No. 6
2007 Vikings
Final Record: 8-8
In his second season as Minnesota’s head coach, Brad Childress was looking to improve upon a 2006 season that saw the team finish with a disappointing 6-10 record. With the help of a rookie running back by the name of Adrian Peterson, Childress and the Vikings were much more competitive in 2007.
Behind Peterson’s 1,341 yards on the ground, Minnesota finished the season as the NFL’s top-ranked rushing offense. Stopping the run is also something the Vikings excelled at in 2007 as they ended the year with the league’s fewest rushing yards allowed.
No. 5
2018 Vikings
Final Record: 8-7-1
As disappointing as Minnesota’s 2018 team was, it’s hard to ignore all of the talent this team had on their roster. Kirk Cousins put up some impressive numbers during this year with the Vikings while Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs both finished the season with more than 1,000 receiving yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, Minnesota ranked among the NFL’s best in passing yards allowed (third), total yards allowed (fourth), and points allowed (ninth). The Vikings defense also finished the 2020 season with 50 sacks, which is tied for the third-most in franchise history.