Fansided

One thing every NFL team can be thankful for in 2016

By John Buhler

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) and center Travis Frederick (72) celebrate with running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) after he scored a touchdown in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) and center Travis Frederick (72) celebrate with running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) after he scored a touchdown in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New Minnesota Vikings kicker Kai Forbath (2) looks to the scoreboard during the game with the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New Minnesota Vikings kicker Kai Forbath (2) looks to the scoreboard during the game with the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Vikings: The rest of the NFC North is bad, too

What a calendar year it has been for the Minnesota Vikings. From the egregious Blair Walsh missed chip-shot field goal in the 2015 NFC Playoffs to season-ending injuries to both Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson in September, the Vikings somehow find themselves at 6-4.

Minnesota began the year at a miraculous 5-0. The Vikings went on their Week 6 bye and then imploded to lose four straight before beating the Arizona Cardinals at home in Week 11. Minnesota is a middle of the pack team with a good defense and special teams units. However, the Vikings’ offense remains static at best.

Through all their struggles in October and November, the Vikings find themselves in a great position to win the NFC North. They are tied atop the division with the Detroit Lions and both the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears are below .500.

The Vikings picked a good year to have a bad one, as a mediocre team is going to end up winning the worst division in the NFC. Minnesota should be thankful that against all odds that the Vikings still have a legitimate shot to make the 2016 NFC Playoffs.

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