Full Minnesota Vikings Midseason Awards
If the season ended today, the Minnesota Vikings would qualify for the postseason as one of the NFC's two wild-card teams. Mike Zimmer's club has won three straight games and five of the last six, giving the Vikings a 5-2 record after eight weeks.
Minnesota is now just one game behind the division-leading Green Bay Packers as the NFL season approaches its midway point.
In the following slides, we will hand out some midseason awards for the surging Vikings. You can view the team's quarter-season awards here.
MVP, Offense: RB Adrian Peterson
1 of 7
There was a strong urge to pick receiver Stefon Diggs here, especially after the ascending rookie capped off his phenomenal four-game start by bailing out the Vikings in Chicago. But we have to consider all seven games when handing out this award, and running back Adrian Peterson has been more valuable to the Vikings offense since the start of the 2015 season.
His 663 rushing yards and 90.4 rushing yards per game both rank third in the NFL. Peterson is also one of just six running backs to rush for at least 100 yards in three games this season. He's had some clunkers—including a 31-yard game in Week 1 and a 26-carry, 60-yard performance against the Kansas City Chiefs—but he's also produced five games with at least 80 rushing yards, three runs over 40 yards and three scores.
Most importantly, the Vikings are 3-0 when Peterson rushes for 100 yards.
The 30-year-old running back is currently on pace to rush for almost 1,500 yards and catch over 30 passes. The Vikings would take those numbers every day and twice on Sunday. He has dealt with some ball-security issues (three fumbles), and he's not athletically identical to his peak days, but Peterson is still a very good player capable of carrying an offense. Minnesota wouldn't be 5-2 without him.
MVP, Defense: S Harrison Smith
2 of 7
Linebacker Anthony Barr just edged out Smith for this distinction at the quarter pole, but the Vikings' veteran safety has since made the jump to the top spot.
Through seven games, Smith leads the team in tackles with 44. He also has an interception of Peyton Manning, a forced fumble on Theo Riddick and a sack of Matthew Stafford. A complete player, Smith is the glue that holds Mike Zimmer's defense together.
Advanced analytics love Smith's game in 2015. The Notre Dame product has graded out as the top safety at Pro Football Focus this season, and he's one of only two safeties with green grades against the run, covering the pass and rushing the quarterback.
Barr and his ability to do so many things in the front seven remains a big part of the Vikings defense. Smith has just been the better player.
MVP, Special Teams: Marcus Sherels
3 of 7
Marcus Sherels continues to be the driving force of the Vikings special teams.
His 207 punt return yards and 11.5 yards-per-return average both rank fifth in the NFL. He returned his third career touchdown against the Bears on Sunday, setting a new franchise record. Also a gunner on coverage units, his four tackles on special teams lead the Vikings through seven games.
Sherels' top competition for the award was kicker Blair Walsh, who has made 13 straight kicks, including Sunday's game-winner in Chicago. But it wasn't much of a race. Based on his first seven games, Sherels has Pro Bowl potential as a special teams player.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Best Rookie, Offense: WR Stefon Diggs
4 of 7
It's unfolding just as we all expected: Vikings fifth-round pick Stefon Diggs, the 20th receiver taken in the 2015 draft, represents the only player capable of eclipsing fifth overall pick Amari Cooper as the top pass-catcher in the rookie class.
All sarcasm aside, Diggs has been nothing short of superlative.
Over his first four NFL games, the former Maryland star has 25 catches for 419 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper has 38 receptions, 565 yards and three scores, but his numbers have come over seven games.
Diggs has provided big play after big play for the Vikings offense. Of his 25 catches, 10 have gained 20 or more yards. His first career catch of 40 or more yards came on Sunday, when he scored the game-tying touchdown against the Bears.
Only three players are averaging more receiving yards per game than Diggs (104.8) this season: Alshon Jeffery (113.7), Julio Jones (111.5) and DeAndre Hopkins (108.8). The Vikings have found a star. How was Diggs ever inactive for three games to start this season?
Best Rookie, Defense: LB Eric Kendricks
5 of 7
The NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month for October is also Minnesota's obvious choice for top rookie defender.
A second-round pick, Kendricks has already emerged as a full-time player for head coach Mike Zimmer. In fact, he played so well early on that the Vikings were comfortable trading away veteran starter Gerald Hodges to make room for No. 54.
Kendricks is the present and future, and it's easy to see why. The former UCLA standout can make plays sideline-to-sideline, and he's a big factor in Zimmer's blitz schemes. Through seven games, Kendricks has 42 tackles and four sacks.
Some teams have confused in coverage, but no rookie linebacker is perfect. Kendricks fits perfectly into what the Vikings are doing on defense. He could be Zimmer's starter in the middle for a long, long time.
Most Improved Player: LT Matt Kalil
6 of 7
According to Pro Football Focus, left tackle Matt Kalil had already given up eight sacks and 19 other quarterback disruptions through seven games last season. He ended up allowing 12 sacks and 43 disruptions during a disaster of a year manning Teddy Bridgewater's blind side.
In 2015, Kalil has only been responsible for two sacks and 16 disruptions. The bar for improvement was set low, but the Vikings left tackle has certainly taken steps in the right direction to start this season. The former No. 4 overall pick has fared well in pass protection despite facing a litany of top pass-rushers, and he continues to be an asset in the run game.
Minnesota's decimated offensive line could have been in big trouble had Kalil's struggles from 2014 spilled over into this season. He's been a steadying presence on the left side. Kalil isn't playing at a Pro Bowl level, but his improvement has helped save the Vikings from disaster up front.
Biggest Underachiever: Xavier Rhodes/Cordarrelle Patterson/Kyle Rudolph
7 of 7
The Vikings have a few notable players who are underachieving, just at different levels.
Cornerback Xavier Rhodes looked ready to jump into elite cover status in 2015, but according to Pro Football Focus, he's fallen well short of those expectations. The third-year defensive back has allowed five touchdown passes and an opposing passer rating of 117.9. He's also committed 10 penalties, making him one of just two NFL defensive players with double-digit infractions this season.
Finally healthy and in a system friendly to his position, tight end Kyle Rudolph should be enjoying a breakout season. It hasn't happened. He has three touchdown receptions, but he's also on pace for less than 400 receiving yards.
Then there's Cordarrelle Patterson, who entered a make-or-break season. The former first-round pick is now nothing more than a run-blocking receiver, average kick returner and borderline active roster selection. Patterson has shown next to no development as a receiver, and seemingly every game he's tackled before the 20-yard line while taking a deep kickoff out of the end zone.
Also, big offseason acquisition Mike Wallace has just one reception over 20 yards. He's on pace for less than 700 yards.
Underachieving can come in varying levels. The Vikings have a good choice for each one so far in 2015.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
