Written by Rance Gardner
The Vikings put a beat down on the Philadelphia Eagles in week 6 improving their record on the season to 4-2. I was fortunate enough to be able to go to that game. The crowd was electric and it made a huge difference on Philly 3rd downs. The Minnesota offense lived up to it's potential as they scored a season high 38 points. Quarterback Kirk Cousins also had his 2nd straight great game. Cousins threw for 4 touchdowns and 333 yds. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs punished the Eagles secondary all day long and had a career high 3 touchdown receptions. The Vikings offense has seemed to have found its stride. So as a team where do the Viking stand after 6 weeks?
Minnesota is 4-2 on the season and they currently set in 2nd place in the NFC North. The Vikes currently hold onto the last wildcard spot if the playoffs started today. The NFC is incredibly close and every game from here on out against a NFC opponent is going to be crucial. Division games are always important but even more so this year because of all the teams having such similar records so far. The Vikings have 4 division games left this season 3 of which are at home. At minimum Minnesota must when their home games against the Packers, Lions and Bears. This Sunday the Vikings are on the road at Detroit in a huge game. Minnesota could win their third game in a row and keep momentum going during the important midseason push.
The offense has started to take shape after being extremely run heavy the first few weeks of the season. QB Kirk Cousins has also seemed to settle into this new offense as well. The Vikings have capable playmakers at all skill positions on offense and have one of the most balanced attacks in the NFL. Minnesota must continue to play as if the offense is the team's strength, so that they don't rely on the defense too much to win games. The Vikings have arguably the league's best WR duo and they need to keep defenses from stacking 8 in the box when trying to limit Dalvin Cook. The Vikings defense seems to be getting better every couple of games also. Mike Hughes returning from injury has given the Vikes defense a spark in the secondary.
The Vikings need to win Sunday against the Lions to keep pressure on the Green Bay and to continue their hold on one of the NFC wildcard spots. After Detroit the Vikings will have a short week as they play the Redskins next Thursday back home in Minneapolis. Following the Washington game they will head to KC to take on the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes looks as if he will miss a few weeks with a knee injury, and that game suddenly looks to have shifted in Minnesota's favor. All in all the Vikings are in good shape through 6 weeks. Minnesota has a few very winnable games coming up and they must take advantage of it if they want to make the postseason.