Week 10 NFL Byes: Colts, Patriots, Vikings have momentum, Chargers, Texans, Washington need it
By Andrew Garda
Minnesota Vikings (4-5)
The Teddy Bridgewater Experiment proceeds apace and the results have mostly been positive, if not quite as positive as we’d hoped.
Bridgewater has avoided throwing picks the last two weeks, but it’s been a near thing as his accuracy has been all over the place, especially on deep balls. It doesn’t appear to be physical—but rather he rushing passes and hurrying when he doesn’t have to.
The next two weeks should be spent going over the film and seeing what the team can do to calm him down. They haven’t been asking him to do a ton—it’s definitely been a game manager offense so far—but by watching him throw some deep balls on Sunday, it’s clear they want to stretch the field.
Until Bridgewater can do that, it limits the offense.
The other looming question involves Adrian Peterson and his plea deal. While it seems likely he should sit and serve a suspension, I wrote yesterday that it’s not that simple. There are a ton of factors involved and, given that his fellow players seem to be ready to welcome him back, there could be internal pressure to let him play.
Especially with a shot at the playoffs still possible and a tough final schedule. The Bears may not be much of a challenge, given their recent struggles but Green Bay, Carolina, Detroit and Miami will be.
It’s going to be tough for the Vikings to win enough to make the post-season—and it’s hard to imagine the temptation to activate Adrian Peterson won’t be strong.