A Year In Review: Minnesota Vikings

by Crooked16th | 8 years ago | 1 Comments

A Year In Review:

Minnesota Vikings

 

 

“This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.”
 Taylor Swift
 

New Beginnings

 

  After the Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer had been fired early into the offseason many names came up like Jim Harbaugh, Tony Dungy, and Tom Coughlin as to who would coach the team. The Vikings did the unthinkable, They hired the former Colts head coach who led the Colts too only a 6-26 record over the last two seasons well he was head coach in Indianapolis. Leading to many fan writing off the season before it began.

 

A Fast Start

 

 Going into the preseason the many questions arose like would the aging defense hold its own? How will the offense perform? Is Adrian Peterson still a top 5 Running Back? The Vikings went 2-2 in the preseason with each of their losses only being by a few points. Teddy bridgewater was named the starter for the season and the defense looked like it could hold its own.

 

  In the first two weeks of the season two 2 point wins would led to a rocky start for the team but I hopefully one at that. Sam Bradford would see his first action in the season after Bridgewater threw 3 picks in the week two game vs the Packers. Bridgewater bounced back in week 3 throwing 5 tds with no ints in a win against the Panthers funny enough it would be Bradford who would throw a pick Late in the game. A nailbiter against the Giants would see the Vikings winning their fourth game in a row. A blowout in week 5 against the Texans would leave the Vikings going into the bye with the playoffs in sight.

 

Da Bears

 

 Another close game vs the eagles would have fans questioning the defence even more as they had given up 152 points in six games but nonetheless they were 6-0 heading into Chicago for a week 8 monday night game.The Bears who were 5-3 came out swinging with a great air attack and even more impressive red zone defense which would lead them to 2 goal line stands in the first half that lead to only 3 points. The Bears great play on both sides of the ball would lead to the Vikings first loss by the score of 30-11. The Vikings would bounce back winning the next two games. In a week 11 match up against the Cardinals would the vikings would see their second loss on the season after a pick late in the third. A win on thanksgiving vs the Lions would have the Vikings all but guaranteed to make the playoffs.

 

The Cowboys = A total meltdown

 

The week 13 game against the Cowboys was a total blowout all around with 8 ints from Bridgwater two of which were pick sixes, only 10 yards rushing, and the defense giving up over 500 yards of total offense. It was a complete meltdown by the team and would see them fall from the first seed to the sixth. A late game winning drive vs the Jags looked like just the thing the Vikings needed to forget about the Cowboys game sadly though it wasn't. In what may be the most embarrassing lost of the season by any team in the league it came against the Colts in week 15. 34-3 with the offense making the colts defense look like the steel curtain of the 70s. A close loss vs the Packers and another loss to Bears at home would finish the season out.

 

The Vikings would finish the season with:

A 10-6 record and wildcard spot

2nd in Offense

22nd in Defensive

Bridgewater in the top ten for passing yards and  passing TDs

Peterson in the top ten for rushing yards

 

The Playoffs

 

 The wildcard would have the Vikings going against the Bears for the third time this season. The game started off better for the Vikings with Peterson gaining 50 yard on the first play of the game For the Vikings. The defense held the bears to only 14 points in the first half with the score 14-10 going into the second half. The second half started off great for the vikings with them marching down the field Peterson who was running the ball well on the drive would fumble the ball just outside the 30 yard line of the bears. Mcphee picked it up and ran it back for a bears touchdown to give the Bears 21-10 advantage. The Vikings would score on the next drive to bring them within 3. But on the next drive with a 3rd down and 3 the Bears called a pass that would gain them a first down which lead to TD to put the game out of reach.

 

The Future

With the offseason looming the Vikings are going to need to look for the draft for needs as many players are getting up there in age. They will also look to move a few pieces before the draft and hope free agency has a few things they need. Looking back the year was a building block for what they want to become and who they will become. The Future looks bright for the Vikings as they hope to be in the playoffs for the next few years.

 

Don't worry, darlin'
We're livin' in the future
And none of this has happened yet

- Bruce Springsteen