The Vikings return most of the same roster that went 12-4 last season, but many of those starters simply haven't maximized their potential during the Vikings' 2-5 start. Here's a closer look at how the 2009 starters are performing this season:
WR BERNARD BERRIAN UNPREDICTABLE
Ranking: Down arrow
Why: Has disappeared for most of the season, with only nine catches for 87 yards.
WR PERCY HARVIN PREDICTABLE
Ranking: Up arrow
Why: Leads the team in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
WR SIDNEY RICE UNPREDICTABLE
Ranking: Down arrow
Why: The devastating news of Rice's hip surgery in late August decimated the Vikings' pass offense, and it has not recovered.
TE VISANTHE SHIANCOE UNPREDICTABLE
Ranking: Down arrow
Why: Is no longer Favre's favorite red-zone target with one touchdown catch compared with 11 last season.
RB ADRIAN PETERSON PREDICTABLE
Ranking: Up arrow
Why: Is hoping for a long-term contract, and has kicked the fumble habit while setting a pace for more than 1,700 rushing yards.
QB BRETT FAVRE PREDICTABLE
Ranking: Down arrow
Why: Age, injuries and passing inaccuracy have plagued Favre this season after a dream 2009 campaign.
LT BRYANT MCKINNIE PREDICTABLE
Ranking: Even arrow
Why: Gets burned occasionally, but he's generally a viable left tackle in this league.
STEVE HUTCHINSON UNPREDICTABLE
Ranking: Down arrow
Why: The bar has been set high for this seven-time Pro Bowler, and although he's been adequate, he's not been his dominant self.
C JOHN SULLIVAN PREDICTABLE
Ranking: Even arrow
Why: When healthy, he's proved to be steady, calling protections and run blocking.
RG ANTHONY HERRERA PREDICTABLE
Ranking: Up arrow
Why: At times, has created gaping holes for Peterson.
RG PHIL LOADHOLT UNPREDICTABLE
Ranking: Down arrow
Why: Looked poised to make the leap in 2010, but he's been hampered by speed rushes and penalties.
DE JARED ALLEN UNPREDICTABLE
Ranking: Down arrow
Why: Hasn't recorded a sack since the Miami game after two consecutive years of 14.5 sacks.
DT KEVIN WILLIAMS PREDICTABLE
Ranking: Even arrow
Why: Is still a beast up the middle with seven pass deflections and 30 tackles, but his sack production is down.
DT PAT WILLIAMS PREDICTABLE
Ranking: Down arrow
Why: A reliable run stopper in spurts, but he's not having a stellar season at age 38.
DE RAY EDWARDS UNPREDICTABLE
Ranking: Down arrow
Why: Despite plenty of quarterback pressures early in the season, his overall body of work is not strong.
OLB CHAD GREENWAY PREDICTABLE
Ranking: Up arrow
Why: The team's defensive MVP this season is on pace for 169 tackles.
MLB E.J. HENDERSON UNPREDICTABLE
Ranking: Up arrow
Why: Recovered from a fractured left femur to record 47 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble through seven games.
OLB BEN LEBER PREDICTABLE
Ranking: Up arrow
Why: Is on pace for four more tackles than last season while recording a crucial interception in the Detroit game.
LCB ANTOINE WINFIELD PREDICTABLE
Ranking: Up arrow
Why: Is still the same physical open-field tackler and has kept a depleted secondary afloat.
FS MADIEU WILLIAMS PREDICTABLE
Ranking: Down arrow
Why: Despite his pace for close to 90 tackles, Williams has whiffed on big-play chances and doesn't close the gap quickly.
SS TYRELL JOHNSON UNPREDICTABLE
Ranking: Down arrow
Why: Has played sparingly after Husain Abdullah took over the starting job in the preseason.
RCB CEDRIC GRIFFIN UNPREDICTABLE
Ranking: Down arrow
Why: Never got the chance to build on his four-interception 2009 campaign after suffering a second torn anterior cruciate ligament in October.
K RYAN LONGWELL PREDICTABLE
Ranking: Up arrow
Why: Hard to argue with 6 for 6 on field goals, but you'd have thought Longwell would get more work because the Vikings would be in the red zone more. Not the case.
P CHRIS KLUWE PREDICTABLE
Ranking: Up arrow
Why: Is tied for sixth in the league with 14 punts inside the 20-yard line.
HEAD COACH BRAD CHILDRESS UNPREDICTABLE
Ranking: Down arrow
Why: Whether a fan of Childress or not, it's still hard to believe the Vikings have started off this poorly.
— Compiled by Jeremy Fowler
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