Popular Analyst Views Vikings as a Sleeper Team

Oct 1, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers fans in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

From 2008 to 2013, the Minnesota Vikings employed one of the scariest players in the league after acquiring him from the Kansas City Chiefs via trade. Jared Allen didn’t need much time to find his place in the franchise’s storied history books. In 96 games with the Vikings, Allen tabulated a phenomenal 85.5 sacks. He was inducted into the Ring of Honor in 2022.

Popular Analyst Views Vikings as a Sleeper Team

Popular Analyst Views Vikings as a Sleeper Team
Oct 30, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings Jared Allen (69) is inducted into the Ring of Honor against the Arizona Cardinals at halftime at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Some memorable plays from the pass rusher include his sack through a Giants blocker, preventing Eli Manning from escaping, or his feud with Donald Penn when he recorded a sack on the very next play after getting into a little scuffle with the offensive tackle in the rocking Metrodome.

Another one that is brought up regularly is his chase of Dan Orlovsky, who lost orientation and stepped out of the endzone for a safety. Orlovsky’s infamous blunder couldn’t prevent Detroit’s former passer from stepping into an analyst role for ESPN.

Dec 11, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; ESPN football analyst Dan Orlovsky stands on the sideline prior to the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday, he appeared on the Pat McAfee Show and raved about the NFC North. His high opinion of the Vikings is especially fascinating:

Minnesota is super interesting to me because they were 6-6 last year, even after the Kirk (Cousins) injury, going into their bye week. They were right in the picture. Josh Dobbs was balling, and then they lost four out of their last five, two of them to Detroit in tight games and one of them against Cincinnati in a super tight game.

I feel whoever plays quarterback is going to play well. Sam (Darnold) has a great opportunity, by far the best opportunity he has had in his career, but then McCarthy, I’ve said I think he’s going into the perfect place. Minnesota is the ideal place for you with both those receivers [Justin Jefferson] and Addison, and [Hockenson] is so good. Their offensive line is top seven, top eight in the league. Aaron Jones comes over.

This is a team that I think ‒ Flores is their defensive coordinator ‒ they could be playing really, really important games in December. [I wouldn’t] be shocked if they somehow got into the playoff picture at all.

Dan Orlovsky

He added that he thinks the team is talented on defense despite losing Danielle Hunter in free agency after adding Dallas Turner and Jonathan Greenard.

NFL: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Dec 31, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and quarterback Jaren Hall (16) look on before the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The oddsmakers don’t trust Kevin O’Connell’s operation nearly as much, placing their projected win total at 6.5 or 7. Coming off a 7-10 season, the optimistic outlook is that regardless of who the starting quarterback is, it is likely an upgrade compared to the trio the Vikings started in the final nine games after Kirk Cousins’ injury. The defense might also take a step forward in the upcoming season as it is year two under coach Brian Flores, with some acquired talent perhaps fitting better into his plan.

However, a pessimistic outlook can also be made. Cousins played remarkably well throughout his eight games, but the team still couldn’t collect wins, and the 2024 QBs are a downgrade. The secondary is still a problem on defense with an underwhelming collection of cornerbacks. Fans have also not seen any difference-makers enter the defensive line room.

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy kisses the championship trophy to celebrate the Wolverines’ 34-13 win over Washington in the national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

The Vikings are a mystery at this point. There are reasons to believe in Orlovsky’s theory. Seeing the Vikings remain somewhat competitive isn’t too far-fetched, especially if the QB play is solid. However, there are some question marks, which is why the win total is set low, including some holes on defense and the potentially disappointing QB play from a failed veteran quarterback and a rookie.

Minnesota’s first chance to collect a victory will come on September 8th when the team travels to meet the New York Giants on the road.


Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt