The Minnesota Vikings are currently the No. 6 seed in the NFC. But they could be one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs.
The 10-4 Minnesota Vikings have done a lot of things right this year. They have the statistics to prove it.
The Vikings are ranked No. 10 in total offense and No. 14 in total defense. Kirk Cousins has 25 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Cousins has a QB rating of 111.1, the highest of his career. Danielle Hunter has 13.5 sacks, third-best in the NFL. Stefon Diggs has over 1,000 yards receiving and Dalvin Cook has over 1,000 yards rushing. They have four losses this season, three by a touchdown or less to an opponent currently in the playoff picture.
The Vikings have done a lot of things right this year. Yet they’re only the No. 6 seed in the NFC.
In their division, Minnesota can’t seem to shake its rivals, the Green Bay Packers. While Green Bay has felt lackluster at certain points this year, the Packers are still 11-3 and undefeated in their division. The Vikings, on the other hand, have lost two division games.
On Monday night, the foes go head-to-head with the division at stake. A Green Bay win, adn the North belongs to the Packers. If the Vikings win, the crown waits until Week 17, albeit with Green Bay still in control.
Offensively, the Vikings have two players that are having excellent years. Running back Dalvin Cook has rushed for over 1,000 yards on 4.5 yards per carry, notching13 touchdowns. Diggs has over 1,000 yards receiving and five touchdowns after an incredibly slow start. Diggs is averaging 15.1 yards per catch and 76.6 yards per game.
Defensively, it’s about Hunter and Eric Kendricks. This year, Hunter became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 50 sacks. He’s one of the league’s best pass-rushers and should probably be in consideration for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Additionally, linebacker Eric Kendricks is also having a tremendous campaign. According to Pro Football Focus, Kendricks is the highest-rated linebacker of the season. He has two forced fumbles this season, allowed the lowest completion percentage of any linebacker in the league, and broke PFF’s single-season record for passes broken up by a linebacker.
Point being, the Vikings have weapons to turn up the heat.
If the playoffs started today, the Vikings would be playing the New Orleans Saints. That’s a scary prospect for Vikings fans who still remember the 2009 NFC Championship. But if the Vikings somehow move up to the No. 5 spot, they will play the NFC East champion. They already beat both the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys this year, so no matter who wins the division, the Vikings would have confidence.
Minnesota is the underdog in the NFC, but don’t count it out.