Minneapolis, MN – What a difference a year makes for the Minnesota Vikings. Exactly 365 days ago, the Vikings were celebrating their first victory of the 2023 season after defeating the Carolina Panthers 21-13. At that time, they were coming off three close losses in September. Fast forward to this year, and the Vikings are riding high with a perfect 4-0 record, closing out September with a thrilling 31-29 victory over their division rivals, the Green Bay Packers.
The Vikings jumped out to an impressive 28-point lead in the first half against the Packers, but the game turned into a nail-biter as the Packers mounted a fierce comeback in the fourth quarter. Early scoring has been a crucial element for Minnesota this season. In their four games, they have managed to rack up an impressive 38 points in the first quarters, ranking second in the NFL, just behind the New Orleans Saints. On the defensive side, the Vikings have been nothing short of spectacular, allowing the fewest first-quarter points in the league, giving up just a field goal to the Giants in Week 1.
This means that the Vikings have only trailed for a mere 3 minutes and 26 seconds out of a total 240 minutes of game time this season, thanks to their strong starts. In stark contrast, last year, they were outscored 20-0 in first quarters over the same period. The Vikings currently stand as one of only two unbeaten teams in the NFL alongside the Kansas City Chiefs.
With their first division win of the season, the Vikings have climbed up the Power Rankings, with some analysts placing them at the coveted number one spot. Quarterback Sam Darnold has been putting on a show, throwing for 275 yards and three touchdowns against Green Bay, showcasing the best performance of his career. The team’s defensive unit managed to force four turnovers despite giving up 465 yards.
As the Vikings prepare for their upcoming game against the Jets in London, excitement continues to grow within the fan base, hoping for their team to maintain this remarkable momentum.
