Minnesota Vikings went into the 2025 National Football League (NFL) season with their sights firmly set on winning the Super Bowl for the first time.
The Vikings played in four Super Bowls in the 1970s, but lost on each occasion. They are tied with the Buffalo Bills for the most Super Bowl appearances without a victory.
Top online sportsbook Betway rates the Vikings as 25/1 shots to break their drought this season, which is a fair reflection of their chances.
They made a winning start to the new campaign on Monday, recovering from 17-6 at the end of the third quarter to record a hard-fought 27-24 victory.
Quarterback JJ McCarthy recovered from a slow start to drive the Vikings to victory. He was making his NFL debut after missing his rookie season in 2024 with a knee injury.
His link-up with Justin Jefferson offered a tantalising glimpse of what the Vikings could achieve when they have a few more games under their belts together.
Jefferson has become one of the best wide receivers during his first five seasons in the NFL, earning comparisons with legends such as Randy Moss.
Former Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper forged a dynamic partnership with Moss from 1998 to 2004, and believes Jefferson could reach similar heights.
“Randy is a special football player and an athlete, and Justin is a similar type of guy based on the numbers he’s put up,” Culpepper said.
“Randy’s just one of the most gifted athletes I’ve ever seen, as far as just being able to run and jump and make plays.
“JJ is very gifted as well, and he’s early in his career, but if he continues at the pace he’s going, he’s going to be in the same conversations as Randy.
“I wouldn’t say JJ is as physically gifted as Randy, but he has the same playmaking ability. I’m excited to watch JJ do his thing.
“They’re both phenomenal players and if he stays healthy and continues on the path he is on, he will be in the talks of some of the greatest receivers ever to play the game.”
McCarthy’s tentative start against the Bears was not unexpected given that he missed the whole of last season after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.
However, he soon found his range to inspire a victory that sent a message to the rest of the NFL. If he continues in the same vein, the Vikings’ odds to win the Super Bowl will tumble.
Upcoming home fixtures against the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals offer the team the opportunity to build on their victory in Chicago.
After posting a 14-3 record in NFC North last season, the Vikings were tipped to make their mark in the play-offs. A 27-9 defeat against the Los Angeles Rams ended their campaign.
Having shown faith in McCarthy by making him the starting quarterback, the Vikings have bet big on a player who has yet to prove himself in the NFL.
Despite this, Culpepper believes that Jefferson’s presence in the team will help McCarthy fulfil his potential. When asked who will win the Super Bowl this season, Culpepper backed his former team.
“I’m a little biased when it comes to the Vikings,” he added. “I had a lot of success in Minnesota, and I’m going to pull for Minnesota.
“I just see great things for them and that’s my dark horse. I’m going to say it first before anybody else is saying it. I’ll say the Minnesota Vikings.”
Main Image: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
