Coaching Gives Them a Chance
Under Kevin O'Connell, the Vikings are trying to win with a disguised-pressure defense. Byron Murphy Jr. is the centerpiece of the secondary.
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Minnesota Vikings 2026 Team Rankings and Ratings
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78.9PFM Team Scorei
PFM Verdict
Why PFM Ranks the Vikings Here
Kevin O'Connell can manufacture favorable looks for Justin Jefferson, and the defense can steal downs with disguise. The quarterback transition changes the rest of the offense because protection and launch point matter more with a smaller mobile passer. Until the competition settles, too many drives depend on the top receiver winning through tight coverage.
NFL Rank#19Current PFM ranking
NFC Rank#9Among NFC teams
QB Stability#24Kyler Murray · QB Limbo
Season OutlookIn the Playoff Mix
Head coachKevin O'Connell
Offensive coordinatorWes Phillips
Defensive coordinatorBrian Flores
PFM Team DNA
View all NFL team rankingsMinnesota Vikings Team DNA
Quarterback Floor
Kyler Murray is the current leader in the quarterback competition, making the position the swing factor. The pressure point is quarterback transition and an offensive line that has to protect a smaller mobile passer.
The Offense Cannot Waste Minnesota's Defense
Minnesota has a clear weekly priority: create stops and make the offense work with shorter fields. Byron Murphy Jr. and the secondary set the tone for the defense. The offense grades 3.6 points lower. The offense still has to finish more drives and protect the field position those stops create. Minnesota uses a play-action passing offense built around Justin Jefferson and a mobile quarterback stressing the edges.
Kyler Murray Can Open the Field for Minnesota
Murray’s mobility and Justin Jefferson’s gravity give the 24th-ranked quarterback situation a chance to attack every blade of grass. That advantage narrows when protection forces Murray to win repeatedly from a crowded pocket.
PFM ROAD AHEAD
2026 Minnesota Vikings Strength of Schedule
Minnesota sits near the middle of the league at No. 17 in schedule strength, with opponents averaging 80.5. Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers create the toughest stretch, but 5 games against current top-10 teams keep the schedule from belonging at either extreme.
Difficulty Rank#17No. 1 is toughest
Opponent PFM Avg.80.5Average across opponents
Next 3 Avg.82.0Upcoming opponents
Top-10 Matchups5Games vs. current top 10
Away games left7
Top-10 road opponents2
vs. Green Bay Packers83.8 PFM · #13
Sep 13 · 4:25 pmHome
at Chicago Bears84.0 PFM · #12
Sep 20 · 1:00 pmAway
at Tampa Bay Buccaneers78.4 PFM · #20
Sep 27 · 4:05 pmAway
Toughest remaining opponent: 
Detroit Lions at 86.8 PFM.
PFM Reporter
Kyler Murray gets a second chance
Murray has been too inconsistent since his strong opening couple of years in Arizona. He now gets to learn behind one of the best quarterback whisperers in the league, Kevin O'Connell. If Murray can play within the system, he can revive his NFL career.
Analysis updatedJune 23, 2026
Around the League
League Context
Closest Team DNA Match
Built Like Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh SteelersMatch distance: 2.73 rating points
Shared profile: Roster Strength and QB Stability.
Minnesota finds answers across the field through the offensive line, while Pittsburgh finds answers across the field through the offensive line. The connection in QB Stability and Roster Strength is the support that keeps one missed block, injury or covered first read from ending the down. Minnesota owns the big-play edge because the attack around the offensive line creates more pressure beyond ordinary gains.
Where they separate: Explosiveness. Vikings hold the stronger current rating.
Division Pressure
NFC North
Minnesota Vikings sits 4th in the division, 7.9 PFM points from Detroit.
Supporting Team Information
More About the Team
Minnesota Vikings in the Super Bowl Era
Minnesota has made 4 trips to the Super Bowl without a championship.
- Super Bowl Titles
- 0
- Super Bowl Appearances
- 4
- Super Bowl Record
- 0–4
- Last Appearance
- 1977 Super Bowl XI
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