5 Reasons Why the Vikings Won’t Win the Super Bowl

5 Reasons the Minnesota Vikings Won't Win Super Bowl 50

The Minnesota Vikings have made great progress in Mike Zimmer's second season as head coach, with 11 regular season wins and a NFC North title for the first time since 2009. The Vikings are playing well enough at the right time, but here are five reasons they won't win Super Bowl 50.

5 Reasons the Minnesota Vikings Won't Win Super Bowl 50

The Minnesota Vikings have made great progress in Mike Zimmer's second season as head coach, with 11 regular season wins and a NFC North title for the first time since 2009. The Vikings are playing well enough at the right time, but here are five reasons they won't win Super Bowl 50.

5. Rhett Ellison's Injury

People outside Minnesota are not keenly aware of Ellison, but his blocking prowess as a tight end/fullback hybrid has helped cover up a rookie right tackle and a regularly overmatched offensive line this year. A torn patella tendon in Week 17 has ended Ellison's season, and his absence is a big step toward ending the Vikings' chances for a deep playoff run.

5. Rhett Ellison's Injury

People outside Minnesota are not keenly aware of Ellison, but his blocking prowess as a tight end/fullback hybrid has helped cover up a rookie right tackle and a regularly overmatched offensive line this year. A torn patella tendon in Week 17 has ended Ellison's season, and his absence is a big step toward ending the Vikings' chances for a deep playoff run.

4. Wide Receiver Production

Stefon Diggs has had an unexpectedly good rookie season, and others have had some good moments, but the Vikings have lacked consistent production from their wide receivers. Some of that is a function of play calling and Teddy Bridgewater's inconsistencies, but the lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver will hurt Minnesota during the playoffs.

4. Wide Receiver Production

Stefon Diggs has had an unexpectedly good rookie season, and others have had some good moments, but the Vikings have lacked consistent production from their wide receivers. Some of that is a function of play calling and Teddy Bridgewater's inconsistencies, but the lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver will hurt Minnesota during the playoffs.

3. Blair Walsh

A bad preseason gave way to an up-and-down regular season for Walsh, as he missed four extra points and two of his five missed field goals came from less than 40 yards out. Winning playoff games often comes down to clutch kicks, and Walsh's ability to set aside the pressure of those situations and come through is a big question.

3. Blair Walsh

A bad preseason gave way to an up-and-down regular season for Walsh, as he missed four extra points and two of his five missed field goals came from less than 40 yards out. Winning playoff games often comes down to clutch kicks, and Walsh's ability to set aside the pressure of those situations and come through is a big question.

2. Teddy Bridgewater

Bridgewater has mostly done what has been asked of him on the way to a division title, completing over 65 percent of his passes with just nine interceptions in 447 pass attempts. But he'll need to go beyond efficient, to being functional enough to carry the offense at times during the playoffs, and I don't see Bridgewater being up to the task as he finishes his second season.

2. Teddy Bridgewater

Bridgewater has mostly done what has been asked of him on the way to a division title, completing over 65 percent of his passes with just nine interceptions in 447 pass attempts. But he'll need to go beyond efficient, to being functional enough to carry the offense at times during the playoffs, and I don't see Bridgewater being up to the task as he finishes his second season.

1. Offensive Line

The Vikings offensive line has struggled in pass protection all season, allowing 45 sacks (tied for eighth-most in the league) with center John Sullivan and right tackle Phil Loadholt out all season. A Wild Card round matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, with potential matchups against the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers after that, will prove too much for an overmatched offensive line.

1. Offensive Line

The Vikings offensive line has struggled in pass protection all season, allowing 45 sacks (tied for eighth-most in the league) with center John Sullivan and right tackle Phil Loadholt out all season. A Wild Card round matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, with potential matchups against the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers after that, will prove too much for an overmatched offensive line.