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Final yr at the moment, the Vikings misplaced at residence in opposition to Inexperienced Bay in blowout vogue, leaving solely tiny playoff probabilities coming into Week 18. This yr, nonetheless, Kevin O’Connell’s membership is 14-2, with a visit to the postseason already confirmed and an opportunity to clinch the primary general seed within the season finale.
4 Vikings New Yr’s Resolutions
All 4 resolutions from 2024 have come true, so why not attempt once more?
1. Win A number of Playoff Video games
Minnesota’s playoff historical past because the good outdated Bud Grant days is kind of depressing. The final time the Vikings gained two playoff video games in a single season was in 1987. Thirty-seven years is kind of a very long time, isn’t it?
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Nicely, it’s time to beat it. The 2024 Vikings have a profitable components. Each the offensive and the defensive play-callers are among the many greatest within the enterprise, and either side of the ball are able to profitable video games when the opposite isn’t having a superb day.
That’s the principle distinction to earlier groups when both the offense or the protection wasn’t dependable. WIns with an electrical offense like in opposition to Atlanta or an unpleasant low-scoring win like in Jacksonville are on this yr’s resume.
On Sunday, the Vikings can clinch the division crown and subsequent residence video games within the postseason and the dear first-round bye week. If they’ll try this, the journey to the Tremendous Bowl would solely be two wins away.
2. Discover a Franchise Working Again
Between 2007 and 2022, the Vikings at all times had both Adrian Peterson or Dalvin Prepare dinner on the roster. That modified within the 2023 offseason when the membership parted methods with Prepare dinner.
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Since then, the franchise has relied on backup rusher Alexander Mattison within the beginning position and Aaron Jones on a one-year deal. Mattison didn’t work, however Jones has been a good again for the Vikings. Nevertheless, on the age of 30, the entrance workplace must discover a new man to be the first ball provider sooner somewhat than later.
There are just a few free brokers out there, however Prepare dinner and Peterson arrived within the draft, and one of many few draft picks ought to be used to discover a actual franchise operating again in a powerful operating again class. The RBs have grow to be extra beneficial within the notion of groups, as Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, and Derrick Henry have all had success this yr after signing in free company. Christian McCaffrey modified San Francisco’s offense lately, too.
The Vikings want to search out a type of guys.
3. Maintain the Protection Collectively
Not solely is the protection good at stopping opponents, nevertheless it’s additionally enjoyable to observe. The takeaways and following dances are thrilling, and the Vikings have to preserve that tradition collectively and restrict adjustments to a minimal.
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Two essential gamers to enter free company are security Camryn Bynum and cornerback Byron Murphy. Each have excelled within the 2024 season and grow to be true leaders within the locker room. Bynum is the face of the celebrations and has 89 tackles and three interceptions to indicate for his Professional Bowl-caliber play.
Murphy is main the Vikings with six interceptions in his second yr within the Twin Cities. Realistically, the 2 defenders can request common salaries within the vary of $15 million on the open market.
Along with these two, it stays to be seen whether or not Harrison Smith will return for an additional try to seize a Tremendous Bowl run. He’s 35 years outdated. Cornerbacks Shaq Griffin and Stephon Gilmore are pending free brokers. The entrance seven will just about stay.
One other thriller is the way forward for defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who will probably get some head coach consideration.
4. Prolong Kevin O’Connell
Though a playoff run could be candy, this one is the principle merchandise on this listing. Extending Kevin O’Connell for a few years is how the Vikings can get again to the dance sooner or later. Solely groups with an elite head coach could be aggressive each single yr, and the Vikings have discovered a type of.
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Gamers wish to play underneath O’Connell, and his skill to get the very best out of them is spectacular.
In October, Alec Lewis from The Athletic wrote in certainly one of his articles:
“You know the NFLPA report card?” proper deal with Brian O’Neill stated in August, referring to the participant survey that recognized the Vikings as some of the extremely regarded groups within the league when it comes to working situations and atmosphere. “(O’Connell) is the report card. He sets the tone for the entire building.”
O’Connell signed a four-year contract in 2022, and his deal is ready to run out following the 2025 season. His contract extension is probably the worst-kept secret within the Twin Cities. Just like Justin Jefferson’s deal up to now offseason, it’s virtually assured to occur, however people will stay fearful till it’s introduced.
