Wednesday 5 October 2016 11:19, UK
One of the biggest surprises this season has been the Minnesota Vikings and their sustained play-off push despite losing Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson to injuries.
Bridgewater suffered a dislocated left knee and torn ACL during a non-contact training session, ruling him out and immediately raising questions about his ability to recover from such a serious injury.
The Vikings traded for Sam Bradford with just days to go until the season opener, but the quarterback has held his own in head coach Mike Zimmer's offence, growing with confidence and leading the team to a 4-0 start.
Peterson went down in Week 2 with a torn meniscus in his right knee and the Vikings immediately placed him on injured reserve, ruling the running back out until at least mid-November.
On 'Inside the Huddle', Jeff Reinebold broke down the reason for Minnesota's early success, attributing improved performances to the inclusivity of the team.
"Nine different receivers caught the ball on Sunday. That's using all of your roster and that's what good football teams do," Reinebold said.
"When you're using everybody, all the players feel a part of it. Those backside routes become crisper, the vertical routes become faster."
Peterson has been the centre piece of the Vikings' attack since he was drafted in 2007, but Reinebold believes that the reliance on Peterson may have held the team back. The injury has led to increased touches for running backs Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon, who both scored touchdowns in the Vikings' 24-10 win over the New York Giants on Monday, as well as wide receiver Stefon Diggs and tight end Kyle Rudolph.
"It sounds crazy but you can lose a superstar and become a better football team, because guys believe they're more than just a decoy, or to block for Peterson," Reinebold said.
"I think that's what happened with the Vikings. They're no longer dependent on one guy. Now they're running back by committee and nine receivers touching the ball. That's the mark of a team that gets it."
The Vikings play the Houston Texans on Sunday October 9, from 5:30pm on Sky Sports 2.
