It’s all there for the taking at this point of the season.
Fresh off their bye week, the Vikings find themselves in an envious position – scheduled to play their next five opponents who have won a combined 7 games thus far in this five-week season.
After November 15, if this team isn’t 7-2 they aren’t going anywhere – meaning they aren’t going to the playoffs. After this stretch, I see maybe 3 more wins and possibly 4 – so my original prediction of 11-5 would be within reach if these next several weeks go well.
But to get to that point, some things need to change. I’m going to be a bit tougher on Teddy Bridgewater than most others to this point. Yes, his second full season is only a quarter of the way through. However, he hasn’t been able to put this team on his shoulders yet and provide a win. The MVP to this point is none other than Adrian Peterson with a close second being the entire defensive unit.
Teddy needs to step up in a much bigger way than he has. To a degree, he has seemed a bit tentative out there and that is something you don’t want out of your starting quarterback, someone who is looking at as being franchisable. I think one of the ways he can do this is be more decisive and really step into his throws. Sure, he’s been under pressure and duress with a less than ideal offensive line – but at the end of the day his play will ultimately determine if the Vikes are 7-2 after November 15 or not.
During the bye week, we heard Rick Spielman pretty much brag that the wide receiver unit has been the deepest and best since he Spielman has been here. I’m literally shocked at that statement – that he would have enough wherewithal to make it in the first place.
Charles Johnson, who did not (contrary to popular opinion) have a break-out season last year and now has basically been a bust of sorts, is no big threat anymore. Jarius Wright is still in the shadows of the starters. And even with Diggs having a decent game against Denver, isn’t it too early to anoint him as some sort of phenom? Mike Wallace has been steady – but I’d like to see a few game-changing plays within the next few weeks. And CP Flash? Well, what more can you say about a late first round pick?
So, actually Rick, I think your statement was made more so out of your lack of consistency (perhaps productivity would be a better word) in being able to draft good receivers – when, in fact, the last several drafts have been chalk-full of them. Just look around the league and the impact they are having.
And what’s up with the move of Gerald Hodges? Your 3 best linebackers are (were?) Barr, Kendricks and Hodges. Not Greenway. Let’s hope this move doesn’t halt the wonderful momentum this unit shared the first few week of the season.
And one more thing while we’re a quarter way into this season. While I believe Teddy needs to step up – I wasn’t all that impressed with the play-calling of the offensive guru Norv Turner on that last drive in Denver. I thought it was very vanilla and Teddy didn’t get a ton to work with – also was very predictable and methodical. That needs to change – and I haven’t heard many address it.
These next 5 games will make or break the Vikes and its fans for another season. Let’s hope they know it as well.
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