Fansided

Power rankings and record predictions

By Matt Verderame

Oct 26, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) against the Baltimore Ravens at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) against the Baltimore Ravens at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 10: Adrian Peterson
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 10: Adrian Peterson /

16. Minnesota Vikings

Everything was going so well for the Vikings and their faithful. Nobody had gotten hurt through the first three preseason games. The team looked fantastic, poised to challenge for the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history. Then, it all vanished.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater tore his ACL and dislocated his knee in a non-contact practice on Aug. 30, putting him out for the season. While Bridgewater is not one of the more prolific passers in the league, he’s a vital cog for Minnesota’s machine. Without him, the Vikings are back to being Adrian Peterson, a good defense and a bunch of guys.

Minnesota had real expectations of getting to the Super Bowl under third-year head coach Mike Zimmer, but now the playoffs seem like a pipe dream. Without a real quarterback at the helm, the Vikings are still the second-best team in the NFC North but are no longer a threat to make any real noise come January.

Hopefully Bridgewater can fully recover from this gruesome injury and bounce back in 2017, giving Minnesota fans something long-term to look forward to.

Record prediction: 8-8

Next: No. 15 Buffalo Bills