The Minnesota Vikings are in a prime position to make the playoffs, and they have a roster that could make a run to the Super Bowl. To make a Super Bowl, everything seems to have to go right at the right time, and it's no different for the Vikings this year.
Let's break down four keys to a potential Super Bowl run for the Purple and Gold.
4. Running Defense
The Vikings' defense overall hasn't been great, but the run defense has been downright awful. They allowed the Seahawks to rush for 218 yards and that can't continue to happen. The front four needs to step up and start slowing down the rush or this is a team that will be bounced out during Wild Card weekend if they hold onto a playoff spot.
3. Health
Health is super important for any team trying to make a Super Bowl run, and with the Vikings' depth, it's even more important for them. Adam Thielen has been dealing with a hamstring injury and it's unclear when he will be able to return. Every week it seems like he is closer to returning, and then a setback happens and they go back to square one. If they want to make a run, he needs to be healthy.
Dalvin Cook is dealing with a chest injury and it sounds like it will be something that affects him the rest of the year. It's more a pain tolerance thing for if he can play, but that could have a huge impact on their team. He is another player the team can't afford to lose, so it's going to be crucial that he can stay on the field.
2. Xavier Rhodes
Remember when Xavier Rhodes used to be one of the top cornerbacks in all of football? Those days are in the past and right now there could be an argument made that he is a liability for the Vikings. Rhodes got burned on a 60-yard touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the last game and then proceeded to have a meltdown on the sideline yelling at teammates.
Overall, the Vikings secondary is great when he's playing well and when Rhodes is playing poorly it's bad. If the Vikings wants to make a run, Rhodes needs to flip the switch and at least start playing like a quality cornerback.
1. Kirk Cousins
All the talk around Kirk Cousins is how he can't win primetime football games and although that might be a true statement, Cousins isn't the reason the Vikings are losing games.
Against the Seahawks, Cousins threw for 276 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. The interception went through Stefon Diggs' hands and was not Cousins' fault.
He needs to continue to play at a high level because the defense hasn't been doing their job. He can't just be a game manager anymore, he needs to go out and win the games for the Vikings.
If he continues to play the way he has the last few months, the Vikings are going to be in good shape.
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