Image courtesy of Vikings.com
It’s a question Minnesota Vikings fans have been asking since Max Winter, E. William Boyer, H.P Skoglund, Ole Haugsrud and Bernard H. Ridder, Jr. founded the team in 1961. Over the years, Minnesotans watched the Vikings reach the Super Bowl four times, only to lose all four in devastating fashion.
Today, ESPN shared a tweet featuring a dejected Blair Walsh, looking down in disgust after his missed field goal from last year’s NFC Wild Card playoff game. It named Minnesota as one of four metro areas in the United States that hasn’t won a professional sports title in this century. Vikings fans know how lonely this existence can be, but some believe the drought may be over very, very soon.
In an interview with the MMQB’s Peter King earlier this week, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had this to say about the team’s Super Bowl aspirations in 2016:
[quote_box_center]“We are going to have a good chance to win it this year—win everything. Sit back and watch. Sit back and watch. You can be like, ‘I thought you guys were at least a couple of years away.’ Nope. You sit back and watch, this year.”[/quote_box_center]
His comments address a question that’s gone unanswered for nearly 60 years: How soon will the Vikings win their first Super Bowl? Peterson makes the case that the team is ready to contend this year, which feels like a natural —if slightly accelerated — progression after the team went 11-5 and won the NFC North division title in 2015.
Building on the team’s recent success, general manager Rick Spielman spent resources upgrading the offensive line in free agency. He signed Alex Boone and Andre Smith to step in and start right away, then re-signed players like Mike Harris to serve as valuable depth. What was Minnesota’s Achilles Heel last season is potentially a position of strength, with depth and upgraded talent across the board.
In the draft, Spielman replaced the departed No. 11, Mike Wallace, with a player who should make an impact immediately for the Vikings. Laquon Treadwell, the 23rd-overall pick, is the presumptive starter at wide receiver opposite Stefon Diggs. He chose to wear Wallace’s old number, and the hope is that he makes the plays, particularly down the field and in the red zone, that Wallace couldn’t last season.
The defense, already a strength for the Vikings, needs little commentary. MMQB analyst Andy Benoit called the unit one of the best in the league, proclaiming they’re only behind the Seahawks and Broncos in the talent department. It’s a group that should only improve in its third year under head coach Mike Zimmer, who transformed the Vikings into a top-five unit in 2015. Now, he has new toys to play with, from free agent linebacker Emmanuel Lamur to second-round draft pick Mackensie Alexander.
Of course, the Vikings, don’t have a clear path to the Lombardi Trophy. Despite entering the season with a top-flight defense and a carefully adjusted offense, Minnesota demon’s still linger. The kicking game — the ailment that ended the team’s 2015 run — remains an unknown, Teddy Bridgewater is still working through the NFL growing pains, and the NFC North as a whole improved this offseason. Eleven wins certainly isn’t an unrealistic goal this season, but it’s one that won’t come without its share of challenges.
Everyone can agree that the proverbial arrow is pointing up for the Vikings. A new stadium and a revamped roster signal a new beginning in Minnesota, one that hopefully begins with a Super Bowl title (or two, or three). No one knows when exactly that will happen, but the belief in Minnesota is that it becomes a reality very, very soon.
Are you as optimistic as Adrian Peterson, or do the Vikings have a few more years of heartbreak before finally hoisting the Lombardi Trophy?
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#1, Peterson has choked in playoff games.. He should be saying if we get into that situation again I'm gonna take us to the promised land and he hasn't even been close, he's fumbled it away . Number two, if they get there, they better win it. I love the Vikings but it's time to get all the way through and not just to the brink. Peterson's been a play off choke, and we don't even have a passing game yet . Playoffs?, I'm hoping we can win a damn game
yep!!
but lets hope AP doesn't and we win the SB!!
Let's be fair to Peterson, first of all. He's played in five playoff games and fumbled in two of them.
2008, MIN @ PHI - 20 for 83, 2 TD's, 0 fumbles
2009, DAL @ MIN - 26 for 63, 0 TD, 0 fumbles
2009, MIN @ NOR - 25 for 122, 3 TD's, 2 fumbles, 1 fumble recovered
2012, MIN @ GNB - 22 for 99, 0 TD, 0 fumbles
2015, MIN @ SAE - 23 for 45, 0 TD, 1 fumble
So, Peterson has run well in three playoff games, and although his performance in the famous loss to New Orleans was somewhat offset by the two fumbles, he can hardly be accused of being the main culprit in losing that game. Nor was he primarily responsible, in my opinion, for the loss to Seattle last year. Offensive play calling must improve so that opposing defenses can't crowd the line with eight or nine men every single first down. And Bridgewater does need to continue improving; I was not very impressed with what I saw last year, even with the shaky pass blocking and uneven receiving corps. Diggs impressed and Rudolph finally became a downfield threat, but Teddy overthrew Wallace several times, and it's time for Wright to play as well as he talks.
Austin, I still say that even with the veteran free agents and several promising youngsters, no improvement was made at the single most important position on the offensive line, left tackle. If Sparano can't revive Kalil's career, Bridgewater could still face a ton of pressure, even if the run-blocking is as good or better than next year. I will say that it sounds like Treadwell should be able to step in and contribute from day one, and that should help a lot.
Right be positive about our team. I think Adrian is right and let's sit back and watch and see what he does
The Lynx's have won 3 championships in the last 5 years!!!
Thank you, Billy. Know your stats, Girls!
I don't think it's fair to say that Teddy is still working through NFL growing pains. Makes it sound like he has been Ponder-esque. I think the kid has been brilliant considering the OL play. Provided OL imoroves, Honestly think his stat lines improve and critics decrease if AD not on the team and offense flows through him. Or if there is a change in philosophy. I think Teddy is absolutely capable of winning the big game right now. I.e. not part of the "problem".
agree
I should clarify, holdsteady...his growing pains aren't all on him, in my opinion. Yes, he needs to take more shots and chances, but I think that changes with a revamped OL and Treadwell outside. I think many of the pains he felt were caused by poor play calling, bad OL play,etc., and breaking the bad habits created by that will take some time.
He's already 100x better than Ponder and I expect TB to be the next great QB in MN.
Norv?
He has shown he is could be capable of "not losing the big game" but there are not any offensive players that have shown me they are capable of winning it- outside of peterson beast mode which does not seem to show up in the playoffs.
Come On! Teddy's play is Brilliant? That is as crazy an evaluation as the people that say he sucks. He has been challenged with sub par line play and Norv's refusal to adjust scheme so as to maximize Teddy's QB strengths. Real evaluation 2015 - Vikings pass offense is bottom 5 NFL unit. Teddy is the QB. He has to own that substandard passing production as much as Norv, Kalil & Wallace. Good news is Teddy will own it this QB Year 3. Vikings Plan: Wallace & O Line Coach gone/Check. Line competition everywhere/Check. 1st Round WR/Check. The resources have been spent - the plan is in place.
Offensive Coordinator, 1st round Quarterback & 1st round Left Tackle have to own it and step up. Think Kalil rises to average & Turner modifies scheme a little (Shurmer). I think overall the line improves and Teddy Diggs & Treadwell make the leap. No excuses - Zimmer knows ball. Zimmer doesn't suffer excuses lightly. Poor passing production is a reflection of Coordinator, QB & Left Tackle. Vikings 2016 roster is imperfect but talented and well coached. Brilliant QB play will result in a top 1/2 passing offense.
pretty sure the next one is in February- didn't read the article yet but just thought I would answer the guiding question for you.
everything seems so bright for our future, as a lifelong Vikings fan this scares me. It is usually at this point that something goes horribly bad.
For the last two years, I've thought 2016 or bust...here's to hoping we don't bust.
knocking on the door this year, break it down next. at home. but then, we are the vikings, so i will remain cautiously optimistic
With the whole growing up a Vikings fan- I was thinking what could be the most heart breaking thing that could happen with the new stadium?
NFCCG loss at home followed by a Super Bowl loss at home the next year. That'd grizzle the new generation.
been waitin 62 years now, so,,,,now would be a good time.....
This kid Treadwell has the size, hand, eye coordination to allow Teddy to take chances down field without being too accurate. Which will allow Teddy to grow, get better and have more confidence to take more chances down field. I would be the first to say Teddy has not had much to throw to in his first 3 years so not throwing down field and turning the ball over he's been pretty good at. I think this offense will surprise a lot of people real fast this year. The fact that the offensive line has improved with the two new additions and we have a real receiver next to Stephon Diggs will allow us to see the best of AP this season. Add that to what I think will be a top 5 defense and I think this team will be able to compete for the super bowl this here.