EXCLUSIVE: "They're not as good as their record" - Mike Smith not buying into Vikings' billing as Super Bowl contenders
Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings created history last Sunday. They rallied from a 33-0 halftime deficit against the Indianapolis Colts to win 39-36 in overtime and broke the record for the largest comeback in NFL history. The victory helped them win the NFC North division title for the first time in five years.
Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith discussed the Vikings' historic comeback with host Reggie Roberts on this week's episode of Sportskeeda's BallFather Podcast.
He acknowledged that Minnesota's comeback was impressive but expressed concern about them falling behind 33-0 to a team with four wins this season. He was critical of the Vikings' defensive unit, which has given up 24.9 points on average this season, the fifth-worst mark in the NFL this season. Smith said:
"They've really struggled on defense all season long. And that's going to be the thing that they're going to have to do in the playoffs. It seems like every week, not just coming back from a historic lead, they've come back so many times this year. Kirk Cousins and the offense have pulled it out. And the defense has given up a whole bunch and, and then finally made a play here and there and their special teams has done it."
Smith added that the Vikings' 11-3 record flatters them, and they aren't as good as their record suggests:
"It's a funny thing, the Minnesota Vikings this year, they're not as good as their record, in my opinion. I know everybody says,'You are what your record is.' But, you know, as a team that's in the playoffs with three weeks to go, I don't know that they're scaring a whole bunch of people with their defense."
Watch the latest episode of the BallFather Podcast below:
Minnesota Vikings can still secure a first-round playoff bye
Despite their defensive struggles, the Minnesota Vikings are still in contention to finish with the best record in the NFC and secure a first-round bye in the playoffs. They are 11-3 and trail the 13-1 Philadelphia Eagles by two games. However, it's a tall order.
For the Vikings to finish as the #1 seed in the NFC, they will have to win all their remaining games and hope the Eagles lose theirs. The odds of Minnesota securing a first-round bye are 1%, but their odds of mounting a comeback from a 33-0 deficit were about the same. As long as there's hope, the Vikings will continue to believe they can finish the season as the #1 seed in NFC.