Ranking the NFC through 11 games

[purplefaithful]

I am trying to remember, does the #1 wildcard team get a home playoff game or not?

[kmillard]

I am trying to remember, does the #1 wildcard team get a home playoff game or not?

NO, its the 3 division winners.

[JimmyinSD]

Currently the 5th seed Vikes would go to the 4th seed Falcons

Pack to seattle
skins to philly

Lions stay home and play with themselves.

[StickierBuns]

Stacking wins against teams you are supposed to beat is HUGE. 3 wins on the road in a row?? Never been done in franchise history....you know why? Because its f-ing hard to do, that's why....no matter who you play. Some of these Vikings fans that unless you are Detroit and smoking everyone or have Patrick Mahomes, the team wins just aren't good enough for you. With the super lucky bounce that gave Chicago the onside kick and then into overtime, my wife looked at me and goes, 'Vikings are going to win this'.....and honestly, I felt the same way. New mental territory for sure. That's KOC.

This is probably the 5th best team in the NFL right now.....with Sam Darnold.

[MaroonBells]

Brandon Mileski@BrandonMileski
Losses by Lions, Vikings, and Packers this season when playing teams other than Lions, Vikings, and Packers:

Lions - 1
Vikings - 1
Packers - 1

[StickierBuns]

[MAD GAINZ]

I really do think the Vikings are in the midst of having a strong era of Vikings football and it all starts with Kevin O'Connell. I think he's just one of those special coaches like Andy Reid who is an offensive genius, knows QBs, and connects with his players. He's adaptable to the modern NFL and his coaching record without a top 5 QB speaks volumes. The dude is 29-16 with Cousins, Darnold, Dobbs, Mullins, and Hall as his QBs...

[purplefaithful]

Stacking wins against teams you are supposed to beat is HUGE. 3 wins on the road in a row?? Never been done in franchise history....you know why? Because its f-ing hard to do, that's why....no matter who you play. Some of these Vikings fans that unless you are Detroit and smoking everyone or have Patrick Mahomes, the team wins just aren't good enough for you. With the super lucky bounce that gave Chicago the onside kick and then into overtime, my wife looked at me and goes, 'Vikings are going to win this'.....and honestly, I felt the same way. New mental territory for sure. That's KOC.

This is probably the 5th best team in the NFL right now.....with Sam Darnold.

I really do think the Vikings are in the midst of having a strong era of Vikings football and it all starts with Kevin O'Connell.  I think he's just one of those special coaches like Andy Reid who is an offensive genius, knows QBs, and connects with his players.  He's adaptable to the modern NFL and his coaching record without a top 5 QB speaks volumes.  The dude is 29-16 with Cousins, Darnold, Dobbs, Mullins, and Hall as his QBs...

I know some fans wanted Harbaugh and I get the logic. I didnt watch that game last night and end up pining for Jim over KOC for coach though. I wanted to go younger, more progressive, more cutting edge. 

If you can do it that way and win? Even better I guess. 

Agree if they can keep KOC around, this is going to be a fun era for the franchise/fans. I feel like we're at the forefront of things now in the league vs old school. 

The big unknown is JJM. Thats the lynchpin that will set the environment here in Viking land for at least the next 3+ seasons. 

Lots longer if he pans out.

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O’Connell has been able to recount road games in sunny terms more frequently than any coach in recent Vikings history.

After acing a three-game road trip with wins at Jacksonville, Tennessee and Chicago, the Vikings have a 5-1 road record this season, tied for second best in the league with the Chiefs and Eagles.

Throw in the Vikings’ London victory against the Jets, and they’ve won six times in seven games away from U.S. Bank Stadium this year.

Since O’Connell took over for Mike Zimmer, the Vikings are 15-8 on the road, tied with the Ravens for the fourth-best mark in the league since 2022. They’d gone 35-37-1 on the road under Zimmer, the 13th-best mark in the NFL during the coach’s eight seasons.

Only 17 seasons in Vikings history include at least five road wins. Bud Grant had eight of them, Dennis Green had three, Mike Zimmer had two and Norm Van Brocklin had one. Jerry Burns and Brad Childress, who each coached in NFC Championship Games, never had seasons with five wins on the road.

O’Connell already has three in three years, tied with Green for the second most in team history.

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