The Minnesota Vikings Still Haven’t Reached Their Full Potential
The Minnesota Vikings are off to a historic start to their season sitting pretty with an undefeated record after four games played. They have the number one defense in the NFL based on multiple different metrics and their offense has been one of the best in the league as well. Minnesota is on a great trajectory to not only make the playoffs but also make a run at the Super Bowl. However, the Minnesota Vikings may not have even reached their full potential yet. For a multitude of different reasons, I see this Vikings team becoming even better before the season is over.
One of the biggest weapons for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2023-24 NFL season was their star tight end T.J. Hockenson. Last season, Hockenson led the team in receptions and ended the year with 960 receiving yards and five touchdowns. That is a huge chunk of production that has been missing from an offense that has already been stellar during his absence. When T.J. Hockenson does inevitably return to the lineup in the coming weeks, an entirely new dimension will be opened up for this Vikings’ offense. Having one of the most sure-handed tight ends in the league back will not only provide Sam Darnold with another lethal weapon at his disposal but it will also open up the field dramatically for receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Hockenson’s return will be massive for the Minnesota Vikings on the offensive side of the ball but there’s even room for the defense to improve.
The Vikings have been without their mic linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. for two games straight and their 2024 first-round draft pick Dallas Turner for the majority of the last two games as well. Those two games were against the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers, both of which were playoff teams last season and are looking like playoff teams once again this season. In those two games, Brian Flores’ defense forced six turnovers and sacked the quarterback six times. If the defense has been that solid without two of their best players then the sky could be the limit once they are fully healthy and are able to return to the field. The Vikings currently rank first in the league in sacks, quarterback hits, pressures, interceptions, pass deflections, and tackles for loss. It’s crazy to think that the Vikings have arguably been the best team in the league through four weeks and still have so much room to grow.
