the league were easier to run on in terms of yards allowed.
In any case, half of Minnesota’s win this season have come against the Detroit Lions (twice) and Chicago Bears (once). The Vikings are a perfect 3-0 vs. their NFC North rivals this season and that’s quite a turnaround for a team that was 1-5 in that position a year ago.
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With Adrian Peterson looking like the great A.P. once again, an emerging wideout in rookie Stefon Diggs and key performers such as tight end Kyle Rudolph and backup running back Matt Asiata, this is certainly a team worth watching on the offensive side of the football.
Nov 8, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) injured after a late hit during the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Rams 21-18. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
As for Bridgewater, he suffered a concussion on Sunday against the Rams (as reported by Chris Wesseling of NFL.com) so his status for next week at Oakland bears watching.
Meanwhile, these Vikings are in the midst of establishing a little status of their own. Can they surpass the Packers in the NFC North this season? They still have two cracks at Aaron Rodgers and company this season.