Nov 29, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) escapes a sack by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley Jr. (44) during the first half at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
After starting this season 2-2, the Minnesota Vikings went on a 5-game winning streak. Many then started to believe Bridgewater arrived as a quarterback and the Vikings arrived as a contender. But as those perhaps wiser knew, it was fools gold and it was exposed to the fullest on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, a real contender.
The Vikings simply went through the easy part of the schedule against teams with a combined record of 24-31 coming into Week 13. Another factor, perhaps the biggest one is the defenses weren’t the best against the run. Bridgewater and the Vikings offense rode the coat-tails of mercurial running back Adrian Peterson.
During that streak, Peterson averaged 118 yards rushing per game open the rest of the offense. In the two games after, Peterson had only 45 yards in a loss to the Green Bay Packers and 158 in a win over the Atlanta Falcons. That just goes to show you that the Vikings will go as far as Peterson takes them.
Then Sunday, against the Seattle Seahawks, Peterson was stopped in his tracks, gaining only 18 yards. The were blown out 38-7 with the Vikings lone touchdown coming by way of a kick return. Bridgewater got another opportunity to put the team on his shoulders and he failed to pull the Vikings through again.
For the season, Peterson is averaging 144 yards per game when the Vikings win and 44 yards per game when they lose. If you stop Peterson, you stop the Vikings and until that changes, the Vikings aren’t the threat to win the NFC many thought they were. Bridgewater simply isn’t ready to put it on his shoulders when the defense is stacked for Peterson.
With his eight touchdowns eight interceptions so far, it’s not guaranteed he throws over 10 for the season. The Vikings are 7-4 so they will make the playoffs but they are far from a threat to win the NFC. Bridgewater is going to get there but he’s not at a point where he can take over a game.