2017 NFL Power Rankings: Los Angeles Rams Enter Offseason Near Bottom

20. Minnesota Vikings

As if falling short of the playoffs wasn’t already frustrating enough, the Minnesota Vikings basically gave up a first-round pick in this year’s draft for nothing. The original plan for the Vikings was to have Sam Bradford help this team remain strong contenders in the NFC after Teddy Bridgewater went down, but that unfortunately never happened thanks to key injuries on both sides of the football.

Obviously, Bradford can’t receive all of the blame for how this year turned out in Minnesota, but it’s tough for the team not to feel frustrated over a wasted opportunity, especially after beginning the season with a 5-0 record. The Vikings seemed to be an absolute lock for the playoffs following their impressive start, but nothing was the same after their first loss of the year to Bradford’s former team in the Philadelphia Eagles.

Whether Bridgewater will be able to return in 2017 is still up in the air, but even if he does come back, there’s no guarantee the quarterback will be as effective. Not to mention there’s been plenty of rumors heating up about where Adrian Pederson will end up playing next year after the running back was limited to playing in just three games during the 2016 season.