The Vikings’ Playoff Outlook | A 6-1 Crisis of Confidence in Minnesota

The Vikings’ playoff chances are very strong. So strong, in fact, that almost everybody involved in Minnesota football likely would’ve accepted a 6-1 ball team rolling into November had the option been given back in August.

But then there’s the obvious crisis of confidence since the quarterback play has been so dismal.

Moving into the MNF slugfest in Week 9, the Vikings have opted to roll with Carson Wentz. Many appear to think that the downgrade in passer mobility will be the main issue. Maybe that’s true, but I see the veteran’s arm strength as the greater risk. Nevertheless, Wentz is a significantly better fit for the scheme, creating some optimism about what can get accomplished.

The Vikings’ Playoff Outlook | Week 9

Vikings Game Info:

The Vikings will host the Bills on Monday Night Football. That’s a game that’s set for Monday, November 9th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Since the tilt takes place in U.S. Bank Stadium, the weather isn’t a factor.

NFC Conference Rankings:

1. San Francisco 49ers: 6-1 (NFC West)
2. Minnesota Vikings: 6-1 (NFC North)
3. New York Giants: 4-2-1 (NFC East)
4. Carolina Panthers: 3-4 (NFC South)
5. Chicago Bears: 6-2 (Wild Card)
6. Detroit Lions: 5-2 (Wild Card)
7. Green Bay Packers: 5-3 (Wild Card)
8. Seattle Seahawks: 4-4
9. Los Angeles Rams: 4-4
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3-5
11. Atlanta Falcons: 3-5
12. Arizona Cardinals: 3-5
13. Dallas Cowboys: 3-5
14. Washington Commanders: 2-4-1
15. New Orleans Saints: 2-5
16. Philadelphia Eagles: 2-6

1 Game to Watch:

The Giants and Eagles play on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Watch to see if J.J. McCarthy can carve up the Eagles. Doing so makes it likelier that Philadelphia sells ahead of the trade deadline. Meanwhile, the pressure around Minnesota would get turned up another notch for a team that is losing a lot of believers. Everybody was so concerned about letting the next Sam Darnold go — a promising veteran — that the real danger may have been moving off a kid too early.

The NFL Prophets, Prognosticators, and Pundits:

On Vikings Territory, Jeff Diamond explained that he thinks the Bills pull it off: “I actually like the Vikings chances better with Wentz against the Bills after seeing Murray’s inconsistency but I give the edge to Allen and his playmaking. I look for a close game that comes down to a final drive led by Allen scrambling for key first downs to set up a winning field goal. It could go either way but I’m picking the Bills 27-24.”

The panel on the NFL’s website sees four picking Buffalo while a lonely bold guesser opts for Minnesota.

Bobby Kownack with some of his reasoning for why Buffalo gets the job done: “While Minnesota has allowed the fewest passing yards in the NFL, it’s giving up the 17th-most rushing yards per game. Suffice it to say, the Bills will find a way to get theirs. I’m not so sure the Vikings will, which could result in a second straight loss to a premier offense they fail to keep up with.”

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.