Anthony Barr: Vikings "have a Super Bowl-winning team this year"

It has been 45 years since the Minnesota Vikings last made the Super Bowl, although they have never won the Vince Lombardi trophy. But according to Anthony Barr, the wait for the franchise’s first Super Bowl title could soon be over.

In an interview for Fox 9, the eighth-year linebacker said he believes that the Vikes have assembled the elements necessary to go all the way to Super Bowl glory this season.

"I really do believe that we have a Super Bowl-winning team this year," said Barr, who played in just two games in 2020 due to a torn pectoral muscle injury.

"Obviously there's a lot of steps to get to that point, and I've been through good seasons and bad seasons with this team. But every time we've had a tough year, we've always bounced back. I really feel like this year is going to be special."

Vikings need to overturn losing 2020 record

For the Vikings to live up to Barr’s expectations, they will need to improve greatly on their losing 7-9 record in the 2020 season, which saw them finish third in NFC North.

The biggest improvements will need to be made in defense after the Minnesota franchise ended with the sixth worst defense in the NFL, finishing 27th in yards allowed per game and 28th in sacks per pass attempt.

NFL news:

Vikings record under Zimmer

Since Mike Zimmer took over at Minnesota in 2014, the Vikings have had mixed results. In seven seasons they have accumulated a record of 64-47-1 (0.571 win average), during which they have managed three postseason runs and reached the National Conference Final once in 2017.

In comparison, between 2001 and 2013, the Vikes made four playoff appearances with their record standing at 97-110-1 (0.466 win average).