NFL: Minnesota Vikings will be in the playoffs in 2014 if…

And: The team settles on a season-long starter behind center. The Vikings would use three different quarterbacks this past season, two of which are still with the team (Josh Freeman made one start in 2013 and was not re-signed this offseason).

A year ago, the team added well-traveled Matt Cassel, who suffered through a forgettable 2012 season with the Kansas City Chiefs but bounced back well with his latest club. In 2013, he completed 60.2 of his passes while throwing more touchdown passes (11) than interceptions (9) in nine games, six of which he started. He certainly performed better than former first-rounder Christian Ponder, who hit on 63.6 percent of his throws but committed 13 turnovers (9 interceptions, 4 lost fumbles) in nine starts a year ago.

All told, Cassel, Ponder and Freeman combined to throw 19 touchdown passes last season but were also responsible for 24 of the club’s 34 turnovers. Enter 2014 first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater, who has made a positive early impression and is certainly in the mix for the starting job. All will benefit from the presence of new offensive coordinator Norv Turner.

In any case, each or all will have the luxury of handing the ball to prolific runner Adrian Peterson, who enters his eighth NFL season with still plenty of tread left on the tire.

Elsewhere, veteran pass-catchers such as wideouts Greg Jennings and Jerome Simpson and tight end Kyle Rudolph return. And keep an eye on second-year wideout Cordarrelle Patterson, who wound up scoring nine touchdowns this past season rushing (3), receiving (4) and via kickoff returns (2).