Their commitment to the run has put less of a burden on Kirk Cousins and enabled the defense to avoid getting worn down.
When the Vikings advanced to the NFC Championship Game following the 2017 season, they relied on more than one miracle.
Their quarterback, Case Keenum, was a backup starting only because of injuries to Sam Bradford. Their starting running back was a reserve, playing because of an injury to Dalvin Cook.
Adam Thielen, the former street free agent, staged his breakthrough season. They were remarkably healthy, with only one key defensive starter, Everson Griffen, missing a game — and he missed only one.