Why do so many people not recognize the Vikings?

Thanks for chiming in Claw.

Just to be clear with everyone who reads this thread. I didn't make this post for no reason. Once I notice something, I think it's worth mentioning.

And what I've noticed in the past couple of weeks, heading into the last few weeks of the season, through media, podcasts, espn and forums is rather prevalent. 

And it's everyone ignoring the Vikings, almost as if they don't exist. So we all know that the Lions are injured beyond imagination, they have been the front runner all season long. So it's natural for people to start talking about which teams have a shot to surpass them. If it's not the Eagles in the conversation, everyone goes straight to the Packers. The Bucs are getting some mentions, rightfully so, they are gaining steam. The Rams have Mcvay, Stafford,  and 2 dope receivers. Sure they can make some noise come playoffs. 

It's just odd, that the 12-2 Vikings are an afterthought in all of this. As an experienced dude in this racket, I get the feeling that this perception will move the lines by bettors against the Vikings in upcoming games. Getting any kind of points of value at this point of the year is a big deal.

If you think what I'm noticing is not correct, please chime in. Maybe I'm nuts.

Just my 2 cents.

*For those who know, I'm a Bears fan and have no particular fondness to this Vikings team*

Lions 12-2, expected wins 10.6-3.4

Eagles 12-2, expected wins 10.1-3.9

Vikings 12-2, expected wins 10.0-4.0

Packers 10-4, expected wins 9.2-4.8

Commanders 9-5, expected wins 8.9-5.1

Bucs 8-6, expected wins 8.7-5.3 

Rams 8-6, expected wins 6.3-7.7 

Seahawks 8-6, expected wins 7.1-6.9

@undermysac

If I would bet on the Vikings in the playoffs, Sam Donald will have to prove me right. No doubt, Donald is doing pretty well this season, but he hasn't thrown a football in the postseason.   

I don't know what it is about Vikings QBs, but Darnold reminds me a lot to Cousins.  And I get the sense there is a lot of

" overachieving " going on by this team and its QB.  I for one don't trust 'em . 

Its an organization that has never really given anyone a reason to take them seriously. They are the Bills of the NFC.

Often lack recognition due to their lack of Super Bowl wins and being a smaller market team.

What do you guys think about the game tomorrow in Seattle? How does Seattle's D compare with the rest of the league? In particular the secondary. Does Seattle blitz a lot?

I mentioned Darnold's "2 other bad games", here's how he bounced back the next game.

Vs Detroit: 22/27, 259 yards,1 td 1 int, 103.5 qbr, 9.6 ypa, they lost

@ Tennessee: 20/32, 246 yards, 2 td 0 int, 107.0 qbr, 7.7 ypa, they won

It sure does look like taking the home dog in Seattle, needing to win, after getting shelled 13-30 by the Packers is the sharp side. Or is it?

Their prior 4 games were wins vs SF, AZ, NYJ, and AZ. Those teams have a combined record of 17-25. The Hawks have won those games by an average of 23-15.5 or (+7.5).

If we include the Packers game, 21-18.4 or (+2.6)

Perhaps this step up in competition vs a nfc north team is too much to handle? The line sure suggests it imo.

To be fair, let's look at Minny's 7 game win streak. Their opponents in that span have a combined 30-54 record. Terrible competition. The Vikings have won those games by an avg of 25.8-16.43 or (+9.37)

9.37 minus 2.6 = 6.77

How much is Seattle's hfa worth? 1.5 maybe? It's not as strong as years past. The Hawks are 3-5 at home this year. I see a home power ranking of #22 for the Hawks, from a site I trust. The Vikings have the #10 away power ranking.

So how do we go from Vikings -6.77, to the current line of Vikings -3? I still think that this line is light, especially considering the injury reports.

The Vikings on the look ahead were -1.5, that got steamed to -3 pretty quick, and hit -3.5 on Dec 17 at 9:23 am till 10:01 am. I guess that's where the line is drawn, that hook on a 3 is the most powerful hook in the nfl.

74% of the tickets, and 70% of the $ are on the Vikings. 

Do with this info what you like, but don't let it be your end all make all decision.

I appreciate all the responses. A lot of recognized posters, your opinion is valued.

But I have to say, if none of you are ready to back Darnold in the playoffs, I have no other choice but to back him in the playoffs. You guy's know that feeling, being on an island feels good when betting. 

Best of Luck 

History I would surmise. QB unproven ?
Other than that, they seem pretty good. 
However I don¡¯t see them as a SB contender

Fair 

13-2

112.3 qbr

For me it’s the 20th ranked SOS and a pedestrian +15 net yards per game. Thats a red flag to me but im a stats person. 

im also a goblue JJ McCarthy person and will be all over Vikings futures in 2025. Kids a winner.

If Minnesota gets stuck with the 5 seed and has to go out to LA I think they’re done immediately

Have a hard time backing darnold no matter the stats...Vikings are legit though. 

If minny beats green bay next week (which won't be easy) then it will set up a winner takes all showdown last regular season game against the lions for  both the nfc north title and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. it will no doubt be flexed as the sunday night game  . the loser would end up the 5 seed . wow what a huge swing that is.

Just feels like only a matter of time before the floor gives out. Get the feeling alot of people feel that way.

Having said that, Darnold has been solid this year and deserves a nice contract in the offseason. Someone will give it to him. He would be smart to stay with Minny. They have brought out the best in him.

Right, exactly. 

Why though?

It's Darnold's 7th year in the league. Granted, a lot of that experience is through rough times with bad teams in the Jets and Panthers. It took some time getting on the right path for him, imo.

Someone saw something in him when he was drafted #2 overall. 

Next week, I'll have no other choice but to bet on Minny at home vs the Packers. Brian Flores loves to blitz, and Jordan Love is awful against the blitz. Short week on top of it. After people see the Packers annihilate the Saints on MNF, they'll be on the Packers like flies on shit.

It's nuts how good the nfc north is, minus the Bears. 2 of the top 3 teams are going to get screwed out of HFA.

Nobody talks about them because they don't have flamboyant players or a coach always looking for a sound bite.

O Connell backed up Brady, coached with Shanahan, McVay, McDaniel, LaFleur here in DC on Mike Shanahan's team.

The owners ( the Wilfs) keep quiet.

It's a recipe for success...how much is the question 

Sam should get MVP

@undermysac

I don't think it's Darnold. I think it's because they've raised hopes a few seasons early then faded. That's clearly not happening this season, but the Packers are right there with them and Detroit might be the team that fades this year because they're so banged up.

@MP2056

About Detroit, for the time being at least. They sure fucked anyone taking the Bears yesterday. That game was pure domination from beginning to end.

Not like on Thanksgiving when they played the perfect 1H, then packed it in for the 2H. We'll see how they navigate all these injuries moving forward. I suspect that it's not as big of a deal as people are making it out to be, but it's definitely a tough spot for them.

The Vikings are 12th in Total Offense, and 9th in Scoring Offense. Good, but not elite. Offense is what gets you noticed these days. Also, they weren't a playoff team last season, and were perceived as "lucky" to make the post season in 2022, despite their 13-4 record.  They are also somewhat overlooked - being in the same division as DET and GB. Darnold also had a below average perception as a QB coming into the season.

They'll get noticed when they win a playoff game or two. GB for instance, pulled a big upset in the playoffs last year by winning at Dallas, and nearly winning at SF.

I haven't bet against the Vikings this year, ATS, and when I've bet on them, I've made money. They've been good to me..