NFL
By Steve Rogers
Perception
When the 2024 NFL schedules were released, the Vikings were projected to have the fifth toughest schedule. One of the main reasons for this is that the Vikings are facing 7 playoff teams from 2023. To further complicate things the beginning of their schedule is front-loaded with playoff teams. Five of the Viking’s first seven opponents were in last year’s playoffs, including three in a row from weeks two through four. That’s the San Fransisco 49ers Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers in consecutive weeks. After a week six bye the Vikings face two more 2023 NFC playoff teams the Detroit Lions and the L.A. Rams. The Vikings were projected to be underdogs in seven of their first eight games. The only team they were given a chance to beat was week one against the New York Giants. This front-loaded almost half of the season is why the Viking’s win total was set at under 6.5. The Vikings were essentially expected to be 1-7 by Halloween.
Then the Vikings have the second tier of tough opponents. The teams projecting to take a step toward playoff contenders in 2024. Teams like the New York Jets the Seattle Seahawks Jacksonville Jaguars or Chicago Bears. The Bears were among the busiest teams during the offseason adding as much talent as possible to a team that added the number one draft pick quarterback Caleb Williams as well as another top 10 first-round talent at wide receiver Rome Odunze. The Bears have aggressively pushed their chips all in to be as competitive as possible in 2024. Then there’s the Atlanta Falcons who made a regime change as well as signing former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins easily stabilizes the Falcons offense and is the best quarterback they’ve had since at least Matt Ryan. Cousins has the Falcons flying high at 4-2.
Reality
The Vikings have been unphased. They have remained in a state of perpetual purple positivity. The Vikings have pushed back against prognostication and projection. Instead, the Vikings have plotted and plundered their way through the first five games of this gauntlet of an opening schedule with punishingly profound performances. Week after week the Vikings keep winning. After playing Russian roulette with their schedule the Vikings have managed to make it through their bye week unscathed. The Vikings are one of two teams left still undefeated at 5-0. The Vikings aren’t just winning they’re dominating in an almost historic fashion. The defense has 11 interceptions and has only given up nine touchdowns. Even more impressive is the Vikings have only trailed for less than four minutes all year. Five other teams have had the same statistic after the first five games in the history of the NFL. All five went to the Super Bowl. Three of those won the Super Bowl.
What Remains of the Schedule
Seven weeks into the 2024 season the only thing that seems “Normal” is that the Kansas City Chiefs just keep winning and are the other unbeaten team at 5-0. The next seven weeks have changed drastically for the Vikings. The next seven opponents have a combined 16 wins. Yes, that’s an average of just over two wins per team. Three of the next seven teams each have one win the L.A. Rams the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans are all 1-5 currently. The Arizona Cardinals are 2-4 as of now. The Indianapolis Colts right now are 3-3. The Detroit Lions are 4-1 and are on their way to Minnesota for an NFC North battle for the top spot with the Vikings. In fact outside of the Falcons, the Vikings only face winning records in their division the NFC North. The Chicago Bears are 4-2.
Purple Path to Perfection
There’s still a long way to go but it’s clear that the Viking’s strength of schedule is growing weaker by the week. Not only that but the Vikings are growing stronger. Coming off their bye week they are getting healthier and for the first time will be at full strength. They are getting tight end T.J. Hockenson back in the lineup after spending the first seven weeks recovering from a knee injury. Hockenson represents the number two target in the Vikings passing scheme. Getting him back on the field only creates more problems for opposing defenses and migraines for opposing defensive coordinators. Hockenson is chomping at the bit to get back on the field with his teammates.
The Vikings are also getting Dalton Risner back from injured reserve. Risner is a starting-caliber offensive guard. He provides a great rotational piece to keep the O-line fresh and or depth in case of injury. As well as Risner brings continuity and comfortability to the unit from being a starter most of last year with the Vikings. Chemistry is key to championship-winning locker rooms and even more so with offensive lines. The Vikings are as healthy as can be heading into the second half of the year. Not only that but the Vikings can take a uniquely aggressive approach to the upcoming trade deadline as buyers toward a Super Bowl run. Speaking of trades and depth and familiarity the Vikings have re-acquired running back Cam Akers from the Houston Texans. Here are a couple of hypothetical remaining trade targets for the Vikings.
- Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II It’s no secret the Vikings need to infuse more youth and depth into their cornerback room. Newsome checks both of those boxes as he is only 24 and a former first-round pick. He certainly has the talent to play the position at an NFL level. Perhaps joining the Vikings and Brian Flores’s defensive genius and a change of scenery might unlock the full potential of Newsome. Newsome could shore up the cornerback room for years to come as a Viking alongside up-and-coming Mekhi Blackmon who is out for the year after tearing his ACL in training camp.
- Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen Currently he is dealing with a hamstring injury but once he’s medically cleared he can be traded. Why not again add depth and familiarity as he spent the majority of his career as a Viking as well as being from Minnesota? A reunion tour for a special playoff run for the hometown kid could be the stuff of movies!
- New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones In keeping with the familiarity theme Jones has previously played for Flores. Jones would also bring another strong veteran presence with a plethora of playoff experience. With his knowledge of the system, he could come in and be ready to play from the day he arrives. Jones is 31 he can help in the now but is not a long-term answer for the Vikings at cornerback.
Now here are a few bonus names that are either too expensive or the Vikings lack the proper compensation to make these deals work. Going back to the Browns for defensive end Myles Garret. How great could Las Vegas’s defensive end Maxx Crosby look in first a purple jersey but more so in a Brian Flores dominating system? Then there’s the curious case of would-be Jet defensive end Haason Redick. He hasn’t played WILLINGLY all year. He has lost millions of dollars refusing to play for the Jets who traded for him in the off-season. Redick wants a brand-new mega-deal to cash in as this is likely to be his last chance at a big payday having turned 30 in September. Obviously, the Vikings don’t have that kind of money available in their cap room for that kind of deal. What if maybe just maybe the allure of playing on a title-contending team on maybe a historic run with a historic defense he can be a part of be worth more than a big payday…?
The Vikings face their biggest test of the season this week when the Detroit Lions come to Minnesota. If the Vikings can win that game they will have an opportunity to go on an extended winning streak thru November with seemingly little resistance. Like rolling a snowball down a mountain slowly it gains size and suddenly it’s not slow it is barreling down the mountain and unstoppable. The Vikings are reaching that point if they get past the Lions they might be unstoppable at least in the NFC. 2024 looks like it’s lining up to be a perfect purple storm for the Vikings. Can the Vikings run the table and finally win their first Lombardi trophy? This is possibly the best chance they’ve had since the Minneapolis Miracle circa 2018 or the 2009 Brett Favre year. The Vikings are in the driver’s seat not just of their ride but they’re currently driving the whole NFC bus.
