FanHouse NaufahuTahi

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

In an NFC that is heading into the offseason without a clear favorite, the Minnesota Vikings have almost all the pieces to be the presumptive favorite. They have an outstanding defensive line, an improved secondary and the best running back in the business. They also have a very good offensive line and thanks to Bernard Berrian, the receiver corps no longer is a joke.

Despite a hamstring injury that made him a game-time decision, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will play against the Carolina Panthers today.

Peterson is the NFL's leading rusher and, really, the only offensive weapon Minnesota has had this season. With the Vikings replacing Tarvaris Jackson with Gus Frerotte, the Vikings need all the help they can give him.

After pre-game warmups, ESPN reported that Peterson would play:

Peterson said all along that he expected to play, but he did not practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday, which raised doubts about his status.

Receiver Sidney Rice (knee) was inactive for the Vikings, replaced in the starting lineup by Bobby Wade. Fullback Thomas Tapeh also was put on the shelf, replaced on the active roster and in the starting lineup by Naufahu Tahi.

This is also huge for fantasy football enthusiasts. Not having Peterson would severly damage his owners from winning their games today.

Despite a hamstring injury that made him a game-time decision, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will play against the Carolina Panthers today.

Peterson is the NFL's leading rusher and, really, the only offensive weapon Minnesota has had this season. With the Vikings replacing Tarvaris Jackson with Gus Frerotte, the Vikings need all the help they can give him.

After pre-game warmups, ESPN reported that Peterson would play:

Peterson said all along that he expected to play, but he did not practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday, which raised doubts about his status.

Receiver Sidney Rice (knee) was inactive for the Vikings, replaced in the starting lineup by Bobby Wade. Fullback Thomas Tapeh also was put on the shelf, replaced on the active roster and in the starting lineup by Naufahu Tahi.

This is also huge for fantasy football enthusiasts. Not having Peterson would severly damage his owners from winning their games today.