Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are for real and the NFC North—the whole league—had better not overlook them. This is a team which was much better in 2014 than expected. They found their franchise quarterback. They added more and more pieces to the defense. The found production from many different and unexpected sources.

And they did it without a key piece of their offense as Adrian Peterson was suspended. And if this is a team that goes to the Super Bowl and wins a championship, it’ll be that last piece—Peterson—which takes them there.

Now it wasn’t all that long ago that we though Peterson would be wearing a different jersey. He has supposedly wanted a trade or at least out of the franchise for a while, but the Vikings didn’t budge. So he’s playing for Minnesota this year.

The big question is, how much will his beef with the team hinder his play? Peterson is an immense competitor, the team wants him back, his teammates want him back and he has to know that, as good as he has played, he is nearing the end of his career.

One would think that he could put aside his issues and play to the level he is capable of. He has a lot of incentive. He wants a Super Bowl. He wants a big payday to end his career and while he is under contract, he has to know the Vikings are going to have to renegotiate his contract or cut him at some point, allowing him to go anywhere that will pay him. A Super Bowl on his resume would help him get the money he wants.

He’s also in the best offense he has seen since Brett Favre donned the uniform a few years back. Teddy Bridgewater is legit, the receivers are strong and the defense will keep games close, if not win a few outright. This is his best chance at a ring.

If he can play at his best, he’ll be the catalyst that can send this team to a Super Bowl victory.