Win over Seahawks Gives Vikings Instant Respect from Pundits
Even though the Minnesota Vikings were within one play apiece from victory in Week 1 and 2 versus the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals, the national sentiment on the team was underwhelming. And rightfully so — nobody cares if a team gets close to winning.
In overtime during Week 1, the Vikings encountered a questionable fumble by Dalvin Cook, handing the ball back to Joe Burrow and the Bengals for a game-winning score. Then, new Minnesota kicker Greg Joseph bungled a simple field goal attempt as time expired that would’ve evened the Vikings record to 1-1. It was vintage Vikings, very early in the 2021 season.
Because of the two losses, pundits classified Minnesota as the NFL’s seventh or eighth-worst team as soon as four days ago.
But a win over the Seattle Seahawks changed the national opinion. Topping Russell Wilson for the first time in eight tries will do that for a franchise.
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Indeed, the Vikings handily disposed of Seattle 30-17 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 3. Interestingly, the Seahawks coasted to a 17-7 lead in the first half. After that, though, they were done scoring for the day. Nothing worked for Wilson, and the Vikings tallied 23 unanswered points. It was the opening salvo win desperately sought by head coach Mike Zimmer to perhaps rectify the 2021 season — a pivotal one for his career.
As a result, folks no longer consider the Vikings doormats of the NFC. When Monday Night Football capped, NFL.com released its weekly power rankings, and the Vikings now sit at #16. Yes, right in the middle. That’s an eight-spot climb in one week, the most significant climb of any team in the business after Week 3. Dan Hanzus of NFL.com wrote about the Vikings ascent:
“Vikings coach Mike Zimmer called it the best offensive game of his Vikings tenure. Kirk Cousins led Minnesota on three touchdown drives in the first half, then engineered a trio of second-half field-goal marches that chewed up more than 20 minutes of game time in a 30-17 win over the Seahawks at raucous U.S. Bank Stadium. Cousins has been, to be blunt, one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL through three weeks.”
For now, that 16th-in-the-league placement situates the Vikings with teams like the Tennesee Titans (#15) and Seattle Seahawks (#17). The Rams, Buccaneers, and Packers are the pace-setters at the top of the league.
Next, the Vikings host the Cleveland Browns in Week 4. NFL.com ranked Cleveland as the NFL’s eighth-best team through three weeks, so the Vikings have a tall task on deck to attain a 2-2 record. The Browns are led by Kevin Stefanski, a man who offensively coordinated these same Vikings the last time Minnesota reached the playoffs. What’s more, Cleveland just ruined Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields’ debut last weekend. Fields, the mini-savor in Chicago, led the Bears offense to one single passing yard versus Cleveland in a 26-6 loss. So, the Browns can play a little defense, especially when Myles Garrett sacks the quarterback 4.5 times as he did in Week 3.
A win over the Browns would assuredly send Minnesota into a Top 12 tier of the NFL’s pecking order. However, they have to win the matchup first. Easier said than done.
The Browns are two-point favorites over the Vikings per oddsmakers.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).