Vikings Week 7 Preview + NFC North Rundown
The NFL is now entering Week 7 and the NFC North has proven to be one of the most interesting divisions in professional football in the 2016-17 season. The early season predictions had the Green Bay Packers as the odds-on favorite to take the division. These predictions were overwhelming, with little to no mention of other divisional opponents. The only other team boasting a vote of confidence was the Minnesota Vikings. It is safe to say that the tides have turned as we approach the midway point of the season. The Vikings remain atop the division and the entire NFL as the only undefeated team remaining (5-0). The Packers hold a small lead over the Detroit Lions for the second slot in the division with their 3-2 record besting the Lions 3-3 performance. The Chicago Bears have rendered themselves irrelevant in divisional talks with a 1-5 performance thus far.
The Vikings have surprised both experts and teams across the NFL. The team lost their young signal caller in Teddy Bridgewater before the season even began. Adrian Peterson only competed in 2 regular season games before optioning for season-ending knee surgery. The team looked to be falling apart in the most epic of proportions. Knowing they had to make a move to help salvage some hope to their season, the Vikings rendered some draft picks and positional players to bring in former #1 overall pick Sam Bradford. The experts got on the Vikings case once again saying that Bradford was a failed experiment and that bringing him in would only hurt the team in the long run. The move has left everyone baffled based off of one key factor: it worked. Under Bradford’s leadership, the team has positioned themselves atop the NFL.
The Vikings aren’t ready to attribute their successes to ‘luck’. The team knew they had a solid defensive attack regardless of offensive performance. The team has pieced together this defense over the last few years and they were finally able to feature a roster they could trust and lean on if the offensive side of the ball was lacking production. Bradford came in and has silenced any critics. His offensive production and quarterback ratings are at the highest averages they’ve been across his career. This bold move has paid dividends for the team and they have a record to show for it.
Next on the docket for the Vikings is a match-up with Bradford’s former team in the Philadelphia Eagles. The team will travel to Philadelphia and will have a little insight into some knowledge they wouldn’t have been able to attain had Bradford not joined the team. Bradford worked in rookie coach Doug Pederson’s system all off-season. He has knowledge of gameplay styles, Carson Wentz’s tendencies and other platforms few teams would have access to. This boost of information combined with the determination to stick it to an old team will provide for a scary scene for the Eagles. Expect Bradford to remain calm and consistent in a victory.
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