The Vikings were competing with the Chiefs after week 5. Both were undefeated till then. But they lost two consecutive games after coming back from the bye week. However, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and HC Kevin O’Connell put confidence in their locker room. They again went on a 9-game-winning run. Now, before the season finale against the Lions, Vikings owner Mark Wilf gave a huge statement.

Speaking with the Star Tribune, the Vikings owner claimed that they would extend the tenures of both after the season gets over. While praising the HC and the GM, Wilf said, “We’re looking forward to a great future with (Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah). We look forward to having those conversations with each of them after the season. We have tremendous confidence, and we look forward to their continued leadership of the franchise.” That’s a good move forward.

The 39-year-old coach and the 43-year-old GM have worked efficiently in tandem. They played an influential role in alleviating the franchise from the pits it had fallen into. Since 2017, they couldn’t clinch the NFC North divisional championship until 2022, when both of them arrived at the franchise.

While Kwesi Adofo-Mensah brought in experience from the 49ers and Browns, Kevin O’Connell was fresh after winning the Super Bowl as Rams’ OC in 2021. In his first season as a head coach in 2022, he took the Vikings to playoffs. Though they failed in 2023, they have secured a playoff spot with a 14-2 win-loss record this time.

Fans are excited about the season finale. Both the Lions and Vikings have a 14-2 record. The winner will get the top spot in the NFC conference.

NFL backs the tactics of Kevin O’Connell’s team!

The crowd in the stadium matters a lot. And the Vikings needed the support after losing their first matchup against the Lions in week 7 by 2 points, 29-31. So they bought about 1,900 tickets for the week 18 game, costing $1,000 each. The Lions got concerned when they got to know about the $2 million ticket sales. Hence, as per NFL insider Albert Breer, they approached the league office. But the NFL rejected any concerns, claiming that the Vikings didn’t break any rules.

The Vikings have offered the tickets to their fans at a concession price, some as low as $200. All in the hopes of getting the noise to defeat the home team. But defeating them wouldn’t be a simple task. It will be exciting as it’s the first time, two teams with 13 or more wins will face each other in an NFL game.

Kevin O’Connell and Dan Campbell are rallying their teams for a victory before the playoffs begin. They are also excited to welcome their divisional rivals. Expect some breathtaking moments.