Minnesota Vikings: Week 12 stock risers

Jul 27, 2015; Mankato, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Joe Berger (61) and guard David Yankey (66) and tackle Carter Bykowski (60) run drills at training camp at Minnesota State University. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

2) Offensive line (all five), Minnesota Vikings

You don’t put together the best rushing attack in the NFL by having a terrible offensive line. The five guys for the Minnesota Vikings played better as a unit on Sunday and it showed.

A week after letting Adrian Peterson get hit behind the line repeatedly and effectively giving the Green Bay Packers a free pass to harm quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (six sacks), the offensive line really stepped it up.

The Atlanta Falcons didn’t have a single sack in the game and Peterson stormed through their defenses for 158 yards.

If I were Bridgewater and Peterson, I’d be out buying Christmas gifts for the big guys up front because they showed they can step up and out-muscle some of the best in the business this week.

All told, it was great to see the unit rebound and show what they can do. There was an in-game stat that the unit is the only one to play with the same five players each game so far in 2015. That’s telling and it looks like the Vikings have found a way to build on the strengths.

This offensive line is missing two starters at center and right tackle. Imagine what they could do with everyone healthy.

Next: Anthony Barr, need we say more?