The Minnesota Vikings are generating a lot of buzz among fans and NFL analysts this offseason.
Head coach Mike Zimmer led the team to a surprising 7-9 record in 2014 and rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater turned a few heads with his accuracy and poise. Those two are the driving forces behind Minnesota's dramatic rise up ESPN's roster rankings. Last season, the team placed just 29th. This year, the Vikings are firmly in the top 10 at eighth overall.
Here's what NFL Insider Sam Monson had to say about Minnesota's roster.
"Top five players: Adrian Peterson, Harrison Smith, Sharrif Floyd, Everson Griffen, John Sullivan
"Starters who should be upgraded: Brian Robison, Chad Greenway, Matt Kalil
"Analysis: Getting Peterson back in the fold will do wonders for this team, but the Vikings' biggest reason for optimism is how Teddy Bridgewater finished the 2014 season at quarterback," Monson wrote. "Over the final five weeks, he was PFF's highest-graded passer, one spot better than [Aaron] Rodgers. Over the final six games, he was second only to Drew Brees. If he plays in 2015 the way he ended 2014, the Vikings are a legitimate threat to make the playoffs (particularly if Kalil rebounds from a poor 2014 campaign).
"Under Mike Zimmer, the defense has taken significant steps forward and could get even better with another step from guys like Xavier Rhodes, who flashed elite talent last season."
While Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers remain the team to beat in the NFC North, one could argue that the Detroit Lions have regressed and that the Chicago Bears are still not close to contention. Throw in the fact that last year's other NFC wild card, the Arizona Cardinals, have question marks of their own and you could see how a playoff berth is a realistic goal for the Vikings.
Of course, it takes more than optimism and good will for a team to make the post-season. Bridgewater still needs some help from his offensive line and it's unclear how all the new faces will fit in this year. But Minnesota has a top ten pass defense in place and a rapidly improving offense. Let's see how they deal with the pressure of high expectations.
