The Minnesota Vikings enter Monday night’s showdown against the Buffalo Bills with a 6-1 record, putting them among the NFL’s top teams. However, a closer look at their offensive numbers raises a serious question about whether they’re legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
Minnesota ranks near the bottom of the league in nearly every major offensive category, including 29th in yards per game, 30th in passing yards per game, 31st in offensive touchdowns per game and 27th in scoring.
The struggles don’t end there. The Vikings rank 28th in yards per play, 27th in third-down conversion percentage and dead last in first downs per game. They’ve also failed to score an offensive touchdown in two of their seven games.
Through seven contests, Minnesota has produced just 12 offensive touchdowns, the second-fewest in the NFL, ahead of only the winless Los Angeles Chargers (10).
Despite those struggles, the Vikings have found ways to win, largely behind a dominant defense that leads the NFL in points allowed.
Minnesota will also have a different quarterback under center Monday, as veteran Carson Wentz will start in place of Kyler Murray, who is dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain suffered during last Sunday’s loss to Detroit.
WATCH: FingerLakes1.com’s Kyle Evans examines Minnesota’s surprising offensive struggles and whether the Vikings are legitimate contenders or a team whose record is better than its overall performance.
The Bills and Vikings kick off Monday at 8:15 p.m. at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, with the game televised on ESPN and ABC.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.