just three games all season - 12 points

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MINNEAPOLIS -- The lore of the Minnesota Vikings, with four losses in four Super Bowl appearances and five NFC championship game defeats since then, is marked by a long list of major letdowns.The latest jarring blow came just before the beginning of this long-anticipated regular season, when quarterback Teddy Bridgewaters left knee collapsed during a routine non-contact drill. The injury caused enough damage to keep him out for the rest of the year and put his 2017 season in question, too.The massive injury to Minnesotas popular leader was a devastating, emotional setback. Bridgewaters absence hasnt deterred the Vikings from thinking big, though. From coach Mike Zimmers inherent defiance to the bold trade made for Sam Bradford, the Vikings havent given up on their Super Bowl goal. Their window to win it all for the first time in franchise history is still open, albeit not as wide as a week ago.Were not going to stick our heads in the sand. Were going to figure out a way, Zimmer said. Everybody can count us out if they want, but I think thatd be the wrong thing to do.Zimmer, inspired by the lessons learned from his late father, a long-time high school coach, and mentored by former boss Bill Parcells, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has always thrived with an underdog mindset.He didnt get his chance to be an NFL head coach until age 57. As the Vikings stacked up victories on the way to the NFC North title last year, Zimmer frequently mentioned to the team and to the media the external skepticism surrounding their success, even if some of that was simply made up.So when asked after Bridgewater went down how the leadership void will be filled, Zimmer zoomed right past the accomplished veterans on the roster and wholly embraced the responsibility as his own.Im going to lead them, Zimmer said. Im going to make sure that theyre paying attention, doing things right. Anytime you have a tragedy or whatever you want to call it, theyre going to be looking to somebody for strength and wisdom and all these other things. Part of my job is, and Ive already started to do it, to talk to them about the things that I believe we have to do and how we need to move forward. Thats why they hired me.The pressure will be on Zimmer, as well as on running back Adrian Peterson and a deep, solid defense.Its very unfortunate to have the injury happen, Peterson said. It takes a team to win a championship, so were still chasing the same thing.Here are some key angles to know about the season for the Vikings:REPLACEMENT PLAN: The Vikings gave up a 2017 first-round draft pick, plus another selection in 2018 that could reach as high as the second round based on conditions, to get Bradford from Philadelphia. Clearly, the plan will be to start the 2010 first overall draft pick once hes up to speed with the offense. Shaun Hill, who backed up Bridgewater last year and has begun his 15th season in the league, is more likely to lead the huddle Sunday at Tennessee.THE FRONT FIVE: Some reasons the Vikings were so eager to watch Bridgewater play, and so confident in his continued development, were enhancements to an offensive line that leaked a lot in his first two years. Free agents Alex Boone and Andre Smith have taken over at left guard and right tackle. Joe Berger, who excelled while filling in for John Sullivan at center last season while the six-year starter recovered from a back injury, was good enough that Sullivan recently was let go. Brandon Fusco has returned to his original spot at right guard, and right tackle Matt Kalil has entered the final season of his contract.GROUND GAME: After leading the league in rushing in 2015 at age 30, Peterson also ought to benefit from better blocking in front of him. The Vikings have been planning to make versatile running back Jerick McKinnon more of an integral part of the offense, too.THE FRONT FOUR: The backbone of the team is a defensive line thats as stacked and deep as ever. The Vikings tied for seventh last year with 43 sacks, and theres the potential to land higher. Defensive end Everson Griffen, who posted 22+ sacks over the last two seasons, is poised for a big year.RAISING THE ROOF: After a couple of preseason tuneups, the Vikings will formally open U.S. Bank Stadium on Sept. 18 when they host the rival Green Bay Packers. The $1.1 billion venue was built on the same site as the old Metrodome.---Online:AP NFL website: Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! and AP NFL coverage on Twitter: Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! Dave Campbell on Twitter: Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! .C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch.Former Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says he is not surprised by the clubs struggles in the Premier League this season. Villa are rooted to the foot of the table on 16 points - having won just three games all season - 12 points from safety with just seven matches remaining.And Lambert, in charge at Villa Park between 2012 and 2015, has told Sky Sports News HQ the writing has been on the wall for a while, and believes their problems come down to player recruitment. I could see it coming, just because the way it was happening, said the Blackburn manager. I can only speak on my time - but that club deserves big players. We tried to bring in Lukaku, Bony and others. No disrespect to the ones we got in, but we couldnt go out and do that type of deal. It was too rich for us. Christian Benteke, Lamberts only big signing at Villa Park Christian Benteke was the only big one we could get, and even then he was only 7m euros at the time. So you had to work round the restraints of it. The young French players that have come in are probably good players, but Aston Villa needs big players.Maybe three or four leaders in your team - that football club needs big players to handle a crowd and the expectancy. Any team that wins a European Cup should never be in this position. Jordan Ayew has struggled at Villa since £8m arrival from Lorient History attaches to it, and that should attract bigger players. I think theyve suffered, not just in my time, but even before. The last good period was when Martin ONeill was there (2006-2010) and he had them going brilliantly.Lambert was speaking alongside Ray Wilkins on Sky Sports Now, and Wilkins, who was assistant manager to Tim Sherwood at Villa earlier this season, does not think there is any way back for the club now.ddddddddddddYes, they are relegated. I dont think they can get out of it. There isnt any way, shape or form they can get out of this situation. They just keep losing games unfortunately. I dont think they can get out of it. There isnt any way, shape or form they can get out of this situation. They just keep losing games unfortunately. Ray Wilkins Paul is right, you have to keep progressing. Once youve won something, you have to keep adding to that. The support base is magnificent and the set-up is incredibly good. But, when a manager is employed to do a specific job, one of them is to recruit players.But not only at Aston Villa, theres been more of an input (from others) into which players are coming in, and for me it has to be 100% on the manager if player is to come in. Ray Wilkins (second right) was assistant to Tim Sherwood last season It has to be down to the manager. He will eventually take the blast from the supporters. The supporters only see whats on the field of play. They want to see their team win.When they do go down, the Championship is so tough. Its going to be extremely difficult, but rotation will have to come into play next season. The games come thick and really fast. Also See: Bernstein: No short-term fix Garde set to leave Villa - reports Villa near drop after defeat Transfer Centre LIVE! ' ' '