Entering this NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings had relatively high, yet tempered, expectations. Last year’s 12-4 season, in which superstar receiver Justin Jefferson and quarterback Kirk Cousins led miraculous comeback after miraculous comeback, ended in a flat, disappointing 31-24 loss to the New York Giants.
Vikings faithful hoped that the loss was simply unfortunate timing, their team victims of the notoriously unpredictable single-game elimination NFL playoffs. If this week’s game is a sign of things to come, however, it may be a long season for the Minnesota faithful.
When the schedule for the 23-24 season was released, many around the league couldn’t envision an easier opening game for the Kevin O’Connell coached Vikings – the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by journeyman quarterback Baker Mayfield, who many projected to be a bottom 5 squad.