Lions, Eagles Have Killer Instinct That 9-2 Vikings Are Seekings

The Vikings are undoubtedly exceeding expectations and they have played sensational football all season. A 9-2 record has them right on the heels of the Detroit Lions and they have the same record as the red-hot Philadelphia Eagles.

The Lions are the best team in the NFL this year and they are playing with a killer instinct that is rarely seen. When they get an advantage on the scoreboard, quarterback Jared Goff continues to attack and the Lions excel at taking the life out of their opponents. The Eagles have found a winning formula after a slow start with Saquon Barkley showing off his spectacular athleticism, Jalen Hurts regaining his top form and the defense punishing opponents.

The record says the Vikings could compete with both teams, and they did stay close to the Lions in Week 7 when they dropped a 31-29 decision. But while the Vikings have won four games in a row – including a rare sweep of a three-game road trip – they have not been able to put an opponent away since their Week 3 34-7 triumph over the Texans.

The combination of head coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores is strong, and it is one of the primary reasons the Vikings have played so well to this point in the season. But teams like the Jaguars (2-9), Titans (3-8) and Bears (4-7) all had legitimate chances to pin losses on the Vikings.

The Lions have rolled over teams like the Seahawks, Cowboys, Packers and Colts. They simply don’t allow opponents back in the game, and the same holds for the Eagles. They have punished the Cowboys, Commanders and Rams in the last three weeks.

The Vikings don’t have the same ability. They had the Bears dead and buried Sunday, ahead by a 27-16 margin after John Parker Romo’s 26-yard field goal at the 2-minute mark. They had played brilliant football for 58 minutes at Soldier Field. Much of the crowd had made its way to the exits and the remaining fans were calling for Bears head coach Matt Eberflus’s dismissal.

But from that point until the Vikings gained possession in overtime, the Vikings did everything they could to breathe life into the Bears. DeAndre Carter returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards to give the Bears possession at the Vikings 35-yard line. Caleb Williams provided the payoff when he connected with Keenan Allen of a 1-yard TD pass and D.J. Moore with a two-point conversion.

Trailing by three points with 22 seconds remaining, the Bears executed an onside kick, becoming the first team in 10 tries to succeed this season. Williams provided an immediate payoff with his 27-yard pass to Moore and Cairo Santos sent the game to overtime with his 48-yard field goal.

The game appeared to slip away completely when the Vikings lost the overtime coin toss, but the Vikings defense rose up and forced a 3-and-out when Jonathan Greenard delivered a key sack that ultimately put Chicago in a 3^rd-and-26 hole that they could not overcome.

The Vikings took advantage of their chance as Sam Darnold was 6 of 6 on the possession, including a 20-yard pass to Justin Jefferson and a 29-yarder to tight end T.J. Hockenson. Romo put the finishing touch on the 30-27 victory when he drilled the winning 29-yard field goal.

Darnold had one of his best games, completing 22 of 34 passes for 330 yard with 2 TDs and no interceptions. O’Connell was lauding his quarterback after the game. “Show me somebody who had a better game at the quarterback position,” O’Connell said. “That kind of game? Under those circumstances?”

After winning three straight away from home, the Vikings now get three games in a row at home against the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons and the struggling Bears. There have been some ugly wins through the first 11 games, but they have been wins.

If they really want to show they belong with the Lions and Eagles, it’s time to finish off their opponents and not let them back in the game. It’s a big ask, but something the Vikings need to do to show they are an elite team with championship aspirations.