With a couple weeks to go before the season starts, let’s take a look at a Super Bowl matchup that would be a fun one to get. I’m talking about Bills versus Vikings. Yes, yes, I know, the Vikings in the Super Bowl? Hear me out before dismissing me as another crazy Vikings fan. The Vikings have a fairly easy schedule with a very talented roster. Last season the Vikings had 14 out of the 17 games decided by one score or less. They were the worst two-minute defense ever. This should change with an offensive coach in Kevin O’Connell who looks to turn things around in 2022. The Bills on the other hand are favorites to win the Super Bowl with odds at +600. They boasted the number one defense last year and the fifth ranked offense as well. With all of that, let’s take a look at how these two teams can get to Arizona in February.
How The Bills Get To The Super Bowl
The Bills last season were a coin flip away from advancing to the AFC championship and maybe even playing and winning the Super Bowl. This year they look to be even better. The Bills offense ranked fifth in the league led by Josh Allen. Allen has proven himself to be one of the best quarterbacks since coming into the league. Last season, Allen had a completion percentage of 63.3%, throwing for 4,407 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, with a passer rating of 92.2. He also rushed for 763 yards and six touchdowns on 122 carries. Allen should have an even better season than in 2021. Receivers Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, and Jamison Crowder should have monster seasons with Allen at quarterback.
The Bills defense is also looking to build on last season. Last year their defense ranked number one in the league. They allowed just 17.0 points per game (1st), 272.8 yards per game (1st), and were the number one scoring defense. The Bills have one of the best safety tandems in the league and are also getting cornerback Tre’Davious White back. They boast a strong pass rush anchored by Gregory Rousseau, Aj Epenesa, and Boogie Basham. The Bills defense is looking to retain their title of the number one defense in the league in 2022.
Schedule
The Bills schedule is not easy. The first seven game stretch will be a challenge, with four of those games being on the road. They will play six teams who made the playoffs on their schedule. These are the Rams (road), Titans (home), Chiefs (road), Packers (home), Patriots (home and road), and Bengals (road). They should do well against the division with Miami being the only real competition. I expect the Bills to go 5-1 or 6-0 against their division. I predict that the Bills will go 14-3, likely earning them a first round bye.
Route to Arizona
Once in the playoffs the Bills will want to have home field as much as possible or get the bye and have home field the entire postseason. Buffalo in January with be a difficult environment for team to come and play in. It’ll be a nightmare for opponents to deal with the Bills Mafia who pack the stadium. The Bills will need all the help they can get giving who they’ll likely have to face. Teams like the Bengals, Chiefs, Broncos, Chargers, and Titans all pose threats to the Bills. While some of these teams have been in the big games, so have the Bills. It won’t be easy, but this team has what it takes to make it to Arizona in February.
How The Vikings Get To The Super Bowl
Even with new head coach Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings look to make some noise this season. A talented roster with offensive players like Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen all look to anchor and lead the offense. The offensive line still has questions but players like rookie Ed Ingram are stepping up and making an impact.
On the defensive side the question is how will the two minute defense look? The defense last season struggled during the end of each half. This year will have to look different in order to not only make the playoffs, but to have a shot at playing in Arizona come February. The Vikings do have some great veteran players though with Harrison Smith, Patrick Peterson, Erik Kendricks, Danielle Hunter, and Za’Darius Smith who look to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. The Vikings defense should be very improved with offseason acquisitions like Za’Darius Smith, Harrison Phillips, and Jordan Hicks. The defense will need to look strong and bounce back for the Vikings to have a shot at playing in February.
Schedule
The Vikings have a relatively easy schedule this season. Like the Bills, the Vikings have six teams who made the playoffs on their schedule. These are the Packers (home and road), Eagles (road), Cardinals (home), Bills (road), Cowboys (home), and Patriots (home). Why is this schedule easier? Well, teams like Dallas and New England aren’t expected to be as good as last year. Also, of these seven games, four of them are at home unlike the Bills who have more of their harder games on the road. The Vikings division is harder than the Bills with the Packers and Lions looking to be tough opponents. I expect the Vikings will go 4-2 or 5-1 against their division. For the overall record I predict that the Vikings will go 13-4 (plus or minus one game).
Route to Arizona
The Vikings 13-4 projected record might not be enough to get them the one seed and a first-round bye but it will be enough to get them into the playoffs. The Vikings path won’t be much easier than the Bills. They will likely be dealing with the Rams, 49ers, Cardinals, Packers, Buccaneers, and Eagles. The bright spot is that Vikings will have played three of the six teams that are the biggest threats come the playoffs. If they can secure home field at U.S Bank stadium, it’ll be a tough task for anyone to go in and beat them. If the Vikings can achieve home field, then they certainly have a chance to get to Arizona and play in February.
How Likely Is This Matchup
How likely is this matchup? Well, both teams should make the playoffs, so there’s a chance. The Bills will have a much harder road in the playoffs than the Vikings with tougher opponents in the AFC. The Vikings will also have a tough of a path, just not quite as hard. They do run the risk of facing the defending Super Bowl champs, which will not be an easy task.
Even though neither team has an easy path they both have the talent to get a top three seed in their conference, if not higher. It is also worth mentioning that these two play each other in week ten in Buffalo. A fun little preview if the two indeed meet in February. It would be fun to have the added pressure of one team winning their first Super Bowl while the loser goes to 0-5. Hopefully as the season goes it will become clearer that this isn’t just some crazy theory but something that could actually become a reality. As we all know, anything can happen, especially in February.