How High Can the 2025 Vikings Go?

Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images. The Minnesota Vikings regrettably disappointed their fan base in January, losing in Glendale, Arizona, to the Los Angeles Rams — in rather hapless playoff fashion. How high can the 2025 Vikings ascend? We asked fans to opine on Minnesota’s best-case scenario this season, focusing on the postseason. Of course, everyone wants to avoid the same fate in 2025 — while also hoping the Vikings reach the postseason. The club hasn’t reached the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 2008-2009, a naughty streak. So, we asked fans to weigh in on the team’s ceiling this year to gauge widespread sentiment on the topic. Question to our panel: “Will the Vikings win a playoff game in 2025? If no, what or who will derail them? If yes, who will they beat and why?” These are their responses. One Playoff Win From: Ivan, Czar of Bohunks | @up4discussion_7 Minnesota running back Aaron Jones (33) celebrates a dramatic win with fans by leaping into the crowd after defeating the Packers 31–29 at Lambeau Field on September 29, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images. I think the Vikings will win a playoff game, but I’m hesitant to speculate on who. Why, though? Because of the trenches. The offensive and defensive lines have upgraded, and in the NFL, that means everything! Vikings Ceiling Predictions from Fans Our entire panel predicted the Vikings to win at least one playoff game this season. One Playoff Win From: Jens from Norway | @rednpurple77 Yes! The Vikings will beat the Falcons because Michael PenixJr. turns out to be a choker in the playoffs. J.J. McCarthy, however, leads a game-winning drive in the 4th quarter. At Least One Playoff Win From: Skol Tom | @SKOLfromWI Minnesota linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) takes down Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during a pivotal fourth-quarter play on October 20, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images. The Vikings absolutely will win a playoff game this year. It’s tough to predict who they’ll face in the first round, but I’ll throw out a guess. The Vikings will face the Falcons in the first round, resulting in a Vikings win, which confirms that they made the right decision at the quarterback spot. At Least One Playoff Win From: Tadd | @st7cubs Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) of Minnesota lines up against the Rams during the NFC wild card matchup on January 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images. Yes, the Vikings will win a playoff game! I predict they’ll go on the road and beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Vikings will be viewed as the better team, but once again, they’ll finish second in the division behind a dominant Lions team, while the Bucs will repeat as champs of a weak NFC South. A Trip to the NFC Championship From: Steve Berglund | @VikesIn18 I actually need them to win the division and secure a two-seed. Trip to the NFC championship game coming. A Trip to the NFC Championship From: Bruce Johnson | @sachikojohnson Since the Vikings will be the first seed, they will defeat a team winning in the Wildcard round. I’ll say Washington. Mark it down! A Trip to the NFC Championship From: Eric Horstman | @ehorstman23 J.J. McCarthy and Justin Jefferson attend a Minnesota Timberwolves playoff game in May 2025, supporting the team in their victory over the Golden State Warriors to reach the Western Conference Finals. I’m ready to hype this team up like crazy this year. They are absolutely going to win a playoff game this year, and I think it will be multiple games. I think they will take out Tampa and Detroit in the playoffs this season. I believe the defensive improvements will carry the team through the playoffs, while McCarthy does enough with all the weapons on offense to get it done. NFL Spin Zone‘s Lou Scatglia picked the Vikings to miss the postseason last week, noting that the Chicago Bears would end up with a winning record, shoving the purple team to last place in the NFC North. He wrote about the Bears: “Bears win nine or 10 games and earn an NFC Wild Card spot. Roster-wise, this could be the best Chicago Bears roster we have seen in quite some time. It’s clear that GM Ryan Poles knew he had to get more serious about getting better in the trenches, and he did just that. Them hiring Ben Johnson was also a great move, and I truly believe Chicago has built something special for the 2025 NFL Season.” “Much of this is going to hinge on Caleb Williams being able to take a step forward, but he wasn’t bad in 2024 given the circumstances. You’d ideally love to see him get rid of the ball quicker and just avoid sacks more than he did in 2024.” Oddsmakers believe Minnesota will be neck-and-neck with Green Bay and Chicago for second place — behind the Detroit Lions in first place. “It’s a realistic goal for Williams to hit with a Ben Johnson offense. With Chicago likely fielding a top-12 offense and defense in 2025, this team is going to win nine or 10 games in 2025 and earn a Wild Card spot,” Scatglia added. The Vikings play the Bears to start the season at Soldier Field in 10 weeks. Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily ... More about Dustin Baker