Minnesota Vikings: 7 Players with the Biggest Contributions in Sunday's Loss

If it wasn't glaringly apparent before Sunday's 24-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the Minnesota Vikings proved yet once again that they are only a 30-minute team.

Unlike the first three games of the season, the Vikings have taken to falling behind big in the first half and then trying to play catch up.

This week, the task was a whole lot tougher without their leader on offense, Adrian Peterson, who sat out after suffering a high ankle sprain against the Oakland Raiders last week.

The Vikings defense started the game strong, forcing the Falcons into a three-and-out. Unfortunately, the Vikings offense, in all too frequent fashion, gave the ball right back with a three-and-out of their own.

Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan then led the Falcons to three scoring drive in four possessions, giving the Falcons a 17-0 halftime lead.  The Vikings would attempt a comeback in the second half with two touchdowns, cutting the lead to 17-14 with 13:13 left in the fourth quarter. 

After an exchange of punts, the Falcons would score on a nine-play touchdown drive, putting the Vikings 10 points down with only 3:59 left.

On the ensuing kickoff, Percy Harvin would make it interesting with a 104-yard kickoff return that would give the Vikings the ball on the three-yard line with a chance to close it within three points. Some questionable play calling, and an Atlanta defense that was keying on the run, gave the Falcons the ball back on the three yard line with 4:16 left in the game. 

The defense was unable to get the ball back again, and the Falcons were able to run out the clock with a nine-play drive, including two third down conversions.

With so many games within the Vikings' reach, excluding the road games at Chicago and Green Bay, it is becoming obvious that Leslie Frazier and his coordinators are over matched. With only five games remaining, they may all be playing for their jobs. 

Despite the horrible season the Vikings are having, there have been a handful of players contributing at a high level.

Here are seven from the loss against the Falcons.

No. 7: Punter Chris Kluwe

It's never a good sign when one of the best contributors is the punter. But when your favorite team falls to 2-9, the pickings can be pretty slim. The problem is, Chris Kluwe has had plenty of practice.

In the battle of field position, Kluwe had seven punts for a 39.6 average, with a long of 51 yards with one downed within the 20-yard line. 

No. 6: Long Snapper Jared Allen

I really would like to be including defensive end Jared Allen in this list.

Unfortunately, Allen has been held without a sack over the past two games against the Raiders and Falcons.

Fortunately for the Vikings, they had Allen the long snapper on Sunday.

After Cullen Loeffler suffered an injury to his back covering a punt, Allen was called upon to take his place.

Allen finished the game with perfect snaps to Chris Kluwe on punts and extra point attempts. He even had a special teams tackle.

Now, if only he can get back on the the pace that was going to eclipse the single-season sack record.

No. 5: Running Back Toby Gerhart

When you get the call to replace the best running back in the league, the expectations may not be very high.

Adrian Peterson has been one of the league's rushing leaders all season. Before Sunday's game against the Falcons, Toby Gerhart had only 24 carries with a 4.9 average.

Against Atlanta, Gerhart had 44 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. His 2.6 yards per average was as much about his ability as it was the play calling.

For some reason, offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave continues to run mostly out of a double tightend set and then brings one of the wide receivers in motion to block. This makes it very easy for the defense to put eight defenders in the box and stuff the run. 

That is exactly what happened on 4th-and-goal from the one yard line with the Vikings trailing 24-14 with 4:22 left in the game.

No. 4: Defensive Tackle Kevin Williams

It's been a difficult season for the five-time First Team All Pro defensive tackle. Opening the season on a two-game suspension and suffering from plantar fasciitis, Kevin Williams has not been quite as effective without the other half of the Williams Wall, Pat Williams.

On Sunday against the Falcons, Williams finished with a sack and a forced fumble and helped limit Falcons running back Michael Turner to 60 yards on 19 carries.

No. 3: Quarterback Christian Ponder

Christian Ponder finished the game 17-for-25 for 186 yards. He completed a critical 4th-and-13 for a 39-yard touchdown to Percy Harvin.

After his three-interception game against the Raiders last week, Ponder protected the ball and finished with a 103 passer rating—the highest single game rating in any Vikings game this season. 

No. 2: Linebacker E.J. Henderson

Linebacker E.J. Henderson entered the Atlanta game with 37 tackles in 10 games. Against the Falcons, he led the Vikings defense with nine tackles.

Henderson needs more games like this to back up the Pro Bowl season he had in 2010 when he finished third on the team with 65 tackles and three interceptions. 

No. 1: Wide Receiver/Running Back/Kick Returner Percy Harvin

In the first half, it sure seemed like Percy Harvin was taking the place of Adrian Peterson. Without Peterson in the lineup, it should have been obvious that Bill Musgrave needed to get the ball in Harvin's hands as frequently as possible.

But yet, there he was, pulling Harvin off on a third down play.

After falling behind 17-0, Musgrave must have figured it out.

Harvin finished the game with eight receptions for 95 yards to lead the Vikings in receiving yards for the third straight game.

He also had 11 rushing yards and a 104-yard kickoff return to finish with 210 combined yards.

Harvin continues to demonstrate that he is the most versatile weapon that Minnesota has on offense and special teams.