Minnesota Vikings 2024 season: What season looks like in four scenarios
The Minnesota Vikings are going into the 2024 season with the hopes that they can take a step forward. However, the season isn't likely to be one that has the Vikings contending for the Super Bowl. However, it's a non-zero chance that the Vikings could become Super Bowl contenders. Looking at the season from the […]
The Minnesota Vikings are going into the 2024 season with the hopes that they can take a step forward. However, the season isn't likely to be one that has the Vikings contending for the Super Bowl.
However, it's a non-zero chance that the Vikings could become Super Bowl contenders. Looking at the season from the onset, it could take a myriad of different directions. What would it look like if the Vikings finished at each spot in the NFC North?
Where do the Minnesota Vikings finish in the NFC North?
This is a really good question and one that has a multitude of potential answers. I will answer the question with my own opinion on how things will go, but I do believe it's important to have a blueprint of how each possible outcome can look.
Vikings win the NFC North
This is by far the least likely outcome in the 2024 season. The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers are surging and both made it far into the playoffs. If the Vikings were to usurp both teams out of winning the NFC North, it would take a herculean effort from both sides of the football. Quarterback Sam Darnold will have had to make a historic leap and be a Pro Bowl player for the Vikings to make it happen. Plus, the defense will have to take a positive step forward from their 13th-ranked unit a season ago.
Vikings finish second in the NFC North
We don't get the herculean effort from Darnold, but he proves to be more than capable, similar to Geno Smith in 2022 with the Seattle Seahawks. That level of success is welcomed by the Vikings and it helps propel them to a playoff spot. The defense is about the same as it was last season.
Vikings finished third in the NFC North
This feels like the most likely scenario. Darnold has some good games with some that are questionable, which is a script that sounds like his entire career. The idea that Darnold could take a major step with the Vikings just doesn't come to fruition and things stay relatively stagnant.
The defense is way too volatile and the issues that plagued them in December of 2023. There are some games that show real promise while others are disasters.
Vikings finish fourth in NFC North
This is what I would call an abject disaster. The team doesn't just play poorly, they get ravaged by key injuries once again. They have to start multiple quarterbacks, miss key players for extended periods of time and the defense regresses from a positive 2023 season.
Prediction for 2024 Vikings
The likeliest scenario for the Vikings is what I'm predicting: they finish third in the NFC North and barely miss out on a playoff spot. I think Darnold ends up being a solid player for the Vikings offense but it's not enough to truly elevate them.
Why third? Well, the Bears just aren't ready to take that step forward. I think rookie quarterback Caleb Williams shows real struggles initially and that ends up playing a major factor. The Vikings sweep the Bears in this instance and win seven, eight or nine games.
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