The Super Bowl Checklist: 10 Things Teams Should Aspire to as they Pursue a Lombardi (v 2.0)
Last season, I ventured into the topic by publishing a Super Bowl checklist.
The goal was to try to capture – if only in a perfunctory, haphazard manner – some of the basic components of what a Super Bowl team aspires to have.* The Super Bowl checklist – version 2.0 – is making another appearance as we consider whether the team can truly be considered a contender. Don’t be fooled: Minnesota’s desire is to contend in 2023 (though trading Danielle Hunter would cast a long shadow of doubt).
Rather than venture into recent examples from Super Bowl-winning teams, I instead make a judgment call on whether the Vikings possess the ever-critical part of the checklist. All 10 items remain. The paragraph descriptions get touch ups and then I take my shot, declaring whether the Vikings possess the important item.
Disagree? Let me know over on Twitter @VikingsGazette.
The Super Bowl Checklist: 2023 Edition
1) A High Floor, High Ceiling QB
OK, so here’s the thing about the Nick Foles SB win: the dude played at an elite level during that run. The second point on this list certainly helps matters; Doug Pederson did a sensational job of allowing his QB to thrive. Plus, Foles is somewhat of an exception (though we can think of Peyton Manning’s second SB as another example). More often than not, Super Bowl teams have an elite or a very good QB. Cousins won me over last season with his remarkable game-winning drives.
Vikings Check: Yes
2) A Brilliant Strategist at HC
Bill Belichik is the GOAT. I know this because he has won six Super Bowls as a HC and two as a DC. Sean McVay is one of the best young minds in the NFL. Andy Reid now has a pair of SBs and has firmly proven he’s one of the greatest coaches of all time. All these coaches are alike insofar as they cater their gameplan to the skills present on the roster. They also exploit the other team’s weaknesses. Kevin O’Connell still has a lot to prove. How much blame does he deserve for last season’s disastrous defense?
Vikings Check: Uncertain
3) A No-Fear Matchup Corner
Jalen Ramsey was crucial to the Rams’ success in the 2021 season. I know he got beat at times, but the mere fact that he could slow down a WR1 was huge. Defense is often a numbers game. Being able to leave a lonely corner on the other team’s best receiver allows the defense to roll coverage to the second-best option, making it considerably more challenging for the offense to function. Byron Murphy may be that player, but he needs to prove it. Forgive me for being a bit skeptical about Minnesota’s secondary.
Vikings Check: No
4) A Pair of Pass Rush Terrors
Defenses most often need to have multiple legit pass rushers to find success. Similar to an offense with only one receiving threat, a defense needs to have multiple weapons, players who can get after the QB in critical moments. Retaining Danielle Hunter and putting him alongside Marcus Davenport offers the potential for Minnesota to nail this item on the list.
Vikings Check: Yes
5) An Identity-Allowing Offensive Line
Different offenses have different identities. For the Vikings, the amount of seven-step drops with four verticals will likely be kept to a minimum, so they won’t necessarily need to have linemen capable of blocking for so long. The issue will arise when the offensive line doesn’t allow a team to stay true to its core plays and concepts. In the Super Bowl, an offense needs to be able to stay true to itself. Much will hinge on Christian Darrisaw’s and Brian O’Neill’s health.
Vikings Check: Uncertain
6) A Pair of Dynamic Playmakers
Having one elite playmaker on offense often isn’t enough. Defenses will key on that player, making life exceedingly difficult (especially in crucial situations like third and fourth downs). An offense, more often than not, needs to have multiple options. Critically, having two great playmakers also allows other skill players to shine. Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson firmly check the box. Jordan Addison is the bonus and K.J. Osborn is no slouch.
Vikings Check: Yes
7) A Clutch Capable Kicker
A team can win with a pretty good kicker, but it sure does help to have someone who is clutch. It’s good to have someone capable of putting the ball through the uprights when the game is on the line. I always think back to 2017 since that’s the last time Minnesota was good. Jake Elliott – at that time, a rookie – made all seven of his field goal attempts in the playoffs. In the Super Bowl, he hit two fields goals, including one from 46 yards with a little more than a minute left. Making the kick in that moment – and against the Patriots – is remarkable. Modest FG% aside, Greg Joseph was clutch in 2022. The man drilled several massive kicks last season.
Vikings Check: Yes
8) A Do-It-All Defender
Football, as you may have heard, is a matchup game. Offenses are offering more and more challenges by bringing in players who possess a challenging size/speed combo. Defenses are responding with linebackers who are a touch smaller and faster. Safeties with the size/strength to hang with tight ends are also super important in today’s game. Having someone who can slow the offense’s hybrid weapon is a big part of finding success. Harrison Smith and Brian Asamoah stand out.
Vikings Check: Yes
9) A Special Teams That Doesn’t Beat Itself
The games are often closer as the playoffs drag on. Great teams look for any edge they can get, so having huge special teams gaffes can really make things challenging. Sometimes, a strong special teams is like having a strong offensive lineman: you don’t really notice them. Now, we’d all like to see a Percy Harvin-style kickoff return for a TD, but those moments aren’t common. At the very least, teams need a specials unit that helps the field position battle and doesn’t turn the ball over. Last year’s many special teams mishaps makes me skeptical even though Joseph can nail a kick with the game on the line.
Vikings Check: No
10) An Ability to Elevate Depth
There’s no such thing as a Super Bowl win that doesn’t involve overcoming at least some adversity. True, this exists on a spectrum, but the general point remains: teams cannot expect to face zero challenges on their journey along Super Bowl Road. The wise team thus plans accordingly, having depth players who are capable of stepping up when needed.
Vikings Check: Uncertain
* Shout out to The Athletic, where a hockey article from Shayna Goldman and Dom Luszczyszyn offers a “contender checklist” to act as a guide for evaluating how good of a chance teams have at getting the Cup, sparking the idea for a SB checklist.
