Minnesota Vikings: 5 Players Who Need to Step It Up

The biggest problem with the Minnesota Vikings this season has been the fact that they have been so close. So close to being 3-1 or even 4-0, if the Vikings could have made just one big play in each game.

The team has played exceptionally well in the first half this season. In the first 30 minutes of the four games this season, the offense has scored 51 points, while the defense has allowed only 16. The problem has come in the final two quarters, where the offense has been anemic with only 16 points. The defense has been even worse, allowing 80 points in the second half of games this season—when you give up an average of 14 more points than you score in the second half, it's very difficult to win a game.

The problem through the first three weeks of the season was that the Vikings kept going into the locker room with larger and larger leads each week, making fans believe that this would be the week they win.

If the Vikings would have opened the season 0-4 without ever leading in a game, then the expectations might not have been so high. We could have chalked this season up as a rebuilding year while we wait for Christian Ponder to take over.

The Vikings appear to be just on the brink of becoming a winning team. But if that is to happen, some of their veteran players need to step up and make a play that either wins or preserves the game for the Vikings.

Here are five players who need to raise the level of their game.  

Cornerback Chris Cook

Injuries to both knees last season limited Chris Cook to six games, preventing him from performing to his potential last season.

The Vikings' second-round draft choice in 2010 needs to step up and play. Cook, along with the rest of the defensive backfield, needs to come up with a big play to shut down the opposing offense.

In four games, the Vikings defense has only three interceptions, and one of those belongs to defensive end Jared Allen.

With only the three interceptions, and no fumble recoveries, the Vikings rank 28th in the league in take-aways.  

Linebacker Chad Greenway

Since Chad Greenway broke into the starting lineup for the Vikings defense, no other player has recorded more tackles. His 367 tackles are 100 more than fellow linebacker E.J. Henderson, and 82 more than Antoine Winfield, the next closest defender to Greenway.

After the Vikings used their franchise player tag on Greenway to retain his services for the 2011 season, he signed a five-year contract worth $41 million that will pay him $5.5 million this season.

If Greenway is going to be paid Ray Lewis-type money, he not only needs to lead the defense in tackles, but needs to take his game to the next level and become a force that can change the tempo of the game and frequently make a play that turns the momentum to the Vikings offense.

In four years, Greenway has five interceptions and eight fumble recoveries. He needs to finish the season with over 100 tackles, add a couple of sacks, a couple of interceptions and a handful of forced fumbles. 

Running Back Adrian Peterson

Like linebacker Chad Greenway, Adrian Peterson signed a lucrative contract extension this year.

The day before the season opened, Peterson signed a seven-year, $96 million contract that will pay him $8.25 million this season. 

While Peterson is currently third in the NFL with 376 rushing yards after four games, he needs to dominate on the field, especially when a team loads the box in order to stop him. 

In the week leading up to the Chiefs game, Peterson's father was critical of the lack of carries for his son. He pointed out that Peterson only had five carries in the second half against the Lions. 

When the Vikings needed Peterson to step it up in the second half against Kansas City, he gained only gain 36 yards on 12 carries—and only one of these runs resulted in a first down. His longest run in the final 30 minutes was only six yards.

Peterson needs to combine the best of his 2008 and 2009 seasons. In 2008, he led the NFL with 1,760 rushing yards, and in 2009 led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns.

Tight End Visanthe Shiancoe

If Visanthe Shiancoe wants to attribute his poor performance in 2010, when he caught only two touchdowns, to the awful season that Brett Favre had, then he will need to contribute like he did in 2009 when he led the Vikings in touchdown receptions.   

That season, Shiancoe had career highs with 56 catches and 11 touchdowns.

In a possible glimpse of things to come, Shiancoe led the Vikings with six receptions against the Chiefs.  

Defensive Tackle Kevin Williams

The remaining half of the "Williams Wall," defensive tackle Kevin Williams, needs to prove that he can still dominate without Pat Williams at his side.

After serving a two-game suspension to open the season, Williams returned to the starting lineup against the Lions in Week 3.

Diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, Williams' effectiveness will likely be affected for the entire season.

If the Vikings are to have any success stopping the run this season, Williams needs to be able to contribute to the level that earned him six Pro Bowls and five First-Team All-Pro selections over the past seven seasons.

A Target Too Easy to Include: Wide Receiver Bernard Berrian

So much has been written about the disappointing season that Bernard Berrian is having.

With only two catches for 37 yards in four games, all I have to say is: stop tweeting, put down the phone and work on getting open!