NFL analysts have summed up the popular narrative surrounding the Minnesota Vikings with one simple question: Are they good enough to win in the playoffs?
The narrative first appeared after the Week 1 win over the Packers. The victory was convincing. And at the time, the Packers were seen as contenders. Amplifying the narrative was what occurred the following week when the Eagles easily handled the Vikings on “Monday Night Football.”
Still, the Vikings fought on. They felt slighted as they marched their way through the Lions, Saints and Bears. They felt underappreciated as they slipped past the Dolphins, Cardinals and Commanders. Then came Buffalo and a game that solidified their standing.
For a week.
Sunday’s jarring defeat lent credence to the doubters, many of whom have seen this statistic: Dating back to 1940, 284 teams have won eight or more of their first 10 games. Of those teams, only the 2022 Minnesota Vikings have a negative point differential (minus-2). That one number is the clearest evidence in support of the popular narrative.
But I thought it would be valuable to dig deeper, and that led me to a different question: Which advanced metrics identify the Vikings as contenders, and which suggest they’re mere pretenders?
Here are nine examples.