The Strange Odyssey of Vikings 2022 Super Bowl Odds

It’s been a journey — one that hasn’t concluded yet.

Just as you’ve combated Minnesota Vikings-related heart palpitations on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays in 2022, the team’s quest for the Super Bowl has been a ride. Minnesota will enter the postseason dance in a week and a half with a seed no lower than third.

The Strange Odyssey of Vikings 2022 Super Bowl Odds

And Kevin O’Connell’s team has done the “tall peaks and low valleys” thing throughout, beating monsters-of-rock teams like the Buffalo Bills on the road and then looking inept seven weeks later at the Green Bay Packers.

Accordingly, oddsmakers have been all over the board trying to understand the Vikings, and betting odds reflect the odyssey. As of January 5th, Minnesota is the ninth-likeliest team to win the Super Bowl, per sportsbooks. It shares odds with the Los Angeles Chargers (+2500).

The Vikings were at the pinnacle of Super Bowl likelihood after stunning the aforementioned Bills in Week 10. Few foresaw Minnesota winning that game, and some are still bewildered the win occurred, given the contest’s shocking nature. The Vikings followed the memorable win over Buffalo with an equally ghastly home loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

So, in a nutshell, here’s the odyssey by the numbers:

Vikings 2022 Super Bowl Odds:

Before Week 1 = 36 to 1
After Win at BUF = 11 to 1
After Loss at GB = 25 to 1

To be clear, fluctuating Super Bowl odds aren’t a “Vikings thing,” but the odds swings are unique and noteworthy. Oddsmakers didn’t think the 2022 Vikings would sniff the Super Bowl four months ago, became a wee bit entranced following the Bills milestone, and disillusioned after last weekend.

And those sentiments may mimic fans’ emotions, too.

With the playoffs mere days away, Vikings faithful are left to determine if the team has a “complete game” somewhere in its genetics. Wouldn’t it have displayed one by now? Or — is this really what it takes for the Vikings to win a Super Bowl after 61 years, the most mind-boggling team imaginable.

Vegas can’t figure out this brand of Vikings. Fans are perplexed, too.

But if the team does hit stride in the postseason, the path traveled will be daunting. The San Francisco 49ers are white-hot, and any possible 49ers-Vikings matchup will probably happen in California. If Minnesota survives that matchup, heading to Philadelphia for the NFC Championship is a potential next assignment, and stuff didn’t go well there for the Vikings in September.

Plus, that’s all assuming the Vikings don’t lose at home on Wildcard Weekend to the New York Giants, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, or Green Bay Packers. That could happen, too, if the Vikings decide to fire up a performance emulating the 1st Half of Week 15 versus the Indianapolis Colts.

Overall, the solace is knowing Minnesota was “supposed” to win eight or nine games per the same sportsbooks — and they’ve notched 12 wins to date.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).