The Minnesota Vikings are for real

The Minnesota Vikings took the NFC North lead with a Week 12 win over the Atlanta Falcons, proudly showcasing that the 2015 unit has arrived and is for real.

The Atlanta Falcons (6-5) are slumping after starting 5-0 in 2015, but they remain dangerous.

The Minnesota Vikings (8-3) are hitting their stride, and knocking a playoff contender out of the way – regardless of their recent slump – has proven that this team is the real deal. The Vikings are true contenders and hold the NFC North lead.

Beating the top-ranked rushing defense by simply running Adrian Peterson down their collective throats, the Vikings proved that they can take their strengths and beat even those teams who specialize in limiting that approach. Peterson finished his Week 12 game with 158 rushing yards on 29 carries with two touchdowns.

With the Green Bay Packers (7-4) losing to the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving day, the Vikings are now alone atop the division, despite a loss to the Packers the week before.

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Boasting the second-best rushing offense in the NFL, a top-10 passing defense, and a stout rushing defense, the Vikings are built to be contenders. The wins are coming along faster than many originally anticipated at the start of the season, but that strong defense and stalwart rushing offense are the classic recipe for success in the NFL.

Eight wins later and the Vikes are proving that even in the modern NFL, defense and running the ball are still critically important.

Teddy Bridgewater, one of the better young quarterbacks in the league, has managed to look sharp through most of the season. His critics call him a glorified game manager, but Bridgewater is doing everything he is asked to do and still delivering a winning product on the field.

Bridgewater’s 71.4 completion percentage against the Atlanta Falcons was the fourth time this season that the QB has completed over 70 percent of his passes this season. The Minnesota Vikings have a quarterback who is exceptional at taking care of the ball and leading the efficient passing attack they are built to utilize.

The Vikings have stepped out of the long shadow cast by the Packers and it is time the NFL – and its many fans with different loyalties – took notice. From Teddy Bridgewater to Adrian Peterson to defensive tackle Linval Joseph, this Vikings team is filled with stud players. From household names to those who are just building their brand, this team is becoming something special.

Next: Vikings players who step up, even in a rare loss

We’re no longer at the point where we talk about the Vikings as “trending upward.” It’s time we started talking about the Vikings as arrived.

These Minnesota Vikings are a division leader.

These Minnesota Vikings are a playoff team.

These Minnesota Vikings are for real.