Are the Vikings coming back down to Earth after undefeated start?

The first month of the 2024 NFL season was nothing but sunshine and rainbows in Minnesota for the Vikings. They jumped out the gates to a 5-0 start with wins over heavyweights like San Francisco, Houston and Green Bay. Everyone was talking about Sam Darnold’s rebirth as an NFL quarterback saying he’d finally found the right situation.  

Nevertheless, the Vikings have not won a game since Week 5 against the New York Jets. They had an bye in Week 6 and have now dropped two in a row to the Detroit Lions and their most recent loss on Thursday to the Los Angeles Rams, 30-20. 

This two-game slide makes you wonder if this is just a hiccup or if Minnesota is finally coming back down to earth following a hot start.

Darnold played well against the Rams, completing 18-of-25 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns. Minnesota couldn’t get much going in the running game as Aaron Jones averaged just 3.1 yards per carry ending the game with 58 yards on the ground. Defensively the Vikings were let down giving up four touchdown strikes to Matthew Stafford.

Minnesota came into the game allowing 260.3 passing yards per game which ranks third worst in the league. Stafford ended with 279 and a 124.5 passer rating even with one interception. We’re finally beginning to see some chinks in the armor of the Vikings, and they’ve got the pesky Indianapolis Colts visiting in Week 9.

While it’s only two losses, dropping two in a row in the NFC North isn’t a good look. It’s the only division in the NFL where no team has a losing record. Each team is at least two games above .500. So, falling into a losing slump in this division is something that should be avoided at all costs. 

After next week’s home tilt with the Colts, the Vikings are on the road for three weeks visiting Jacksonville, Tennessee and Chicago. The Jags and Titans should be guaranteed wins, but this is the NFL and upsets happen when least expected. 

If Minnesota can get back on track against Indy next week, they’ll be in good shape but a third consecutive loss and doubt about how good they really are could creep in.