The Minnesota Vikings had an impressive 2024-2025 season. While they didn’t come away with a conference championship, they finished the regular season with a 14-3 record, ultimately placing them second in the NFC North. This significantly improved from their 7-10 finish in the previous season.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings demonstrated remarkable resilience, achieving a nine-game winning streak—the second-longest in franchise history. Their offense was potent, averaging 25.4 points per game, ranking ninth in the league, while their defense allowed 19.5 points per game, placing them fifth.
“I think the coaching staff and the free-agent signings had a huge impact on the success of the Vikings this year,” Columbia Heights High School (CHHS) band teacher Ms. Caitlin DiSalvi said. “The team’s early playoff loss was a disappointment, but I think the Vikings far over-achieved their expectations this season. I saw the other day that the coach signed an extension for a longer contract and I think that’s a great move. Skol Vikings!”
A key factor in their defensive line improvement was hiring Brian Flores as Defensive Coordinator. Additionally, the acquisition of quarterback Sam Darnold proved beneficial. Darnold stepped up as the starting quarterback after an injury to 2024 draft pick J.J. McCarthy, leading the team to a 14-3 record and passing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Despite their strong performance, the Vikings faced challenges as they entered the playoffs. In Week 18, they lost to the Detroit Lions, so despite having a superior record, they played on the road in the Wild Card round against the Los Angeles Rams.
“I love the Vikings, but they [have] seemed to make letting the fans down when it’s important a trademark, which is disappointing,” Zoe Zuehlke (11) said.
This situation has sparked discussions about potential changes to the NFL playoff format. The possible changes particularly to the wildcard games having the home game go to the team with the highest winning percentage rather than the team with the most division wins, according to Bleacher Report.
The Vikings ended their season with a matchup with the Rams, losing 9-27.
Historically, the Vikings have had a favorable playoff record against the Rams, with five wins and two losses in the last seven seasons. However, the Rams secured a victory in their week eight encounter earlier this season, which put them ahead of Minnesota for the first time in years. The Vikings’ success in the playoffs will depend on maintaining their offensive momentum, ensuring defensive consistency and effectively managing any injuries. Strengthening their offensive line and special teams could further enhance their performance.
The Minnesota Vikings’ primary weakness was the inconsistency of their interior offensive line. While tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill provided strong protection on the edges, the interior line struggled, leading to increased pressure on quarterback Sam Darnold. This vulnerability forced Darnold to frequently improvise under duress, contributing to offensive stalls and his own injuries during the season. The persistent interior pressure was a significant factor in the team’s late-season losses, including the critical Week 18 defeat to the Detroit Lions and the subsequent playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
With continued focus and strategic improvements, the Vikings had the potential to make a deep playoff run and establish themselves as a dominant force in the league.
