Minnesota Vikings: Week 16 Grading Every Unit

In so many ways, this season has been frustrating for Minnesota Vikings fans. With the hopes of a turnaround long gone, and the possibility of securing the top pick in next year's draft within their grasp, to some, the Vikings failed once again.

With a 33-26 victory over the Redskins in Washington, the site of his first victory as the Vikings head coach, Leslie Frazier has at least assured that the 2011 Vikings can only match the worst record in franchise history. 

The victory was made even more improbable with the fact that the team lost Adrian Peterson and Christian Ponder on consecutive plays to start the third quarter. For Peterson, the news was about as bad it could be—both the ACL and MCL were torn when safety DeJon Gomes hit Peterson's knee with his helmet.

Christian Ponder suffered a concussion on the next play while scrambling in the pocket, as linebacker London Fletcher laid a helmet-to-helmet hit on the rookie QB. He would finish the three-and-out series and not return.

Enter backup quarterback/wide receiver Joe Webb.

All Webb did was to lead the Vikings to three touchdown drives in the second half, overcoming a Redskins lead twice and breaking a tie the third time. For good measure, Webb led the Vikings to a fourth scoring drive that resulted in a Ryan Longwell field goal, and a 10-point lead with 3:27 left in the game.

It gave the Vikings their third win of the season, and may have opened up a potential quarterback controversy in Minnesota.

With one game remaining, the Vikings should have an eventful offseason as they attempt to address so many needs in their lineup.

I'll attempt to relish this win as much as possible—the next one could be a long time coming.

Here's my grades for each unit following the unfortunate victory in Week 16.

Defensive Backfield

Something had to give. The Minnesota Vikings entered the game with the fewest interceptions in the NFL, facing the quarterback with the most interceptions thrown.

On the bright side, the Vikings' defensive backfield ended a nine-game stretch without an interception, when backup rookie safety Mistral Raymond intercepted Rex Grossman with 7:42 left in the fourth quarter.

The problem is, Grossman gave them at least four opportunities.

I guess there's a reason these guys are on the defensive side of the ball—they are incapable of catching a football.

They still yielded 284 passing yards to Grossman, the most since Week 8, excluding the games against the Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees.

Grade: C

Linebackers

The Minnesota Vikings linebackers have been consistent all season—consistently mediocre.

While E.J. Henderson led the Vikings with 11 tackles against Washington, there were no interceptions or sacks from the linebackers, once again.

Sure, in order to earn a sack, more blitzing will need to be done, but the linebackers only have three of 43 sacks for the Vikings this season. 

Rookie running back Evan Royster ran for 132 yards on only 19 carries, and while some of this falls on the defensive line, the linebackers need to step up and make a play. 

Grade: C-. Just above passing.

Defensive Line

The strength of the Vikings defense lies in their front four.

Unfortunately, for most of the season, half of them have gone unnoticed.

In Sunday's victory over the Redskins, three of the four starting defensive linemen recorded a sack of Washington quarterback Rex Grossman.

Jared Allen leads the NFL with 18.5 sacks. He needs only 1.5 sacks in the final game of the season to tie the Vikings' all-time single-season mark held by Chris Doleman.

Brian Robison, who is second on the team with seven sacks, completed the trifecta on Sunday. In the first quarter, Robison recorded a sack when he knocked the ball out of Grossman's hand and then recovered the fumble.

Kevin Williams, who has been suffering from plantar fasciitis all season, completed the sack parade with his fourth sack of the season.

Even with three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, the grade suffers slightly because of the 140 rushing yards allowed.

Grade: B

Offensive Line

Along with the defensive backfield, the Vikings offensive line is an area of concern.

Age and injury has required some shifting in the starting five.

Against the Redskins line, they only allowed two sacks, but one of them was costly when it knocked Christian Ponder out of the game after suffering a concussion.

Since it is the season of giving, the second was a gift, when quarterback Joe Webb, with no intention of throwing the football, fell to the ground with 1:11 left in the game, taking the sack and forcing the Redskins to use a timeout.

The offensive line did a great job run-blocking. The offense ran for 241 yards on 38 carries for a 6.3 average.

The biggest play came on the first running play after losing Adrian Peterson.

Following a Redskin drive that gave them a 13-10 lead in the third quarter, backup running back Toby Gerhart ran through a gaping hole for a 67-yard run—eclipsing Joe Webb's 65-yard run against the Lions for the Vikings' longest run of the season.

With a backup quarterback and running back, the offensive line stepped up against the Redskins.

Grade: A

Receivers

The Vikings receivers didn't have many opportunities to shine against the Redskins, with only 18 passes thrown in the game.

The Vikings still need another wide receiver to step up and complement the efforts of Percy Harvin. Once again, Harvin led Vikings receivers with five catches for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Rookie tight end Kyle Rudolph continues to demonstrate his ability to make the plays in the red zone. On a beautifully thrown ball from backup quarterback Joe Webb, Rudolph made an over-the-shoulder catch deep in the end zone to score a touchdown.

Five different receivers caught a ball against the Redskins. If not for another dropped ball by tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, it would have been at least six.

Making the most of the limited opportunities against the Redskins helps to raise the grade in Week 16.

Grade: B+

Running Backs

With the devastating injury to Adrian Peterson on Sunday, second-year running back Toby Gerhart will be carrying the bulk of the rushing load for the Vikings well into the 2012 season. 

Before suffering a torn ACL and MCL on Sunday, Peterson had rushed for only 35 yards on 11 carries—a lowly 3.2 yards per carry, and scored his 12th rushing touchdown of the season.

In relief of Peterson, Gerhart rushed for 109 yards on 11 carries, including the 67-yard run on the first rushing play after Peterson's injury.

Percy Harvin added 39 yards on four attempts. If you include quarterback Joe Webb's five rushes for another 34 yards and a touchdown, the Vikings' running game appears to be in good hands. 

The 241 rushing yards against the Redskins represents the highest rushing total on the season.

The fact that Gerhart was run down on his 67-yard run preventing him from scoring brings down the grade slightly.

Grade: A-

Quarterbacks

Let the controversy begin!

Saturday was only the third game since Christian Ponder took over in Week 7 that Vikings quarterbacks did not throw an interception.

On the afternoon, Ponder and Joe Webb combined for 12-of-17 for 152 yards and two touchdowns, a 137.4 passer rating.

Webb was the more efficient of the two, completing 4-of-5 for 84 yards and two touchdowns. 

After taking over for Ponder, who was knocked out of the game with a concussion, Webb led the Vikings to four scoring drives, including a nine-yard touchdown run on his first drive in the third quarter. 

Leslie Frazier will have a tough decision to make if Ponder is cleared to return to start the final game of the season against the Bears. 

After bringing the Vikings back twice in the second half and leading the team to a victory that prevents them from owning the worst record in franchise history, the quarterback play was very good.

Grade: A