Is Sunday Enough to Turn More Vikings Believers?
The Minnesota Vikings are 2-0 through the season’s first two weeks. One of those wins came against a bottom-feeder in the New York Giants. The second was against Super Bowl-hopeful San Francisco. Still, Kevin O’Connell’s squad is not being held in high regard. Does that change with another win on Sunday?
Is Sunday Enough to Turn More Vikings Believers?
The Houston Texans are among the undefeated teams remaining in the NFL. They have an impressive second-year quarterback and enough wide receivers to fill multiple rooms. The Texans look like they will be without Joe Mixon, but Cam Akers is a capable fill-in. Minnesota is playing at home but will again be looking for a victory as an underdog.
A second straight win as an underdog has to make a difference. Plenty of the uncertainty surrounding the Vikings has to do with a universal disbelief in Sam Darnold. Almost all of that has to do with the feelings he has generated while a member of the Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets.
The reality we have seen the past two weeks is that Sam Darnold is not the same quarterback. It’s clear that Kevin O’Connell has him playing at a level we have never seen before. It remains to be seen if he can get him to a place that warranted a first-round selection. Individually, though, Darnold doesn’t need to do it all for the Vikings.
It was a concern that Brian Flores would make the defense work in year two. Most of that was rooted in the secondary’s acumen. Just the addition of Stephon Gilmore has made such a staggering impact on the group. An ability to cover offensive options just a bit longer has allowed the pass rush to be the fiercest group in the league.
Through their first couple of games, and regardless of the opponent, Minnesota has handled themselves on both sides of the football. Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores are showing just how impactful good coaching can be. They shouldn’t need to continue undefeated in an effort to turn over more believers, but Sunday is another step in the process.
Right now, the Vikings are leading the NFC North. With another win, they’ll stay there and, in short order, should start to get significantly more credit.
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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 weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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