What a successful 2022 season looks like for the Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have been flirting with mediocrity ever since Brett Favre came to the NFC North three decades ago. It seems as if they are in playoff contention every year but only play meaningful games in January about half of the time. 

They are usually deemed a "dark-horse" Super Bowl team every offseason but hardly seem to justify that title by the time the regular season ends. 

However, they are the most successful team in the NFC North when it comes to facing quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Minnesota is 10-16-1 against the Packers when Rodgers starts, which is by far the best record aginst the future Hall of Fame quarterback among NFC North opponents. 

However, 2022 is the start of a new era. First-year Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell is a brilliant offensive mind and the Vikings have a very talented roster. So, what does a successful season look like for O'Connell and Minnesota?

Simply put, a successful season for the Vikings looks like a playoff berth. This team is way too talented to skip out on the posteason. 

They have Pro Bowlers all over the field offensively with quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Dalvin Cook, and the star receiving tandem of Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. 

Defensively, they have All-Pros all over the field with their edge-rush duo of Za'Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter, linebacker Eric Kendricks, cornerback Patrick Peterson, and safety Harrison Smith. 

They are very deep and very talented. However, as long as Aaron Rodgers is in the division, it will be tough to surpass Green Bay, especially with their talented defense and winning culture.

But speaking of Green Bay, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who is responsible for helping the Packers win a league-leading 41 total games over the last three seasons, not only made the playoffs in his first season, but he won the NFC North after going 13-3 without a top 10 offense or defense. 

Minnesota has stars all over the field. A playoff appearance has to be the bare minimum of goals for the Vikings. If they can even win a playoff game, that is a very successful season for the purple and gold.