Dec 9, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) against the Chicago Bears at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Bears 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The first half for the Vikings can be described as promising. On offense, the Vikings have been using Jarius Wright as they would use Harvin and it has been successful. Thankfully, Ponder has thrown the ball with confidence. He has stood in he pocket, made the correct reads and delivered the ball. Peterson opened the Vikings first drive with a 18 yard gain after Kyle Rudolph false started on the first play. The Vikings utilized Peterson with a nice play-action play and gained a chunk of yards on a completion to Rudolph. Michael Jenkins came up big with a completion that put the Vikings in the red zone where two plays later, Ponder found Rudolph for the TD.

With J.J. Watt barreling down on every play, Ponder was not able to get the same time he had the first drive to make the passes he did and since the first TD pass has looked average. Ponder finished the half with 119 yards. Peterson has struggled to get anything going on the ground after he broke for a couple big runs. Blair Walsh continued to impress as he nailed a 56 and 41 yard Field goal attempt to put the Vikings up 13-3. It is obvious that the Texans want to bottle up Peterson as much as they can so Ponder will need to play a complete game today.

The Vikings defense are flying to the ball. On a number of plays, multiple Viking defenders swarmed to the ball carrier. On the opening drive for the Houston Texans, the Vikings were able to hold them to a field goal. The Texans did have a few plays that got them the yardage needed to get into field goal range, but two big run stops for a loss were crucial and forced the Texans to pass on 3rd and long. The defense bent but didn’t break. Jasper Brinkley was able to strip the ball from running back, Arian Foster and was recovered by Vikings cornerback, A.J. Jefferson. So far the Vikings defense has played disciplined and made plays when the opportunity presented itself. The Vikings defense looks to have Schaub a little uncomfortable in the pocket and has made him make inaccurate throws. Harrison Smith had an impressive play that showed off his Notre Dame smarts. On third and short, Smith showed the discipline to stay with his man while Schaub rolled out. Schaub had no choice but to try and force the pass as he had a man casing him down. The Vikings have kept the Texans to to 12 yards rushing. The most impressive thing about the Viking defense is that have been able to get off the field on third down. The texans are 1/5 when converting 3rd down.

Dec 16, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) and wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) do an interview after a game against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter at Reliant Stadium. The Texans defeated the Colts 29-17. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

This week the Vikings will face one of the top Super Bowl contending teams when they go up against the potent Houston Texan Offense. The Texans feature pro-bowl caliber players on both sides of the ball. Arian Foster has 1,313 yards and if Adrian Peterson wasn’t having such a great year, Foster would have a shot at this seasons rushing title. The Vikings are not what they used to be on defense when it comes to rush defense. Once inpenetrable, the Vikings now ranked 13th in rush defense. Despite the drop in rank, the Vikings D-line has the talent to stop the run. With help from run stoppers like Antoine Winfield and the impressive Harrison Smith, the Vikings have a chance at containing Foster. Foster is a definite threat though and will be only a small part of the headache that the Texans present. Another huge player that proves to me problematic for the Vikings is Andre Johnson. Johnson is probably one of the biggest, fastest and strongest receivers in the NFL. Johnson has 1,360 receiving yards on the season and is 7 receptions away from hitting 100 catches on the year. Johnson is a huge body at 6’3″ and 230 lbs that likes to use his body to shield defenders. Johnson makes a play when it looks like no play is to be made. It has been reported that Vikings starting cornerback, Chris Cook will be able to play, however, he was on the IR most of the season and will more than likely not be matched up against Johnson because of conditioning. The 6’2″ Cook would be ideal for covering Johnson, but the duty will probably fall on A.J. Jefferson. The Texans have the best play action quarterback in Matt Schaub and the combination of Foster and Johnson is the reason. The rest of the Texans offense consist of important role players like TE Owen Daniels who is more than capable of making plays. The Vikings will have their hands full with the Texans offense and will need to look at what the Patriots did against the Texans when Tom Brady and Co. held the the Texans to two second half TDs in a 42-14 domination. the Vikings defense will need to stay discipline and opportunistic. When there is a play to be made, the Viking defenders must make them to win this game.

Sep 9, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings fullback Jerome Felton (42) and tackle Matt Kalil (75) celebrate with running back Adrian Peterson (28) after he scores a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at the Metrodome. Vikings win 26-23. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE

3. Matt Kalil

During this past NFL draft, I was hopeful that the Vikings would lock up he secondary and snag eventual Dallas Cowboy, Morris Claiborne. To my dismay the team chose Kalil; however, Kalil has progressed nicely and has secured the LT spot. He struggled at some points, but that was expected. Kalil’s practice counterpart, Jared Allen has also contributed to Kalil’s success. Going up against arguably the best passer rusher in the last 3 years day in and day out has helped Kalil match up against the leagues tougher pass rushers. Kalil will have his hands full in the next few weeks. Julius Peppers will be Kalil’s assignment. It will be Kalil’s first time going up against Peppers. Hopefully Matt will ask his older brother and Carolina Panters Center Ryan on any clues to Peppers game. Drafting Kalil looks to have worked out. Ponder can relax knowing Matt has his back and I’ve come around as well. I now see why LT is one of most valuable positions in the game.

2. Harrison Smith

The presence of Heavy Hitting Harrison has caused a culture change on the Vikings defense. His “in your face” style of play has infected the entire defense. Never before have fans been excited to watch the Vikings defense until this season. Smith was chosen 22nd overall in the same round as Matt Kalil. This was a pick I was truly thankful for. The Vikings traded back into the first round to grab the former Irish safety and being a ND Irish fan myself, I knew he was the real deal. Smith is a smart player who has shown flashes of brilliance more than rookie mistakes. There were back to back weeks were smith jumped on the same goal line play action and gave up easy TD’s, but Smith’s upside is exciting. He has all the tools and attitude to lead the Vikings defense and play in the NFL for years to come.

1. Adrian Peterson

What more can be said about this guy? We all know what he has done and more than likely what he will do. Ap wants 1,500 yards and close enough to do it with 1,128. Peterson has been the anchor for this team year in and year out. As a Viking fan, I know I do not speak for myself when I say I truly am thankful for Peterson. He has shown that he his committed to the organization and is committed to winning. Peterson has been the model citizen for sports fans of all ages. Earlier this month, charges were dropped against peterson. He was accused of resisting arrest and causing a scene during a night out at a Houston bar. Peterson made a statement saying that his name will be cleared when the facts are brought to light and sure enough it happen. He has proven on and off the field that he is an upstanding citizen and model football player. When the team’s best player is the hardest worker you have a good model for the rest of the team to follow.