How Far Can This Vikings Team Go?
Ali Siddiqui
|
For the first time since 2019, the Minnesota Vikings are in the playoffs, and for the first time since 2017, they will be hosting a playoff game.
The last time they hosted a playoff game, it ended up being one of the greatest games in team history. The Vikings defeated the New Orleans Saints 29-24 in the Divisional Round on a walkoff touchdown reception by Stefon Diggs.
This game, unfortunately for them, will not be in the Divisional Round as they do not have a first-round bye.
How Far Can This Vikings Team Go?
Minnesota will be playing the New York Giants this Sunday — the same Giants team they defeated 27-24 on a game-winning 61-yard field goal by Greg Joseph as time expired just three weeks ago. Can Minnesota beat them again? Yes.
Beating a team twice in the same season is never easy, even if they both are at home. The Vikings have a very good chance to win, especially since it is a home game, and they have lost just once at U.S. Bank Stadium this year (Cowboys). There are no guarantees they will win again, but they have a good shot. It will very possibly be another close game. Vikings fans are starving for a blowout win. Maybe that will happen, but there is a better chance it will be close once again, just like 11 of their 13 wins.
If they win, how far will they go in the playoffs? Well, if they advance, they will likely go on the road to face the red-hot San Francisco 49ers. Winning there will be very tough. Not impossible, but very tough.
It’s hard to imagine Kevin O’Connell’s team will go past the second round at the moment, but crazy things happen in this league, and the Vikings especially have shown that all year long.
One thing is for certain. The defense needs to play better to make a deep run. They were 31st in the league in total yards allowed, and their 25.1 points per game allowed were 28th. Yes, it has been more of an offensive league the past 10-plus years, but defense is still very important, and the Vikings defense was a huge disappointment in the regular season.
This team has definitely exceeded expectations. Winning the division under a first-year head coach was not something many expected from this club. Unfortunately, this season will not likely end in a Super Bowl appearance, but this could be a nice stepping stone for this team going forward.
O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah are looking like great hires so far, and they both are giving fans reasons to be optimistic about the future. They still have Rob Brzezinski, one of the best cap wizards in the league, if not the best.
At the moment, Vikings fans can enjoy the anticipation of playoff football this weekend. This Sunday has a very good chance of being a victory, too.
You must be logged in to post a comment.