Minnesota Vikings: 7 Reasons to Pay Attention to the Vikings

For the Minnesota Vikings, it's come down to playing the role of spoiler.

Before the season began, I had picked the Vikings to improve over their last-place finish of 2010 and finish with a 7-9 record.  Currently having matched the fewest wins in franchise history — and now without Adrian Peterson in Week 12 — the Vikings have not looked this bad in 28 years.

In 1984, under the direction of Les Steckel, the team finished 3-13, tied for the second-worst record in the NFL. The team was so bad, that Steckel, the wide receivers coach the previous season, was fired after coaching only that one season.

Looking at their remaining schedule, there are no easy wins for this team, and it's very likely they could finish the season 2-14. 

The good news is they will most likely not finish with the worst record in the league this season. Currently 0-10, the Indianapolis Colts appear to be very serious about making sure they get the first crack at quarterback Andrew Luck from Stanford in the draft next year.

Even though the Vikings are a good bet to finish with the lowest winning percentage in team history, there are still plenty of reasons to watch them this season. 

It always takes time for a new coaching staff to mold the roster into the type of team that is successful, fitting the type of play they envision.

On top of a new head coach, the Vikings hopefully have their franchise quarterback in rookie Christian Ponder.

Here are seven things to keep watching for while the season winds down. 

No. 7: Can the Minnesota Vikings Find a Wide Receiver?

The Minnesota Vikings' big free-agent acquisition this offseason was wide receiver Michael Jenkins.

There was hope that being reunited with Bill Musgrave, who was the Falcons quarterbacks coach last season in Atlanta, would lead to a productive season.

Currently second on the team with 36 receptions, Jenkins leads the Vikings in touchdown catches—the bad news is he only has three.

The team is averaging only 11.7 yards per reception. One positive note has been Devin Aromashodu, a fourth-year receiver from Auburn. Signed from the Bears, Aromashodu leads the Vikings with a 24.4 yard average.

With the release of Bernard Berrian, another former Chicago wide receiver, Armoashodu's role has expanded. 

This is a chance for him to prove that he is an NFL-caliber receiver and should be a part of the Vikings' future.

No. 6: Shots of the Vikings Cheerleaders

While the action on the field may not be pretty, you can always avert your attention to the sidelines.

No. 5: The Development of Kyle Rudolph

Rookie tight end Kyle Rudolph has the potential to be a big target for quarterback Christian Ponder.

At 6'6", Rudolph is the Vikings' tallest receiver. Becoming more familiar with the offense, he caught his first touchdown pass against the Raiders. 

So far, Rudolph has 17 catches for 177 yards. Look for his numbers to only get better as the season winds down.

No. 4: Mr. Electricity Percy Harvin

Percy Harvin has the ability to score from anywhere on the field.

After opening the season with a 103-yard kickoff return for a score, he has been limited to only three touchdowns this season.

Harvin has been lined up just about everywhere on the field within the Vikings offense, and is second on the team in yards from scrimmage behind Adrian Peterson with 683.

Like tight end Kyle Rudolph, Harvin caught his first touchdown pass against the Raiders.

I would still like to see more of Harvin and Peterson on the field together, and especially on third downs.

No. 3: The Development of Quarterback Christian Ponder

In a report in the St. Paul Pioneer Press this week, head coach Leslie Frazier, in attempt to keep his rookie quarterback motivated, told Christian Ponder that "We'll get a lot of wins together."

After starting the season 1-5, Frazier made the call to bench Donovan McNabb. At the time he indicated Ponder would be his starter for the rest of the season. A great move when it was obvious McNabb had nothing to offer this team.

Not since the Vikings drafted Daunte Culpepper in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft have they had the same quarterback for more than two consecutive seasons.

It's a perfect time for Ponder to get some NFL experience during a meaningless season for the Vikings. After throwing three interceptions against the Raiders, Ponder has six on the season against only five touchdown passes. 

He needs to prove that Frazier made the right move and step up his game. So far, his passer rating of 67.3 is even lower than that of McNabb.

Ponder has demonstrated he has the athletic ability to play quarterback in the NFL; now he needs to prove he has the smarts to play quarterback. 

No. 2: Can Jared Allen Make History?

Jared Allen is having the best season of his career.

Despite playing on a terrible defense that doesn't have the ability to stop anyone, he is currently second in the NFL with 13.5 sacks.

Before going sack-less against Oakland, Allen was on pace to break the single-season sack record. Still, he will easily surpass his career-best of 15.5 sacks in 2007, when he led the league while playing with the 4-12 Kansas City Chiefs. 

No. 1: Adrian Peterson

Unfortunately, a high-ankle sprain suffered against the Raiders will cause Adrian Peterson to miss at least the game against the Falcons. With only six carries for 26 yards against Oakland, he has fallen back a bit to the rushing leaders in the NFL.

The NFL's best running back, Peterson has never finished with fewer than 1,298 yards since joining the Vikings in 2007, and he is still leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns.

A fierce competitor, Peterson has been the brightest spot for the Vikings while playing behind an offensive line that is, to put it as plain as possible, terrible.

If offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave knows what's he's doing—and I doubt very much that he does—he would look to take as much pressure off his rookie quarterback and put the ball in Peterson's hands as much as possible if he can get healthy.

It just might lead to a win!