ESPN Still Says “Nope” to the Vikings

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The Minnesota Vikings’ 2-0 start to the 2024 season — a rather unforeseen beginning — has impressed fans to the utmost.

ESPN Still Says “Nope” to the Vikings

All spring and summer, Vikings enthusiasts bemoaned the first several games on the schedule as too daunting, but then Minnesota began the season and chipped off the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers somewhat handily.

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However, ESPN isn’t buying the long-term prosperity. Nope.

The sports media giant called the notion of quarterback Sam Darnold leading the Vikings to the postseason an “overreaction” on Monday, just one day removed from Minnesota’s 23-17 triumph over San Francisco, Darnold’s former team.

“The Vikings’ upcoming schedule is an absolute gauntlet — vs. Texans, at Packers, vs. Jets (in London) and vs. Lions. They finish the season with games against the Seahawks, Packers and Lions,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano opined.

“The receiving corps, thin to begin with, is already suffering injuries, with Jordan Addison (right ankle) missing Sunday’s game and Justin Jefferson leaving it early because of a quad injury. Tight end T.J. Hockenson is still likely a few weeks away from returning from last year’s season-ending injury.”

Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Minnesota ranks fourth leaguewide per defensive EPA/play after two games and sixth in offensive efficiency, according to the same metric.

Graziano also delivered his formal overreaction nugget: “I do think Darnold and the Vikings will continue to play well; the coaching will make sure of that. But there’s just too much working against them for me to predict them as a playoff team, even after the 2-0 start.”

Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Last week, Stephen A. Smith, also an ESPN employee, likened Darnold to a virus. “If you’re around some people with a cold enough, you’re going to get one. If you’re around some people with a virus, you’re going to get it. Contamination. You ever heard of that word? It happens,” Smith said last Thursday about Darnold’s presence on the Vikings’ roster.

So, ESPN hasn’t been kind to the purple team lately.

“When you’re around certain situations, ultimately, you become a byproduct of that. That’s what I am saying of Sam Darnold. I’m telling you, you’re very hopeful and I can appreciate that. But you’re sitting up there, talking to us like we’re supposed to expect the high level of production from this brother. I’m not doing that. I got to see it to believe it. That’s all I’m saying,” Smith continued.

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Ergo, the Vikings evidently must string together more wins to combat the lowly ESPN prognosis. Next up are the Houston Texans, and they’re favored to take down Minnesota by a point or two.

We shall see what they say if Minnesota moves to 3-0.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.