When ranking teams according to their all-time winning percentages, the Minnesota Vikings are fourth overall in the NFL and have the highest within the NFC north. They also appeared in one-third of the first twelve Super Bowls. So what’s stopping the Minnesota Vikings from being considered one of the NFL’s most prestigious franchises?
They are 0 and 4 in their four Super Bowl appearances — their last one being Super Bowl XII in 1977 — and are ranked 25th out of 32 teams in postseason winning percentage. Maybe they wouldn’t choke so much if they chewed their breakfasts more prior to their postseason games.
The odds-makers are singing a different tune this year (these are the people who make a living off of wagering large, difficult bets backed by their large crystal cajones). The Vikings are currently tied for second with the New Orleans Saints (+400) to win Super Bowl XLIV, only trailing Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts (+300).
"So You're Saying There's a Chance...."
With the NFC North Division practically already won — sorry Packers fans, there is always next season — many are already trying to put together the postseason puzzle.
Although upsets are always possible, some people are already drooling over a Vikings/Saints NFC Championship Game with the winner playing the favored Colts out of the AFC for the Super Bowl XLIV title.
Ruling out Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, and the rest of the present-day Purple People Eaters from a potential Super Bowl XLIV Title would be foolish. Every passing week brings that closer to reality.
22 November 2009 at 3:20 pm
How does the Vikings D-line NOT have a ferooooocious nickname yet?!
22 November 2009 at 10:55 pm
Good article. I think that one of the reasons for the Vikings not being known as one of the NFL’s prestigious franchises is the their weak fanbase. The fact that they had 5000 unsold tickets for last years playoff game speaks volumes (the pack have sold out every game since the 60’s). Although the team is very good top to bottom this year and has a legit chance to win the Superbowl, they will have the same attendance problems they always have once Favre retires. It may ultimately lead to the team moving (I hope it doesn’t)- sorry Vikes fans.
23 November 2009 at 9:06 pm
Intrastate fanbase has been a problem in the immediate past, but it’s hard to tell how much it affects their interstate reputation. Personally, I’d have to say that another teams fanbase has very little to do with how good of a team I think they are. And although the Vikings did have problems with last years playoff attendance, to say that they are going to have the same problem in the future when Favre retires (he might still have a season or two left in him after this year for all we know) without knowing the many player/coach/administration changes in staff is a bold statement.