Detroit Looms: Predicting Whether the Vikings Lose Their First Game as the NFL’s Last Undefeated Team

A strong start, with a warning

Minnesota’s 6-0 record puts it in a position to pursue a Super Bowl appearance. But the team’s early success comes with an uncomfortable historical comparison: the 2016 Vikings also began 6-0 and finished 8-8, missing the postseason.

Since 2017, every team that started 6-0 reached the playoffs, and five went on to the Super Bowl. Minnesota’s earlier collapse remains the last time a team with that start failed to qualify.

A tougher stretch ahead

The Vikings have had the NFL’s third-easiest schedule so far, with opponents holding a combined .390 winning percentage. Over the coming four weeks, their schedule is projected to be the league’s toughest, with an opposition win percentage of .731.

Detroit presents the first test

Minnesota’s offense has scored 125 points in six games, while Brian Flores’ defense has limited opponents to 12.3 points per game. The article compares those figures with Baltimore’s 2000 defense, which allowed 10.3 points per game while its offense had also scored 125 points through six games.

Detroit is coming off a 20-17 win over Green Bay. The Vikings beat the Packers 39-22 in Week 1, but the Lions restricted Jordan Love’s scoring opportunities despite allowing 274 passing yards.

Key matchups could decide it

Goff has not thrown an interception this season, and Minnesota will need to pressure him into mistakes to improve its chances. Detroit also has running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who is averaging 4.6 yards per carry.

The Vikings have allowed opposing running backs 97.8 yards per game. The article points to the possibility of Gibbs breaking a long scoring run as a way the Lions could end Minnesota’s unbeaten start.