Nov 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Minnesota Vikings tackle Brian O'Neill (75) congratulates Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) for scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings’ start to the season has turned out masterfully, stomping the New York Giants by 22 points on the road and the San Francisco 49ers by six at home.
Next up are the Houston Texans on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
And while it could be a bit premature to prognosticate NFL award winners, these four Vikings have a reasonable chance at the following feats. They’re ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely to win award).
Odds to Win DROY: +500
Turner’s DROY stock took a hit this week because of a knee injury, and he’ll miss Week 3 against the Houston Texans. However, he’s expected to return in Week 4 for a road game at the Green Bay Packers. If he turns out to miss just one game, Turner can resume his DROY pursuit. He was the league’s frontrunner just before Week 1.
Only Los Angeles Rams pass rusher Jared Verse leads Turner via DROY odds.
Odds to Win OPOY: +900
Jefferson is on pace for 1,632 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, albeit from a two-game sample. That stat line would assuredly garner Offensive Player of the Year attention, and it will help Jefferson’s case if Minnesota reaches the postseason.
In 2022, Jefferson won OPOY for a mammoth season, so he’s no stranger to voters.
He will go as far as the next guy on the list allows and should be classified as a Top 5 OPOY contender.
Odds to Win CPOY: +800
Darnold has thrown 4 touchdown passes in 2 games and is tentatively on schedule for over 4,000 passing yards and 34 touchdowns this season. The next couple of months will be about sustainability.
Darnold is a lock for CPOY consideration if the pace continues or remains similar. His story is tailor-made for it. He’s currently fifth per CPOY odds behind injured players from last year like Aaron Rodgers, J.K. Dobbins, and Kirk Cousins.
Odds to Win COY: +800
After the Vikings topped the 49ers in Week 2, NFL-themed media began to speak about O’Connell as a Top 10 head coach — as if it were a foregone conclusion.
His team is playing brilliantly because of his coaching and elite playcalling, rest assured. Should his club reach the postseason or even win the NFC North, he’ll be credited with doing the unthinkable alongside Darnold as his QB1.
For now, only Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers) and Mike MacDonald (Seattle Seahawks) stand in his way.
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 MIN 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.