EAGAN, Minn. – When Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell was asked about his "like" for running back Cam Akers, he politely pointed to "love" being the correct word.

"It's OK to use that word every now and then," O'Connell quipped before explaining the factors that allowed a player who has overcome two Achilles injuries to deliver the decisive touchdown and make the game-sealing catch against Green Bay in Week 17.

"Cam has something inside him that allowed him to push through the adversity of what's happened to him over the course of his career," O'Connell said. "He loves football. I think he loves being a Minnesota Viking. He loves his teammates."

Akers broke free for a 58-yard run on Sunday in Detroit, but it wasn't enough on a night when the passing game struggled. The Vikings loss to the Lions positioned Minnesota (14-3) as the No. 5 seed in the NFC Playoffs and set the stage for a game next Monday at the Los Angeles Rams (10-7).

There's been a love between lifelong Vikings fans that's lasted through thick and thin, but we realized that there might be some people whose interest is budding as the team, so we thought we'd lay out 15 reasons — in no particular order — to love this team as it prepares for the postseason.

1. Multiple external media outlets projected a losing season | by Craig Peters

Minnesota's 14 victories rank second among the 64 regular seasons in franchise history.

The official preseason over/under win projection for the team was set at 6.5, so the team more than doubled expectations of its doubters. Many took the under, and some went so far to say the Vikings would go 3-14 instead of the 14-3.

Minnesota instead is making its second playoff appearance in three seasons under O'Connell.

2. Any game can be a close game | by Craig Peters

One can usually count on the Vikings to keep things interesting. Minnesota went 9-1 in one-score games this season, improving to 26-9 in such contests under O'Connell, who has the second highest win percentage (.743) when teams are within 8 points on the final scoreboard.

Even in games the Vikings have led 28-0 or by 17, things have been known to tighten up with late-game dramatics.

3. Camaraderie is second to none | by Lindsey Young

I've now covered 10 different Vikings teams, and every single one has its own identity and tendencies.

It's always been a point of pride for the organization to bring in high-character players, and I believe that's been the case in my near-decade working here. But every once in a while, there's an extra-special locker room — and the 2024 squad is exactly that.

The Vikings this season have demonstrated a camaraderie that's been hard to describe, and in my opinion, only the 2017 team has felt similar. Regardless of side of the ball, age, race or any other qualifier, the guys on this team just enjoy one another. They play unselfish football and consistently support and build up one another, being genuinely happy when teammates succeed.

Of course, winning 14 games probably makes that a little easier … or does this type of camaraderie help a team win 14 games? It's probably a little bit of both.

4. Dancing defense | by Rob Kleifield

At this rate, fourth-year Vikings safety Camryn Bynum figures to be the betting favorite when he's inevitably invited to flaunt his fantastic prowess on ABC's hit television show Dancing with the Stars.

We're serious.

Bynum has spearheaded the NFL's most in-depth celebration routines following takeaways this year – and done so largely paying homage to classic late 1990s and early 2000s era films such as The Parent Trap and White Chicks.

A Mirrorball Trophy may be in his crystal ball, like it was for Emmitt Smith, Hines Ward, Donald Driver and Rashad Jennings (former NFLers to win the dance-off). Hopefully, of course, a Lombardi arrives first.

5. Harrison Smith's 13th season | by Lindsey Young

It's exceedingly rare for an NFL player to spend his entire career with one team; it's also rare to see a defensive back play well into his 30s.

But Harrison Smith has done both of the above, starting all 17 games of his 13^th season in Purple.

Smith may not have the straight-line speed he once did, but anything the nearly 36-year-old has lost in swiftness, he's gained in football intelligence.

He's always been a student of the game, and Smith's ability to diagnose offenses and disguise coverages has allowed him to continue making big plays — including the three interceptions he snagged this season.

Fans have speculated if this will be Smith's final run, and it's unlikely he makes any decisions until the season is fully in the rear-view mirror, but one thing is for sure: The Hitman is a special breed the Vikings have been fortunate to have for more than a decade.

Monday's game will be the 200^th of Smith's career (including playoffs).

6. Our QB1 referenced Ricky Bobby after setting an NFL record | by Craig Peters

In Minnesota's Week 17 victory over Green Bay Darnold set a record for most wins (since at least 1950) by a QB in his first season with a team. He banked No. 14 to match his jersey and returned to the locker room where he was doused with water by teammates.

Asked about the moment, he referred to a line from Talladega Nights:

Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips summed it up well in explaining teammates' support of Darnold: "He's a guy's guy type of guy."

Darnold has been tough and resilient in bouncing back from a mistake within a game, and he has the opportunity to show those qualities in Los Angeles near his hometown.

7. Our RB1 is still beloved by fans of our archrival | by Craig Peters

When Aaron Jones, Sr., returned to Lambeau Field in September for the first time since the Packers released him, there were signs and even billboards welcoming him back.

Jones racked up 139 scrimmage yards in his first game against the team he played for from 2017-23 but said the welcome back by the community resonated even more.

"I think that's one of the things that I'm happiest about, because one day they're going to forget about you in this football world, say 100 years from now, 200 years, they're going to have other players," Jones added. "They're not even going to know your name, but it's the stamp that you leave in the community and what you do off the field that — people remember your legacy."

8. Justin Jefferson is one good rascal | by Lindsey Young

By now, you've probably seen highlights or photos of Justin Jefferson offering a "Little Rascals" wave after big play, touching his knuckles to the bottom of his chin and wiggling his fingers. The wholesome celebration is a nod to the gesture by Porky and Buckwheat in the 1994 version of The Little Rascals.

Jefferson had plenty of opportunities for the little wave throughout the regular season, racking up 103 catches for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns. This year marked his fifth straight season with more than 1,000 receiving yards.

He and Darnold struggled to connect in Week 18 at Detroit, but Jefferson and the Vikings QB previously demonstrated tremendous chemistry, particularly in the second half of the season. Rarely do you see Jefferson have back-to-back quiet games, so watch for "Jets" to attempt a takeoff near LAX.

9. Jordan Addison is also good | by Lindsey Young

Oftentimes when Jefferson does The Little Rascals wave, Jordan Addison is right there with him.

The second-year receiver continues to show just why the Vikings drafted him 23^rd overall last season, as he made multiple jaw-dropping grabs throughout the season. Addison wrapped up his second pro campaign with 63 catches for 875 yards (13.9 average) and nine touchdowns.

Forcing opposing defenses to simultaneously contend with Jefferson and Addison undoubtedly was a large part of the reason Minnesota achieved 14 wins.

10. We have a tight end and an outside linebacker who could have inspired the logo | by Craig Peters

No, tight end T.J. Hockenson and outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel did not inspire the Norsman logo, but they have worn it well.

Hockenson joined Minnesota in 2022, and he already has 196 receptions for 1,934 yards and ranks fourth among Vikings tight ends all-time in just 35 games with the Vikings. By the way, he caught 10 passes for 129 yards the last time Minnesota made the playoffs after the 2022 season.

Like Hockenson, Van Ginkel grew up in Iowa, and his family and friends in Rock Valley have shown their support and excitement for him now being a Viking by driving up for home games.

Gink' recorded single-season career highs of 79 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and two interceptions, taking each of those picks back for touchdowns.

11. Homegrown heart of the defense | by Rob Kleifield

Purple always has coursed through Blake Cashman's veins.

Aside from a small childhood obsession with Green Bay gunslinger Brett Favre, the Eden Prairie native and Minnesota middle linebacker was born and raised rooting for the Vikings. Now, he's leading them.

It's an amazingly rewarding chapter in his professional story, which started with physical setbacks as a fifth-round draft pick of the Jets and evolved into a breakout and bigger belief in him last season on the Texans. His homecoming this year solidified his foresight as a Gophers walk-on: he's plenty good enough.

12. Guys have provided a presence on the EDGE | by Rob Kleifield

Losing Danielle Hunter to Houston didn't stop Minnesota from mercilessly hunting quarterbacks.

Gink' (11.5), Pat Jones II (7.0), Cashman (4.5) and Ivan Pace, Jr. (3.0), each posted single-season career bests in sacks, and Jonathan Greenard led the front with 12. Rookie Dallas Turner recorded 3.0 on limited opportunities.

Together, the pass rush gathered 49 sacks, a six-sack bump from 2023 and the fourth most in the NFL.

They also sourced the second most pressures (176) and third most quarterback knockdowns (65) and hurries (62). The tallies were a byproduct of the league's highest blitz percentage on dropbacks (36.1%).

13. Free agency impacts | by Rob Kleifield

About one-third of Minnesota's offensive and defensive starters played someplace else last year.

That group of newcomers assimilated seamlessly with the existing culture – and then elevated it. Darnold brought a fearless leadership; Jones influenced with a respectful nature for everybody except tacklers, and Gink' and "J.G." repetitively wrecked game plans with frenetic and artistic pass rushes.

The effects spread to the secondary, with mentorship gleaned from and consummate professionalism epitomized by Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin, who rehabilitated a cornerbacks room that endured tragedy in the offseason death of Khyree Jackson, and injury in Mekhi Blackmon's training camp ACL tear.

14. Interceptions = BOGO balls | by Craig Peters

The Vikings secured 24 interceptions, more than doubling their total from 2023, and pairing it with a Caribou Coffee promo that offered BOGO java the day after a pick.

Byron Murphy, Jr., doubled as the lead barista by recording a career-best six interceptions, helping the Vikings lead the NFL in picks and match the number of passing touchdowns allowed.

15. Our long snapper can guide a football through a bagel | by Craig Peters

OK, so he can't, but Andrew DePaola is the first long snapper in NFL history to be selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls, and he does have his own bagel shop in his home state of Maryland.

In addition to being highly reliable and a season-long team captain, DePaola is a man of the people having worked various jobs, including at a Best Buy and his family's pub, while staying ready for an NFL opportunity.