Minnesota Vikings: Bye Week Pondering during Week 6
By Ryan Palmer
There is only one thing on the planet that could stop the Minnesota Vikings from rolling over another opponent this weekend, welcome to the NFL bye week.
The Minnesota Vikings will not be on the gridiron this Sunday. I tend to have a love/hate feeling regarding the bye. I understand that our favorite team needs some rest, but I just don’t want the action to end. At 5-0, let’s keep this streak going!
With no Viking’ football to watch, here are some thoughts to mull over while watching the Packers lose to the Cowboys.
Is Sam Bradford better than Aaron Rodgers
The correct answer is yes, in 2016 anyway.
| 2016 Stats | Comp % | Yards | TD’s | INT | |
| Bradford | 70.4 | 990 | 6 | 0 | |
| Rodgers | 56.1 | 876 | 9 | 3 |
Nobody would have guessed that Sam Bradford would be a favorite for MVP heading into mid-season, but here we are. Bradford has become the leader of an offense that had no identity after losing Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson.
The Vikings are spreading the field with three wideouts 54 percent of the time, and Bradford is getting everyone involved. If the offensive line can hold up and find a way for the next ten games, the Minnesota Vikings will be a No. 1 seed for the playoffs. Home-field advantage at U.S. Bank Stadium throughout the postseason, yes please.
U.S. Bank Stadium is the ultimate advantage
It feels almost better than advertised. For the fans, it is truly state-of-the-art; need directions to the stadium, directions to your seat, order food, or find the nearest bathroom, there is an app for that. It is an experience beyond the game.
If the Vikings keep winning, their fans may break the 142.2 decibel record set in 2014 at Gillette Stadium. There is no louder venue in the NFL at the moment. Alex Boone had to politely ask the home crowd to quite down while the Vikings are on offense, Viking’ fever is rampant in Minneapolis.
Xavier Rhodes has arrived
Since Week 10 of last season, no cornerback has played better than Xavier Rhodes. Rhodes has blossomed into one of the best shutdown corners in football. The man made Odell Beckham Jr. almost lose his marbles on live television. Rhodes also gobbled up one of the NFL’s best in DeAndre Hopkins last week. Carson Wentz has no idea what is coming for him in Week 7.
Mike Zimmer is the Coach of the Year
Go ahead and crown him, Mike Zimmer will win the award. He has this team believing in something bigger, and they are on pace to achieve another NFC North title. Zimmer’s defensive pedigree is shining in 2016. His defense has been compared to the 85′ Bears, and at every level they have players that can change a game.
Winter is coming, who do you want leading the North?
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How good can this defense become
Even after losing to the Colts, some claim that the Denver Broncos defense is still considered one of the best, really ESPN analysts? Sacks, takeaways, plus/minus ratio, interceptions, third down percentage, ppg, the Minnesota Vikings are leading, or close to leading, almost every category. No defense has been more dominating in 2016 than Zimmer’s.
They are off to a historically great start, and they could get even better. The bye week has come at a great time for players like Sharrif Floyd. Floyd had surgery on his knee, and the former first-rounder could return to action after the break.
Next: Minnesota Vikings: Greatest All-Time Offense
The 2016 Vikings have a knack for turning disasters into motivation. Through excellent depth and free agency, the Minnesota Vikings are making the most out of what they have left. The bye gives Viking’ nation a chance to catch our breath and enjoy this early season success.