October 12, 2013 4:58 pm EDT by gplus
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Why the Minnesota Vikings' Season is Already Over

Why the Minnesota Vikings' Season is Already Over
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings came into the 2013 NFL season with a great deal of confidence after their solid performance in 2012. Last season saw the Vikings make the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

Although they ended up dropping the NFC Wild Card playoff game to an always tough division rival in the Green Bay Packers, the Vikings finished the season with their heads held high, and rightfully so. The team was able to harness all the hype around their coveted running back, Adrian Peterson, and let him lead the way to playoff football. The franchise seemed to be turned around and was perhaps going to be a force to reckon with once again in 2013.

Unfortunately for the 2013 edition of the Vikings, they don't seem to be having that much luck both on and off the field. From the terrible situation that Adrian Peterson's family is now forced to deal with regarding his son to the lack of consistent and solid play, the Vikings season looks to be more grim than ever.

You can only hope that the team hailing from the Twin Cities can put all of this behind them and look forward to turning their season around by perhaps using all of the negativity as motivation to start to put up some wins. But as of right now, the combination of a couple unfortunate situations has the Vikings' backs up against the wall. Here are five reasons why the 1-3 Minnesota Vikings' season appears to be over already.

Jonny Adornetto is a Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @jonnyrants, "Like" him on Facebook and add him to your Google network.

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5. Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Although star running back Adrian Peterson still ranks among the leagues best in rushing yards having put up 421 rushing yards and scoring five touchdowns, it looks as though he won't be having the season that he enjoyed in 2012, which is exactly what the Vikings need if they want to turn things around. Peterson has already fumbled the ball twice this season and doesn't look nearly as sure handed as he used to.

It's terrible to think about what the Peterson family is currently going through. The thoughts and prayers of the sports world are with Adrian Peterson and his family. The Vikings look to win one for Peterson and his son when they take on the Carolina Panthers at home on Sunday.

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4. Tough Division Play

Tough Division Play
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The NFC North is proving to be one of the toughest divisions in all of football with the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers all playing an overall solid brand of football.

Accompany that with the fact that the Vikings haven't yet won on North American soil this season (their one win came against the Pittsburgh Steelers in London, England) and you get a Vikings schedule that is definitely not in their favor.

With four more division games to be played, it is fair to say that the Vikings could chalk those up as four easy losses.

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3. Coaching

Coaching
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier seems to be a nice guy, but can he actually motivate his team to victory? Very rarely do you see Frazier's expressions change. He always seems to be very mild mannered. This doesn't bode well for a Vikings team that needs someone to light a fire under them. Pair that lack of motivation with a few suspect calls during the team's first four games of the season, and you get a lackluster group of football players that will continue to just roll through the motions instead of moving the chains.

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2. Overrated Defense

Overrated Defense
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

An overrated defense is one that looks decent during the game and then suddenly gives up a huge play late in the contest that proves to be the difference maker. That is exactly what the Vikings defense has done on two occasions this season, first against the Bears and then to the Cleveland Browns of all teams. Poor defenses don't win you games, let alone championships.

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1. The QB Situation

QB Situation
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Christian Ponder's confidence has to be lacking after hearing that his team decided to pickup Josh Freeman out of the blue last week. Although Freeman won't start on Sunday against the Panthers, he will be breathing down Ponder's neck for that starting role at some point this season. Having these two guys battle it out is similar to that of Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow. Prepare to cover your eyes Vikings fans.

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