NFL Week 15: Fatal flaw of each current playoff team

Minnesota Vikings: Case Keenum’s limitations

If the Minnesota Vikings don’t walk away this season with the NFL Coach of the Year Award for Mike Zimmer, or the Executive of the Year for general manager Rick Spielman, something’s wrong. After losing Teddy Bridgewater last season to a knee injury, the Vikings panicked and traded a first-round pick for Sam Bradford.

With Bridgewater still out, they entered 2017 with Bradford again as the starter, but decided they would protect themselves by getting a better backup. They signed Case Keenum, and he ended up taking over for Bradford — who also hurt his knee. All Keenum has done since that point is win and they haven’t even gone back to Bridgewater, who is active now.

Not only did they have the foresight to sign Keenum, but they brought in Latavius Murray and Dalvin Cook at running back to join Jerick McKinnon. Cook was great as a rookie, but tore his ACL. That again showed their wisdom as the McKinnon/Murray combination has been impressive.

Even with all their smart moves, they’re still somewhat limited. Keenum has been a great player this season, but there’s a reason he’s been a journeyman to this point. It’s possible he’s turned a corner — or just found a perfect fit — it’s also possible he could revert to the form we saw struggle with the Rams in 2016. If so, that could hurt their chances of playing in their own stadium for Super Bowl LII.