Are the Vikings of 2024 for real?

The last time the Minnesota Vikings began a season 5-0 was followed by one of the worst in-season collapses in NFL history – fan’s will be hoping this year proves to be different. 

It was 2016, and much like this season’s team, the Vikings strong start to the year has centred on a strong defence and an impressive third year head coach. 

The 2016 outfit was also led by a quarterback named Sam – who had similarly stepped in after the expected pre-season starter suffered a season-ending knee injury.

This season’s Viking fan base will hope the similarities stop there. 

Following their 5-0 start 8 years ago under coach Mike Zimmer and Teddy Bridgewater replacement Sam Bradford – The Vikings finished the season 8-10 and became the 2nd team ever to start 5-0 and not make the play-offs. A big reason for the collapse of the 2016 Vikings were the declining performances of Bradford.

Whilst he missed week one through injury, Bradford threw for 990 yards, 6 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his opening 4 games.

This impressive output slowed down during the Vikings collapse, where the 2008 Heisman trophy winner only threw 14 touchdowns in the next 10 games, as well as throwing 7 interceptions. 

Sam Darnold will hope he’s able to maintain his current form – he has already thrown for 1100 yards this season, with 11 touchdowns and a 103.4 QB rating. 

The former New York Jets and Sam Francisco 49ers quarterback impressive start has surprised many this year, but not his head coach Kevin McConnell. 

“The amount of work that goes into that position on your quarterback journey when everybody decides that you cannot play — we always believed in him”, said McConnell. 

The 2016 Vikings also fell victim to injuries, particularly on the offensive line. 

According to Football Outsiders, the Vikings lost the third most games due to injury in the NFL that year, with their O-line ranked the hardest hit unit by injury in the league since 2000. 

This year saw various injury concerns during  preseason, but the team’s hot start has appeared to place these fears firmly in the rear-view mirror.

The team had first round pick JJ McCarthy ruled out for the year with a knee injury and they started the season still without tight-end TJ Hockenson. who tore his ACL last season. They also tragically lost fourth round pick Khyree Jackson in a car crash in July. 

Despite injury fears prior to the season, the Vikings have coped well.

Justin Jefferson has proven why the Vikings gave him a $140 million contract extension this summer – scoring 4 touchdowns and accumulating 450 yards so far this year. They have also welcomed the positive performances of new additions such as Aaron Jones who signed from division rivals Green Bay Packers this offseason. 

The Vikings defence remains a key aspect of their early season success, much like it did in 2016. This Sunday against the Jets, they intercepted Aaron Rodgers three times, hit him 11 times and held them to 36 rushing yards. 

Minnesota’s defence is the second-best in the NFL for both turnovers and average rushing yards conceded. This has been labelled “controlled chaos” by defensive coordinator Mike Flores – And will be crucial to maintain moving forward.

Exactly like 2016, the 2024 team heads into a bye week in week 6. Often as dangerous as they are beneficial – it will be important that the Vikings do not rest on their laurels during their week off. Luckily, it seems like this young and vigilant Vikings team feel they have more to prove. 

Linebacker, Jonathan Greenard has been enjoying a great leap year and is currently 12th in odds for the Defensive Player Award.

He said: There’s a lot of guys that are still hungry, They’re still in that mode of proving themselves. This whole team is filled with that mindset.”

The Vikings were given 100-1 odds to win the Superbowl at the start of the year, for success to continue, it is crucial that they dont forget their underdog label. 

Defensive lineman Harrison Phillips said: “I like the idea that people weren’t talking about us and I wish people weren’t talking about us still, I wish we still were those underdogs. 

“We have a roster that’s full of players with chips on their shoulders so that an underdog mentally is a good one to keep.”