Kevin O'Connell's success in one key area could end up costing the Vikings come playoff time

The Minnesota Vikings have surprised everybody this season by developing faster than anticipated with an 8-2 record after 10 games.  No singular thing about the Vikings' success this season has been surprising. What has been surprising is how they have all come together at the same time. The success of quarterback Sam Darnold, the impressive […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell surveys the field during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings have surprised everybody this season by developing faster than anticipated with an 8-2 record after 10 games. 

No singular thing about the Vikings' success this season has been surprising. What has been surprising is how they have all come together at the same time. The success of quarterback Sam Darnold, the impressive free agency class and the defense taking a huge step forward has been tremendous to watch over the last few months.

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Kevin O'Connell's success against the AFC could be costly

One area where head coach Kevin O'Connell has been great is playing the AFC. During his three seasons as head coach, O'Connell has two undefeated 5-0 seasons against AFC opponents.

He is 11-4 against the AFC with their losses all coming in 2023. It's a really impressive record against the AFC and all wins are important, but losing more of his games in conference could pose a problem come playoff time.

The NFL tiebreaker procedures value in conference wins over those against the opposing conference and that could be an issue when things get to playoff seeding, especially with the Detroit Lions. The tiebreakers are as follows:

  1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
  2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
  3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
  4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
  5. Strength of victory in all games.
  6. Strength of schedule in all games
  7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed in all games.
  8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed in all games.
  9. Best net points in common games.
  10. Best net points in all games.
  11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
  12. Coin toss

The Lions schedule over the final seven games has two against the AFC and that could be a big factor in how the NFC North ends up if the Vikings win in week 18 and they end up tied.

The Lions face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday and the Buffalo Bills in week 15 with the latter at home. If the Lions lose against the AFC and the two teams are tied, it could come into factor with tiebreakers.

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