Nonetheless, the Vikings have plenty to celebrate after a quick turnaround that didn’t come without obstacles.

Outside of Minnesota, hopes were slim for the Vikings heading into the 2024 season. After a 7-10 season in which franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​suffered a torn Achilles tendon before eventually leaving in free agency, the club recruited JJ McCarthy as a replacement in the first round, but found that He suffered a knee injury in pre-season preparation that ended the season.

But Sam Darnold filled the void and then some, leading an offense that was in the top 10 in scoring entering Week 15 and complementing a sixth-ranked defense.

Just like their 13-4 season in 2022, the Vikings have paved their way to the playoffs. The ’22 Vikes posted an 11-0 record in one-possession games, while the ’24 version has finished 7-1 in such contests so far.

However, Minnesota fans still smarting from the wild-card loss that cut short their last playoff appearance might find solace in another comparison. O’Connell and Co. have experienced two different winning streaks of more than five games in a season for the second time in team history, repeating a franchise performance first accomplished in 1998 by the Vikings, who went 15-1 and reached the NFC Championship Game .

Advancement to this stage and beyond would be made easier by a division title, and even more so by a first-round bye as the conference’s top seed, both of which are very much in play.

For now, the Vikings know they will at least play postseason football. Their next chance to improve their position comes Monday night against the Bears.