There's really no doubting the fact that the biggest benefactor from Adrian Peterson's return for the Minnesota Vikings is young quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Bridgewater showed a veteran savvy and gritty toughness last year en route to a good, not great, bundle of stats and a promising, if ultimately disappointing, 2014 Vikings season.
With the future Hall of Famer, Peterson, back in the Minnesota fold, the pressure on Bridgewater will lessen considerably, ostensibly allowing him to play within himself and lean on a running game that will likely take a big step forward from last year's combination of Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon.
While the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers likely still have a firm grip on the NFC North, the Vikings personnel strides in recent seasons, including a strong draft in April, could have them set to surprise some people in 2015.
"Such draft dexterity is nothing new for the Vikes," writes Adam Schein of NFL.com. "Since Rick Spielman's promotion to general manager in 2012, Minnesota has drafted guys like Teddy Bridgewater, Anthony Barr, Sharrif Floyd, Xavier Rhodes, Harrison Smith, Jerick McKinnon, Josh Robinson and Robert Blanton. That's a fine job of talent collection, creating a strong young core to build around.
"And, of course, the guy to push the Vikings from young and exciting to contender is Adrian Peterson."
If Peterson can find his way back to being one of the league's best runners - and let's face it, there's nothing to indicate he won't be able to do that - the Vikings suddenly look like a potential playoff team.
"Peterson's rugged dominance will aid the young defense, of course, keeping the unit fresh by eating up time of possession for the Vikings," writes Schein. "But the biggest beneficiary will be Bridgewater, who rocked steady during a solid rookie campaign conducted mostly without Peterson. Now, the entire emphasis of the opposition's defensive game plan will be to stop No. 28. This takes the pressure off Bridgewater, and it could also open things up for the ultra-disappointing Cordarrelle Patterson, who flopped miserably with increased expectations last season."
Offensive coordinator Norv Turner is a man who knows how to ride a running game and head coach Mike Zimmer has showed a firm, steady hand since taking over the top spot for Minnesota.
The Packers are likely to remain atop the North and the Seahawks and Cardinals remain teams to beat in the NFC - especially Arizona, where franchise quarterback Carson Palmer is set to return - but if the Vikings can find their way past a team like the Eagles or Cowboys in the Wild Card, Bridgewater and Peterson could be prepping for the season's second act come playoff time.
