Minnesota Vikings
· 2026-07-13
The Minnesota Vikings, riding a five-game win streak after a 9-8 turnaround in 2025, have fans guessing how many games they’ll win in 2026. A local poll just opened, asking readers to predict the Vikings’ record next season—just as the team prepares for a critical NFC North showdown against the Green Bay Packers on September 13, 2026.
The Watertown Public Opinion-Aberdeen News poll reflects real fan optimism, even after the Vikings’ surprising 9-8 finish in 2025. That record—eighth in the NFC—proved the team’s resurgence under head coach Kevin O’Connell, despite missing the playoffs. Now, with Kirk Cousins entering his fifth year and a defense led by linebacker Jalen Nelson, the question isn’t if Minnesota will contend again but how many wins they’ll secure.
The 2025 campaign was a study in inconsistency: a defense that ranked 10th in points allowed but struggled against the pass, and an offense that relied on Cousins’ arm talent but turned the ball over 26 times. Yet that 9-8 record—including a late-season surge—showed the Vikings’ potential. As of July 13, 2026, they sit 8th in the NFC, with their next test coming against the Packers, a team that finished 10-7 in 2025.
The poll, open until midnight on July 19, 2026, lets Vikings supporters project next season’s win total. While the team’s offense remains a work in progress—especially with Justin Jefferson now in his prime—the defense’s improvement could be the key. If Minnesota can cut turnovers and sustain its recent momentum, a playoff push isn’t out of the question.
With training camp set to begin in late July, the Vikings’ focus shifts to refining their scheme and addressing weaknesses. The September 13 matchup against the Packers will serve as an early indicator of their direction. If Minnesota can win that game, it could set the tone for a deeper NFC North run—and higher fan expectations in the poll.