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Minnesota Vikings Are The Sleeper Team Of 2015

By Erik Lambert

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Aug 16, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer (L) talks to quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Every year there is typically one NFL team that rises out of nowhere to become not just a new playoff participant, but also a legitimate, if surprising threat in their conference.  Last season that honor belonged to the Dallas Cowboys who went from three-straight years of 8-8 finishes to a 12-4 mark and one questionable call away from playing in the NFC championship game.

So looking ahead to the 2015 season, who could that next team be?  One to watch very carefully would be the Minnesota Vikings.  That may be hard to accept considering the team has finished with more than seven wins just once since 2009.  However, there are some good reasons to believe that changes this year.

Weakened Division

The NFC North is not what it was a year ago, at least not on paper.  Each of the three division rivals the Vikings must get past look weaker.  Green Bay, longtime kingpin lost three key pieces to their defense, especially two of their most reliable corners.  Detroit lost both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley to free agency as well, leaving a huge hole in the middle of their defense.  As for the Bears, they finished 5-11 and are in the middle of a regime change that will take time to implement.

The Mike Zimmer Defense

Meanwhile the Vikings seem to have improved the most of any team in that division.  Nowhere is that clearer than on defense.  After the arrival of head coach Mike Zimmer, the unit rebounded to finish 14th in the league overall and 11th in points allowed.  That figures to get even better this coming season with the arrival of highly-touted rookies Trae Waynes at corner and Eric Kendricks at linebacker.  Both are tough, physical players and lauded for their instinct on the field.  They could be the two missing pieces to catapult this defense into the top 10.

Teddy Bridgewater

Like any other NFL team, the Minnesota Vikings will live and die by their quarterback position.  It’s a big reason optimism is so high.  Teddy Bridgewater finished his first season with a lot of positives, including 14 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions.  A solid stat for a rookie at his position.  With some upgrades to his arsenal at wide receiver such as Mike Wallace, he stands to make that anticipated big leap in year two to begin ascending to the upper echelon of the league.

Adrian Peterson

Perhaps what will make the Vikings truly formidable is the return of Adrian Peterson.  For months many thought he was done in Minnesota thanks to a dispute with management over his contract.  As time has passed though, belief is growing stronger that the 30-year old will eventually report since the team refuses to trade him.  If that’s the case, even a disgruntled Peterson is still dangerous.  With the added presence of Bridgewater on top of it, the Vikings would suddenly be a legitimate problem to deal with.

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