The Minnesota Vikings host the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday, November 9th, marking their first meeting since 2021. This matchup is part of the NFL’s rotation schedule, where respective divisions face off once every four years. It’s a big-time game for both teams, as the Vikings currently sit at 4-4 and the Ravens at 3-5.
Both teams are looking to bounce back and salvage their seasons after entering Week 9 with losing records — but both emerged victorious. While the Ravens still hold a losing record, the return of quarterback Lamar Jackson has injected new life into a team that was 1-5 just two weeks ago. Meanwhile, the Vikings were 3-4 before their important win over division rival Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Week 9. That victory not only provided hope for the Vikings’ 2025 campaign but also boosted confidence across the organization and fanbase in young quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Vikings’ Future Historically Hinges on Result Against Ravens
The Minnesota Vikings’ matchups against the Baltimore Ravens have historically carried huge implications, dating back to the Ravens’ founding in 1996. This pattern was highlighted by Dustin Baker on X, who offered a polarizing perspective: “NFC Championship or Coach Fired? Vikings-Ravens is a bellwether event for the Vikings. They’re 3-4 all-time against Baltimore. In the three seasons they beat the Ravens, they went to the NFC Championship. In the four seasons they lost, the Vikings’ head coach got fired.”
These are significant stakes for what would typically be considered a low-importance interconference game. However, it’s important to note that if the Vikings lose this game, it is unlikely that head coach Kevin O’Connell will be fired after the season. “Coach KO” is the reigning, defending NFL AP Coach of the Year, and his position is secure—unlike Mike Zimmer, who was the Vikings’ head coach in 2021 when the team lost to the Ravens and was eventually fired after that season concluded.
Could Minnesota Have a Conference Championship Run in Them?
While it’s unlikely the Vikings can advance to the NFC Championship game this season, there remains a small possibility. Sitting at 4-4 and multiple spots outside a playoff berth in a tight NFC, and currently last in the NFC North, the odds are against them. That said, crazier things have happened in the NFL.
Under Kevin O’Connell’s leadership, the Vikings have proven to be one of the most resilient teams in the league. The NFC—and the NFL generally—remains wide open this season. The Vikings have already beaten arguably the best team in the conference on the road, and the other top team by record, the Green Bay Packers, recently suffered a loss to the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field.
As the 2025 season progresses, the big question remains: will history repeat itself and the Vikings make a deep playoff push, or will history just be what it is for Minnesota? Fans will be watching closely as Sunday’s game against the Ravens unfolds.
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