This season is one of significant expectations for Kevin O’Connell’s squad. Last year they won 14 games but were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Rams.

There’s a level of uncertainty due to the nature of breaking in a new quarterback. That doesn’t mean the roster isn’t a better sum of parts. That has NFL Network’s Jamie Erdahl giddy.

Jamie Erdahl ready to plan the Minnesota Vikings parade

Host of Good Morning Football on NFL Network, Jamie Erdahl is one of us. The Minnesota native has lived the Minnesota Vikings heartbreak, and came back last season to sound the Gjallarhorn. Now she’s sounding the alarm and planning the parade.

A date delayed 30 years. @JamieErdahl picks her 2025 Super Bowl champ pic.twitter.com/9uFPG632k3

— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) September 4, 2025

“What if I think the Broncos and the Vikings will be playing in the Super Bowl in mid-February of 2026? After a 2025 regular season where you will see the Denver Broncos as your AFC Champions, and the Minnesota Vikings as your NFC Champions? Elway, Cunningham? Great! I think Nix and McCarthy is a better story…I’m not sorry that I have the Vikings winning the NFC North and the NFC. I’m not sorry that the Broncos are going to be the AFC Champions…Minnesota, an equally soul-stealing defense will pound quarterbacks this year. The best wide receiver in the game, and that quarterback’s twinkle? That’s the scariest answer in football. It’s the, ‘we don’t know,’ ‘we haven’t seen him.’

To that I say, we are the sum of the people that you surround yourself with. If I’m J.J. McCarthy, I’ve got Kevin O’Connell. I got Justin Jefferson. Adam Thielen now, Aaron Jones. I have an O-line that’s been invested in, and a Brian Flores defense. That is a great group of people to surround myself with. That’s the dream…The Minnesota Vikings, in their fifth Super Bowl appearance, will finally, for the first time in the history of the organization, win a Lombardi Trophy.”

Jamie Erdahl – Good Morning Football

If you can listen to that impassioned speech by Erdahl, see her removed the jacket to reveal a “9” McCarthy jersey, and not be ready to run through a wall with tears streaming down your face, I’m not sure how to help you.

The Minnesota Vikings have seemingly been there. From that fateful kick in 1998, to wide left, or wide right. After Brett Favre found Greg Lewis in the back of the end zone. Watching Favre take body shots against the now Broncos head coach Sean Payton’s New Orleans Saints. The Minneapolis Miracle. Darnold’s dream season. All of that hurt leads to this.

Related: QB Expert Would Take JJ McCarthy Over Everyone

It has been 50 years since the Minnesota Vikings last played in a Super Bowl. It seems now, with this team, it’s as good of a time as ever to win the next one you get to.

MN Vikings Super Bowl is not far-fetched

Of course Erdahl’s prediction is ripe with homerism, but that’s the beauty of sports. Each new season hope springs eternal. Her belief that the Vikings can not only with the North, but take the conference as well is not misguided.

Laid out eloquently as a perfect sum of the parts, this roster is capable of achieving greatness at the peak. Doing so with McCarthy in his first year under center would be an incredible way to shush the doubters, and usher in a new era of Minnesota football where the roster can be built from the inside out.

JJ deep pass! pic.twitter.com/kg7PwmnO0w

— Dustin (@Dust_Vikings) August 2, 2025

This moment, when the ball is snapped on Monday night, will have been more than a year in the making. We’ll finally see what McCarthy is capable of, and he could torch the expectations in one fell swoop.

Related: O’Connell Gives Major Update on Key Vikings Starters

The season is long, and it is grueling. If it can end without heartbreak, just once, this rallying cry might be the perfect one to come back to.

A growing trend this season for the Vikings has been their ability to strike first and maintain control throughout the game. That’s exactly what they accomplished yesterday, never trailing once after taking an early lead.

Minnesota Vikings on track to make Super Bowl?..

One thing you can’t do this season is call the Minnesota Vikings a fraudulent team. It’s not just because they’re sitting at 5-0, but because they’ve been winning convincingly. They’ve hardly been behind at all this season, trailing for just 3 minutes and 26 seconds total.

Since the 1970 merger, only five other teams have managed to trail for five minutes or less over the first five games of a season. Every one of those teams reached the Super Bowl, and three went on to win it.

A truly dominant 5-0 start for the Vikings: pic.twitter.com/ecLar2h9Oz

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 7, 2024

In 2009, the Saints dominated their first five games, never trailing for even a second, and went on to win the Super Bowl that season. The 1984 Dolphins had an impressive 12-2 record but fell short in the Super Bowl.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Injury News: Latest Update on Aaron Jones Hip Injury

The 2023 49ers finished 12-5 but also came up short, losing in the big game. The 1999 Rams, with a 13-3 season, claimed the Super Bowl title, while the 1998 Broncos went 14-2 and capped off their season with a Super Bowl victory.

The Vikings are surrounded by some of the greatest teams in NFL history. Can they replicate that legacy and find their way to Super Bowl 59 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans? We’ll find out soon enough.

Minnesota Vikings generating Super Bowl support

A six win season, which is where the Vikings were supposed to finish, wouldn’t have generated playoff hopes let alone the Super Bowl. Just three weeks into the season and Kevin O’Connell already has his team with half of those victories under their belt. Colin Cowherd is ready to suggest the last game on the league calendar will be a “W” as well.

Sam Darnold does it again 🤷🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/iNbrPz4dem

— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) September 22, 2024

“Last couple of weeks I’ve been saying, ‘I don’t know how long this Sam Darnold thing is going to last?’ But I do now. Until February 9th. That’s the date of the Super Bowl. Yeah I said it. Yeah, I said it. Four touchdowns no picks.”

Colln Cowherd on the Minnesota Vikings winning it all (X/formerly Twitter)

That take would have been absurd this off-season. It would have been absurd even a week ago. Frankly, it’s at least a little absurd right now. The reality is that the Minnesota Vikings are undefeated and lead the NFC North. They have beaten a pair of teams with Super Bowl aspirations. Each of their victories have come in convincing fashion. If there is a team that looks complete out of the gate, it’s the Vikings.

“It was not close” 👀

– #Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell gives the game ball to QB Sam Darnold
pic.twitter.com/U20t0eA2gG

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) September 22, 2024

Related: Official: Minnesota Vikings are the Real Deal

Of course the Super Bowl isn’t even close to being at the forefront of Minnesota’s minds right now. They aren’t going to keep seeing themselves as underdogs on a weekly basis if this continues, however.

Vikings showing a complete roster in the early going

It’s not just Sam Darnold. As Cowherd notes, the Minnesota quarterback did throw four touchdowns on Sunday and leads the NFL in passing scores. The defense turned over C.J. Stroud though, and Brian Flores continues to put out a group that looks like an unstoppable force. Will Reichard hit from 58 and the entire roster appears to be clicking.

Vikings defense is stopping early down runs, closing windows in disguised zone coverage, and creating pressure when sending 4 and 5 instead of needing to send 6 or 7 pic.twitter.com/gyquKiN9g3

— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) September 22, 2024

Minnesota must stay healthy. They had a serious injury scare during Week 3 when Darnold went to the tent. He did return, but they won’t be in the clear until his MRI comes back clean this week. Kirk Cousins was lost for the season last year at Green Bay, and Jordan Addison has missed the past couple of weeks. The NFL is a league of attrition, and the Vikings stars have to stay shining if they want to make Cowherd look like a savant.

Related: Vikings DC Brian Flores Deserves Another Head Coaching Chance, But Life Isn’t Fair

Right now Kevin O’Connell has the Minnesota Vikings clicking on all cylinders. If they stay looking even close to this good, then a Super Bowl is not out of the question. It would take place during arguably the most improbable season, but that would only make the storybook ending that much greater.

Related: Sam Darnold, the MVP Favorite?

Sam Darnold coming in and winning a ring would be the ultimate free agent outcome. Aaron Jones is on board for it. Stephon Gilmore is on board for it. Even Colin Cowherd is on board for it.

Related: 5 Offseason Moves that Make the Minnesota Vikings a Super Bowl Contender

Just like much of the league, Jefferson is in Las Vegas this week for all of the Super Bowl festivities, including some appearances on ‘radio row’ Wednesday, where he had some interesting things to say about his ongoing contract negotiations with the Vikings, and his feelings on a potential Kirk Cousins return (or departure).

Justin Jefferson still waiting to break the bank

In an interview with ‘Schein on Sports’ with Adam Schein (SiriusXM, CBS Sports), JJ was pretty up-front about all the unknowns involved in his ongoing contract negotiations with the Vikings, even coming off as semi-frustrated with how long it has taken to get a deal done.

“I feel like eventually, the #Vikings will do what they need to do to have me in the building, but I don’t really know at this very moment, only time will tell.”@JJettas2 updates @AdamSchein on his contractual situation.

🎧 https://t.co/jP0HFpFutU
📷 https://t.co/YSXEJxNd65 pic.twitter.com/MaQ0lmOOMZ

— Mad Dog Sports Radio (@MadDogRadio) February 7, 2024

Schein: “What about the latest on your contract because, my goodness Justin, break the bank, let’s go…”

JJ: “Hey, I’m right there with you. I want to break the bank and I want to be a part of an organization that wants me and [wants] to really give me what I deserve. I feel like eventually the Vikings will do what they need to do, to have me in the building, but I don’t really know at this very moment. Only time will tell.”

Justin Jefferson is optimistic that the Minnesota Vikings will eventually recognize his value and ultimately offer a deserving contract. Technically, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has the entire offseason to finish off extension talks with JJ and it’s possible the more pressing priority lies in determining the fate of Kirk Cousins and whether they opt to bring him back.

Related: Vikings Named as Potential Suitor for Derrick Henry by PFF Analyst & Former Team Intern

The structure of Jefferson’s contract, and when the biggest numbers in the deal will hit hardest, could depend on what the Vikings end up doing with Cousins. Speaking of Kirk, Justin Jefferson spoke yet again about his preferred option for Minnesota’s QB1 next season, when asked by Rich Eisen (Rich Eisen Show – NFL Network) in a separate appearance.

JJ appeared genuine when he said “I have no idea” who his quarterback will be in 2024-25. When asked what his sense is on the QB situation, Jefferson smoothly changed the question to who he hopes will be his QB. Of course, we know that is Kirk Cousins, which he reiterated with Eisen.

Justin Jefferson on the Rich Eisen Show discussing the Vikings QB situation pic.twitter.com/p9cMFomVqM

— liliceberg (@liliceberg1of1) February 7, 2024

Eisen: “Who’s your quarterback this year?”

JJ: “Yeah, I don’t know that. I don’t know that. I have no idea. It could be Kirk, it could be someone else I have no idea.”

[30 seconds later]

Eisen: “What’s your sense of how it might play out, with [Kirk Cousins]?”

JJ: “I mean, I would like him to stay. I would love for him to stay and have that connection with him. You know, it’s going to be difficult to create that connection with a whole new quarterback, especially [since] we don’t know if we are going to draft one, if we are going to pick one up. So, it’s a little bit of a difficult situation. But I would like to have him back. I would like to have him in that locker room, with that leadership that he has and that ‘C’ on his chest.”

Justin Jefferson Thankful To Call Minnesota Home

During his interview with Adam Schein, Jefferson says he doesn’t really know what he would do if the Vikings decide they don’t want to pay him what he is demanding, that he hasn’t really thought about it.

Related: NFL Insider Predicts Kirk Cousins Gets $85 Million from Vikings & Kwesi Drafts QB of the Future

He then went on to express his gratitude towards the organization, acknowledging that his current position wouldn’t be possible without their decision to draft him. He emphasizes that Minnesota has become his home since joining the league, and says he wants to stay long-term.

Schein: What if you don’t get [the contract you’re seeking] from Minnesota?

JJ: “Ummm… I’m not really too sure, at this very moment. I’m definitely grateful for what Minnesota has done for me. I definitely wouldn’t be in this situation if they didn’t pick me, to be the fifth receiver taken. With everything that has happened and everything I have gave to the organization, of course, I would want to stay and that’s where I’ve been calling home ever since I got into the league.”

Justin Jefferson (Top Video) – Schein on Sports (SiriusXM)

The Minnesota Vikings need to make retaining the reigning offensive player of the year Justin Jefferson a top priority. He has been a game changer in the league, arguably one of the most valuable players around. Loved by fans and teammates alike, it’s JJ’s abilities on the football field that are unmatched. Just like Justin Jefferson, I too am confident Kwesi & Co will eventually secure a deal that keeps the superstar in purple for a very long time.

Which dad bod would you prefer?🤔😏 pic.twitter.com/wWdsSQYS6D

— A L I S S A ✨ (@MissAlissaS) January 31, 2024

Choose Your ‘Dad Bod’: Patrick Mahomes vs Kirk Cousins

Mahomes may be on the verge of playing in his fourth Super Bowl in the past five years, but when it comes to being absolutely shredded, it’s safe to say Captain Kirk has him beat by about 8 abs and 300 less Big Macs.

Related: Adrian Peterson’s Daughter; 8th-Grader Ari Peterson Offered by Minnesota Gophers WBB

Unofficially, that’s a knock on the Mahomes scouting report. But then again, whatever methods Mahomes are using, they’re clearly working. He’s on track to becoming one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks of all time, whereas Cousins has yet to even reach the Conference Championship stage. Even Case Keenum did that.

Maybe that’s one reason why Cousins is so ripped compared to Mahomes. Despite being a starting QB for six seasons now, Mahomes has never missed a meal conference championship appearance.

Yoooo why they have to do me like that!?!?!? 🤣🤣🤣 #DadBodSZN

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 31, 2024

Meanwhile, Cousins has had a bit more downtime during the NFL players, throughout his career, giving him more time to dominate the gym instead of the gridiron. Oh well, there’s always next year… (read below)

Related: 5 Offseason Moves that Make the Minnesota Vikings a Super Bowl Contender

This article will take a look at the team’s journey from its founding to its current place among the elite teams in the NFL.

From an Expansion Team to a Playoff Contender

The Minnesota Vikings were founded in 1960 as an expansion team. They played their first NBA season in 1961, and their first three seasons were not especially successful. But they began to turn things around during their fourth season with a 9-5 record and their first playoff appearance.

This was just a preview of what was to come, as they went on to become one of the most dominant teams in the league during the 1970s, making four Super Bowl appearances and winning 11 division titles.

The Purple Dynasty: A Decade of Success

The decade of the 1970s is often referred to as “The Purple Dynasty” by fans due to their success during that time period. Led by legendary head coach Bud Grant and star players like Fran Tarkenton and Alan Page, this era saw them reach unprecedented heights for an expansion team.

They won 11 division titles, made it to four Super Bowls (winning none), and even had two perfect regular seasons (1973 and 1976). During this time, they also developed a rivalry with another perennial powerhouse—the Dallas Cowboys—which remains one of the greatest rivalries in NFL history.

It’s no secret the Minnesota Vikings upcoming odds are looking good for this season – so far!

Minnesota Vikings 2022 Season

In 2022, the Minnesota Vikings marked their 62nd season in the NFL, playing home games at U.S. Bank Stadium for the seventh year in a row. The team got a new general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and a new head coach, Kevin O’Connell, as Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer were fired after the 2021 season.

The Vikings had a successful start to the season, winning eight out of their first nine games, including an overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills in Week 10. They continued to perform well, earning a Thanksgiving Day win against the New England Patriots and clinching the NFC North title for the first time since 2017 after a Week 15 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

However, their postseason run ended in the Wild Card round with a 31-24 loss to the New York Giants.

Throughout the season, the Vikings received criticism for having most of their wins within one score and for suffering blowout losses in three of their four defeats. They ranked 31st in total yards allowed and ended the season with a negative point differential, a rare occurrence for a team with at least 12 wins.

However, some of the criticisms subsided after their historic comeback victory against the Colts, where they overcame a 33-0 halftime deficit to win 39-36 in overtime.

Conclusion

The Minnesota Vikings have come a long way since their founding in 1961 as an expansion team. They have had their fair share of ups and downs throughout their history, but their success during the 1970s solidified their place among the NFL’s elite teams.

In the 2022 season, the Vikings had a promising start under the leadership of new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell. While their season ultimately ended in disappointment, the Vikings showed glimpses of greatness, particularly in their historic comeback victory against the Colts.

Despite criticisms and challenges, the Vikings remain a team with a rich history and a bright future ahead.

The #Vikings should be about $22M over the salary cap after future signings. We have them ranked 31st in draft capital using mine and @PFF_Brad chart.

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) January 16, 2023

In order to maneuver around their cap constraints, the Vikings will have to push money down the road for guys like Kirk Cousins and Brian O’Neill. It would mean agreeing to free agent contracts that are light on the salary cap in early years, but cost them arms and legs down the road. In other words, they’ll have to mortgage some of their future if they want to have any chance of competing in the present.

Vikings Super Bowl odds are not good…

And that’s what they’ll likely do. The Wilfs want to be competitive every year because that’s what makes them money. If they weren’t willing to blow things up last offseason, after bringing in a new coach and GM, then they probably never will.

But is “going for it” the smartest option for the 2023-24 Minnesota Vikings if the ultimate goal is winning a Super Bowl? Something they are yet to do in their 60+ years as an NFL franchise? Currently, DraftKings has the Vikings as +4500 underdogs to do the impossible next season, the 19th best odds in the league.

Those odds are lower than both the Saints and Ravens, neither of which currently have a quarterback. The hapless Broncos, Jets and Jaguars sit ahead of the purple, as well. Even the Detroit Lions have a better chance of winning the 2023-24 Super Bowl than the Minnesota Vikings right now. Think about that.

Word is the #Saints have a level of interest in FA QB Baker Mayfield.

They still want to sign Derek Carr, but should he find more money elsewhere, New Orleans could target Mayfield.

— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) February 19, 2023

Vikings likely to go for it… but should they?

What does Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have to do to improve their perceived chances? Oh not much, just find fixes at cornerback, defensive tackle, defensive end, outside linebacker, middle linebacker, safety, wide receiver, center, and guard. All while starting $20+ million in the hole.

Maybe Kwesi works a miracle and the Vikings pull off a successful offseason that leads to a deep playoff run. If so, sign him to a lifetime contract as Vikings’ President of Football Operations. But from an objective standpoint, hitting the short-term rebuild button could look like the better option, in retrospect.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

But it’s not as simple as picking a team and hoping they win—there are countless different ways to wager on this event, and understanding them all is essential for anyone looking to make smart bets. Whether you’re new to betting or have been playing for years, this guide will provide you with all the information you need about how to bet on the Super Bowl so that you can increase your chances of winning big.

Picking the Winner

Picking the winner of the Super Bowl is one of the most popular wagers for any football fan. This type of bet can be simple to understand, as it involves selecting which team will come out on top at the end of the game. It’s also an exciting way to get involved in the action and have a stake in the outcome.

When betting on the Super Bowl, it is important to understand the odds to win the Super Bowl and calculate the chances of a team winning. The most common way to find out the odds of a team winning is through sportsbooks and bookmakers.

These entities give an estimated probability that each team has of winning based on factors such as performance this season, player injuries, past performance against other teams, and home-field advantage. Depending on how confident bettors are in their picks, they can then place a wager accordingly and potentially cash out if their team is victorious.

Point Spreads

The most popular type of Super Bowl bet is a point spread bet. In these bets, one team is given a certain number of points (called “the spread”) which they must overcome in order to win. For example, if two teams are playing each other and one team is considered as having a better chance to win than the other, then that team might be given 5 points for the spread.

This means that even if they only win by 4 points or less, they would still cover the spread, and those who bet on them would win the bet. Similarly, those who bet on the underdog would have to hope that their team wins by more than 5 points in order to take home any money from their wager.

Moneyline

Other types of bets include moneylines, where players pick which team will outright win without accounting for any point spread; proposition (or prop) bets, where players make wagers based on different outcomes within the game, such as whether or not a particular player will score a touchdown; over/under bets which involves predicting whether or not both teams will score above or below a certain combined total score; futures betting which involves placing wagers before the Super Bowl; and parlay betting which combines multiple smaller bets into one larger bet with bigger payouts but also higher risks.

It should also be noted that these odds can frequently change throughout the course of an NFL season due to events such as injuries or trades occurring, so keeping up with news about teams you are looking into betting for can give you an edge over those who aren’t informed about these changes. Additionally, understanding how strategies like hedging your bets can help reduce risk can also give you an advantage when it comes to making money from Super Bowl wagering.

Conclusion

As the Super Bowl continues to be one of the most popular sporting events in America, betting on it has become increasingly popular. With so many different ways to wager and numerous strategies that can help reduce risk, more people are taking a chance at making some money off of this exciting event.

Well, lucky for everyone who clicked into this blog or was listening to “The Big Game” on the radio, that’s exactly what happened on Sunday night when the Kansas City Chiefs were getting stomped by Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Kevin Harland is such a legend.

Kevin Harlan absolutely nailed the streaker call pic.twitter.com/b39wmGTiG2

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 8, 2021

On TV, nobody got to see the Super Bowl streaker. Instead, we got 30 seconds of Tom Brady watching the half naked man run toward the end zone. Having Kevin Harlan narrate after-the-fact is a worthy consolation.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

There’s a pretty big football game being played out in Tampa, FL right now and Antoine Winfield Jr, who’s playing safety, likes bright lights. In the 3rd quarter of tonight’s Super Bowl, with Patrick Mahomes desperately trying to keep the Kansas City Chiefs in the game, Winfield Jr was making big plays again.

Mahomes threw a pass that was tipped up into the air. When that happens around the former Minnesota Golden Gopher, the outcome is often the same. The football is in his hands and he’s celebrating or running the other way. Sunday night was no different.

The best part though… may have been what happened afterward. Anyone up for an evening boat row? Of course you are.

MAHOMES PICKED OFF BY ANTOINE WINFIELD JR.‼️

(via @NFLBrasil) pic.twitter.com/X7oXgbMEMI

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 8, 2021

Antoine Winfield Jr. snagged it before it hit the ground ???? @AntoineWJr11 @Buccaneers

???? #SBLV on CBS pic.twitter.com/Iptoy0DDZs

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) February 8, 2021

Row. The. Boat.

???? James Lang-USA TODAY Sports pic.twitter.com/lz1roEk3xx

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) February 8, 2021

Kids, do you want to play football and row boats like AWJ? Then you should look up PJ Fleck and the University of Minnesota.

Twwwweeeeeeezzzeee!!!! RTB!!! #RTB #HYPRR #SkiUMah

— P.J. Fleck (@Coach_Fleck) February 8, 2021

Never forget: Rick Spielman passed on Antoine Winfield Jr TWO times.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan