Projected to finish last in division, how the Vikings retooled after 2023 finale vs. Lions and surged to 5-0 start

If you thought the Minnesota Vikings would be fighting to avoid the franchise’s first last-place finish in the NFC North since 2013, you weren’t alone.

Before training camp, Vegas assigned the Vikings an over/under of 7.5 wins for the 2024 season, the lowest mark in the division. It made sense after the team let longtime quarterback Kirk Cousins walk in free agency, signing Sam Darnold as a temporary placeholder for long-term replacement J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft.

But the Vikings — led by the unforeseen breakout of Darnold and a revamped, aggressive and opportunistic defense — are the only remaining undefeated team in the conference a month and a half into the season.

In hindsight, maybe we shouldn’t be so surprised.

A lot has changed in Minnesota since last year’s season-ending matchup with the Lions in Detroit. Let’s break down what’s different ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated early-season matchup that figures to have a significant impact on the hotly contest North race.