After a shocking 14-3 season in 2024, the Minnesota Vikings let Sam Darnold walk in free agency, replacing him with former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. The betting market expected some regression as Minnesota entered last season with a win total of 9.5, barely favored to make the playoffs.
However, despite entering their bye week at 3-2, the Vikings would start the season 4-8, clinching under 9.5 wins after a 26-0 loss against Darnold's Seahawks in Week 13. Minnesota would finish the season on a five-game winning streak, but it was too little, too late to save the season. McCarthy struggled, throwing for more interceptions than touchdowns in the 10 games he was healthy. That led Minnesota to bring in Kyler Murray in the offseason as the Vikings look to rekindle some of their 2024 magic. -- Mackenzie Kraemer
Note: Odds by DraftKings
and subject to change.
2026 outlook: QB play critical in stacked division
The Vikings are undervalued entering 2026. Their defense last season allowed the third-fewest total yards per game, and the team managed nine wins despite getting just 18 touchdown passes against 21 interceptions from its quarterbacks.
To address the issues under center, the Cardinals added Murray, who will have wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and fellow offseason acquisition Jauan Jennings at his disposal in Kevin O'Connell's offense.
If Murray stays healthy and provides even league-average quarterback play, Minnesota has a legitimate chance to clear its 8.5-win total and emerge as a legitimate NFC North contender. -- Eric Moody
Best bet: Justin Jefferson OVER 1,149.5 receiving yards (-110)
Jefferson still commanded an elite 30.1% target share in 2025 and finished with 141 targets despite awful quarterback play. He accumulated 1,048 receiving yards in a down year, so even modest improvement with Murray under center should push Jefferson past this total. -- Moody