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| Adrian Peterson (Photo credit: Mike Morbeck) |
The Vikings were all but doomed from the start when an elbow injury forced quarterback Christian Ponder to the sidelines, meaning all those folks who wanted to see Joe Webb take over for him got their wish. Webb, unfortunately, played as if he hadn't snapped the ball all season--which happened to be true. It also didn't help that the defense made too many mistakes, and that the Packers did a much better job of shutting down Adrian Peterson than in their previous two games.
Having finished 2011 with three victories, you would have understood if the Vikings were in rebuilding mode, preparing themselves for future runs at glory. But this so-called "rebuilding" year resulted in coach Leslie Frasier's team going 10-6, with significant wins over the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears and the Packers--enough to earn a sixth seed in the NFC playoffs.
Yes, we need to mention Adrian Peterson, who stopped nine yards short of the all-time single season rushing mark set by Eric Dickerson of the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. Various football fans and pundits have been campaigning for Peterson to win the NFL's Most Valuable Player award. Peterson may have had a stellar season, but the fact that the Vikings aren't going to the Super Bowl may have hurt his chances for the MVP.
There were times when Peterson propped up the Vikings' offense. Ponder had an up-and-down season that caused some to question whether he really was the quarterback of the future. That is, until his sudden December marriage to ESPN sideline reporter Samantha Steele. Then he started playing better. We'll leave it up to researchers and psychologists to figure that one out. Also, Percy Harvin had been complaining about the lack of playing time he was getting up until he was injured and out for the season.
There are some things the Vikings' brain trust can do to improve their fortunes on the field as they transfer out of the Metrodome/Mall of America Field and into their new digs: Find an experienced backup quarterback for Ponder. Plug holes in the defense. Harvin either needs to be mollified or be sent packing, preferably with good draft picks. The team needs to play better outdoors, where they didn't win a game all season. And how long are they going to put up with punter Chris Kluwe's antics, on and off the field? How do they really feel about him being a gay rights advocate?
OK, enough about the Vikings. Here's who we think will make the trip to Super Bowl 47 in New Orleans: San Francisco vs. Denver.
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