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When you are 1-4 and have a resume that includes three blown leads and a loss the injury-ravaged Chiefs there aren’t many positive surprises on the team. Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen are great, but you already knew that. Donovan McNabb was benched last year in Washington so his ineffectiveness shouldn’t come as a surprise. One player that has exceeded his expectations is Brian Robison.
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When Robison signed his contract, in essence sealing Ray Edwards’ fate with the club, many doubted (myself included) that he could make the transition from temporary player to a starter. Well, I’m here to eat some crow and admit that I was wrong.
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Robison has the speed to rush the edge. We knew he could get to the quarterback having averaged nearly four sacks in limited duty over his first four seasons. We didn’t know he could do it at this level. He already has two multiple sack games and is on pace to record 14.5 sacks on the year. His next sack (or half-sack) will establish a new career high.
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Not only does he have the quickness to rush the edge, he has the strength to overpower tackles to get to the quarterback as well as support the run.
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Playing opposite of Jared Allen and having Kevin Williams demand interior attention helps his cause, but he is not simply riding their coattails.
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The Vikings don’t have many reliable fantasy football options, but with two tireless edge rushers, their defense is beginning to look like one.
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Also check out:

• Week 6 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• Week 6 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• Week 6 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• Week 6 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• Week 6 Fantasy Football K Rankings
• Week 6 Fantasy Football DEF Rankings
• Week 6 Fantasy Football Sit/Start Advice
• Week 6 Fantasy Football Sleepers
• Week 6 Fantasy Football Waiver Advice
• Five Situations to Watch Coming Out of the Week 5 Bye
• NFL Picks Week 6

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This article is also featured at NFLTouchdown.com, where I am the Vikings Fan Voice writer.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

OK, he hasn’t come out and said he’s going to play this year. There have been no dramatic helicopter entrances, but there is another sign that Brett Favre is going to play for the Vikings this year. That sign is a visit from a trio of teammates. According to the Star Tribune Jared Allen, Steve Hutchinson, and Ryan Longwell headed down to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to convince Favre to play in his 20th season. If Favre says no, I could see Jared Allen hogtying him, strapping him to Steve Hutchinson’s back, and bringing him back to the Twin Cities. If you have an early fantasy draft, feel free to take a gamble on Favre around the 10th round. If he shocks the world and doesn’t come back, you won’t be out too much. If he does return, you get an exceptional value (click to see my 2010 QB rankings).

***Breaking Update***

NFL Network’s Scott Hanson tweeted that “Brett Favre took off 2:20pm est. My source says he’s going back to Minnesota. Stay with NFLN for more.” Fox’s Jay Glazer backs up the story tweeting “Brett Favre has told trio of vikings who came to persuade him to return that he is “back in” and is on plane back to minny now”. Be prepared on your drive home to hear all-Favre-all-the-time on sports radios. Favre will also take over ESPN and the rest of the sports outlets for the night.

I’m working under the assumption that Brett Favre will return to the Vikings. If he doesn’t things will change for the Purple, but the likelihood is extremely high that #4 will be back.

Fantasy Playoffs Schedule:  Difficult
The Vikings start things off with the Giants at home in Week 14. Next they take on the Bears at home. Finally, they play in Philly for the fantasy championship. Favre could be under heavy fire for this stretch.

Five Star Fantasy Options
Adrian Peterson – I don’t understand why he missed practice for Adrian Peterson Day. Couldn’t they try to adhere to his schedule? Aside from that lack of judgement, Peterson’s only other concern is putting the ball on the turf. I trust that he’ll improve that aspect of his game. I have him as my #1 fantasy RB.

Four Star Fantasy Options
Brett Favre – At some point his game will decline, but after witnessing last year’s explosiveness, I’m not banking on this being the year. He has so many weapons, and he just has fun with this group.

Sidney Rice – I’m a little worried that he’ll see a major regression in 2010 simply because there are so many other options for Favre. He has such good length, leaping ability, and body control that I don’t see him slipping too far.

Vikings Defense/Special Teams – As long as Jared Allen is roaming the field, the Vikings are a good bet for sacks. Throw in Ray Edwards and the Williams Wall and you got yourself a tough defense. If E.J. Henderson can stay healthy, the LBs will be rock solid as well. Unfortunately their second game against Detroit comes in Week 17, but they should still be an elite fantasy defense in 2010.

Three Star Fantasy Options
Percy Harvin – Harvin was an explosive player last year for the Vikes. It seemed like only his migraines would slow him down. I actually think they’ll be more creative with Harvin this year, making him even more of a headache to cover.

Visanthe Shiancoe – He racked up 11 TDs last year and 7 the year before so clearly he’s a great target in the red zone. He just isn’t going to give you big yardage because of the other options.

Two Star Fantasy Options
Bernard Berrian – Berrian was somewhat overlooked last year. In part because he struggled through injury. He’ll have his moments, but consistency will be an issue.

One Star Fantasy Options
Ryan Moats, Albert Young, Toby Gerhart – The Vikings had a key loss on offense when Chester Taylor went to Chicago. They have other options, but they likely won’t be as good. Taylor was a decent flex option, whereas this trio will only be viable if Peterson gets hurt.

Click here for additional 2010 NFL Team Previews.

The Vikings better hope that either Jared Allen’s mullet grows quickly or that his strength isn’t tied to his hair like Sampson. For now though, the mullet is gone. He trimmed it for his wedding. Personally I just hope the mullet goes away. It’s not that I have an issue with the hair. I just get tired of the ongoing joke about mullets that I just don’t find funny. It’s business up front and party in the back. Ha. Oh wait, that’s just lame. Any mention of a mullet sends shivers down my spine the same way as when “Get ‘er done” or “fuggedaboutit” is uttered. I guess it’s better talking about Allen’s hair than speculating whether or not Brett Favre is playing next year. Brett’s not fooling anyone. He’ll suit up with Allen with or without the mullet.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

The Vikings made some big splashes in the offseason by acquiring Jared Allen via trade and signing one of the biggest free agents on offense in Bernard Berrian.  Was it enough to put them over the hump and get them in the playoffs?  I think so. 

The Vikings Offense will rely heavily on the rushing attack of Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.  They have the best Guard in the NFL in Steve Hutchinson, who should provide good running lanes for the aforementioned backs.  They will have to deal with the looming suspension of Left Tackle Bryant McKinnie for his misdeeds in the offseason.  However, I think the Vikes will be able to patch their line enough to get by.  In the passing game, Tarvaris Jackson will be asked to play relatively mistake-free football.  He won’t be required to make a lot of plays.  He just needs to avoid screwing up.  He also needs to prove that he can stay healthy.  At least if he goes down this year, they are in better hands with Gus Frerotte waiting in the wings.  Aside from Berrian, Sidney Rice should show improvement from a decent rookie campaign at the other WR slot.  Bobby Wade moves to the Slot, which he is better suited for. 

Defensively the Vikings need to shore up a pass defense that has been atrocious the past couple of seasons.  Ever since Tom Brady and New England carved them at the Dome a couple years ago, teams have basically abandoned the run and simply torched the Vikes through the air.  Jared Allen should put pressure on the Quarterback, which means they won’t have as much time to pick on the DBs.  That should have a great impact on their coverage ability.  Kevin Williams should receive less attention to as teams can’t focus on him with Allen by his side.  I could see both of them reaching double-digits sacks this year.

The Vikings should be able to win the division this year with the departure of Brett Favre.  I can’t imagine Green Bay being as good.  Chicago needs to prove it can actually score some points, and Detroit is just Detroit.  WIll they go anywhere in the playoffs?  It’s possible, but they will need T-Jax to make some plays.  We’ll see if he’s up for the task.  My guess is they are one-and-done.

Fantasy-wise it all starts with Adrian Peterson.  He has the ability to rush for 2000 yards.  Will he do it?  Not likely.  Is it a possibility?  You betcha.  Chester Taylor could be a flex position possibility in large leagues, but will mainly be used as a handcuff in case Adrian Peterson misses any time.  Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice will be worthy or rosters spots, but I’m guessing it’s hit or miss with them.  If a team has a good pass rush, you probably want to avoid them.  Minnesota Defense should be one of the top fantasy units in the game as they will likely pile up the Sacks.  Ryan Longwell could be a nice value at Kicker.