Vikings a "legit" 8-2

[Zanary]

I think this team is the most legit of the KOC teams thus far, though Sam is the wild card; if he keeps it together and the timing improves with his receivers, the Vikings remain very dangerous. He simply has to have safe options available, and/or has to be reminded that when he panics, he underthrows to the competition.

That said, he did have a sweet TD pass dropped last Sunday, which would have been a great boost in points and confidence.

Right now, I don't see anyone- including the kittens- that we shouldn't be able to compete with. Truth be told, I see the rest of the schedule as being tough, but winning out isn't impossible.

[MaroonBells]

I think this team is the most legit of the KOC teams thus far, though Sam is the wild card; if he keeps it together and the timing improves with his receivers, the Vikings remain very dangerous. He simply has to have safe options available, and/or has to be reminded that when he panics, he underthrows to the competition.

That said, he did have a sweet TD pass dropped last Sunday, which would have been a great boost in points and confidence.

Right now, I don't see anyone- including the kittens- that we shouldn't be able to compete with. Truth be told, I see the rest of the schedule as being tough, but winning out isn't impossible.

I think we have a little bit easier remaining schedule than the Lions too. Lions still have the 49ers and Bills.

[purplefaithful]

8-2! Surprised? You might be, but Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell sure isn’t.

Five NFL teams already have exceeded their win totals for the entire 2023 season.

Washington, 7-4 with new head coach Dan Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, leads the way with a three-win improvement. The 8-2 Vikings are, however, the only team to need only 10 games to exceed as many as seven wins from last season.

Surely, that has to surprise coach Kevin O’Connell just a teeny bit, right?

Not exactly, he says.

“I tried to portray my [high] expectations from the very first time I stood in front of this team in training camp when we reported in late July,” O’Connell said. “There hasn’t been [any surprises] because I’ve tried to push beyond maybe their own personal expectations early or anything they might have been hearing [negatively] … about our team. I’ve tried to wade my way through that and eliminate all of that.”

The other teams to exceed last year’s win totals are Carolina (3-7, plus-1), Arizona (6-4, plus-2) and the Chargers (7-3, plus-2).

Four of the NFC’s top seven seeds now belong to teams that didn’t make the playoffs last year: No. 3 Arizona, No. 4 Atlanta, No. 5 Vikings and No. 7 Washington. Two of the AFC’s top seven seeds belong to teams that didn’t make the playoffs last year: No. 5 Chargers and No. 7 Denver.

Startribune

[StickierBuns]

Not that I care, but its humorous the national media is so dismissive of an 8-2 record in Minnesota because of Sam Darnold. 'Darnold is going to Darnold' at some point they say, so lets move on to which team will give the Lions the most problem in the playoffs: Green Bay, Philly or Atlanta? lol.

I've said my piece on Darnold and 'Bad Sam'.....but it should be a fun stretch run these last 7 games.

[MaroonBells]

Not that I care, but its humorous the national media is so dismissive of an 8-2 record in Minnesota because of Sam Darnold. 'Darnold is going to Darnold' at some point they say, so lets move on to which team will give the Lions the most problem in the playoffs: Green Bay, Philly or Atlanta? lol.

I've said my piece on Darnold and 'Bad Sam'.....but it should be a fun stretch run these last 7 games.

It's not just the national media, it's plenty of Viking fans too. What all of them don't seem to understand is that Darnold isn't doing this because he's suddenly great. He's doing it because of pretty good protection, outstanding weapons and a top-notch coach and playcaller. I've been saying this all year, but those things aren't going anywhere. 

Is he going to have bad games? Of course he is. Probably even a couple more this season. But name a QB who doesn't have bad games. I'll wait....

This notion that one of these days he's going to permanently turn into Bad Sam again seems a bit silly to me.

[purplefaithful]

You want to root for someone who is turning their misfortunes around? You like feel good tales during the holidays?

Darnold is a nice story to follow.

[pattersaur]

Biggest difference to me with this team versus some of the Kirk ones, is we have yet to lay a total egg.

Losing to the Rams on TNF by 10 is the closest we've come, and that game was horribly officiated and felt closer than the final score. And the only other loss was DET by 2.

As insane as it is to say, I'd feel better about putting $50 on this team to win the SB today, and having a snowball's shot of cashing it, than any team for sure since Keenum's year. And maybe since '09. I could be dead wrong and we could tank as soon as this weekend but I don't think so. Keep turnovers somewhat in check and I like our team and coaching a lot the rest of the way.

Btw Hockenson is back but hasn't been "back". He's still only been playing half the time. Hopefully this weekend we see more, especially if my guy Oliver is out. Hockenson is a difference maker.

[StickierBuns]

You want to root for someone who is turning their misfortunes around? You like feel good tales during the holidays?

Darnold is a nice story to follow.

He definitely is. I'm rooting hard for Sam, but my heart is with McCarthy because I think he'll be special for the franchise. 

But that's neither here nor there right now: go get 'em, Sammy. 8-2 has been so fun.

[hogjowlsjohnny]

Biggest difference to me with this team versus some of the Kirk ones, is we have yet to lay a total egg.

Losing to the Rams on TNF by 10 is the closest we've come, and that game was horribly officiated and felt closer than the final score. And the only other loss was DET by 2.

As insane as it is to say, I'd feel better about putting $50 on this team to win the SB today, and having a snowball's shot of cashing it, than any team for sure since Keenum's year. And maybe since '09. I could be dead wrong and we could tank as soon as this weekend but I don't think so. Keep turnovers somewhat in check and I like our team and coaching a lot the rest of the way.

Btw Hockenson is back but hasn't been "back". He's still only been playing half the time. Hopefully this weekend we see more, especially if my guy Oliver is out. Hockenson is a difference maker.

I have been pounding that drum since the beginning of the season. This is the best Vikings team in years.
If they can continue beating the teams they should beat, they will be in a good position to challenge for the division.
The Bears aren't likely to be pushovers. A division game on the road at soldier field is going to be a challenge. I believe this Vikings team will be up for the challenge and notch another victory.
Just have to keep stacking them up, one game at a time; one play at a time.

[purplefaithful]

I have been pounding that drum since the beginning of the season. This is the best Vikings team in years.
If they can continue beating the teams they should beat, they will be in a good position to challenge for the division.
The Bears aren't likely to be pushovers. A division game on the road at soldier field is going to be a challenge. I believe this Vikings team will be up for the challenge and notch another victory.
Just have to keep stacking them up, one game at a time; one play at a time.

Maybe its just the recency of the Titans game, but I wish the Vikings could run the ball better. In the red zone, on 3rd down, when they have to. 

RB really needs to be on their radar next off-season/draft. Not in front of a good corner or IL, but its up there.