Souhan: How the Vikings have upended expectations with a 2-0 start

Minutes after the Vikings upset the San Francisco 49ers 23-17, Kevin O'Connell sounded like he was choking up.

"This football team," the Vikings coach said, "is not a joke."

Fair enough.

But why isn't it?

The Vikings finished 7-10 last year, then lost two of their three most important players in free agency. They are without star tight end T.J. Hockenson, and on Sunday they played without No. 2 receiver Jordan Addison.

Somehow, they are 2-0, one year after an 0-2 start led to a noncompetitive season.

So where, exactly, are they better this year?

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It's not a short list.

1. Cornerback. Last year, the Vikings tried out just about every young corner in the organization. This year, they realized they needed veteran help. Signing Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin to play alongside Byron Murphy Jr. has turned the position from a dramatic weakness into a strength, with Gilmore taking on the responsibility of a true shutdown corner.
2. Linebacker. The Vikings' first depth chart of August 2023 listed Brian Asamoah II and Jordan Hicks as starters. This year's starters, Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr., are making plays sideline to sideline. Cashman was especially impactful Sunday, as one of his tipped passes turned into an interception.
3. Journeyman QB. Last year, when Kirk Cousins was hurt, the Vikings tried Jaren Hall, Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullens as starters, which is why they lost 10 games. This year, knowing they didn't want to start draftee J.J. McCarthy right away, they signed Sam Darnold, who is with his fourth team but has been vital in both victories.
4. Depth. The Vikings defense was on the field for 67 plays and 34:48. The group held up against a diverse and talented offense by relying on players who aren't even household names in their own households. The Other Jones (Patrick) and the Two Wards (Jihad and Jay) were among the depth players making big plays.
5. Running back. Alexander Mattison destroyed the Vikings' chances early last season with a key fumble in a close loss to Philadelphia and a team-high five dropped passes by mid-October. (He had three career dropped passes before 2023.) Aaron Jones had a key fumble near the goal line Sunday, but he and Ty Chandler, an improved player in his second season, combined to average 6.1 yards per carry and both are better receivers than Mattison.
6. Kicker? Last year, Greg Joseph made 80% of his field-goal tries and 95% of his extra points, but his misses loomed. Rookie Will Reichard has made all three of his field-goal attempts and all six of his extra-point tries.
7. Brain trust. Yes, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made mistakes in his first draft. He was also mature and honest enough to admit them. This past offseason, he gave Flores the pieces he needed — Gilmore, Griffin, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard and Cashman — and through two games it appears that he and O'Connell correctly judged Darnold as a worthwhile temp quarterback, or better. O'Connell and Flores have outcoached the New York Giants and the 49ers, and the latter accomplishment is impressive.

In two weeks, the Vikings have answered a number of questions.

Can Darnold play? Yes. The question now is whether he can sustain quality play.

Is Gilmore too old? Not yet. Gilmore has helped limit Giants rookie Malik Nabers, who broke loose for a big game in Week 2, and the 49ers' tremendous receivers.

Can O'Connell find ways to get Justin Jefferson the ball even when everyone knows it's coming his way?

Jefferson has eight catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns, and his 97-yard catch-and-carry for a score Sunday was a top-five moment in an already legendary career.

Those of us who were skeptical of this team's chances have to reexamine our expectations.

Through two weeks, the Vikings are in first place in what was expected to be a difficult division. Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is injured. The Detroit Lions lost at home Sunday to Tampa Bay.

Two weeks into the 2023 season, you knew the Vikings were in trouble.

Two weeks into the 2024 season, they are encouraging the willing suspension of disbelief.