Access Vikings morning walkthrough: Rudolph totally redeems himself, two key defenders sit out again and more
Every weekday, we walk you through what’s going on with the Vikings.
WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
— Tight end Kyle Rudolph made up for dropping that would-be touchdown in Oakland by having a career day as a pass-catcher against Green Bay.
— Starting safety Harrison Smith and defensive end Everson Griffen missed practice yesterday for a second straight day. Time to start worrying?
— Running back Adrian Peterson, who had a doozy of a calendar year, was not columnist Patrick Reusse’s Turkey of the Year. So who was?
BEHIND ENEMY LINES
— With kicker Matt Bryant out Sunday, the Falcons signed Shayne Graham.
— The Falcons plan to use the “Peterson Rules” against the NFL’s top back.
— The Falcons offensive linemen are already in the Christmas spirit.
TODAY’S VIKINGS SCHEDULE
The Vikings have practice at 11 a.m. so hopefully they have the tryptophan out of their systems. Coach Mike Zimmer is on the podium at noon.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
The Vikings lost, 30-13, to the Packers last weekend, then the Packers turned around and lost to the Bears last night. Now the Vikings are back in first place for at least a few days. Don’t look now, though, but the Bears are making a run. They have won three of four to get to 5-6 and within a game and a half of the Falcons in the wild-card standings. I don’t think they can charge all the way to the NFC North title and a playoff spot will still be tough to claim. But don’t expect the Bears to be pushovers when they come to TCF Bank Stadium in Week 15.