The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams—including why you should or shouldn’t be rooting for them this season—in the month leading up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 10. Today, the Minnesota Vikings.
Last year’s record: 7-9
Head coach: Mike Zimmer
Core players: Adrian Peterson, Harrison Smith, Teddy Bridgewater, Everson Griffen
2015 is about… Re-integrating Adrian Peterson. The six-time All-Pro played just a single game last year before he was indicted on charges of child abuse and was subsequently deactivated. He eventually pled guilty in Texas court, and was sentenced to two years’ probation — he was also suspended indefinitely by the NFL.
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What followed was a period where the face of the Vikings’ franchise was attempting reinstatement, but the team itself had seemingly little interest in helping out. Now that his suspension has been overturned and his probation time ended 15 months early, he’s back with the team and aiming to rehabilitate both his on- and off-field image.
For what it’s worth, Peterson is setting his sights incredibly high.
Outside of Peterson, the team’s chances ride on the backs of the rejuvenated defence. A single year removed from giving up a league-high 480 points, the Vikings with new coach Mike Zimmer at the helm tightened things up considerably in 2014, allowing only 343. That made them the 11th-stingiest unit in the league, and one to watch in 2015.
They lost… Greg Jennings (WR). He was the Vikings’ leader in targets, receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns last season, but at 31 Jennings is looking toward the downside of his career. Also, the deeper numbers say he’s no longer a legit starter — Pro Football Focus ranked him 42nd in the league among receivers who took at least 50 percent of their teams’ snaps last season.
Also, though “lost” probably isn’t the right word for the departures of mediocre quarterbacks Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder, both will be playing elsewhere to start the season, leaving Bridgewater as the sole survivor from last year’s QB platoon.
Yeah, but they got… Mike Wallace (WR). He had no chemistry whatsoever with Ryan Tannehill in Miami (though Tannehill threw 115 balls in Wallace’s direction over 16 games last season, they only hooked up for 67 completions), but the Vikings will hope he can develop a quick rapport with Bridgewater. The Vikings also got journeyman backup Shaun Hill (QB) in free agency. Hill spent last year in St. Louis and wound up playing in nine games after Sam Bradford went down.
Growing from within: The 2014 draft class boasts more than just blooming star quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Anthony Barr, a linebacker taken ninth overall out of UCLA, started hot last season with two sacks in his first four games, but tailed off before missing the final four games with a meniscus tear. He’ll be brought along slowly, but he could have a major impact when healthy.
Why this team? The defence could be great. Add to the existing core the Vikings’ first- and second-round picks (corner Trae Waynes and LB Eric Kendricks) and you’ve got an impressive group. Couple that with an emerging quarterback and high-upside receiving corps that also includes Charles Johnson, the Vikings look like a team on the rise.
Why not? That offence is largely unproven and, outside of Peterson and Wallace, pretty inexperienced. Most agree that Bridgewater was a great get at the 32nd pick in the draft, but there’s a bit of room between “draft-night steal” and “top-tier NFL quarterback.” The Vikings — and their fans — will need to exercise some patience here, because there are likely to be hiccups along the way.
Perfect for fans of… Purple. The Ravens and Rams have nothing on the Vikings. Minnesota owns purple.
How much hope? 6/10. They’re clearly better than Chicago and could leapfrog Detroit if the Lions’ defensive-line departures prove as costly as they look on paper. But the Packers are still the class of the NFC North, and everyone else is just playing for No. 2 and a wild card.
Will you be mocked for front-running? No, almost definitely not.
A Meme To Remember: Not to harp on this, but Minnesota has beaten Green Bay just once since 2010, and that span includes a playoff game in the 2012 season. (The Packers won by 14.) It’s as one-sided an NFL rivalry as they come.
