It's remarkable how the Vikings have become dependent on rookies. Those rookies helped them challenge the Packers on Sunday before losing, 24-21, at TCF Bank Stadium.

The Vikings' best back is rookie Jerick McKinnon. Their most pivotal player is rookie Teddy Bridgewater, who looked horribly inaccurate early before leading an intriguing comeback. Their best player in the front seven is rookie Anthony Barr. And their rising receiver is Charles Johnson, who has become Bridgewater's go-to guy.

The Vikings made it close, but you felt all day that the Packers were going to play conservatively, confident that they could win without taking any chances. And that's the way it worked out.

The best aspect of this game from the Vikings' perspective was that Bridgewater, after playing terribly in Chicago, finally began pushing the ball downfield in the second half. He seems to be better when he's in hurry-up mode than when he's considering all aspects of a play.

With the Vikings at 4-7, developing their rookies might be the way to go the rest of the season.

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