Following an impressive start to the 2024 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings are making everyone raise their eyebrows.
The Vikings are 5-0 on the year, having put together a solid record under the guidance of Kevin O’Connell. They’ve had a mixed time under the head coach during his tenure in the hot seat, but it appears his third year will be heading in the same direction as his first year.
In the 2022 NFL season, the Vikings managed to reach the NFL Playoffs. They were eliminated in the NFC Wild Card game to the New York Giants. Last year’s campaign was disappointing, as they finished third in the NFC North with a 7-10 record.
This year, they are leading the North, and are the current favorites according to the bookies to win the division.
State of the NFC North
Heading into Week 6 of the 2024 season, the Minnesota Vikings have sole control over the NFC North.
They – along with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC – are the only team to still remain unbeaten, having achieved a 5-0 record. In their division, the Detroit Lions are the next best-placed team, having accomplished a record of 3-1. The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears are both 3-2.
So far, only one game has involved two of the division’s teams. The Vikings managed to scrap past the Packers 31-29 in Week 4, which has only helped to further their standing as the favorite amongst the bookies offering betting odds on this market.
Will the Vikings Continue To Be The Favorites?
The NFL season is a long campaign. During the 17 games scheduled, a lot of football is played. All it takes is a serious injury or a string of bad results to completely alter one’s outlook.
The Vikings have started off in the best way possible. They’ve overcome tough opponents already in their first five games of the season, including the Packers and a long trip to the UK where they played the New York Jets in 23-17 victory.
They will still have to play the likes of the Packers again, while two matches against both the Lions and Bears will follow in the season. The first of which will be against the Lions in Week 7 after the team take their bye this week (6).
Sam Darnold Making Kirk Cousins A Forgotten Figure
Following Kirk Cousins’s decision to leave for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, there will have been some concern about who could lead the franchise at the quarterback position. He had been their star since 2017, and things had looked pretty good under O’Connell.
Sam Darnold has since stepped up and silenced any doubters. A seventh-year quarterback, Darnold has had his critics, and many have questioned whether he could ever be a starter again after troubling spells around the NFL. He had tough spells with the Jets, Carolina Panthers and the San Fransisco 49ers, where he would spend his final season in Carolina and year in California as a backup.
However, he has been nothing short of exceptional with the ball. As of Week 6, he has totaled for 1,111 passing yards and thrown 11 touchdowns. Four of those have gone to Justin Jefferson, suggesting that the pair have a connection that will be vital for the Vikings in their quest to win the NFC North and compete for the Super Bowl.
Can the Vikings Win the Super Bowl?
Given their fast start and unbeaten record, it’s no surprise that there are some discussions about whether the Vikings can win the Super Bowl. A team that starts 5-0 have to be considered in contention, even at this early stage of the year.
As highlighted, the main favorites to win the Vince Lombardi trophy, the Kansas City Chiefs, are also 5-0. With many expecting them to go all the way again, the Vikings will need to be at their very best if they are to successfully complete the postseason and reach the Super Bowl.
It’s far too early to make predictions about whether they will be there, but you can guarantee that the Vikings will ensure they are in the conversation and doing their utmost to give themselves the best chance of being there. To do that, they’ll want to win the NFC North first.
Nonetheless, there is still a lot of football to be played between now and then…
