The Minnesota Vikings got a vintage performance from Adrian Peterson in Week 3 and he helped lead the team to a win against the Chargers. Week 4 could see some better fantasy performances from receivers, including Mike Wallace, Charles Johnson and Cordarrelle Patterson after Teddy Bridgewater struggled on Sunday.
Peterson had his best game after playing two games to start 2015 and he helped get Minnesota a home win against a solid Chargers team in Week 3. Peterson had just 31 yards in the first game of the season and while he had 134 yards in Week 2, Peterson also fumbled multiple times and did not get into the endzone. That changed on Sunday, as Peterson rushed for 126 yards on just 20 carries while scoring two touchdowns in the 31-14 victory over the Chargers.
Peterson was asked after the game about his performance and the Pioneer Press reported that he said that he "felt good" and that he thinks he's "back" to his old self. Peterson said that the first two weeks of the season were tough for him, as he did not have his usual burst at the beginning of the season. Peterson missed 15 games last year while dealing with an off the field issue and now he is back as the starting running back for the Vikings and the team plans to keep running him.
Teddy Bridgewater struggled in the win and having Peterson in the backfield is a huge help as the second year player continues his development. Bridgewater only had 13 completions in the game and ended up with zero touchdowns and an interception, but the Vikings earned the win and now offensive coordinator Norv Turner will try and get the QB turned around. Peterson rushing for over 100 yards is always a good remedy if the passing game isn't working and next week against a tough Borneo's defense, the Vikings will need to improve quite a bit if they want to win.
The Broncos defense is good at stopping the run, but they also have one of the best secondary units in the league and that could put a focus on Peterson for the Vikings once again. The passing game has not really broken out yet for the Vikings, as Bridgewater has only 505 yards, one TD and two picks through three games. The Broncos matchup won't make things easier, but the Vikings do have the talent to be a strong passing offense. Charles Johnson was a breakout player last season and adding Mike Wallace to the mix should help take pressure off of players like Cordarrelle Patterson and Jarius Wright.
Johnson came into the season with high expectations, but he has not played well over the first three weeks and has just six catches for 46 yards. Turner and Bridgewater praised Johnson in camp and they need to find a way to get him going. Johnson was injured in the game and was able to return on Sunday. Wallace has 12 catches for 150 yards in three games and he should start producing more, while Patterson is a high upside option in deeper leagues with his special teams return ability for the Vikings.
Check here for more on Peterson and the Vikings into Week 4.
