Too Many Vikings On the All NFC North Team?

Jan 27, 2013, Honolulu, HI, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) poses with the most valuable player trophy after the 2013 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. The NFC defeated the AFC 62-35. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Network loves making us argue about its lists. Every year they spark multitudes of battles over their Top 100 players countdown. And now they’re doing it again with their divisional All-Star teams. We are suckers for these lists aren’t we? Well when there’s nothing else going on…

So how does the All NFC North team run down? Glad you asked. I have it right here. Mostly its predictable but there are some surprises. Here’s the list.

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers
Running back: Adrian Peterson
Wide receivers: Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Greg Jennings
Tight end: Kyle Rudolph
Offensive tackles: Jermon Bushrod, Matt Kalil
Guards: Brandon Fusco, T.J. Lang
Center: John Sullivan

Defensive ends: Jared Allen, Julius Peppers
Defensive tackles: Ndamukong Suh, Henry Melton
Outside linebackers: Clay Matthews, Chad Greenway
Inside linebacker: Stephen Tulloch
Cornerback: Charles Tillman, Sam Shields
Safety: Harrison Smith, Glover Quin

Right off the bat Packer fans are going to hate this list. That turncoat Greg Jennings over Randall Cobb or Jordy Nelson? Kyle Rudolph over Jermichael Finley? Bears fans may be wondering in what universe Chad Greenway is a better player than Lance Briggs.

Yes this list is very Vikings-heavy. But is it unreasonably Vikings-heavy? You could argue no. I mean just look at offensive line. You might raise your eyebrows at Brandon Fusco’s name being on there. But then you look at the other guards in the division and it doesn’t seem that unreasonable. Ditto Harrison Smith. There aren’t that many good safeties.

Objectively speaking though, it’s hard to justify putting Jennings on there above Nelson or Cobb. That one stands out as a head-scratcher. I’m also not sure about Rudolph over Finley. I know Rudolph won Pro Bowl MVP and is now brimming with confidence but are we just going to sleep on how good a player Jermichael Finley can be when he actually keeps his head in the game?

Well I hope for the Vikings’ sake that this list turns out to be legit. If it’s a true reflection of the talent in the division then the Vikes are in for a nice run. Of course the Vikes do lag behind the other teams at one key position. As long as they continue to have the fourth best QB, they will continue being a question mark as contenders.

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