The Minnesota Vikings, and every team in the NFC North for that matter, have a real case to win the […]
The Minnesota Vikings, and every team in the NFC North for that matter, have a real case to win the NFC North in 2026. The division is going to be a dogfight just as it was in 2025, and the end of the season will be a complete nail-biter for at least two of the teams. You could tell me that this division could finish in any order, and I would absolutely believe you.
Even with that, the Vikings have the longest odds on most sportsbooks to win the division, which can reflect upon the opinion of the public. Most people just think whoever won the division last year will go ahead and repeat because it’s easy to say. Other people will see the “Packers” name and give them the advantage, while others think that the Lions’ window isn’t quite closed yet.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, the Vikings very much have a shot to win this thing, especially if you ask one analyst.
Vikings Will Win NFC North Championship, per Ben Solak
ESPN’s Ben Solak recently released a piece detailing 10 predictions for the 2026 NFL season. On this list, he predicted that the Vikings will win the NFC North in 2026.
“If the Vikings’ defense remains a needle-moving unit, then a functional offense could return them to their 2024 status under QB Sam Darnold. Minnesota went 14-3 that year, losing the division in Week 17 to the Lions. It’s unreasonable to expect another 14 wins in a division this tough, but Murray easily has the requisite talent to improve on Minnesota’s 9-8 season in 2025.”
If the Vikings’ defensive performance is anything like it was in 2025, then it very well could provide an absolute floor of 8 or 9 wins for the team. Put an offense on the field that’s capable of moving the ball, and they very well could be cooking with gas.
Solak continued:
“O’Connell’s aptitude for adjusting his offense to his quarterback remains one of the league’s more impressive skills. It wasn’t just the Darnold year. He did it for Joshua Dobbs as a midseason trade acquisition in 2023. He did it for McCarthy last season, giving him far more out-breaking routes than he had given other passers. I have questions about the Vikings’ offensive line and running game, and Murray’s inconsistencies might prove too much for the offense to be truly trustworthy. But I’m confident O’Connell will set him up for success, and Murray has huge earning potential on the free agent market in 2027.“
O’Connell will need to elevate Murray‘s game, because if he doesn’t, then he could very easily just be out of a job.
Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell Needs a Bounce Back in 2026
There’s a new man calling the shots in Minnesota, and it is General Manager Nolan Teasley. Sure, O’Connell was part of the committee that went out and hired Teasley this offseason, but that doesn’t mean Teasley isn’t monitoring the seat temperature of Kevin O’Connell.
O’Connell is going into year 5 with the Vikings, and has zero playoff wins in two appearances. Additionally, he’s only won one NFC North division crown, and it came in his very first season as head coach in 2022. If there’s anyone that needs a really good year in 2026, it’s not Kyler Murray, and it’s not J.J. McCarthy.
It’s Kevin O’Connell.
