Minnesota Vikings: 4 Players Who Need to Step Up in Week 12

The Minnesota Vikings are 2-10 heading into a Week 12 matchup in Atlanta with Falcons.

The Vikings' last win came over the Carolina Panthers in Week 8 before their bye.  Coming off the bye, the Vikings are 0-2, following a close 27-21 loss to the Oakland Raiders last week at home and a 45-7 routing by the Packers in Week 10 at Lambeau.

The Vikings have been on the cusp of wins all season, with six of their losses being by seven points or fewer, but they have simply not been able to get the job done.

Here are a few players who are going to have to step up in Week 12 if the Vikings hope to get a win in Atlanta.

Toby Gerhart

Last week during the Vikings lost to the Oakland Raiders, Minnesota lost star running back Adrian Peterson in the second quarter to a high ankle sprain.

Peterson, who is responsible for the bulk of the team's scoring and offensive production this season, was still in a walking boot as of Wednesday's practice.  

If Peterson does not practice within the next two days, coach Leslie Frazier says the running back will not play.

If this is the case, the team will be forced to rely heavily on Peterson's backup, Toby Gerhart.

Gerhart, who came to the Vikings with high expectations as a second-round pick in 2010, has yet to show a lot of production so far in his career.

In relief of Peterson on Sunday, Gerhart rushed six times for 26 yards.

So far this season, Gerhart has handled just 24 carries for 118 yards and no touchdowns.

If Peterson cannot play, this could be Gerhart's big break to prove if he is really worth his draft pick. 

Christian Ponder

Vikings rookie quarterback Christian Ponder is going to have to tighten his game up if he is going to lead Minnesota to any more wins this season.

Last week against the Raiders, Ponder's turnovers could have been the difference in the game, as he threw three costly picks.  

Ponder's first pick came in the second quarter, with the Vikings on Oakland's 21 yard line.  Leading 7-3, the Vikings were poised to score again, but Ponder threw a pick which Oakland capitalized on in their next possession with a touchdown.

Ponder's second pick came in the third quarter with the Vikings trailing Oakland 24-7.  After the Vikings defense sent the Raiders off the field on a three and out, Ponder and the offense took over.  

However, on the first play of the drive Ponder was once again intercepted, and this time, the Raiders capitalized on the turnover with a field goal.

Ponder's final interception came during the fourth quarter in the midst of the Vikings comeback.  With Minnesota in scoring position on Oakland's five yard line, Ponder threw a pick to a defender standing in the end zone.

The pick, which could have been very costly, didn't end up hurting as bad, as the Raiders fumbled on the ensuing possession, giving the Vikings the ball back.

Regardless, this kind of play will not win close games.

Hopefully, Christian Ponder has gotten a good look at the film and can improve on his mistakes this week.

Asher Allen

With Antoine Winfield out for the season due to a collarbone injury and Chris Cook still battling legal problems, the Vikings are without two of the best members of their secondary.

Winfield in particular was a huge hit to the already struggling unit.  In the absence of Winfield, young guys such as Asher Allen are going to be expected to finally step up.

Allen hasn't been terrible, but he seems to always be the player getting beaten for a big play.  In Allen's defense, he is often matched up against the opposing team's top receiver, but regardless, the guy cannot continue to get exposed for huge yardage time and time again.

Charlie Johnson

For the love of football, can Vikings' left tackle Charlie Johnson please block somebody?  The left tackle has been a sorry excuse for the Vikings quarterbacks' blind sides all season. Not to mention he was called for a false start on the first play of the last game.

Christian Ponder has been sacked eight times in the last two games, which doesn't exactly make his job easy.  With 30 sacks allowed this season, just five teams rank below the Vikings in that category.

The VIkings offensive line, starting with Johnson, has to do a better job at buying Ponder time.