Clinching Playoffs Sheds Hilarity on Vikings Season
The Minnesota Vikings didn’t play on Sunday. They are set to debut their Winter Warrior uniforms against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. That didn’t stop them from getting a win on their off day, though. Now Kevin O’Connell’s team is officially playoff-bound.
Clinching Playoffs Sheds Hilarity on Vikings Season
That was always likely, given Minnesota’s ability to stack wins. 11 of them through 13 weeks is certainly impressive work. That said, it was never supposed to go this way. Coming into the season, the Vikings had an over/under win total of just 6.5 games. Vegas, as well as plenty of national experts, didn’t have much faith in the purple.
We now know how wrong they were.
Throughout the season, Minnesota has proven to be more than just a bottom feeder. Kevin O’Connell has transformed Sam Darnold into the quarterback New York hoped they would get when he was drafted third overall. Brian Flores has the defense playing at an otherwise impressive clip. Basically, everything has gone right.
Just how right things can continue to go remains to be seen. Minnesota is a playoff team that will head out on the road. Despite stacking wins at the pace they have been, a trip to the Super Bowl will not be envious. Minnesota’s play in the NFC North means that it is locked in contention with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. The second foe currently has the home-field advantage.
It seems unlikely that the Vikings will land the NFC’s number one seed, but considering the preseason expectations, that would generate a hilarious amount of laughter. They could grab the division, though, and control their destiny in getting there. The Week 18 matchup against the Lions could produce one of the most important games of the entire season.
No matter how the Vikings fare the rest of the way, they have already won. None of this was predicted to happen, and it only foreshadows just how strong the organization’s leadership culture is. J.J. McCarthy will take over sometime next year, and he should be expected to succeed because of what 2024 has proven.
Doubting the Vikings based on their perceived talent is a fruitless exercise at this point. They have the infrastructure to improve everyone.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
You must be logged in to post a comment.