The biggest thing has been confidence. Rhodes believes in his ability, he believes in the defense and believes in the technique. He trusts his instincts and made great plays on the ball the last few games. He's having his "aha" moment, as former Vikings safety Kurt Coleman described it during training camp.

Rhodes has always had the talent. His makeup and aggressiveness is a perfect fit for head coach Mike Zimmer's defense. Credit him and secondary coach Jerry Gray for hounding these cornerbacks since Day 1 about their specific technique at the position. Not only has Rhodes improved this year, but we've seen strides from cornerback Josh Robinson as well.

I'm not ready to call Rhodes a shutdown corner yet, but he's displayed the ability to become that recently. I just need to see more of it before I go down that path, but Rhodes is on the right track – along with the rest of the defense. There's some good, young pieces to build off at each position: defensive end Everson Griffen, defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, rookie linebacker Anthony Barr, safety Harrison Smith and Rhodes. All were Vikings draft choices, might I add. Keep that in mind when you analyze general manager Rick Spielman's draft classes and only note quarterback Christian Ponder, who didn't pan out, and left tackle Matt Kalil, who has regressed over the last two seasons but still has time to get it together.

Rookie running back Jerick McKinnon didn't participate during Wednesday's practice due to the low back injury. He missed Sunday's win over the Panthers as well, allowing Matt Asiata to receive the start. If McKinnon can't play again this week, I'd expect Asiata to start again. He had a decent game considering the Vikings led comfortably for most of the game and relied on the run. Asiata had 14 carries for 52 yards. It's not eye-popping, but it got the job done.

Another reason why Asiata will likely start if McKinnon can't go is he has more experience. Banyard had just five snaps against the Panthers, with Zimmer noting he missed a blocking assignment on a pass play that kept him on the sideline.

He's not regressing, he just isn't progressing. I'm not even sure I'd call it a wall. Patterson for the first time is learning what it takes to be an every down wide receiver rather than an explosive offensive threat. I'd say more than anything it's growing pains. He's never gone through this before, and Patterson is trying to learn what it takes to be a wide receiver.

Patterson, in his second season, is still a raw wide receiver. We were all wrong, myself included, on what to expect from Patterson because we all assumed it would come second-hand to him based off what we saw in a limited amount of playing time last season. Most of those explosive plays were quick screens or running back tosses and not necessarily double moves or deep post routes. Patterson is frustrated because essentially he's uncomfortable, and I say that in a good way. This is all new to him, and it makes it even more challenging when the results aren't what he's accustomed to.

It's actually a decent defense, but the absence of defensive tackle Muhammed Wilkerson will be significant. Either way, it'll be tough for the Vikings to establish the run against the Jets, who allow the third fewest rushing yards per game (85.2).

With that said, this might be a game where the offense relies on rookie quarterback Teddy's Bridgewater's arm to spread the defense out and create opportunities in the run game. Keep in mind the Jets are 31st in third down defense, allowing opponents to convert a whopping 46.7 percent on third downs. Bridgewater will have chances to make plays. We'll see if he takes advantage of it.