Minnesota Vikings followers held up an indication at Lambeau Discipline throughout a street matchup with the Inexperienced Bay Packers, bringing purple power into enemy territory. On January 1, 2023, in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin, the followers made their presence identified from the stands as Minnesota confronted its NFC North rival open air. Obligatory Credit score: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Oddsmakers don’t count on the Minnesota Vikings to make a lot of a splash in 2026, predicting the purple group will end final within the NFC North. However this week, Bleacher Report determined that Minnesota may very well be a shock playoff contender, which jibes with most followers’ sentiment.
The Vikings signed Kyler Murray within the spring, and he may very well be the meal ticket for a visit to the postseason and maybe the primary playoff win since 2019.
Murray Provides Vikings’ Playoff Case a Swing Issue
Minnesota Vikings large receiver Jordan Addison secures a fourth-quarter move at U.S. Financial institution Stadium as Baltimore’s protection closes throughout a late-season AFC-NFC matchup in Minneapolis. On Nov. 9, 2025, Addison gave Minnesota one other downfield possibility whereas working via site visitors in opposition to the Ravens in entrance of the house crowd throughout a tense closing stretch. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Pictures.
BR: Vikings May Be Shock Contender
5 groups made Alex Kay’s record, and the Vikings had been included. He defined, “With the addition of Jauan Jennings in free agency, Minnesota boasts perhaps the best receiving corps in the entire league. Whoever lines up under center will have a wealth of options at their disposal in Jennings, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson and perennial All-Pro Justin Jefferson.”
“It remains to be seen if the team’s poor O-line can make some much-needed improvements, but the decision to draft Caleb Tiernan on Day 2 and sign veteran Ryan Van Demark in free agency at least gives the coaching staff more options to shuffle the deck with if necessary. There shouldn’t be any concerns surrounding Minnesota’s defense.”
The Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, and Tennessee Titans additionally bought some contender love from Kay.
“Brian Flores is one of the best coordinators in football, with his unit keeping the Vikings competitive despite a woeful offensive effort in 2025. The Vikings already ranked No. 7 in scoring and No. 3 in total defense last year and should only improve with five prospects selected across the first five rounds of the 2026 draft — headlined by first-round edge rusher Caleb Banks — joining the fray,” Kay continued.
“While the 2026 Vikings will still sink or swim based on the performance of the quarterback position, the rest of the pieces are firmly in place for the team to secure a third playoff berth in six seasons under O’Connell.”
What It Will Take
Right here’s the blueprint for the Vikings to make Kay’s imaginative and prescient come to life:
Wholesome, productive quarterback efficiency and effectivity from Murray or J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings completed 9-8 final yr whereas posting the league’s fifth-worst quarterback EPA/Play. They will win at the least 10 video games by enhancing just a bit bit.
No main defensive regression. Since Brian Flores strolled into the Twin Cities three years in the past, Minnesota has ranked second within the NFL per EPA/Play. As long as they don’t dip outdoors the Prime 10, the protection is sufficient for the postseason and will even win a Tremendous Bowl.
Working the soccer at a balanced charge — at the least 45% of the time. Underneath Kevin O’Connell, that proportion is normally nearer to 42%, not 45%, and the “small” variance issues.
Get contributions from rookies. Throughout the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah period, the Vikings did not draft productive gamers, paving the way in which for older veterans to see taking part in time. Minnesota, with Adofo-Mensah eliminated, wants youth and pace. Taking part in 2026 rookies will assist.
Defend the soccer and restrict penalties — Soccer 101.
That’s the rubric for a playoff-bound season.
Well being Would Assist
In fact, a season of excellent well being received’t harm something. The Vikings navigated the 2025 season with McCarthy lacking seven video games and Wentz on injured reserve by November. The offensive line was speculated to function Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and Brian O’Neill. That group hardly performed directly.
Minnesota Vikings deal with Christian Darrisaw speaks with reporters inside U.S. Financial institution Stadium after Minnesota’s blowout win over Cincinnati, reflecting on the offense’s clear afternoon and the road’s management up entrance. On Sept. 21, 2025, Darrisaw addressed the media following the Vikings’ 48-10 victory in entrance of a loud dwelling crowd after Week 3. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
Former Viking OLB Jonathan Greenard was on the shelf by December. And linebacker Blake Cashman missed his customary 4 video games.
Generally, an NFL season looks like attrition — the groups that keep the healthiest get the farthest within the playoff match. Perhaps that’ll be the Vikings for as soon as.
A Brutal Division, Although
What’s stopping Minnesota from a common forecast of prosperity? Its rivals within the NFC North. Gone are the times when followers may pencil in 3-4 wins in opposition to the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions — lengthy gone. In 2026, people will hope the group merely splits these matchups, together with the 2 video games in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers, who simply by no means encounter down seasons.
Detroit Lions large receiver Marvin Jones celebrates with Danny Amendola and Graham Glasgow at Ford Discipline after scoring within the first quarter in opposition to Minnesota, with Detroit’s offense having fun with an early red-zone second. On Oct. 20, 2019, Jones marked the landing throughout a divisional matchup because the Vikings protection tried to settle in. Obligatory Credit score: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports activities.
There’s a motive some pundits name the NFC North the league’s most troublesome. Pound for pound, each group has an opportunity to achieve the postseason. In actual fact, each group might need a sensible path to the Tremendous Bowl if all the pieces comes collectively.
Straightforward wins in opposition to NFC North groups are lifeless. The Vikings should combat to keep away from turning into the group that’s simply overwhelmed within the division.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
