Minnesota Vikings Week 15 Stock Report

The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Chicago Bears in Week 15, with an important opportunity to get one step closer to the postseason at stake. 

In fact, the Vikings can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Bears and a bunch of help from other teams. A victory would also push Minnesota closer to locking in a de facto division title game with the Green Bay Packers in Week 17. 

In the following slides, we will examine Minnesota's stock report ahead of Week 15, looking at risers and fallers before the Vikings welcome Chicago on Sunday. 

Rising: QB Teddy Bridgewater

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Yes, Teddy Bridgewater took an unforgivable sack on Minnesota's final play in Arizona, which resulted in a lost opportunity to force overtime and a heartbreaking end to one of his best games in 2015. 

Still, Bridgewater provided some encouraging signs as a passer.

Protected for most of the game, Minnesota's second-year quarterback made quick decisions against a talented secondary and distributed the football to 11 different receivers. Call it game-managing or anything you'd like, but Bridgewater routinely found the open man and let his receivers make plays after the catch.

The result was 17 first downs via the pass and 335 passing yards, a career high for Bridgewater.

The Vikings will stay competitive on offense—regardless of opponent—if last Thursday night's formula of quick passing can consistently complement Adrian Peterson and the running game. Bridgewater needs to build on that performance against Chicago.  

Falling: CB Captain Munnerlyn

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According to Pro Football Focus, Munnerlyn allowed six catches for 83 yards against the Cardinals last Thursday night. 

The volume numbers aren't all that concerning. Cornerbacks get beaten from time to time. Munnerlyn is on this list as a faller because he all but gave up on a play that resulted in a touchdown. 

In the first quarter, Cardinals receiver John Brown found some room against Munnerlyn after Carson Palmer bought some time. Brown made the uncontested catch and sprinted up the sideline for a 65-yard score, leaving Munnerlyn and his weak attempt at a tackle in the dust. 

Brown is as fast as they come, but you'd expect a better effort from a veteran like Munnerlyn. He'll need to be better Sunday. So will the rest of his cornerback brethren. Xavier Rhodes (dropped a pick-six) and rookie Trae Waynes (allowed a touchdown) were far from perfect in Arizona. 

Rising: Kyle Rudolph/Mike Wallace

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Kyle Rudolph is heating up at the right time. He caught six passes for 67 yards against Arizona, marking the third time in the last four games that he's produced at least six catches. 

Consider this: Rudolph had 23 receptions for 195 yards over his first nine games. Over the last four? He has 22 for 226.

Meanwhile, Mike Wallace—he of four catches over his previous six games—finally showed some signs of life. He caught three passes for 43 yards against the Cardinals, including a 23-yard reception and a seven-yard touchdown that tied the game in the fourth quarter.

Defenses are focusing on Adrian Peterson and attempting to take away Stefon Diggs in the passing game. Keeping Rudolph and Wallace active and involved will be important for the Vikings offense to move forward over the final three games and into the postseason. 

Falling: LT Matt Kalil

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Look, Matt Kalil wasn't responsible for the final call in Arizona. He didn't request a play that needed a seven-step drop, and he had no say in a route combination that asked for two players to the left of the offense to come all the way across the field, causing his quarterback to wait and wait and wait. 

Offensive coordinator Norv Turner called the play. He put his players in a poor position. 

But the final play wouldn't have resulted in a Vikings loss if Kalil just did his job. 

Veteran Dwight Freeney abused Minnesota's left tackle, using his patented spin move to leave Kalil on the ground while he raced around the corner and stripped the football from Teddy Bridgewater's hands.

The Vikings left him alone on an island against a 35-year-old who didn't have a job in the NFL before October. Maybe that was a mistake. Minnesota often double-teamed Freeney during the final drive, using the guard to wash him away when he attempted the spin. Kalil should have seen it coming. He didn't, and it cost the Vikings a chance to tie the game. 

Rising: Role Players on Offense

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Of Teddy Bridgewater's 335 passing yards, 146 of them were produced by players not named Mike Wallace, Stefon Diggs, Kyle Rudolph, Jarius Wright or Adrian Peterson. 

Tight end Rhett Ellison rumbled for 41 yards off a screen play. Zach Line broke several tackles on his way to 24 yards and a first down. Running back Matt Asiata caught two passes for 30 yards, including a 22-yard catch and run on third down. Of rookie tight end MyCole Pruitt's two catches, one gained 32 on a deep corner route. Running back Jerrick McKinnon moved the sticks with a third-down catch, and receiver Adam Thielen had one reception for seven yards. 

The Vikings are capable of creating opportunities for a host of players in the passing game. With no dominant receiving threat, it's smart business for Minnesota to spread the ball around. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater need to continue the trend Sunday.