If 14-team playoff field was applied in the past, Vikings would have made playoffs in 2018

Oh, how a playoff berth can change a narrative.

In his first season with the Vikings, Kirk Cousins led the team to an 8-7-1 record.

Minnesota was coming off an appearance in the NFC Championship, and many fans thought the team spent too much money on a disappointing quarterback (a lot of fans still think that, but more did back then).

Recently the NFL increased the playoff field from 12 to 14 teams. If that were the case back in 2018, the Vikings would have made the playoffs as a wild card.

If 14-team #NFL playoff field applied last 5 years, these teams would be wild cards:

2019: Steelers (8-8), Rams (9-7)
2018: Steelers (9-6-1), Vikings (8-7-1)
2017: Ravens (9-7), Lions (9-7)
2016: Titans (9-7), Bucs (9-7)
2015: Jets (10-6), Falcons (8-8)

Better product? Nope.

— Nate Davis (@ByNateDavis) March 31, 2020

Imagine if the Vikings went on a playoff run in 2018? The narrative surrounding Cousins would be totally different. But still, there’s always the chance that the Vikings get knocked out right away, and fans and critics who bagged on Cousins for not winning big games would have still had a lot to say.

Either way, Minnesota is coming off a season where it went to the playoffs and won a game there. It seems if the team drafts well, that it is at least capable of taking an extra step in the postseason.