Many times after close victories this season, Vikings players and coach Kevin O'Connell have talked about how the team, despite its gaudy record, has not played its best football yet.
The Vikings have also leaned on the hope of further progress after both of their losses this season: a 24-7 defeat at Philadelphia in Week 2 and a 40-3 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday that ranked as the second-largest home defeat in team history.
Their loss on Sunday put them in a strange position. According to ESPN Stats and Information, the Vikings are the first team in NFL history to be 8-2 or better with a negative point differential; they've been outscored by two points this season 231-229.