Regular season grades for every NFL team
60. . 11-5. 1st NFC North. Minnesota Vikings. B. player
Coming into the 2015 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings would have been on the list of “teams to watch.” After showing promise last season without Adrian Peterson on the field, the Vikings seemed like a team that was set to break out in 2015 and they undoubtedly proved to be just that. However, it turns out that it was for different reasons than some would have expected.
Beyond simply the return of Peterson, many people would have pointed to the likely improvement of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater as to why this Minnesota team would take a leap forward this season. However, Bridgewater’s steps forward were hardly notable this season and, honestly, the Vikings offense was wholly predictable and heavily reliant on the run this season because of that. Instead, it was their defense to thank for their improvement.
After a solid showing last year, the progression of Anthony Barr and the rest of the defense really carried the Vikings this season to their playoff berth. They are hardly the most dangerous team in the postseason field, but they took a definite step forward from last season and proved to be a high quality NFL team in 2015, even if they weren’t overwhelming or great.
Next: New England Patriots