STEELE SPORTS
Nine weeks into the NFL season, if there was one word I could use to describe how the Vikings season has gone so far it would be “wow.”
After consistently analyzing how the addition of head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would change the dynamic of this franchise heading into the season, I think I can speak for most Vikings fans that I did not completely foresee this outcome.
Heading into Week 10 with a 7-1 overall record and currently sitting in second place in the entire league – yes, you read that correctly – the Vikings are possibly the best storyline of the league outside of the undefeated Eagles.
Not only have the Vikings taken a commanding lead of the NFC North Division, but the Packers have also essentially played themselves out of wild-card contention in a season that has seen the longtime powerhouse franchise plummet into the depths of despair.
Looking at the Vikings' success outside of their one blemish that came in the form of a road loss to the Eagles, the Vikings have tidied up some of their biggest flaws from the past en route to becoming one of football’s best teams.
Undeniably, the most underrated part of Minnesota’s run this season has been the team’s ability to preserve the football on offense and take it away on defense.
According to teamrankings.com, the Vikings currently rank second in the entire league with a +0.8 turnover margin, meaning that the team is consistently creating more offensive opportunities a game than they are giving away.
On top of this, Minnesota has been able to use its opportunities effectively due to clean play on both sides of the ball.
Minnesota is currently allowing five penalties and just under 40 penalty yards per game on offense, while its defense is the second-best in the entire league only allowing 57.6 yards per game due to penalties.
Long story short, Minnesota is doing the little things right that pile up into wins when the game is on the line.
Also to be admired is Minnesota’s ability to protect Kirk Cousins.
I understand that it still seems as if Cousins hits the deck more than fans may like to see, however, the Vikings’ offensive line is letting up sacks on just 4.95% of dropbacks – good for seventh-best in the league.
While offensive and defensive efficiency numbers haven’t changed a whole bunch from a year ago, another positive sign from the front office has been its willingness to make moves to bring in new talent.
I, for one, was a major fan of the Vikings’ trade to acquire tight end T.J. Hockenson from the Detroit Lions.
The Vikings have long been searching for a reliable tight end since the departure of longtime player Kyle Rudolph in 2021.
Irv Smith, Jr. was slated to be the Vikings’ next man in line after being drafted in 2019, however, injuries have put a damper on his career and he is currently unavailable again as a result of an injury.
Instead of allowing the offense to deal with the loss, Adofo-Mensah and the front office decided to trade some assets to acquire one of football’s most talented pass-catching tight ends.
They’re putting the right people in the right places at the exact right time.
It’s a recipe for success and as a Vikings fan, you can’t be any more excited about the prospects of this team as the season progresses.
A tough test against the 6-2 Buffalo Bills looms on the horizon, but after a 20-17 loss to the Jets, Buffalo has tipped their hand that they might not be the unstoppable Super Bowl contenders many people thought they were in the preseason.