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Not way back, NFL.com ranked the Minnesota Vikings because the league’s fifth-worst workforce heading into 2026. Quick ahead just a few weeks, and Bleacher Report has flipped the script, predicting a 12-5 file for Kevin O’Connell’s workforce.
Minnesota has the protection, weapons, and schedule path to make the spicy file prediction really feel believable.
The court docket of public opinion is all around the board on Minnesota, however don’t inform that to BR.
Murray Turns into the Swing Piece in Minnesota’s Ceiling
Are the Vikings nearer to a bottom-feeder or a 12-5 squad?
Minnesota Vikings large receiver Justin Jefferson races upfield throughout an NFL Worldwide Sequence matchup in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park in Dublin. Jefferson created explosive performs on Sep. 28, 2025, because the Vikings showcased one of many league’s premier offenses throughout Minnesota’s historic look on Irish soil earlier than a global crowd. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photographs.
BR: Vikings Will End 12-5
Moe Moton from Bleacher Report analyzed every workforce’s schedule after final week’s launch, forecasting wins and losses for each combatant.
About Minnesota, he wrote, “Head coach Kevin O’Connell has led the Minnesota Vikings to 13 wins with Kirk Cousins and 14 victories with Sam Darnold. The latter just won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, but neither is considered an elite quarterback.”
“The Vikings signed Kyler Murray, who can be dynamic with his mobility and made the Pro Bowl in two of his first three years with the Arizona Cardinals. After a promising career start, he’s battled injuries and posted mediocre passing numbers. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Murray and J.J. McCarthy will battle for the starting job. That said, the former should win the competition with his starting experience.”
The Vikings, certainly, are promoting a quarterback competitors this summer time, however most anticipate Murray to prevail.
Moton continued, “Murray could benefit from a change of scenery in Minnesota, as Darnold did. He’ll have two-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, tight end T.J. Hockenson and a defense that’s ranked seventh or better in scoring for consecutive terms under play-caller Brian Flores.”
“The Vikings have the structure to take pressure off of Murray while getting the best out of him. He’ll be a Comeback Player of the Year candidate, and the Vikings will be in contention for a division title. 2026 projection: 12-5.”
QB Stability Is the Path
Minnesota gained 9 video games final yr regardless of having one of many NFL’s least environment friendly quarterback conditions.
Per Dropback EPA/Play, the mixture of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer ranked because the league’s fifth-worst quarterback group. The attention check undeniably supported this evaluation. But the Vikings remained aggressive, posting a 9-8 file regardless of an offense hampered by quarterback play.
It makes the dialogue round Murray simple. He isn’t anticipated to be Superman in Minnesota; his activity is to raise the quarterback room from close to the underside of the league into the Prime 12 or Prime 15. Ought to he obtain this, the workforce’s fortunes will quickly change. A Vikings squad that secured 9 wins with quarterback play ranked round twenty eighth may all of the sudden envision an 11-6, 12-5, and even higher file, merely by Murray stabilizing the place and contributing his attribute playmaking aptitude.
And his necessities are clear: defend the soccer, use his mobility, execute the simple throws, and keep away from large gaffes. Murray can stay dynamic with out resorting to “hero ball” on each different possession. Discovering that stability is exactly the place Minnesota’s potential resides. Briefly, if Murray doesn’t play like an fool, the Vikings can attain the postseason.
Protection Is Already There
The Vikings already possess a robust protection, which is central to any dialogue about their 2026 prospects.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches the motion throughout a divisional showdown in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Flores patrolled the sideline on Jan. 4, 2026, whereas Minnesota’s protection continued ending the common season as one of many NFL’s most effective and aggressive models below his management. Necessary Credit score: Matt Blewett-Imagn Photographs.
Since Brian Flores’ arrival in 2023, Minnesota’s protection has been stellar, rating among the many league’s greatest. Over the 2023-2025 interval, they’ve collectively ranked second within the NFL by EPA/Play and DVOA. The year-by-year EPA/Play numbers illustrate the majesty:
2023: seventeenth
2024: 1st
2025: third
2023-2025 Total: 2nd
This implies a Tremendous Bowl-caliber pedigree. No matter offensive developments in 2026, Flores has constructed a protection able to competing deep into January.
The problem, nevertheless, has been on the offensive aspect. For 3 seasons (2023-2025), the Vikings’ offenses have both struggled with consistency or collapsed at important moments, with Sam Darnold’s Week 18 meltdown and playoff collapse in 2024 serving as clear examples.
The equation for 2026 is easy: If Flores’ protection maintains its elite standing, the offense gained’t must carry out miracles. Even a slight dip to a top-eight defensive rating would sometimes hold the workforce in competition.
A Vicious Division
The difficult half, if one assumes that Murray will play like Murray and the Floresian protection maintains its way of life? The Detroit Lions, Inexperienced Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears.
Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard prepares throughout an NFC Wild Card matchup in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Reichard appeared in postseason motion on Jan. 13, 2025, because the Vikings opened their playoff journey with the rookie kicker dealing with special-teams duties in the course of the high-stakes street contest in Arizona. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs.
Till 2025, the NFC North normally contained at the least one “walkover” workforce, a franchise that was going nowhere and may very well be smacked round a bit. These days are over. From head to toe, the Vikings, Lions, Packers, and Bears have sturdy rosters and goal to win the NFC North. The division is up for grabs.
So, on prime of already gritty division video games, Minnesota will forge a path to the postseason six occasions in opposition to acquainted foes with Tremendous Bowl aspirations.
If O’Connell’s workforce exits the common season with a 12-5 file, as Moton predicted, it is going to be battle-tested for the playoffs.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
