The Tantalizing Ten: Vikings Edition
Intro: Each week, we will take a look at 10 players that will have a big impact in the game. Who are the "Tantalizing Ten" when the Colts (6-6) head to Minnesota to take on the Vikings (7-6) in Week 15?
The Texans game was one to forget for Phillip Dorsett. The second-year receiver had at least a couple of drops. Dorsett's role against the Vikings could be growing with Donte Moncrief's hamstring injury. A case of the drops has never really been an issue for Dorsett, but they showed up in last week's loss to the Texans.
In six days, Andrew Luck went from a career-high passer rating to the second worst rating he's had this season. Waiting in Week 15 is the NFL's stingiest defense in points allowed per game. Luck, who has missed more practice time than normal this week due to injury, always seems to bounce back from poor games and we will see if him and the pass catchers can get back to the connections we saw so frequently against the Jets.
The 41-yard outing from Frank Gore against the Texans has him behind 1,000-yard pace. Gore now needs to average 70 yards per game in the final three weeks to get above the 1,000-yard plateau. Minnesota's defense is elite in a bunch of defensive categories, but stopping the run hasn't been a true strength in 2016.
As a 4-3 defensive end, Griffen is arguably the league's most disruptive player at that position. Griffen lines up opposite Danielle Hunter (10 sacks), who is quickly making a name for himself. The Vikings have the NFL's top ranked defense in points allowed this season.
Ryan Kelly says it was a shoe problem in him missing several snaps in the second half of last Sunday's loss to the Texans. Kelly is going to see a new starting left guard next to him this week with Jack Mewhort now on injured reserve. The banged up line will really be tested in Minnesota going up against one of the league's most disruptive four-man fronts.
It was a crazy end of the 2016 preseason for the former No. 1 overall pick. Sam Bradford was traded to Minnesota to take over for the injured Teddy Bridgewater. With injuries and playmakers lacking around Bradford, the Vikings offense has had little production all season long. Bradford continues to protect the ball well. He's been picked just three times in 427 attempts this season.
The fourth-round pick got his first NFL start on Sunday. You watch Morrison, and physicality isn't far behind. Morrison also made some plays in space last week, something that was missing earlier this season. The rookie had nine tackles against the Texans in his first extensive audition in going into 2017 as a full-time starter.
One of the bright spots here in 2016 has been cornerback Rashaan Melvin. The Colts have really counted on Melvin after he was signed the week of the 2016 regular season opener. Melvin has been a consistent starter as of late with Patrick Robinson missing time. With Robinson now on injured reserve, Melvin is the definite starter opposite Vontae Davis.
With Robert Mathis missing the past two weeks, the Colts have needed the return of Trent Cole. Not only has Cole returned, but he's contributed against the run and pass. Minnesota's offensive line has struggled this season so there should be some pass rushing opportunities for the Colts come Sunday.
A 38-year-old cornerback playing in the NFL just doesn't happen. Terence Newman is defying the odds though and playing at a very high level. With Donte Moncrief possibly out this week, even more attention from the Vikings secondary will be applied towards T.Y. Hilton.
