Minnesota Vikings: Midseason Award Winners
Team MVP
ADAM THIELEN
Finally, Adam Thielen walks away with two awards at the midway point of the season. As much I want to credit other players, it only makes sense to pick between the Offensive and Defensive MVPs. In turn, Thielen gets the Team MVP honors considering an offense without him is in worse shape than a defense without Griffen. Simply, the defense is just deeper overall than the offense, although both have performed extremely well this season.
Since we already covered Thielen’s value to the team, let’s take time to acknowledge another candidate that I strongly considered being the Team MVP… Case Keenum.
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In the end, it just didn’t make sense giving the award to him over the Offensive MVP, but he’s a major reason the Vikings are first-place in the NFC North at 6-2. Filling in for Sam Bradford, Keenum has been efficient and safe with the football. Essentially, he’s done all he needs to do to win games for the Vikings.
On the year, he’s completed 63.9 percent of passes for 1,610 yards along with seven touchdowns, three interceptions and an 88.8 passer rating. Those numbers put him in the middle of the pack among quarterbacks, but that’s all you can ask for from a backup quarterback. Most importantly, he’s leading the team to victories.
Like I said, it just wasn’t enough to win the Team MVP over Thielen, but he deserves credit and recognition for a great first half of the season.
Strongly considered: Case Keenum, Everson Griffen, Harrison Smith, Jerick McKinnon
Next: What should the Vikings do at quarterback?
That’s it for the first half team awards! Check back with Sporting Sota for more Minnesota Vikings news throughout the season! Skol Vikes!