It’s Official: You Can Get Really Excited about the Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have defeated the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears out of the gate in 2026, and at the moment, are considered betting favorites to win their next three games.

When speaking about the Vikings – – a historically snakebitten franchise – – it’s always important to remain skeptical. Yet, through two games, it’s time to get excited about the 2026 squad.

They’re for real.

Why the Vikings’ 2-0 Start Feels Different — and the Same

Unsurprisingly, the Defense Is Elite

Remember the mighty and daunting Brian Flores-led defense from 2024 and 2025? It’s still here – – and it might even be better. The Vikings rank sixth leaguewide per defensive EPA/Play. There’s no reason to believe that will tumble; Green Bay and Chicago offered formidable tests.

The defense was supposed to be the calling card, and through two games, that prediction looks dead-on. Flores’s defense has allowed 25 total points while Minnesota has opened 2-0, including just three points Sunday at Soldier Field. Chicago reached the Vikings’ 1-yard line in the 3rd quarter and still walked away empty after Jalen Redmond forced a fumble that Isaiah Rodgers recovered. Dallas Turner then ended the afternoon with a sack on the final play.

The encouraging part is that none of this feels accidental. Turner looks ready for a massive season/ Redmond keeps wrecking plays inside, while Rodgers has already delivered game-changing moments.

Minnesota’s offense has been uneven for long stretches, and the Vikings are still 2-0. It’s the perk of an elite defense.

Kyler Murray Is on the Way Back

ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Monday afternoon, “Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell said Kyler Murray has cleared concussion protocol and will start Sunday versus Tampa Bay.”

There is no “Will he or won’t he?” this week. Murray will start Sunday at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Murray lasted only 11 offensive snaps in his Vikings debut before the concussion against Green Bay changed everything. Minnesota then survived the rest of Week 1 with Carson Wentz and somehow won again in Chicago while scoring zero touchdowns. So yes, getting the actual starting quarterback back feels rather useful.

He should immediately raise the ceiling of an offense that produced only 246 yards against Chicago. Wentz did exactly what Minnesota needed: protect the football and keep the season moving. Now Murray gets the job back with the Vikings already 2-0. That is about as favorable a return scenario as anybody could have drawn up after watching him leave Week 1.

In the Vikings’ current setup – – a magnificent defense, plus offensive weapons galore – – the team just needs a quarterback who completes passes.

Schedule Isn’t Deadly in the Next Five Weeks

Out of the gate, the Packers and Bears brought an annoying and spicy test. The schedule certainly doesn’t get easy, but the nasty opening pair is out of the way.

The next five weeks are Tampa Bay, Miami, and New Orleans, followed by a Week 6 bye. Indianapolis visits U.S. Bank Stadium when Minnesota returns in Week 7.

That is not an automatic four-win stretch. NFL schedules rarely cooperate that nicely. Still, no terrifying gauntlet hides there. Minnesota gets Miami and Indianapolis at home, plus a week off before the Colts arrive. Even a solid 3-1 showing over those four games would put the Vikings at 5-1 before Detroit finally hits in Week 8.

That’s why 2-0 feels so valuable. Minnesota already banked the difficult divisional wins before this softer portion even began.

Vikings Not Beating Themselves with Stupid Stuff

Under O’Connell, the Vikings win games when they don’t shoot themselves in the foot. Under O’Connell, the Vikings lose games when they shoot themselves in the foot.

The win at Chicago wasn’t pristine. The offense produced 11 first downs and converted only three of 13 third downs. Wentz was sacked three times, and Minnesota never reached the endzone. Yet the Vikings avoided self-inflicted disasters. Wentz threw zero interceptions and lost no fumbles. Chicago, meanwhile, coughed the ball up at Minnesota’s 1-yard line.

The distinction becomes huge in such games. Minnesota was not good – – at all – – offensively, but it never handed Chicago a cheap touchdown or short field. The Bears committed eight penalties and watched a potential game-tying field goal get blocked. Minnesota mostly stayed out of its own way and let the defense control the afternoon.

It sounds simple because it is. Good teams often win ugly by refusing to make the first dumb mistake.

The Every-Other-Year Is Right on Schedule

Here’s the Vikings’ cycle since 2014:

We’re right on schedule.

The O’Connell era has basically alternated between terrific seasons and mediocre ones. The Vikings have already beaten two NFC North opponents and won a game without scoring a touchdown – – with a backup quarterback.

The 2022 and 2024 teams had a knack for finding wins in strange circumstances. Through two weeks, this group has shown the same trait.

This version of the Vikings is good – – like the 2024 squad.

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VikesNow Verdict: Minnesota is 2-0 before its offense has really settled in, the defense already looks elite, and Murray is officially returning. Add a manageable four-game stretch before Detroit, and Vikings fans finally have permission to stop waiting for the other shoe to drop.
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About The Author

Dustin Baker

Dustin Baker is the co-founder and editor of VikesNow, a novelist, a writer at CBS Sports, and a political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders, is out now, along with his debut thriller, The Motor Route. He hosts VikesNow on YouTube and has followed the Minnesota Vikings intently since 1996. Guilty pleasures include peanut butter ice cream, The Sopranos, Basset Hounds, and The Doors.

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