As expected, the New York Giants are bad this season. They have the opposite record as the Vikings, currently sitting at 2-8. Their scapegoat this week became Jones, which made his release yesterday unsurprising. Once the former Duke Blue Devil clears waivers, he is free to sign with any team.

Minnesota Vikings favorites to sign Daniel Jones?

And according to Adam Schefter (ESPN), one of the most likely teams to land the 6-5, 230 lb QB is the Minnesota Vikings. 2024 QB Sam Darnold is under contract for the remainder of the 2024 season. Then, he becomes a free agent this offseason.

The Baltimore Ravens and Minnesota Vikings are two of the likeliest teams to land free-agent quarterback Daniel Jones, per sources. But they are hardly the only ones. Jones wants to sign with a playoff contender, and what happens in Week 12 is expected to influence his decision. pic.twitter.com/QS9npZJO34

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 24, 2024

In 10 games this season, Daniel Jones compiled 2,070 yards on 216-of-341 (63.3%) passing, for 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Jones would not be competition for Sam Darnold, in 2024. He would be insurance. On top of that, the former Giant would most likely sign for one more season, beyond this one.

One of the main reasons for signing Daniel Jones would be for the 2025 season. JJ McCarthy underwent a second knee procedure recently. You have to think that has the Minnesota Vikings organization a bit nervous about his recovery timeline.

By all reports, head coach Kevin O’Connell still plans on handing the QB reins over to McCarthy next season. But even if Jones is only promised a backup role, that doesn’t mean he won’t get his shot. We still do not know when JJ McCarthy will be able to resume football activities.

Jones checking into the TCO Performance [and QB Rehabilitation] Center?

Without a doubt, locking in a high-class insurance option for 2024 and 2025, even if only for injury, seems like a great idea, if the Vikings can get a deal done. And Daniel Jones’ interest in Minnesota makes a lot of sense, too. Obviously, he sees what they have done with another New York castaway, in Sam Darnold.

Kevin O’Connell is seen as one of the brightest young QB whisperers in the NFL, and his relaxed, calm, patient demeanor is perfect for the fragmented egos of these former 1st round QBs. And Daniel Jones is unlikely to find another starting quarterback role, unless he is rehabilitated.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Activate Tight End from Injured Reserve

After seeing Darnold’s successful stint in the TCO Performance [and QB Rehabilitation] Center, the path to recovery has already been laid out for Jones. Not only is Adam Schefter reporting the Minnesota Vikings as favorites to land Jones, but the Bovada sportsbook also has them as one of the most likely landing spots.

Daniel Jones next team odds

Carolina Panthers +170
Minnesota Vikings +300 👀
Pittsburgh Steelers +800
Indianapolis Colts +850
Denver Broncos +850
Las Vegas Raiders +1000
Los Angeles Chargers +1000
Cleveland Browns +1000
Tennessee Titans +1000
Dallas Cowboys +1100

— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) November 24, 2024

So, how did the Vikings really perform? ProFootballFocus has just dropped their Week 1 grades, which are a go-to for fans and analysts alike when assessing team and player performances. The verdict? They’ve got some great news for the Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings second highest ranked teams in PFF grades after week 1

The Minnesota Vikings currently hold the second-highest team grade, excluding the teams playing on Monday Night Football. They earned an overall grade of 84.5, placing just behind the Seattle Seahawks, who posted an impressive 91.3 PFF grade.

PFF Team Grades

1. Seattle Seahawks – 91.3
2. Minnesota Vikings – 84.5
3. New Orleans Saints – 82.8
4. Detroit Lions – 78.8
5. Dallas Cowboys – 76.3

The Minnesota Vikings not only secured the second spot in the rankings this week, but several standout individual performances also played a key role in their strong overall team grade.

PFF also selected their Player of the Game from the Vikings vs. Giants matchup, awarding the honor to QB Sam Darnold. They described him as “clinical from a clean pocket,” which played a big role in his impressive grade this week.

Minnesota Vikings Offense PFF Grades

After Week 1, PFF ranked Blake Brandel as the 5th best overall run and pass blocker in the league. Sam Darnold took the top spot as the best quarterback, while Aaron Jones led the pack among running backs.

In his debut as a Viking, Sam Darnold went 19-for-24, racking up 208 yards and tossing 2 touchdowns. At the same time, Aaron Jones made a strong impression in his first game in purple, rushing for 94 yards on 14 carries and adding a touchdown.

Came out swinging in the 2nd half.@jalennailor

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/W1Rznq8oEj

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 8, 2024

It wasn’t just the offense that played a key role in the game, the defense also had a strong showing, contributing significantly with several impressive performances that made a real difference on the field.

Minnesota Vikings Defense PFF Grades

1. Andrew Van Ginkel – 90.6
2. Harrison Smith – 90.4
3. Ivan Pace Jr. – 82.2
4. Harrison Phillips – 80.3
5. Josh Metellus – 80.2

Related: Win Over Giants Launches Vikings Up Major Power Rankings

Van Ginkel earned the 10th highest overall defense ranking in the league after Sunday’s games, with Smith close behind at 11th. On top of that, Van Ginkel also claimed the top spot in the coverage category.

Both Smith and Van Ginkel snagged interceptions to kick off their seasons, with Van Ginkel returning his for a defensive touchdown. That big play might have been a key factor in boosting his grade this week.

.@AndrewVanGinkel ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!?!

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/XFx58RvTIt

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 8, 2024

Minnesota Vikings off to great start

The Minnesota Vikings have started their 2024-25 season with a promising performance, despite entering with low expectations. This strong beginning could give the team a confidence boost as they head into Week 2, where they will face the San Francisco 49ers, last season’s runner-up, in their home opener.

But it became pretty clear, early on, that wasn’t going to be a problem. When the dust settled on MetLife Stadium this afternoon, the Vikings walked away 28-6 victors from a contest that didn’t feel close for most of three quarters.

We can’t take what happens in week one too seriously. What happens over the next two or three weeks, as the Vikings play against better teams who now have film on this remade Minnesota roster, will tell us a lot more about what to expect, going forward.

That doesn’t mean we can’t have takeaways, maybe even overreactions, to what we saw today. We had no idea what to expect from this 2024 Vikings squad, as of this morning. That certainly changed by this afternoon. Here are three things we learned about our favorite football team today.

1. Sam Darnold is definitely good enough

There’s no point in burying the lead. The 2024 Minnesota Vikings season is dependent on one player, quarterback Sam Darnold. Now that JJ McCarthy is out for the season, there is nobody behind him to take over, if he were to be injured or play poorly.

This team will go as Sam Darnold goes. And if Sunday is any indication of what we will see for the rest of the fall/winter, then the Vikings have the potential to be one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 NFL season.

Related: NFL Insider Reveals Vikings’ Unique Plan to Develop J.J. McCarthy During ‘Redshirt’ Year

The 27-year-old former USC star finished his debut in purple 19-of-24 for 208 yards, 2 touchdowns and one interception, in which he was hit and the ball popped into the air. Minnesota was up by multiple touchdowns in the 3rd quarter, so the offense stopped cooking a little bit. But Sam was nearly perfect in the first half, when it mattered most.

Sam Darnold at halftime:

🏈13/14

🏈151 passing yards

🏈1 TDpic.twitter.com/f6F2sgar2Q

— A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) September 8, 2024

2. Minnesota Vikings defense is no joke

A couple of weeks ago, when Stephon Gilmore signed on the dotted line, it was clear that this version of the Minnesota Vikings defense was more talented and experienced than the one they put on the field in 2023.

But with all the new pieces and in a system as wide open as Brian Flores, it’s impossible to know how organized things will look, early in a season. None of that was a problem for this defense, vs the Giants. All day long, there were white and purple jerseys flying around the Meadowlands.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Have a New Green Dot on Defense

Daniel Jones didn’t know which was was up, by the time it was all said and done. There is that one viral clip of Sam Darnold as a Jets rookie, telling teammates and coaches, “I’m seeing ghosts”. There is no doubt Danny Dimes was seeing those same nightmares on Sunday.

This ain’t an Ed Donatell defense anymore, Daniel!

Van Ginkel snags the pick and makes a house call! Vikings up big 28-6 #Skol pic.twitter.com/VWBK4dswAZ

— 3rd and Forever (@3rd_forever10k) September 8, 2024

3. The health of Aaron Jones could be the difference

Sam Darnold wasn’t the only new centerpiece of the Minnesota Vikings offense who made his debut in purple, on Sunday. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed running back Aaron Jones as the fix to a non-existent ground game.

This afternoon, he proved to be exactly that, rushing for 97 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries, good for 6.7 on average. It almost felt foreign watching a Vikings running back gash through a defense for chunk yardage, just about every time he touched the ball. Ty Chandler played an important role in both the run and pass game, too.

Related: Secret Extension Talks Happening on Minnesota Vikings Defensive Line…?

Jones may be 30-years-old, but there is no doubting, after Sunday, that his health is very important to the success of this team. Not only does he provide a running threat that we haven’t seen recently, but he also provides another dangerous offensive weapon, with TJ Hockenson (and possibly Jordan Addison) out for at least a handful of weeks.

AARON JONES FIRST TD AS A VIKING!!! 😤

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/e0ZwFN5sQo

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 8, 2024

There’s only so much you can trust from any opening day game. There are too many unpredictables, going into the start of each football season, that it’s impossible for opposing coaching staffs to know what’s coming. The adjustments made between weeks one and three often dictate an NFL season.

Related: Cam Bynum Playing Hardball with Minnesota Vikings?

Nonetheless, this was one of the most anticipated week ones in recent Minnesota Vikings history. They have a brand new quarterback, running back and completely turned over defense. It was impossible to know what as coming Sunday. Just because of that, we learned a lot about our favorite football team today.

Last year’s Vikings started with a loss against the Buccaneers when many NFL experts didn’t expect much from a Tampa Bay team led by Baker Mayfield. But what about the Vikings? Could Sam Darnold have a Mayfield-like career renaissance in Minnesota?

On Sunday, we’ll finally get our first clue. Below, we make four Vikings vs Giants bold predictions ahead of their Week 1 matchup.

Sam Darnold has a 300-yard Minnesota Vikings debut

Sam Darnold could very well fall flat on his face with the Vikings. Yet, there’s a reason the Jets saw enough potential to make him the third overall pick too. Of course, that was six years ago. But now, Darnold’s maturity could work in his favor.

He’s been humbled at every stop since his Jets departure. Except, last year, one of the NFL’s brightest offensive minds (Kyle Shanahan) saw something in Darnold, and now that same scenario is playing out in Minnesota under Kevin O’Connell.

Related: 5 Minnesota Vikings Who Will Be Better Than Last Year

If Darnold is going to have a strong season, it starts by putting his best foot forward against a Giants team with low expectations. After allowing the seventh-most points in the NFL a season ago, now some would argue the Giants have one of the NFL’s worst cornerback groups.

If Darnold can’t pick them apart, it could be a long season, but we expect a big game from the former first-round pick, provided Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor are both available after battling recent injuries.

Darnold has finished with 300 or more passing yards in just eight of his 56 starts, so accomplishing that feat in his first official appearance with the Vikings would be significant.

Vikings finish with the NFL’s most points in Week 1

If Addison and Nailor are both healthy and as long as the Vikings can avoid any other surprise injuries, they have the potential to start the season with a bang. The Giants are breaking in a new defensive coordinator.

While Brian Burns is a significant addition to New York’s front-seven, this defense doesn’t look much improved from last season. The Vikings, however, have completely rebuilt their offense.

Related: Mike Zimmer Unloads All His Minnesota Vikings Baggage

Sure, Kirk Cousins is gone, but Aaron Jones is a massive upgrade over Alexander Mattison. Instead of being stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage, Jones can help shorten the chains, handing Darnold fewer 3rd-and-long situations that set him up to fail.

If the Vikings’ offense is firing on all cylinders, they just might lead the NFL in scoring, for one week anyway. We’ll see if they can pull it off, but a questionable Giants offense could help seal the deal.

Giants fail to score 10 points

Giants fans don’t have a lot of confidence in their offense heading into the season. Which, after letting their best skill position player (Saquon Barkley) leave for the Eagles, it’s understandable that they’d have doubts about Daniel Jones too.

Jones struggled last season, even with Barkley, but now that defenses won’t have to worry about game-breaking plays coming from the backfield, being able to shut down Devin Singletary shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Related: Another NFL Expert Reveals Himself as Vikings Doubter

The X-factor here is Malik Nabers. If ‘Danny Dimes’ can make a quick connection with the former LSU star receiver, then the Vikings could be in for a long day. But then again, the Giants’ offensive line isn’t exactly a cast of Pro Bowlers either. This leads us to our next bold prediction.

Vikings defense records six sacks

The Vikings didn’t have more than five sacks in any single game last season. They tied for having the 13th-fewest sacks in the NFL and averaged 2.5 per game. That’s part of why the Vikings made improving their pass rush such a big priority.

Related: 2024 Minnesota Vikings X-Factor is… Jonathan Greenard?

They couldn’t convince Danielle Hunter to spend another season in purple. But getting Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner in one offseason came as a surprise.

Combine those sack specialists with a rebuilt secondary, and the Vikings could be ready to unleash on a Giants O-Line that allowed an NFL-high 85 sacks last season. While the Giants have since rebuilt their line, Pro Football Focus still ranks their OL as the fourth-worst group in the league.

We’ll put our belief in Brian Flores to scheme up some exotic blitz packages that leaves Daniel Jones’ head spinning when the final whistle blows. Who knows, the Vikings might even finish with six sacks for the first time since Week 6 of the 2022 season.

Related: Vegas Believes in Vikings Rookie Dallas Turner

If Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wants to ensure he gets Kevin O’Connell a future franchise quarterback, odds are he’ll have to trade up in the first round of the NFL Draft. But as you know, the Vikings are not the only team hoping to solve their QB vacancy for the next ten-plus seasons.

One franchise that has been blowing a lot of smoke involving top quarterback prospects includes the New York Giants. Sure, Daniel Jones is the Giants’ starting QB, but he was also limited to just six games last season, and New York had one of the NFL’s worst offenses even when he was healthy. In other words, despite the G-Men signing Danny Dimes to a $160 million extension a year ago, it’s always possible they look to restart at the QB position.

New York Giants could foil Minnesota Vikings draft day plans…

Yet again, with the Giants holding the sixth pick in the NFL Draft, they may have to trade up to pick No. 4 or 5 to secure their desired franchise quarterback. While Caleb Williams will be selected first, whoever is left among Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy could appeal to the Giants.

Pro Football Focus’ lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema was recently asked a fascinating question. If the Cardinals are on the clock with the fourth pick and J.J. McCarthy is still on the board, which team would trade up?

Hopped on with @richeisen (@RichEisenShow) this afternoon to discuss the two teams I believe are the front runners for a trade up into the Top 5 for a QB: Vikings and Giants

A little more into why: pic.twitter.com/XJdag8sAW0

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) April 11, 2024

“I look at two teams in particular that have the opportunity to actually give Arizona a deal that they would take. The first one is the obvious one, and it’s the Minnesota Vikings at 11. Now if the Cardinals are comfortable moving all the way back from four to eleven, they can probably get No. 11, No. 23, and a little bit more than that.

But then the other team to me is the Giants. I think they’re gonna be pretty desperate to go up and get one of these quarterbacks. I think they’re going to give a pretty competitive deal to move up to four, well, they’re gonna talk to the Patriots at three, but I think they’re going to give a pretty competitive deal for three, four or five, whenever a quarterback is still on the board, because I think they desperately want to upgrade. I really do believe that. They of course can offer one of those teams something the Vikings cannot. And that is, a pick in the top-six, and that has a heavy value.”

PFF’s Trevor Sikkema on Giants/Vikings’ interest in J.J. McCarthy

Related: Which Teams are Most Likely to Steal the Vikings’ Top QB Target in NFL Draft?

Sikkema is convinced that the Giants are seeking a new quarterback, but then what happens with Daniel Jones? Keep in mind that the Giants are like the Cardinals and Patriots in that they also need a top playmaking receiver. Adding another quarterback won’t fix that, and losing the valuable draft capital needed to trade up won’t help them solve their needs later, either.

However, the Giants have seemingly done just as much due diligence on top quarterback prospects as the Vikings have, meeting with Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, and Drake Maye, among others. It’s very possible Sikkema nailed it here, but if so, then the Vikings better be prepared to make a trade offer too good to refuse if McCarthy or another top prospect is still on the board at No. 4 when the Cardinals are on the clock.

Related: Florio Wonders if Vikings are Waiting for Pick-Swap Tampering Reward from Falcons

That includes arguably the most important and controversial question: ‘How good is Kirk Cousins?’

If you ask national football pundits about the Vikings’ QB1, the answer is, ‘not very’. Because across mainstream sports media outlets, the disrespect for Cousins is palpable. For example, Dan Orlovsky (ESPN) ranked Kirk as the 12th best QB (of 14) in this year’s tournament, behind both Geno Smith and Daniel Jones.

If you work for ESPN you are instructed to hate on the Vikings and Kirk Cousins @danorlovsky7 pic.twitter.com/CZfvbRGqDL

— Rick Sosa (@sosarick) January 12, 2023

Is Kirk Cousins A Top Ten QB? @BarstoolBigCat doesn't believe so.

Tune in to an all-new episode of the Pro Football Football Show Saturday morning at 9AM ET.

Presented by @ChevyTrucks #ad #Silverado #Chevy pic.twitter.com/IMTbfSAbbf

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 14, 2023

Kirk Cousins cannot win with national pundits

For years, Kirk Cousins has been criticized for putting up empty individual numbers, always near the front of his peers statistically but rarely winning enough to make the postseason. He struggled mightily in primetime and in late-game situations.

This year, however, Cousins flipped the script. The Vikings won 13 games and Kirk led a league-leading 8 game-winning drives. Out of nowhere, Cousins turned into the most clutch QB in football. But, his individual numbers, especially in terms of efficiency, fell across the board.

Instead of praising the 34-year-old quarterback for finally putting wins over individual stats, however, his haters took aim at everything else. They pointed to the advantage Justin Jefferson brings and ripped Cousins for throwing the 2nd most interceptions in the NFL and for his career low QBR. Just like that, individual numbers matter all of a sudden. Weird how that works.

Winning was the only thing that mattered to Kirk Cousins detractors…

….until he started winning #SKOL

— TreMAINe ATTRACTION (@Mr_Objectivity) January 13, 2023

Empowered Kirk Cousins

If you surveyed his teammates and coaches, though, there’s never been more belief in Kirk Cousins. A once-fractured locker room has rallied around #8 in a way that he’s never experienced during his career and a lot of that has to do with first year head coach, Kevin O’Connell, who has taken ever feasible action possible to empower his quarterback.

That includes more say at the line of scrimmage. In an interview with the Star Tribune, Kevin O’Connell said Kirk has multiple plays at his disposal when he breaks the huddle and that he’s changed the called play, once he gets to the line, nearly 70% of the time this season. That’s a huge change from what he could do under Mike Zimmer.

How often does Cousins change something from O’Connell’s initial play call by the time the ball is snapped? “I would probably say close to 70 percent,” O’Connell said.

“We’ve scored on plays this year that either Kirk suggested, or a big third-down conversion he had ultimate ownership of,” O’Connell said. “I think the big thing for him this year is, his ownership has just grown by leaps and bounds, with his comfort and what we’re asking of him.”

Ben Goessling – Star Tribune

Silence the haters

So here we are. Kirk Cousins is finally being treated like a high quality quarterback by his coach and teammates and he’s parlayed that into 13 wins and an NFC North title. Yet, respect from football fans and talking heads across the league is still lacking.

Sunday, however, marks the beginning of an opportunity for Cousins to change his narrative across the football landscape. If he plays poorly and the Vikings lose vs the Giants, doubters will seize their “I told you so” moment to flex on those who believed. ‘Kirk Cousins is who we thought he was’, will be the narrative.

Or… Kirko Chainz could come out and shut everyone up. If he comes out and plays well vs New York and the Vikings win, critics will be forced to swallow their words for one more week. Then, should he pull a shocker over the 49ers next weekend, on the road, there’s no doubt we would see a brand new appreciation start to form surrounding Kirk Cousins’ career.

The take: “Kirk Cousins can only win 1pm games!”

The plan: pic.twitter.com/7d9TBnDmi6

— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) January 13, 2023

Make a Super Bowl… and hell, Hall of Fame discussions would even sprout up. Could you imagine Kirk Cousins HOF discussions? That would be a trip.

In other words, the 2023 playoffs is one of the final opportunities that Kirk Cousins has to reshape a negative narrative that’s followed him for most of his professional football life. If Cousins can lead the Minnesota Vikings on a deep playoff run, haters will have no choice but to put respect on his name.

So what’s it gonna be, Kirk? Super Bowl? Hall of Fame? A big money contract extension?

Or… “I told you so!”?

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

US Bank Stadium, one of the loudest venues in professional football, will be rocking. Unless you ask Giants’ offensive lineman, Nick Gates, who told media yesterday that he isn’t worried about the decibel level next weekend.

Quiet US Bank Stadium?

Why not? Because, according to Gates, US Bank Stadium wasn’t that loud when the Giants played there a few weeks ago. Apparently, we’re just nice midwestern people who aren’t mean enough to get loud.

“Surprised. Actually, I thought it would be a lot louder,” Gates said. “I thought especially when our offense is out there they would be a lot louder out there. But you know, they’re Midwest people. They’re too nice. I can say it because I went to Nebraska. I went to Nebraska. I include myself in that one.”

Nick Gates (via ESPN)

What a stupid quote for Nick Gates to let an entire fanbase pin to their collective bulletin board. Anyone want to tell this dude that most of the loudest stadiums in the NFL (Arrowhead, Lambeau, Lucas Oil, US Bank) are in the midwest?

Loudest Stadiums in NFL

A quick Google search tells us that Gates is full of shit so there’s no point in being upset. The Bank ranks as a top-six NFL stadium when it comes to recorded decibel levels. It’s only one of six stadiums league-wide that has hit a decibel level of 120 or more.

1. Arrowhead Stadium (Chiefs) — 142.2 decibels (Guinness Record)
2. Lumen Stadium (Seahawks) — 137.6 decibels
3. Caesars Superdome (Saints) — 136.6 decibels
4. State Farm Stadium (Cardinals) — 130 decibels
5. Lambeau Field (Packers) — 123 decibels
6. US Bank Stadium (Vikings) — 120.1 decibels

For comparison purposes, the Guinness World Record for loudest indoor stadium is 130.4 decibels and was set at Allen Fieldhouse during a Kansas Jayhawks game. During the 1991 World Series, crowds at the Metrodome reached 125 decibels.

Outside of the top-three stadiums above, US Bank Stadium gets as loud as any in football. If fat and happy regular season Vikings fans, who were already looking forward to the playoffs when the Giants came here the first time around, weren’t loud enough for Mr. Nick Gates… then he’ll feel much better about what he hears this coming Sunday.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Vikings want rest in week 18

It’s an important matchup for the purple, especially if O’Connell & Co are going to lock in the NFC’s 2-seed before week 18. And that’s the hope, according to Darren Wolfson (KSTP, SKOR North). Because the Vikings would like to rest key players when they travel to Chicago to play the Bears for the regular season finale. Soldier Field is one of the worst playing surfaces in the NFL, despite what the NFLPA may think, and avoiding catastrophic injury entering the postseason is top of mind.

“What the Vikings are hoping for is to secure the 2-seed before that last game in Chicago. If you think about that turf in Chicago… I had someone with the Vikings tell me this the other day. That turf is so bad, the Vikings don’t want to risk injury the week before a playoff game.” — Darren Wolfson (SKOR North)

To have any chance of that happening, Minnesota will have to win both of their next two games and hope the San Francisco 49ers drop one in that same timeframe. The Vikings will need luck on their side to make that happen because the 49ers look like one of the best teams in football right now.

Lady Luck loves both teams

Lucky for them (pun intended), four leaf clovers and horseshoes haven’t been hard to find during the first 15 weeks of the season. According to the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings are the 2nd-luckiest team in the league. On Saturday, however, they’ll face THE luckiest team, the New York Giants.

Luck dashboard update for weeks 1-15.

NYG@MIN this Saturday is a matchup between the two luckiest teams. pic.twitter.com/sxnjWTvqUN

— Tom Bliss (@DataWithBliss) December 20, 2022

We’ve talked a little bit about this newfound “luck” measurement before. But here’s how the NFL explains it, along with some specific explanations via their Football Ops Data Scientist, Tom Bliss.

Although NFL game outcomes are far from random, teams still get lucky. We identified four key scenarios where teams benefit from actions in a game that are almost entirely derived from opponent performance or lucky bounces.

• Dropped Interception (dropped by opponent): When an opponent drops an interception, you get lucky. We assume that the intercepting team keeps possession at the spot of the drop. 
• Dropped Pass (dropped by opponent): When an opponent drops a pass, you get lucky. We assume the offense would gain yards after catch using the Next Gen Stats Expected YAC model.
• Field Goals and Extra Points (attempted by opponent): When an opponent misses a kick, you get lucky, and when your opponent makes a kick, you get unlucky. Field goal make probabilities are based on the Next Gen Stats Field Goal Probability model.
• Fumble Recoveries (by either team): When a team recovers a fumble, there’s a chance the luck of the bounce was involved. Fumble recovery probabilities are based on observed recovery percentages by when the fumble occurred (i.e., after a catch, during a rush, fumbled snap, muffed punt).

This is unblocked opponents field goals. It is unlucky to lose on a 60 yard field goal, and it is also lucky to win on a missed 20 yard field goal.

— Tom Bliss (@DataWithBliss) December 20, 2022

~40% of interceptions are dropped. Teams that almost never have potential interceptions dropped have a negative win prob.

— Tom Bliss (@DataWithBliss) December 20, 2022

Just win, baby

Whether you believe in this “luck” methodology or not, it’s impossible to have watched this Minnesota Vikings season without wondering if there is a destiny factor built into their success. The comeback vs Buffalo is one of the best of 2022 and took the greatest catch of all time to complete. And the victory last week vs Indianapolis is in the NFL history books as the largest comeback ever.

But this weekend, they’ll face the only NFL team supposedly luckier than they are. What does that mean? Probably nothing. The Vikings are at home and playing an 8-5-1 team that lacks high-end talent on offense, beyond Saquon Barkley.

Just win, baby.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Vikings’ QB coach, Kevin Stefanski, was one in a handful of candidates to interview for Minnesota’s offensive coordinator position. Unfortunately for him on Thursday night, it was announced the John DeFilippo, not Stefanski, would slide in as Pat Shurmur’s replacement. Upon the breaking of that news, indications were that the long time tenured member of the Purple’s staff would reunite with Shurmur, and become the Offensive Coordinator for the New You Giants.

Well, Skol Nation, it was fun while it lasted. Let’s get ready to say goodb..

Oh ya, that’s right. My bad. The 35 year-old up-and-comer is still under contract with the Vikings. Meaning, we have the right to deny interview requests. When Pat Shurmur and his new team stuck their nose in our camp, that’s exactly what we did.

Vikings denied permission for Giants to interview and hire their QB coach Kevin Stefanski as their OC, per league source. Stefanski stays in Minnesota, Giants still need an OC.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 10, 2018

Now, before we break down whether this denial was fair or foul, if you’re not already woke on WHAT really could have happened, here’s some proverbial coffee…

Stefanski might have been onboard with taking the NYG OC job, heard the new pitch here, changed his mind, and asked the team to deny request so he didn’t look bad. Happens with coaches and GM candidates.

— Andy (@AndyCarlsonShow) February 10, 2018

100% within the #Vikings rights to block Stefanski from going to New York to FINALLY get an OC job.

But without a wink-wink understanding when JDF leaves, it’s a BAD precedent to set for future assistants.

— Andy (@AndyCarlsonShow) February 11, 2018

As for what the “new pitch” was, it would relate to Stefanski taking over as OC once John DeFilippo, as most anticipate he will, becomes a head coach in the NFL. That take is pure speculation.

With that being said, let’s focus on what we KNOW is true. As of now, there are no facts to show WHY the Vikings blocked the request. All that we know, regardless of their motivation, is that MN sent the Giants away like the Minneapolis Miracle did to the Saints.

The way I see it, preventing a person from advancing their career isn’t fair. However, fair is a place where they judge pigs. This is the NFL. It isn’t carnival style bullshit like a swine beauty contest. A contract is a contract.

I hope when this situation arrises again, the Vikings’ front office takes a same shit, different day approach. Especially, if it involves a NFC North opponent or an ex-member of our staff. Whether it’s Pat Shurmur of someone else who took off the Purple apparel, the watch your own bobber mindset is in full force. That may come off as a get off my lawn approach, but I feel it’s in the best interest of the Vikings.

As for worries that this sets a bad precedent for future coaches, I don’t share your concern.

New Vikings OC John DeFilippo said on a conference call that he had other opportunities to be a coordinator this offseason. “But when the Minnesota Vikings want to talk to you, that’s a whole different ball game,” he said.

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) February 9, 2018

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

Per CBS Sports, Pat Shurmur is a “virtual lock” to become the next head coach of the New York Football Giants. The move is expected to be made official as soon the Vikings’ season ceases.

He will be replacing Ben McAdoo, who was fired in early December.

Shurmur leaving Minnesota for browner pastures was bound to happen. You can’t blame the 52 year-old for wanting another opportunity at the head coaching thing. On the bright side, at least he won’t be in the NFC North.

BREAKING: Matt Patricia expected to be named @Lions coach.
Welcome to Detroit!
Bring us a ring! ??? pic.twitter.com/AvVnCKavvG

— TheDLine™ (@TheDetroitLine) January 14, 2018

No rings for Detroit, Matt. No rings for Detroit.

If I’m starting a franchise today and have to choose between the two, no disrespect to Shurmer, but I’m taking Matt Patricia. I’m not exactly thrilled the bearded, defensive mastermind is now going to be in the NFC North.

However, there’s something that’s extra painful about losing to a former member of Skol Nation. It’s like finding out that your ex is now dating one of your friends. A punch to the gut. In the event Shurmur’s Giants ever beat Zimmer’s Vikes, for the sake of preserving my vision, I wouldn’t watch the post-game handshake.

Nobody likes the old “student overtakes teacher” storyline. Come up with something new. With Shurmur set to join the NFC East, rather than the North, those worries will be few and far between.

Thankfully the same is true for the Packers GM search. It’s pretty obvious, but the best thing that state could ever do is try to become more like Minnesota. It’s actually astonishing they themselves are yet to come to that conclusion (their state might run better if they did).

As for the rest of the playoff run, Shurmur will approach things just like the previously mentioned Patricia. He’ll stay in his current role until the season is officially over. For the Lions soon-to-be head coach and his current team, the Patriots, let’s hope that starts next Sunday.

I do hope you beat New England and go to the Super Bowl, Jalen. If that miracle occurs, you’re not winning shit.

In regards to Shurmur leaving for the City that Never Sleeps, that can wait until February. We’re hosting the party that is the biggest game of the year. It’s only proper that we attend.

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com