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The NFL season's midway point has passed us by, and the playoff picture is coming into focus. While several early playoff favorites have fallen off the map, others have emerged or met expectations. At 6-2, the Minnesota Vikings fall into each of those categories.

Minnesota was a popular pick to be a playoff team in the offseason. Led by an efficient quarterback, explosive running back and strong defense, the only question was whether this team was ready for the next step. The Vikings aren’t an overly experienced roster, with an average age of 26. That’s 23rd in the NFL.

Nevertheless, Minnesota is not only primed for a playoff run, but it could win the NFC North division. A tough second-half of the schedule is coming, but don’t expect Mike Zimmer’s team to back down from the challenge. This roster has taken on their tough coaches’ demeanor in every fashion.

To take it one step further, this Vikings team is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. A hot start aside, Minnesota has all of the traits of a championship-caliber squad. Let’s take a look at why this team must be taken seriously.

Defense

A cliche can be annoying and can paint too broad of a picture, but the adage that defenses win championships has serious weight to it. Super Bowl champions require a quality defense, even if the way a defense is effective is unique. Not all defenses are built the same.

We’ve seen stifling and dominant defenses help win the Super Bowl with the 2013 Seattle Seahawks. The 2009 New Orleans Saints had a bend-don’t-break approach that stressed turnovers and aggressiveness. And there’s been some in-between units like the 2014 New England Patriots.

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But modern history continues to show that an impactful defense matters. The 2015 Minnesota Vikings have a Super Bowl-worthy defense, and it all starts with their head coach. Mike Zimmer’s ability to game plan and maximize talent instantly boosts the profile of this bunch.

We’ll start with the numbers on this unit. Through eight games, this is one of the NFL's few top defenses. Their ability to bring pressure, force turnovers and stonewall drives is something to rely on every single week.

Minnesota Vikings Defense Ranks 2015 Category Average NFL Rank Points Per Game 17.5 2 Yards Per Game 332 7 1st Downs Per Game 19.4 10 3rd Down Percentage 30 2 Penalty Yards 460 11 Turnovers Forced 12 24 NFL.com

Above we can see where the Vikings rank compared to the rest of the league. Although the Vikings haven’t faced the toughest part of their schedule yet, the ability to keep opponents away from the end zone is unlikely to change. Minnesota’s depth and number of quality starters will overwhelm many opponents.

The most notable number available is the excellent third-down conversion rate. By stopping opponents on 70 percent of all third downs, we know this is a unit able to stay balanced in approach and play in pressure situations. Defenders who can execute on the biggest play of the drive are the biggest difference-makers. Speaking of impact players, the Vikings have more across their roster than most teams.

Star Power

I’ll mention one thing first before moving into the stars on the Vikings’ roster; roster depth is as important as stars, because rotational players allow coaches to keep stars fresh without a massive drop-off in performance. Minnesota’s defense especially has impressive depth. The development of their young defenders has been a major accomplishment by this coaching staff.

When talking about the Vikings, you almost have to start with Adrian Peterson. The future Hall of Fame running back didn’t take long to re-establish himself as the NFL’s best running back. By the end of Week 9, Peterson is the league’s leading rusher with 758 yards and a 4.5 yard-per-carry average. He also ranks fourth in the league with 361 yards after contact.

Peterson’s brilliance behind an average offensive line is really nothing new, but we must appreciate it. What he’s accomplished after missing most of 2014—and at 30 years old—is on pace for historic levels. If we extrapolate his numbers to 16 games, we’re looking at 1,516 yards and eight touchdowns.

Those numbers would be good enough for the third-most yards in one season for his career. He’s playing at a very high level once again, which will be difficult for teams to stop in the playoffs—especially since he finally has a worthy partner in the backfield.

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Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater doesn’t have the eye-popping numbers like some of his counterparts, but that doesn’t mean his play hasn’t been impressive. Bridgewater hasn’t been asked to shoulder the load as much as 2014, but that is a positive. He’s been cerebral and making the big throws when they count the most.

Despite facing the second-most pressure of 45.1 percent of dropbacks, Bridgewater has taken sacks at the 13th-highest rate. This is a quarterback able to recognize where the pressure is coming from and find the quickest outlet receiver. His receivers have mostly been poor, though, which has cost his numbers dearly.

The other notable playmaker on the offense is rookie Stefon Diggs. If you’re a Vikings fan, you should be thankful for Diggs’ presence. The former freshman phenom at Maryland has regained his health and explosiveness since joining Minnesota; his fifth-round draft status makes him a steal.

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Diggs has arguably been the best rookie receiver this season, totaling 461 yards in just 262 snaps. His 16.5 yards per reception leads all rookies, and he’s created the second-most yards after the catch with 170. He’s a budding star.

Bridgewater and Diggs are a force to reckon with. As Diggs has emerged, he is clearly the team's top receiver. He’s also catching 70 percent of all targets, which is a very respectable number.

The number of playmakers on defense is even more impressive. We’ll highlight the top three. First up is defensive tackle Linval Joseph.

At 26 years old, Joseph is one of the NFL's best defensive tackles. A terrific run-stopper and solid pass-rusher, Joseph has been too much to handle for interior blockers. His quickness and strong hands make him a unique defender.

Not only is Joseph disruptive, but he’s also a finisher in the backfield. He has the third-most tackles at defensive tackle, which is more than Aaron Donald and Geno Atkins. He’s peaking at the right time for this defense to excel.

Don’t sleep on the Vikings’ defensive ends, either. Although Everson Griffen and Brian Robison have combined for only five sacks, they’ve been creating for their teammates. Griffen and Robison have a total of 45 quarterback hurries, which in turn forces the quarterback to adjust and opens more opportunities for clean-up sacks and bad passes.

We’ll circle back around to this group, especially Griffen. His production should sharply rise as the season progresses.

Behind the impressive defensive line is a pair of talented linebackers. Second-year linebacker Anthony Barr and rookie Eric Kendricks are studs at the position. With a combined 42 run stops, the Vikings have two linebackers who are comfortable in space and play with contained aggressiveness. Kendricks’ insertion into the lineup has already paid off well with his blitzing ability and coverage talent.

That’s been a major positive as well. The versatility of the Vikings’ front seven is very unique. Not many defenses can keep their linebackers or front four on the field for any situation, but the Vikings can. Both Barr and Kendricks are excellent in the open field and working in space.

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

Of course in the secondary is one of the NFL's best secondary players. Free safety Harrison Smith has been playing fantastic football again in 2015. His impact in pass coverage really has made a huge difference in this defense teetering on elite.

It’s hard to find quality safety play in the NFL. It’s a position that lacks impact for most teams. But Smith has been a great player the last two seasons, and he’s held a struggling secondary together in coverage.

Despite being targeted 12 times in coverage, Smith has allowed just four receptions. He’s seen the likes of Vernon Davis, Eric Ebron, Antonio Gates, Travis Kelce and Martellus Bennett, but has locked his assignment down with impressive consistency. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say Smith is the best coverage safety in the NFL.

Room For Improvement

We know Minnesota has the talent to continue winning from what has been covered. But what is also important to look at is the team's direction. A team peaking this early would be doomed for a collapse in the second half, but the Vikings still have room for improvement.

The offense has played well enough to win games, and this is a team accustomed to winning close encounters. But the room for improvement comes at both offensive line and wide receiver. Since the receivers have dealt with injury woes, we’ll focus on the offensive line.

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The positive this season for the Vikings is the play of Matt Kalil at left tackle. Kalil was awful last season, allowing 12 sacks and 36 quarterback hurries. He looked unsalvageable and completely different than his stellar rookie season. 2015 has been much better.

Kalil is on pace to allow just four sacks and 24 hurries in the passing game. Although his consistency as a pass- and run-blocker leaves room for growth, he is much closer to average than not. His sudden improvement gives hope for the Vikings’ duo of T.J. Clemmings and Brandon Fusco.

Clemmings and Fusco have been a disaster for Minnesota so far. Clemmings was forced into playing early, and it has shown why he needed a year to sit. His pass protection has allowed Bridgewater to be knocked around way too often.

According to Pro Football Focus, Clemmings has allowed 15 quarterback hurries and three sacks. But also remember, he’s been getting help from tight end Kyle Rudolph often. Clemmings’ performance may improve as he continues to get acclimated to the NFL, which would really solidify the Vikings offense.

Most disturbing has been the play of left guard Brandon Fusco. Fusco was a solid player before injury struck in 2014, and he hasn’t been the same since. Once a powerful run-blocker, Fusco has lacked the lower-body explosion that made him so hard to move in 2013. We know Fusco has the talent, but can his body get back to that stage midseason?

If it can, then this offense's weakest link would suddenly become a strength. Maybe Fusco won’t ever return to his high level of previous play, but the fact he’s not playing his best and performing poorly is actually a good sign that this offense hasn’t reached its climax too early.

As mentioned before, the Vikings defense might only be scratching a deep surface. Although pass-rushers Griffen and Robison haven’t been finishing as often as last season, they’re still reaching the backfield. It’s only a matter of time before these two get their numbers.

When Griffen is playing well, he is a tremendous creator as a pass-rusher. He has all the physical tools to be dominant, including speed, power and flexibility. His lower-body explosion helps him stay low throughout contact and drive through his blocker. He often draws double-teams. Don’t be surprised if Griffen ends up with double-digit sacks with a hot second half of the season.

The player with the most upside to improve is Xavier Rhodes. Rhodes has flashed dominant traits throughout his career and was close to figuring it out in 2014. This year has been a severe regression, though.

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Rhodes has been grabbier than 2014, which has led to 10 penalties in coverage. Teams are attacking his weaknesses more often this year, and he clearly lacks confidence right now. An unsure cornerback will stop his feet and think more than he should, which is what Rhodes is suffering from.

Rhodes must find his swagger again. He’s got the athleticism, fluidity and intelligence to be a great cornerback. He was on the cusp of it in 2014. But he has to study his good tape and be confident in his play. Once he does this, the Vikings defense will really take off.

The 2015 Minnesota Vikings aren’t a Super Bowl favorite, but they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Like every other team, they have their flaws. But unlike their competition, this is a team playing well with room to improve.

The next two months will determine a lot in terms of who this team is. With Mike Zimmer leading the way, and several stars on each side of the ball, the Vikings should invoke confidence from their fans. Of course, the next few games will be tough tests for this young roster, but the players' physical play style and clear identity will give them the chance to win each contest.

It’s time to hop on board the Vikings’ train. They’re as well-rounded as other NFC contenders, and yet, they have much less hype.

All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com and Pro Football Focus.



Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

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