Fansided

Five reasons the Minnesota Vikings will win Super Bowl 50

By Patrick Morgan

Jan 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) walks from the field following the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Minnesota won 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) walks from the field following the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Minnesota won 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws during the first quarter against the New York Giants at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws during the first quarter against the New York Giants at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Steady Teddy

The Vikings made the biggest surprise move on opening day of the 2014 NFL Draft when they traded their second and fourth round picks to move back into the first round. Minnesota had already taken UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr ninth overall, but they needed the 32nd and final pick of the first round to steal away Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

It was a brilliant move, and it has already paid dividends for the team. Despite only playing 12 full games as a starter, Bridgewater finished with the highest quarterback ranking among rookies (85.2). He also finished second in total touchdowns among rookie quarterbacks with 15 (Derek Carr, who finished first, played a full 16 game season).

Bridgewater took another step forward this season as the full-time leader of the offense, improving his quarterback ranking, yardage output, and total touchdowns while cutting down on interceptions. Benefitting from the emergence of Diggs and the return of star running back Adrian Peterson, Bridgewater led the Vikings to their first NFC North championship since 2009.

Next: 3. Head coach Mike Zimmer

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