Where do the Vikings stand?
Minnesota currently holds the fifth seed in the NFC with eight wins as we enter Week 12.
Early predictions of doom and gloom after the departure of Kirk Cousins have made way for cautious optimism.
Chiefly due to the renaissance of Sam Darnold, at a time when his career appeared to be over.
Meanwhile Justin Jefferson has continued to do what he always does. He is locked in a fierce battle with his old LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase for the leadership in receiving yards.
Among others, the Vikings brought in Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, Blake Cashman and Stephon Gilmore during the offseason and all have been key additions to the defense.
Beyond those familiar names there are a group of players who have made huge contributions to the Vikings. Without them, the playoff picture would look very different.
Blake Brandel
Brandel was drafted by the Vikings in 2020. He saw limited game time during first three seasons as a backup.
Totalling just five career starts ahead of 2024, Brandel and the coaching staff decided on a permanent change of position.
Brandel has started at left guard in every game this season. While he is not having a Pro-Bowl calibre season, he has brought consistency to a position which has been a revolving door of short term options.
Josh Oliver
Signed as a blocking tight end before the 2023 season, Oliver had a quiet first year in Minnesota.
With T.J. Hockenson unavailable to start the season, Oliver staked his claim for the starting tight end role.
He has performed admirably, recording 19 receptions and three touchdowns.
Further to this he has shown an incredibly safe pair of hands, making gravity defying catches and being a dependable safety valve for Darnold.
Trent Sherfield Sr.
Sherfield signed a one-year contract at the beginning of free agency in March 2024.
His impact as a pass catching receiver has been minimal but he has stepped up on key third downs with a couple of very important conversions.
His presence in the run game and on special teams has also been very impressive. Throwing key blocks for Aaron Jones throughout the season and downing a punt at the one yard line in the clash with the Titans.
Sherfield is a coach’s dream, approaching every assignment with 100% commitment.
Pat Jones II
When the Vikings drafted Dallas Turner in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft there were lofty expectations.
Turner is yet to live up to those expectations, which is more to do with the production of Jones than anything he has done wrong.
A likely trade candidate in the offseason, Jones has defied expectations to cement his spot as the third rusher in obvious passing situations.
With a fairly limited snap count he has produced five sacks so far. Creating pressure with a four man rush is a key part of Brian Flores’ defensive scheme.
Jones has been a key part of that puzzle.
