The Vikings’ Playoff Probability is Remarkably High
K. Joudry
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As of the writing of this piece, the Vikings’ playoff probability is remarkably high (as the title suggests). In fact, FiveThirtyEight puts them at a 96% chance of getting into the playoffs. Winning the NFC North stands at 94%.
Now, I can foresee how some fans will understand those numbers. “This is the Vikings,” the grumpy fan will say, “no lead is safe. They’ve broken my heart before and they’ll do so again.” Perhaps that sentiment is true. The Vikings, after all, have provided their fans with very little reason to assume things will work out splendidly.
Nevertheless, the predictions are quite clear: Minnesota has put itself in a wonderful position for a playoff push. A 6-1 record is elite. That doesn’t necessarily mean the team is truly elite, but the record certainly indicates that they are. An .857 winning percentage is an unsustainably great pace, so we ought to enjoy it while it’s occurring. Oh, and let’s not forget that the Vikings have a 7% chance of snagging that elusive Lombardi.
Meanwhile, the Packers find themselves on the opposite end of things. Again, I turn to the folks at FiveThirtyEight. They insist that Matt LaFleur’s team has a 17% chance of making the playoffs and a 4% chance of winning the division. Not very good for the three-time reigning division champs.
Obviously, there’s still a lot of football to be played. The team can’t be complacent about what they’ve accomplished in the opening half of their 2022 season. Much remains to be done in order to reach the first goal of the season: get into the playoffs and (ideally) play multiple games at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The playoff probability for the Vikings is still encouraging, though. What gives us even more reason for enthusiasm is that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah isn’t complacent. Quite the opposite is true. He negotiated a major trade with a division rival for their young tight end.
T.J. Hockenson is going to be another weapon for the Vikings’ offense. He currently has some impressive numbers, perhaps the most notable of which being his 15.2 yards-per-catch average. The TE is explosive, capable of picking up major gains through the air. The Justin Jefferson/T.J. Hockenson tandem has the capacity to be a fearsome duo for years to come.
Minnesota gets the chance to climb to 7-1 when they travel to Washington this Sunday. Cousins can get the win over his former team while further pushing his current team into a commanding (pun intended) lead in the NFC North.
If that occurs, the fantastic playoff odds are only going to improve.
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