Fansided
Fansided

Latest NFL Playoff Picks Think Little of Sam Bradford Trade

By Erik Lambert

Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) on the sideline against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) on the sideline against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Minnesota Vikings looked out of the NFL playoff picture after Teddy Bridgewater tore up his knee. However, they feel their trade for Sam Bradford changed that.

Provided the team sticks to its guns as a strong run-first team that leans on its young, talented defense, then Bradford will be able to make enough plays to keep their hopes for a Super Bowl run alive. If Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson could do it, why not him? Bradford is a former #1 overall pick who has flashed ability for years but never been able to put it all together. Sometimes it’s because of injuries, others a lack of stability in the offensive schemes.

The good news is he won’t have to be “the guy” in Minnesota. All they’ll ask him to do is manage the game and make a couple plays every week to keep defenses honest. Given how well this team played in 2015, that should be enough to convince experts they can retain their division crown right? Not so much. According to NFL.com in their latest NFC playoff predictions, the Vikings and Sam Bradford aren’t getting much love at all.

Of the 20 experts polled, just one predicted Minnesota would win the NFC North. The rest went with the obvious choice.

"“Judy Battista: Green Bay Packers. They have the easiest strength of schedule in the league AND Jordy Nelson coming back to restore order to the offense AND a slimmed-down Eddie Lacy?Jeffri Chadiha: Packers. The Packers have more than enough pieces to reclaim the division crown they lost to Minnesota last season.Gil Brandt: Packers. The return of a healthy Jordy Nelson and a slimmed-down Eddie Lacy leads this offense to a big season. The play of safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will really help Green Bay’s defense.Gregg Rosenthal: Packers. The weapons around Aaron Rodgers are as good as ever. (That includes an underrated offensive line and improved secondary that will get the ball back for the Packers.)Willie McGinest: Packers. I just don’t think the Teddy Bridgewater-less Vikings can overcome Aaron Rodgers and the Pack.Adam Schein: Packers. Jordy Nelson is healthy. Eddie Lacy slimmed down. Mike McCarthy is back to calling plays. Everything is set up for a special season for Aaron Rodgers. The Packers will have the best offense in the NFL this year.”"

They did get a little bit more love in the wildcard picks but even then it’s nowhere near the hype level the Vikings were at when Bridgewater was healthy. That’s a testament to just how unconvinced the league at large is that Bradford will swing the pendulum back their way. His lack of consistency the past six years have had that sort of effect.

Home/NFL Hot Takes