For the first time since 2016, the Minnesota Vikings are unbeaten and have done a great job getting there. The defense is among the best, if not the best in the league and they have a quarterback in Sam Darnold who is lighting in up to the tune of a National Football League high 11 touchdowns.
The Vikings have a history of having fantastic seasons that seem to come out of nowhere. You could even say that it’s their signature move. In my 34 years of existence, that season has occurred several times and appears to be returning.
When a team starts off strong, it’s common to draw comparisons with previous squads. Mike Sando from The Athletic explored some potential parallels for the Vikings and highlighted the 1998 Vikings as a notable example.
That 1998 team kicked off the season with a 4-0 record, boasting a preseason win total of 8.5 and a remarkable point differential of +57. The 2003 Vikings also made the list, starting 6-0 with a point differential of +54, but they ended up finishing 9-7 and missed the playoffs due to a pivotal loss caused by Nate Poole.
The comparisons don’t stop there. The current Vikings have a kicker who’s yet to miss a kick. In 1998, Gary Anderson made all 94 of his attempts, including 59 extra points and 35 field goals. This season, rookie Will Reichard has been flawless as well, successfully completing his first 20 kicks with 14 extra points and six field goals.
Perhaps the most significant similarity lies in the quarterbacks. Randall Cunningham, who spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, was brought in by Dennis Green in 1997 as a backup to Brad Johnson. After Johnson’s injury in week two of the 1998 season, Cunningham stepped in and led the team to an NFL record 556 points, coming close to reaching the Super Bowl.
This season, Sam Darnold is in a similar position, experiencing a revival as the Vikings’ quarterback. Could he be the first to take the Vikings to a Super Bowl since Fran Tarkenton? It’s certainly a possibility.
Be the first to comment