Before the 2024/25 NFL season began, the Minnesota Vikings were given an average chance of winning Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on 9th February 2025. This was primarily based on a disappointing 2023/24 campaign, when the Vikings finished 7-10, missing out on the playoffs entirely. However, the current season has already been more productive than the last, with the Vikings keeping pace with Super Bowl favorites, the Detroit Lions, in the NFC North.
At the same Week 13 stage last season when the Vikings had their bye week, their record stood at 6-6, with four defeats from the final five games ending any playoff hopes. Fast forward a year, the record makes for much better reading at 10-2 with the only defeats so far this season coming in back-to-back games against rivals Detroit Lions (29-31) and the Los Angeles Rams (20-30). The former against their divisional rivals was particularly grueling as the Vikings went down to a late field goal from Jake Bates.
Despite the two blips, the Vikings are set to make the playoffs this time round and could even claim top spot in the NFC North if they can force a slip from the Jared Goff led Detroit Lions. But how have the Vikings managed to banish the ghosts of the disappointing 2023/24 season?
Keeping JJ Fit
Ironically, the Vikings enjoyed their best run of form last season during the time star wide receiver Justin Jefferson was sidelined with a hamstring injury. However, that could easily be put down to the team rallying around the absence of Jefferson to put in the five-game winning streak. The value of Jefferson cannot be understated with JJ registering 1074 yards despite only playing ten games last season, scoring five touchdowns in those games.
Jefferson has already registered similar numbers this season, but the main difference is that JJ has remained fit. After the hamstring injury, Jefferson vowed to be “injury-proof” in the 2024 season, a promise he is currently living up to. Keeping him fit will certainly give the Vikings a better chance of upsetting the current NFL odds for a Super Bowl triumph.
Jones Offering a Versatile Route
While Jefferson attempts to scoop up everything thrown in his direction by Sam Darnold, Aaron Jones is proving an astute capture for the Vikings. After being picked up following his release by the Green Bay Packers, Jones has proved a versatile threat, with five touchdowns on his account after Week 13. Although mainly operating as a running back, two of those five have been receiving touchdowns, giving opposition defensive coordinators another threat to consider. Jones’ signing has also taken some of the pressure off Jefferson and can be seen as a significant factor in the Viking’s success so far.