3 biggest overreactions to the Vikings loss to the Bengals in Week 1

Time to start preparing for the 2022 draft

So the Vikings have begun their 2021 season with a loss to a Bengals team that won a combined six games in the last two years. Minnesota might as well hang it up and prepare for the 2022 offseason, right?

Not quite.

While Sunday’s loss was disappointing for the Vikings, it certainly isn’t something that will derail their chances for success this season.

In fact, Minnesota would actually be the No. 4 seed in the NFC if the playoffs started next week thanks to every other team in the NFC North losing by a larger margin on Sunday.

In 2015, the Vikings started their season with a loss, and they went on to win the NFC North and make the playoffs. So why can’t Minnesota do something similar this year?

With the Packers getting the doors completely blown off by the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, there is no reason to think that the Vikings aren’t capable of winning their division this year.

Just like a bunch of teams around the NFL that were projected to be successful this season, Minnesota still has plenty of time to fix their mistakes and contend for a top playoff spot in their conference this year.