NFL Preview- Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings enter another season in perpetual rebuilding mode.  They have a new head coach in Mike Zimmer, and, while Matt Cassel is the starting quarterback right now, it could be only a matter of time before rookie Teddy Bridgewater takes over.  Losing Adrian Peterson for the foreseeable future hurts the team of any opportunities of turning things around this year.

Cassel won the job as the QB in the preseason, but Bridgewater showed promise too.  If the team gets off to a horrible start, it is only a matter of time before Bridgewater takes over as the top QB.  It is also safe to say that Christian Ponder's days in Minnesota are pretty much numbered.

While Peterson is technically still the starter at running back, his recent legal troubles will keep him away from the team (he was placed on the Exempt List)  for an idefinite amount of time.  Until he is able return-- if he is able to do so-- Matt Asiata is the top RB.  Joe Banyard and Jerick McKinnon make up the depth chart behind Asiata.

Cordarelle Patterson is ready for a big year at wide receiver as he enters his second year in the NFL.  Greg Jennings provides Cassel a reliable WR to throw to.  The issue is finding depth and more options to throw.  Kyle Rudolph has evolved into a Pro Bowl-caliber tight end.

On defense, the Vikings need to find a pass rush after the they let Jared Allen walk.  Chad Greenway returns as the leader at linebacker.  There are a lot of questions in the secondary and will cause a lot headaches for the coaching staff.

This is how their 2014 season will look like:

Week 1- Minnesota demolished the St Louis Rams, 34-6.

Week 2- Without Peterson, the Vikings were routed 30-7 by the New England Patriots.

Week 3- They travel to New Orleans and receive another beatdown without Peterson.  Fall to 1-2.

Week 4- They host Atlanta and take a huge loss to fall to 1-3.

Week 5- The Vikings head to Green Bay in a short week and continue losing big.  They drop to 1-4.

Week 6- Minnesota hosts Detroit and show some improvement, but lose yet again. Now 1-5.

Week 7- Vikings travel Buffalo and find a way to pull out a win.  Improve to 2-5.

Week 8- They head to Tampa Bay and lose again.  Now 2-6.

Week 9- They host the Redskins and Kirk Cousins proves to have better weapons and win.  They fall to 2-7.

Week 10- Bye Week.

Week 11- Minnesota heads to Chicago and lose big.  Vikings now 2-8.

Week 12- Vikings host the Packers and get swept. Now 2-9.

Week 13- They host the Panthers and get demolish by that tough defense.  Drop to 2-10.

Week 14- They play a third straight game at home and quite possibly a snowstorm.  The weather may be enough to net them a win.  Vikings improve to 3-10.

Week 15- Minnesota heads to Detroit and get swept by another division rival. They're now 3-11.

Week 16- They head to Miami and suffer another tough loss to drop to 3-12.

Week 17-  Vikings close out at home against Chicago.  Unfortunately they lose again to finish out the season at 3-13.

Losing Peterson for what could be the year will cost the Vikings a large amount.  If they can't find a way to find success without Peterson, the team might be forced to give Bridgewater a shot as the top QB.