After falling hard and never recovering post-Adrian Peterson scandal last year, it's quite encouraging to see the Vikings at 3-2 through five games in 2015.
But...we may have put a bit too much stock in a Vikings offense still trying to find a consistent identity with Teddy Bridgewater under center. With the way the Vikings came out rolling on offense, I think most of us thought an early 10-0 lead would turn into 17-0 would turn into 24-0 and...well, you get the idea; Blowout City: population Andy Reid.
Instead, the Vikings couldn't finish many drives and despite dominating the game, slipped away with a 16-10 win over a Kansas City Chiefs team missing Jamaal Charles. If Charles had never suffered his injury against the Bears, he would have done just enough and the Vikings would have lost this game.
What was a nice return to form for much-maligned (but not by this blogger) kicker Blair Walsh (1/1 PAT 3/3 FG) was overshadowed by a flat performance from the Vikings offense. Adrian Peterson could not get it going as the Chiefs clearly keyed in on stopping him during their entire week of preparation.
The defense played well enough, making some big plays to ice the game where recent Vikings teams would have given up the go-ahead touchdown to lose. Perhaps it's not a huge surprise that the team coached by a former defensive coordinator would have the defense far ahead of the offense in terms of productivity.
I'm not sure of an answer. What I do know is that the offensive line has to continue to round into form. Teddy can make the throws just fine if he's not running for his life every other play. He'll make some mistakes, but he's also a second year pro.
There was some late breaking news before this post went up: Adrian Peterson is ill and is questionable for tomorrow. I was all-aboard the hype train for a Vikings road win, but this throws a wrench into everything.
The Vikings won six of their seven games without Peterson last year, and if he isn't 100% (his illness slows him down) or he doesn't wind up playing, I like the prospect of Matt Asiata, the human wrecking ball, pounding the Lions.
The question is, if Peterson doesn't produce (or play), do the Vikings have enough in the tank to get a rare road win and sweep a divisional opponent for the first time since 2012?
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