Sunday's 37-35 loss, coming on a blocked punt for a safety in the final minute, stopped the Minnesota Vikings from possibly reaching .500 this season and was as disappointing a loss as the team has faced all season.
The reaction from fans is clear too, they are looking ahead to next season.
Here's what's on your mind this week:
Question: Will you get better offense linemen to protect the quarterback? -- Bob, Menomonie wi
Answer: Well Bob, unfortunately I don't own the team. Kidding aside, I think there will be possible changes along the offensive line heading into next season. First, Brandon Fusco and Phil Loadholt will return to steady the right side of the line.
The most likely change would be at left guard. Charlie Johnson could be in his final season with the Vikings. He has one more year remaining on his contract, which will be a $2.5 million salary cap hit next season. If Minnesota makes a change, I believe it will come at left guard.
Maybe rookie David Yankey will have improved enough to challenge for the spot. The Vikings have wanted Yankey to get stronger and he'll have a full offseason to work.
I know fans don't want to hear it, but I expect Matt Kalil to be back at left tackle next season. He's the former No. 4 overall draft pick and still has one year remaining on his contract, plus an option for an additional season. The Vikings will want to see if he can get back to the promise he showed as a rookie.
Kalil has steadily improved this year, especially after he said his knee started feeling better. Penalties have been an ongoing issue, but Kalil is also coming off perhaps his best game of the season and best two-game stretch.
Changes are likely among the backups too. Joe Berger and Vladimir Ducasse are unrestricted free agents. It's likely Minnesota will try to bring back Berger, the steady, versatile backup who has helped solidify the right guard spot this season in place of Fusco. Mike Harris will be a restricted free agent.
Q: What needs to be done next week to win our very FIRST game against our divisional foe this season? -- RAJ_VIKES, Sioux Falls, SD
A: A better defensive performance will be the key to winning Sunday against the Bears. The Vikings are coming off their worst defensive game of the season, particularly against the pass, against Miami. Previously, Minnesota's worst defensive game was against Chicago.
The Bears don't have Brandon Marshall, who is out with an injury. So maybe cornerback Xavier Rhodes matches up with Alshon Jeffery. Chicago had a size mismatch in the last game, picking on cornerback Josh Robinson with either Marshall or Jeffery. Perhaps the luxury won't be there this time with Minnesota now moving Rhodes around the formation and Marshall being out of the lineup.
Stopping the pass will determine Sunday's game. The Vikings will need to bring a good pass rush against Jay Cutler, who is back as the Bears' starter with Jimmy Clausen suffering a concussion. A few takeaways from the defense wouldn't be a bad solution either.
Q: What position do you think will be best for the Vikings to focus on with their 1st round pick in this year's draft? -- Matt H., Saint Paul, MN
A: Thanks for the submission, Matt. I've said it a few times already this season in our mailbags, but it's just too early to say which way Minnesota will go in the draft. We have to see which underclassmen declare. They have to go through the pre-draft process and the Vikings' draft position isn't even set yet.
I will say I can definitely see Minnesota adding to the defense as coach Mike Zimmer continues his rebuild. Adding weapons, or protection, for rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater could be a focus as well.
With a few things still left to be decided, I can give you a few possibilities. The Vikings could look to add an elite wide receiver or perhaps an offensive guard, though in the first round is unlikely. If Adrian Peterson isn't back, maybe running back takes on added significance. Zimmer could always look for a linebacker, safety or more cornerback help along the defense.
Q: I wander if we have another Jackson for a qb. remember him. -- tom, clear lake iowa
A: I do remember Tarvaris Jackson, if that's who you're referring to. However, I'm not sure why you would make that connection? Teddy Bridgewater has displayed more potential than Jackson probably ever did.
As things have adjusted around Bridgewater, he's only continued his progress. He's had four games of more than 70 percent completion rate and has taken on the responsibility of the Minnesota offense. Bridgewater looks like he could finally settle the position for the long-term, though it is still early in his career.
Q: Why didn't Blanton(safety)start Sunday? I know that #34(his backup) is good on ST, but he did not look good on defense in my opinion. What is wrong with the run defense? Giving up 4 to 6 yards on a first down run puts the defense at a disadvantage. Besides Ponder, is there any other player that won't be on the 2015 roster? In your opinion? -- Norskie, Austin
A: A few quick thoughts: Blanton didn't start at safety Sunday because Zimmer was pleased with the way Andrew Sendejo played the week before. Zimmer, speaking Monday, almost made it sound as if Sendejo has pulled ahead of Blanton at safety next to Harrison Smith. Zimmer said the only reason Sendejo didn't continue in Sunday's game was because of his injury.
The run defense wasn't great Sunday, but it was improved from the stretch in Weeks 11-14 when the Vikings allowed at least 138 yards in every game. Miami had 116 rushing yards and averaged. 4.1 yards per carry. Run defense, with tackling as the focus, has been the letdown of Zimmer's defense this year. Minnesota is now 25th in the league against the run.
As for 2015, again, it's still kind of early to say who won't be back. But some possibilities, besides Ponder, could be Johnson or maybe fullback Jerome Felton. Felton is still a good player, but the Vikings haven't utilized the fullback position as much this season and also have Zach Line on the roster. Defensive tackle Tom Johnson, defensive end Corey Wootton and linebacker Jasper Brinkley are all on one-year deals, so they would have to re-sign to return.
Q: Why go into prevent defense we never have prevented a thing yet everytime we stop playing aggressive we lose -- deane, vancouver Washington
A: I don't think Sunday was a case of going into a prevent defense. Miami's passing attack had its way for much of the game and coverage breakdowns -- communication issues, according to Brinkley -- left wide-open receivers several times. I understand the question, but I don't think Sunday's late defense was a prevent in the common belief of a prevent defense.
Q: It seems like our kicker and punter have digressed a bit this year and for our kicker this is our second year of digression. Are either of their jobs on the line? -- Adam, Eden Prairie
A: It has been a down season for both kicker Blair Walsh and punter Jeff Locke. I'm not sure if the Vikings will look to make a change at either spot, though. Like every spot, Walsh and Locke will be evaluated at the end of the season. Up to this point, coaches have expressed confidence in both and don't see like they have soured on the two former draft picks.
However, improvement is needed. Walsh has still been very good on kickoffs. He is now 33rd in the NFL in field-goal accuracy, converting a career-low 72.7 percent. Locke has been better over the past few weeks, but ranks 21st in the NFL in gross-punting average (44.6 yards per punt) and 19th in net-punting average (38.9).
Thank you for your submissions. Unfortunately we couldn't get to all of your questions. We tried to answer a wide range of submissions. I hope we continue to hear from you in the future. Our Vikings' mailbag runs once a week on Thursday mornings during the regular season, but this on Tuesday this week due to the holidays. Be sure to check FOXSportsNorth.com for upcoming mailbags.
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