Which Minnesota Vikings deserve to go to the Pro Bowl this season?
The Star Tribune named six players deserving of the honor:
- Adrian Peterson, running back
- Cordarrelle Patterson, kick returner
- Harrison Smith, free safety
- Linval Joseph, nose tackle
- Anthony Barr, outside linebacker
- Joe Berger, center
Pro Bowl picks will be announced Tuesday night on NFL Network, and Peterson appears to be the only lock the Vikings have to make it. Peterson leads the NFL in rushing with 1,315 yards.
Patterson has been a non-factor on offense but he has two kick return touchdowns and leads the NFL with an average of 31.1 yards per return.
Smith, Joseph and Barr have been among the best at their positions – when they’ve been healthy. But Smith and Joseph have missed the last three games while Barr has missed the last two. All three could return this week.
Barr and Berger, according to Monday Morning Quarterback, are two players deserving of the Pro Bowl but likely to be snubbed Tuesday night.
Adrian Peterson on center Joe Berger: "He is (a Pro Bowler). Coming in and filling the spot and helping glue everything together up front.’’
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) December 22, 2015
Pro Football Focus on Berger:
“He’s our No. 3 center this year; ranked No. 7 in pass protection and first in run blocking. Taking over for an injured John Sullivan, he’s been by far Minnesota’s top offensive lineman and a model of consistency, only grading below average in the first game of the year. He struggled a little in pass protection at Detroit in Week 7, but outside that he’s allowed a mere nine hurries.”
Pro Football Focus on Barr:
“Unlike the others mentioned here, I don’t believe this omission will result from people not knowing how good Barr is; it’ll be more of a quirk in the system that mixes edge rushers with more traditional 4-3 outside ’backers such as Barr. Unfortunately it’s still sacks that get the votes and dropping in coverage on 80% of passes, as Barr does, isn’t helpful in that regard.”
Minnesota went 7-9 last year and failed to have a player voted into the Pro Bowl for the first time since 1983, the Pioneer Press notes.
