This is the eighth in an eight-part series reviewing the 2016 Vikings and looking ahead by position. Previously: OL / RB, TE / WR / QB/ DL/ LB / DB
Special teams didn't escape the highs and lows of a .500 season, contributing directly to both wins and losses between Blair Walsh misses, fumbles and coverage busts to return touchdowns from Marcus Sherels and Cordarrelle Patterson in the sixth Vikings season for special teams coordinator Mike Priefer.
The league's best kick return team (27.3 yards per), featuring Patterson as an All-Pro selection, contrasted with the second-worst kickoff coverage (25.8 yards per). Punter Jeff Locke's inconsistent season hit bottom against Dallas, when fill-in punt returner Adam Thielen also fumbled to set up a Cowboys touchdown. And the Vikings surrendered the first kickoff return for a touchdown in three years during Josh Huff's 98-yard score in Philadelphia.
Patterson and Sherels comprised the league's best return duo, ranking first and second, respectively, in average yardage. Punt coverage was also a bright spot, ranking eighth by allowing only eight yards per return. After doing so last year, the Vikings again sat atop the league with three kick/punt returns for touchdowns, tying the Chiefs.
The only blocked kick came in Jacksonville, when Linval Joseph got a piece of a desperation 61-yard field goal attempt in the closing minute. Then Joseph made an ill-thought-out leap over the Colts long snapper the following week to set up a touchdown. Opponents got a hand on three Vikings kicks: a field goal from Walsh, an extra point attempt by Kai Forbath and a partially blocked punt.
Options are open after the Vikings signed a kicker and punter to start the offseason while Locke and Patterson are pending free agents.
Specialists
Under contract in 2017: K Kai Forbath, LS Kevin McDermott, K Marshall Koehn, P Taylor Symmank