The Minnesota Vikings held off the New York Jets in London on Sunday to improve to 5-0 on the season, as Stephon Gilmore’s interception of Aaron Rodgers late denied the Jets a comeback attempt. The Kansas City Chiefs have a chance to join them later in the day as the last remaining unbeaten teams through five weeks.
The Vikings entered Sunday with a one-game lead on the Detroit Lions in the NFC North and are moving into a strong position to claim a playoff berth for the second time in three seasons. However, Minnesota faces a tough history. Teams that win their first five games of the regular season usually make the playoffs, but twice dating back to 2003, the Vikings have blown a strong start.
The Vikings went 5-0 to start the 2016 season and 6-0 to start the 2003 season, and in both instances failed even to claim a wild card berth.
They head into a bye following this trip to London and then have what many would consider a fairly light schedule coming out of the bye. They host a tough Lions squad in Week 7, but then travel to face a banged-up Rams squad in Week 8, and then get an AFC South run against the Colts, Jaguars, and Titans, before traveling to Chicago ahead of Thanksgiving.
They probably won’t be unbeaten after 12 weeks, but they can get quick a few key wins and move closer to a playoff berth.
Since 1990, six times (including the two Vikings teams noted above) have started 5-0 and missed the playoffs:
- 1993 New Orleans Saints – Finished 8-8
- 2003 Minnesota Vikings – Finished 9-7
- 2009 New York Giants – Finished 8-8
- 2009 Denver Broncos – Finished 8-8
- 2015 Atlanta Falcons – Finished 8-8
- 2016 Minnesota Vikings – Finished 8-8
After sealing their Week 5 victory over the Jets with an interception, the odds are very strong that the Vikings will make the playoffs. If they fail, Minnesota fans might start to hope for an early season loss only to avoid adding to their own history.
