The Minnesota Vikings were always supposed to contend in 2016, but the 2015 NFC North champions were considered contenders heading into the year primarily because of young quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and superstar running back Adrian Peterson.
Two weeks into the 2016 season, Bridgewater and Peterson are both injured. The former tore his ACL during a preseason practice and won't play all year; the latter had just 50 rushing yards on 31 carries early this season before suffering a knee injury Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers.
No. 1 overall pick-turned-journeyman Sam Bradford (25 total wins and zero playoff appearances six years into his career) is now the quarterback, and there are clear concerns about the running game regardless of how badly Peterson is hurt.