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NFL playoffs: How your team can make it

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) talks along the sidelines during the game with the Oakland Raiders at TCF Bank Stadium. Vikings win 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) talks along the sidelines during the game with the Oakland Raiders at TCF Bank Stadium. Vikings win 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

3. player. 60. . NFC. North. Minnesota Vikings

Every year, some teams surprise and make the playoffs when most pundits are overlooking them. In 2015, the Minnesota Vikings are a prime candidate for this. Minnesota went under the radar last year but finished 7-9 with a first-year head coach in Mike Zimmer, first-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and only one game out of running back Adrian Peterson.

This campaign presumably will feature a full season of Peterson, who will be running angry after being on the commissioner’s exempt list for the final 15 games of 2014 for his legal issues. With Peterson in the backfield, teams will be forced to play man-to-man coverage on the outside, giving Bridgewater some more downfield options. General manager Rick Spielman gave Bridgewater a true deep threat, trading for Mike Wallace.

The offense should be a solid unit with the aforementioned players and tight end Kyle Rudolph. However, with Zimmer being a former defensive coordinator, expect that side of the ball to improve in Year Two of his system. Safety Harrison Smith is one of the better players in the league that nobody has heard about, giving some stability in the secondary.

If Zimmer can get the defense up to snuff and the offense progresses with offensive coordinator Norv Turner calling the shots, Minnesota could absolutely win 10 games and finish second in the NFC North behind the Green Bay Packers. Bridgewater looks like a star in the making, and with Peterson in tow, the offense should take off in short order.

Next: Chicago Bears

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