Minnesota Vikings: Who's the Vikings' 2014 MVP?

With tongue firmly in cheek, we'll say that the motto of the 2014 Minnesota Vikings has been, "We're just trying to get it right."

The best thing that can be said about a non-playoff season is that the team got better and that it's closer to being a contender than it was when the year started. In that sense, the Vikings are certainly getting it right.

When Minnesota and new head coach Mike Zimmer stormed through the preseason at 4-0, every Vikings fan was guilty of the same thought: "Hey, why can't we make the playoffs this year?"

Minnesota then went on the road to start the season and, led by Cordarrelle Patterson's 102 rushing yards, including a highlight-reel 67-yard touchdown, routed the St. Louis Rams 34-6.

After that game the thought wasn't about the playoffs but of how high a seed Minnesota would get.

That seems like a long time ago, doesn't it?

Even the greatest eye couldn't have seen was coming down the pike for the Vikings at that point. Needless to say, after that first game, any talk about the team's 2014 MVP would have only mentioned two names, Patterson and running back Adrian Peterson.

Pat Sullivan/Associated Press

Peterson hasn't touched the ball since, and rumor has it that Patterson has, but you're forgiven if you can't remember when.

Reality came and dumped three feet of snow on a team that was playing its first scheduled outdoor home games since 1981. Peterson was put on the exempt list after being indicted for child-abuse charges. Starting quarterback Matt Cassel was lost for the season in Week 3 after breaking his foot. Star-to-be tight end Kyle Rudolph missed a huge chunk of the season after having surgery to repair a sports hernia.

So here we are in the second week of December, and the Vikings sit at 6-7 with three games left on the schedule. No, it's not what anyone had hoped for back in August, but, given a little perspective, 2014 has been a season that has the Vikings headed in the right direction for perhaps the first time since Brett Favre threw a pass that nobody reading this wants to hear about.

The Vikings found a very good football coach. The defense has taken huge steps forward and could be on the cusp of becoming one of the better units in the league, given a few more pieces.

And the rookie quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, who had to take the reins far earlier than the Vikings had hoped, is getting better and better as the year goes on.

So back to the question on the top of this page: Who's the Vikings' MVP for the 2014 season?

Well, obviously it's not Peterson or Patterson, which we all would have guessed after Week 1. In fact, the top three vote-getters right now would all be from the defense. That's right—the same Minnesota Vikings who finished 31st overall in total defense last year have had their three-best seasons come from players on that side of the ball.

First, you can't give your MVP to your head coach, but Zimmer was probably the most valuable person in the organization this year. During a season derailed by issues off the field and punctuated by idiotic press conferences, Zimmer has been the sanest figure at Winter Park.

He's a football guy through and through, and he refuses to take the company line when talking about his football team. Zimmer's candor is refreshing, and it lends an aura of credibility to a franchise that's lacked it for too long.

His background is defense, and that's where the team has shown the most improvement in his first year. It's the Vikings defense that has the top three team MVP candidates.

Second Runner-Up: Xavier Rhodes, Cornerback

At some point during the 2014 season, the light bulb went off in Rhodes' head. Playing corner in the NFL is never easy for rookies, and Rhodes had his fair share of mistakes last year.

His second season was better from the get-go, but he still needed to find the balance between being physical with receivers and actually being able to stop them from catching passes. 

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Jamming wideouts off the line is one thing, but if it doesn't lead to better coverage, what's the point?

Rhodes made his first career interception against the Chicago Bears in November, and he still has to improve his ball skills to be considered an elite cornerback. As far as shutting down receivers though, Rhodes has been playing as well as anyone in the league over the last month.

Pro Football Focus has given Rhodes the game ball in Minnesota's last two victories, and PFF's Cole Schultz had this to say about him after the win over the New York Jets:

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Xavier Rhodes, CB: +2.7

Breakdown: With a phenomenal day in coverage Rhodes has now strung together four straight games above +2.0. The second-most targeted Viking, Rhodes forced a number of incompletions and allowed just 1 yard after the catch against the Jets’ wide receivers.

Signature Stat: On his five targets, Rhodes gave up two catches (neither moved the chains) for 12 yards, and broke up all three other passes thrown his direction.

Rhodes put on a clinic at cornerback, notching three pass defenses and staking a claim as one of the best young corners in the game.

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Rhodes has been phenomenal of late. His 17 passes defensed rank him in the top five in the NFL, and he's notched eight in just the last three games.

Simply put, Rhodes has come into his own. Of the Vikings' three first-round picks from the 2013 draft, he's the furthest along and the closest to being a star.

First Runner-Up: Everson Griffen, DE

Plenty of eyebrows were raised when the Vikings handed out a five-year, $42.5 million deal to a guy who had one career start under his belt. Give Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman credit—too many GMs in all professional sports are guilty of paying out big bucks for past performance.

Everson Griffen has been worth every penny. Here's a look at how some of the top defensive end free-agent signings have fared in 2014:

	Age	Yrs/$	Tackles	Sacks
Everson Griffen, MN	26	5/42.5	49	12
Michael Bennett, Sea	29	4/28.5	31	6
Michael Johnson, TB	27	5/43	21	3
Lamarr Houston, Chi	27	5/35	8	1
Arthur Jones, Ind	28	5/30	12	.5
Jared Allen, Chi	32	4/32	48	5
Willie Young, Chi	29	3/9	38	8.5

Looking at those numbers, it's hard not to say the Vikings didn't spend their money wisely. 

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Griffen has been a tenacious player and a difference-maker all year long for the Vikings. He uses his rare combination of size, strength and speed to beat offensive linemen in a variety of ways.

He's been consistent all year and has recorded sacks in eight different games with a season high of three against the Buffalo Bills in October.

Griffen is a passionate player and brings an enthusiasm and reckless abandon to Minnesota's defense. He'll be a key building block as Minnesota looks to become a contender over the next few years.

2014 Vikings MVP: Harrison Smith, S

With Adrian Peterson gone to the exempt list, the title for Vikings' best player was up for grabs. It didn't stay that way for long.

Smith iced the Vikings' first win of year over the Rams by picking off a pass and returning it 81 yards for a touchdown, the third pick-six of his career in just his 25th game.

Smith has set the tone all year long for the Vikings defense. He's aggressive against the run and hits like a hammer. He has a number of third-down stops against the run or short passes where he flies in and drills an opponent just short of a first down.

Smith has learned how to play a more-than-adequate center field against the pass as well. That's been a tough adjustment for a player who likes to stay close to the box and help against the run. He's learning to take better angles to the ball and how to keep routes in front of him when that is what's called for.

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Smith leads the team with four interceptions, is second with eight passes defensed, has three sacks and a forced fumble. His 78 total tackles are third on the team. 

It's pretty simple: When the Vikings need a big play on defense, it's usually Smith who comes up with it.

Moving up to draft Smith at the end of the first round in 2012 looks like one of the best moves Spielman has made as the Vikings GM. Still just 25 years old, Smith will be the leader of the Minnesota defense for years to come.

Pro Football Focus had Smith on its All-Pro team through 11 weeks. It's a designation that Smith will be getting a lot over the next decade.

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Free Safety

Starters: Eric Weddle (SD) and Harrison Smith (MIN)

Breakdown: Remember when we could vote for six safeties? Now there are but four votes so expect some people to be left out, especially given the level of play from guys like Smith and Weddle.

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With Smith, Griffen, Rhodes and rookie linebacker Anthony Barr, the Vikings have a young nucleus of talented players to build around on defense.

The future is bright in Minnesota, especially on defense.

Salary information courtesy of Spotrac.com.