The balance of power shifted in the NFC North following the return of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson this year. At 30, Peterson still managed to lead the NFL in rushing (1,485 yards) and help push the Vikings to an NFC North winning 11-5 record. Add that to the team's impressive defense - the secondary is dotted with first-round picks and linebacker Anthony Barr seems to be a star in the making - and Minnesota should remain a contender in 2016.
But for the Vikings to take that next step and challenge for a Super Bowl, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is going to need to improve.
"The Vikings need to fix their ragged offensive line," ESPN Vikings reporter Ben Goessling wrote. "They need to add a dynamic receiving threat, and they need much more from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, so they're not asking running back Adrian Peterson to account for nearly one-third of their yards again at age 31. But their defense should be one of the NFC's best again next season, and in Mike Zimmer the Vikings have a coach who has quickly changed the identity of the franchise. A few good offseason moves should have them among the NFC's contenders in 2016."
To save salary cap room, there have been rumblings that wide receiver Mike Wallace and right tackle Phil Loadholt could be on the way out. Wallace and Bridgewater never got on the same page and the young QB's struggles throwing deep continued in his second season. Loadholt, meanwhile, will be no great loss to an offensive line that surrendered far too much pressure for a young signal-caller to handle.
Peterson is coming off his sixth season with 300-plus carries. It's just not realistic for the Vikings to expect the same type of production from him, which means Minnesota will need to generate offense in other ways. The 2016 season very well may be a sink or swim type of year for Bridgewater.
