Daily Norseman
The Minnesota Vikings approach the midpoint of their season with the most impressive and unlikely win of the season at Detroit to get back to .500 at 4-4. They are also 2-0 in division games and a game and a half out of first place in the NFC North. Considering all the injuries and poor start to the season generally, the Vikings could be in a much worse position at this point in the season. And for most teams being down their starting quarterback and multiple starting offensive linemen for five of the first eight games, it would be.
But the Vikings have managed to make it through an at times ugly, frustrating, and mistake-filled first-half of the season still in playoff and even division title contention. The win at Detroit was a pivotal one in many ways. First, it showed a glimpse of what this Vikings team can be when healthy. It wasn’t a flawless performance by any means- far from it- but it was a reminder that the Vikings have the roster to compete and beat any team in the league. J.J. McCarthy was far from perfect as well, but he managed to do enough in key situations to get the win, just as he did in his first start at Chicago. In an odd coincidence, he had the exact same stat line in both games: 14/25 for 143 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 1 rushing TD. And the Vikings won both road games by the exact same score- 27-24.
Knocking off the two-time division champs in their house, something Kevin O’Connell has never done before, was also a confidence boost who knew the importance of this game in turning their season around. The Vikings’ team captains hosted a call with players the night before the Lions game which highlighted the importance of the game after a miserable and embarrassing performance on Thursday Night Football the week before against a mediocre Chargers team. The Vikings lost both games to the Lions last season, but remain undefeated in division matchups so far this season.
The Lions game was also significant in being the first time the Vikings starting offense and defense, with the exception of Ryan Kelly, was healthy this season. Equally important, it appeared the Vikings escaped without any major injuries in that game (although Aaron Jones had an AC joint injury but said he didn’t expect to miss any games). That sets the Vikings up to be competitive in what remains a tough second-half schedule. They face the equally desperate Baltimore Ravens next week at U.S. Bank Stadium, who are also healthy again and coming off a mini bye week. The Bears rematch game follows at home and then two tough road games at Green Bay and Seattle. Three games against the NFC East follow- the Commanders, at Dallas and at New York. The season ends with home games against the Lions and Packers. The Vikings can afford to lose three of their remaining nine games and...
