Nonetheless, the Vikings have plenty of cause for celebration after a rapid turnaround that was not without obstacle.

Hopes outside Minnesota were low for the Vikings heading into the 2024 season. Following a 7-10 campaign in which franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles before eventually departing in free agency, the club drafted J.J. McCarthy as a replacement in the first round, only to see him suffer a season-ending knee injury in preseason.

But Sam Darnold filled the void and then some, leading an offensive operation that was top 10 in scoring entering Week 15 to complement a sixth-ranked scoring defense.

Just as they did during their 13-4 season in 2022, the Vikings have forged their playoff path in the clutch. Those ’22 Vikes were 11-0 in one-possession games, while the ’24 version has thus far gone 7-1 in such contests.

Minnesota fans still smarting from the wild-card loss that cut short their last playoff appearance might find solace in a different comparison, though. O’Connell and Co. have enjoyed two different winning streaks of five-plus games during a season for the second time in team history, repeating a franchise feat first accomplished by the 1998 Vikings, who went 15-1 and reached the NFC Championship Game.

A run to that stage and beyond would be made easier by a division title, and even more so by having a first-round bye as the conference’s top seed, both of which are very much in play.

For now, the Vikings know they’ll be playing postseason football at the very least. Their next chance to impact their standing comes Monday night against the Bears.