One of the biggest NFL Betting Odds disappointments in 2023 was the Minnesota Vikings. Consider that head coach Kevin O’Connell led the Vikings to a 13-4 season in 2022 as a rookie. But when the Vikings were upset by the New York Giants in the wild-card round, it served as an omen. Last year, the Vikings fell to 7-10. The Vikings were done in by poor defensive play and instability at quarterback. Following the disappointing campaign, QB Kirk Cousins departed to the Atlanta Falcons. Now, the Vikings face a season of uncertainty.
2024 NFL Futures 2024 Minnesota Vikings
| Minnesota Vikings Odds to Win Super Bowl Championship | +8000 |
|---|---|
| Vikings Odds to Win NFC Championship | +3500 |
| Over/Under Win Total: | 7.5 |
2024 Minnesota Vikings Schedule
- Week 1 (Sept. 8): at Giants, 1 p.m.
- Week 2 (Sept. 15): vs. 49ers, 1 p.m.
- Week 3 (Sept. 22): vs. Texans, 1 p.m.
- Week 4 (Sept. 29) at Packers, 1 p.m.
- Week 5 (Oct. 6): vs. Jets (England), 9:30 a.m.
- Week 6: BYE
- Week 7 (Oct. 20): vs. Lions, 1 p.m.
- Week 8 (Oct. 24): at Rams (TNF), 8:15 p.m.
- Week 9 (Nov. 3): vs. Colts, 1 p.m.
- Week 10 (Nov. 10): at Jaguars, 1 p.m.
- Week 11 (Nov. 17): at Titans, 1 p.m.
- Week 12 (Nov. 24): at Bears, 1 p.m.
- Week 13 (Dec. 1): vs. Cardinals, 1 p.m.
- Week 14 (Dec. 8) vs. Falcons, 1 p.m.
- Week 15 (Dec. 15): vs. Bears (MNF), 8 p.m.
- Week 16 (Dec. 22): at Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
- Week 17 (Dec. 29): vs. Packers, 1 p.m.
- Week 18 (Jan. 4/5): at Lions, TBD
2024 Minnesota Vikings Preview
Finally, the Vikings have their online betting quarterback of the future. But do they have their QB of the present? JJ McCarthy, the national champion from Michigan, is 21 and super talented. Also, he is filled with the optimism that erupts from a fan base the moment its franchise uses a top-10 pick on a quarterback. He’s also green.
Meanwhile, next to McCarthy on the Vikings’ staggering list of 38 new faces is Sam Darnold. To illuminate, Darnold is a 27-year-old NFL football Betting journeyman. Specifically, he personifies the profound disappointment that comes when one of those top-10 quarterbacks fails miserably. He isn’t green, but he’s also not good.
The plan is for Kevin O’Connell, a reputed QB whisperer and Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator, to bring McCarthy along slowly. At the same time, he must devise some magic that turns Darnold into an asset. Darnold has a career 59.7 percent passer with a 21-35 record with three teams. Concurrently, he must be developed into a successful one-year bridge quarterback. Darnold must shelter McCarthy from the soul-crushing losses. At the same time, he must produce confidence-boosting wins for the veterans who don’t want to waste a year waiting on McCarthy.
Anything can indeed happen in the NFL. But it’s hard to imagine the Vikings successfully coordinating a massive offseason overhaul together in one year. In the same way, it’s doubtful that Minnesota will return to the playoffs with Darnold and a rookie quarterback.
Indeed, a return to the playoffs is a tall order after a 7-10 season. Following that failure was one of the broader offseason rebuilds the Vikings have had. There is talent and solid coaching. However, changing nearly 40 percent of the roster and expecting Darnold or McCarthy to lead it to the postseason is a stretch. Darnold can’t be expected to reverse six years as a disappointing No. 3 overall pick. In turn, McCarthy needs time to learn and grow before he can be expected to prove himself worthy.