The Minnesota Vikings stand at 6-0, sparking debate over whether they are the worst such start in NFL history. While undefeated starts belong to good teams, this year's Vikings have won four of six games by less than a touchdown. Analyst Aaron Schatz used DVOA and point differential to rank historical 6-0 starts since 1978.
The 2012 Atlanta Falcons, who started 6-0, rank eighth-worst despite winning the NFC Championship. The 1985 Los Angeles Rams, led by Dieter Brock, rank seventh-worst. The current 2026 Vikings rank sixth-worst, featuring a 17.5% DVOA and a +51 point differential.
Notably, the Vikings rank 30th in offensive DVOA but second in defense. Four of their wins were by one score. History shows that while a poor start does not guarantee success, the Falcons' subsequent 7-3 finish and championship game appearance offer a benchmark for Minnesota's remaining season trajectory.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing