There’s been an ongoing buzz around Winter Park with rumblings of a possible return from Adrian Peterson coming soon. Well Vikings fans, you won’t have to wait any longer as Peterson is set to make his return for Sunday’s game against the Colts. With Peterson expedited return to action, it’s clear that the Vikings are pulling out all the stops in hopes of earning the final Wild Card spot in the NFC.
Peterson’s return
After a long road to recovery that began in September, Peterson is ready to rejoin the Vikings offense this Sunday when the Colts come to U.S. Bank Stadium. The lingering question that remains is, will his return even make a difference given how poorly the offensive line has performed throughout the season?
While I want to remain optimistic, my gut tells me that even Walter Payton would have had trouble finding running room behind this offensive line. Peterson was ineffective during the one and a half games in which he participated early in the season, and that included a healthier offensive line than we have currently.
Sunday’s game and the final weeks that follow will be a determining factor in the direction that the Vikings choose to go with their aging superstar.
Anthony Harris to fill in for Harrison Smith for second-straight game
With Harrison Smith a no-go for Sunday’s game, it will once again be up to second-year safety Anthony Harris to pick up the slack and patrol the middle of the field. This is a major blow to a defense that counts on Harrison Smith as the defensive backs’ leader. Add to it the fact that the Colts are willing to go deep early and often makes this assignment a possible recipe for disaster if precautions are not taken.
Putting pressure on Luck will be key to a Vikings’ victory
In weeks 13 and 14, the Vikings defensive line has reemerged into the force that we had come to expect through the first five weeks of the season. Unsurprisingly the Vikings are putting themselves in a position to win ballgames because of it.
The defensive line’s performance will be play a huge role in the outcome of Sunday’s game due to how frequently Andrew Luck drops back to pass. If the Vikings can keep Luck out of rhythm and preferably on the turf, they should walk away on Sunday with another crucial win. If Luck has time in the pocket to find guys like T.Y. Hilton, it will be a long day for the purple.
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