Vikings Finding Building Blocks for Potential Rebound in 2015

A convincing 31-13 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 13 does not change the fact that the 5-7 Minnesota Vikings are just four games away from completing a lost season. 

However, Sunday's victory did once again highlight the building blocks of a roster that might just be capable of playing meaningful games well into December next season. 

The Vikings ran over the defending NFC South champions, blocking two punts for touchdowns, bruising and battering Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and accomplishing just enough on offense—led by efficient rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater—to comfortably defeat a 13-win team from a season ago. 

The Panthers—who dropped to 3-8-1 in 2014—represent the latest example of how volatile the NFL can be from one year to the next. Who is good today might be a dumpster fire 12 months from now, and those all-but-eliminated teams—a group for which the Vikings currently belong—can turn things around in the snap of a finger.

The Vikings' arrow is clearly pointed up.

Quarterback is always a logical place to start an assessment of rebound potential. And in Bridgewater, the Vikings have a glimmer of hope. 

The No. 32 overall pick wasn't dominant Sunday. He completed 15 of 21 passes for a modest 138 yards. But Bridgewater also tossed two touchdowns and wasn't intercepted, and his passer rating finished at 120.7. The rookie played winning football. 

In-season progression is always encouraging for a young quarterback. A week after a wildly inaccurate performance against Green Bay, Bridgewater was in rhythm and precise. He also hit on a perfect deep ball to Jarius Wright for 40 yards on third down.

Consistency is an issue, but consistency is also an issue for every rookie quarterback. Mistakes are rarely repeated. The baby steps forward are obvious. 

Bridgewater probably stepped onto the NFL field before he was ready. He's still learning every snap, every series and every week. Every situation presents a new look and a learning experience. And he has four more games in 2014 to continue his football education before his next real test.

	Cmp/Att	Yards	TD/INT	Passer Rating
at TB (W)	24/42	241	1/0	81.5
vs. WAS (W)	26/42	268	1/0	88.2
at CHI (L)	18/28	158	1/1	76.2
vs. GB (L)	21/37	210	2/1	79.8
vs. CAR (W)	15/21	138	2/0	120.7
TOTALS	104/170	1015	7/2	86.8

By the 2015 season, Bridgewater might be advanced enough to carry an offense. 

Luckily for him, the Vikings are building a defense that will ensure the rebound is not all on the young quarterback. At every level, head coach Mike Zimmer is developing difference-makers. 

Start along the defensive line.

At defensive end, the homegrown and well-paid Everson Griffen has delivered on his promise and price tag. Through 12 games, he has a team-high 11 sacks—including two more quarterback takedowns Sunday. Griffen even returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.

At 26 years old, and with a contract keeping him in Minnesota through 2018, Griffen has the potential to be a yearly double-digit sack force for the Vikings. 

Adam Bettcher/Getty Images

On the inside, 2013 first-round pick Sharrif Floyd has blossomed into Zimmer's new Geno Atkins. He's been as disruptive as any interior defensive lineman in football over the last two months. In fact, since Week 7, only Ndamukong Suh of the Detroit Lions has a better overall grade at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) among defensive tackles and nose tackles. 

Floyd added another sack and two quarterback hits Sunday.  

At the second level, No. 9 overall pick Anthony Barr might be the perfect modern 4-3 linebacker. He can cover, play the run and rush the quarterback, and there may be only a handful of better athletes in all the NFL on the defensive side of the football. Barr hurt his knee and left the contest Sunday, but his future is as bright as any in a loaded draft class. He's only scratching his ceiling. 

And what about the secondary? 

Arguably the worst cover unit in football from a year ago has all but shed its soft label, mostly because high picks such as safety Harrison Smith and cornerback Xavier Rhodes have grown into reliable, impact players. 

Smith was all over the field against the Panthers, registering eight tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss. A versatile player, Smith can play the hammer role against the run or patrol the deep half (four interceptions). He might make a Pro Bowl this year.

Maybe the more significant development has been Rhodes, who is one of Minnesota's most improved players this season.

A physical corner with size, Rhodes is now looking like a potential shutdown player. He was credited with three pass breakups against the Panthers, and his presence was a big reason why rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin caught just five of his 12 targets Sunday. Rhodes also did an admirable job against Packers receiver Jordy Nelson a week earlier. 

The Vikings gave up 348 yards to the Panthers, but that number is somewhat deceiving. Carolina averaged only 4.8 yards per play and made just two trips into the red zone.

Meanwhile, Newton threw for just 194 yards and took four sacks. His passer rating finished at 65.7, giving the Vikings a 55-point advantage in passer rating differential. Teams rarely lose with such a gap between the two quarterbacks. 

The Vikings now have five wins, which matches the club's total from 2013. But even if a 5-7 record throws Minnesota into the category of "lost season" for another year, the last 12 games should be considered anything but empty. 

The Vikings have hope at quarterback and a defense packed to the brim with young, ascending difference-makers. Add a few more pieces this spring, most notably along the offensive line and at linebacker, and Minnesota is likely to be a dark-horse playoff contender entering the 2015 season. 

Zach Kruse covers the NFC North for Bleacher Report. 

Follow @zachkruse2