The Minnesota Vikings were supposed to be a doormat in 2024. Kirk Cousins left for Atlanta and Kevin O’Connell wasn’t supposed to have a team capable of making noise. Then the games started, Minnesota is 3-0, and they are getting Super Bowl support.
Minnesota Vikings generating Super Bowl support
A six win season, which is where the Vikings were supposed to finish, wouldn’t have generated playoff hopes let alone the Super Bowl. Just three weeks into the season and Kevin O’Connell already has his team with half of those victories under their belt. Colin Cowherd is ready to suggest the last game on the league calendar will be a “W” as well.
Sam Darnold does it again 🤷🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/iNbrPz4dem
— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) September 22, 2024
“Last couple of weeks I’ve been saying, ‘I don’t know how long this Sam Darnold thing is going to last?’ But I do now. Until February 9th. That’s the date of the Super Bowl. Yeah I said it. Yeah, I said it. Four touchdowns no picks.”
Colln Cowherd on the Minnesota Vikings winning it all (X/formerly Twitter)
That take would have been absurd this off-season. It would have been absurd even a week ago. Frankly, it’s at least a little absurd right now. The reality is that the Minnesota Vikings are undefeated and lead the NFC North. They have beaten a pair of teams with Super Bowl aspirations. Each of their victories have come in convincing fashion. If there is a team that looks complete out of the gate, it’s the Vikings.
“It was not close” 👀
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) September 22, 2024
– #Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell gives the game ball to QB Sam Darnold
pic.twitter.com/U20t0eA2gG
Related: Official: Minnesota Vikings are the Real Deal
Of course the Super Bowl isn’t even close to being at the forefront of Minnesota’s minds right now. They aren’t going to keep seeing themselves as underdogs on a weekly basis if this continues, however.
Vikings showing a complete roster in the early going
It’s not just Sam Darnold. As Cowherd notes, the Minnesota quarterback did throw four touchdowns on Sunday and leads the NFL in passing scores. The defense turned over C.J. Stroud though, and Brian Flores continues to put out a group that looks like an unstoppable force. Will Reichard hit from 58 and the entire roster appears to be clicking.
Vikings defense is stopping early down runs, closing windows in disguised zone coverage, and creating pressure when sending 4 and 5 instead of needing to send 6 or 7 pic.twitter.com/gyquKiN9g3
— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) September 22, 2024
Minnesota must stay healthy. They had a serious injury scare during Week 3 when Darnold went to the tent. He did return, but they won’t be in the clear until his MRI comes back clean this week. Kirk Cousins was lost for the season last year at Green Bay, and Jordan Addison has missed the past couple of weeks. The NFL is a league of attrition, and the Vikings stars have to stay shining if they want to make Cowherd look like a savant.
Related: Vikings DC Brian Flores Deserves Another Head Coaching Chance, But Life Isn’t Fair
Right now Kevin O’Connell has the Minnesota Vikings clicking on all cylinders. If they stay looking even close to this good, then a Super Bowl is not out of the question. It would take place during arguably the most improbable season, but that would only make the storybook ending that much greater.
Related: Sam Darnold, the MVP Favorite?
Sam Darnold coming in and winning a ring would be the ultimate free agent outcome. Aaron Jones is on board for it. Stephon Gilmore is on board for it. Even Colin Cowherd is on board for it.