The Minnesota Vikings are dominating the NFL on and off the field – now they want to conquer the UK with a win over Aaron Rodgers and the Jets in London

On game day in Minnesota, the clocks scattered around US Bank Stadium won’t count down for kickoff. Instead, they tap towards ‘Showtime’.

Every home game, twenty minutes before the battle starts on the field, the Vikings launch a carefully planned, all-out assault on the senses of their 67,000 fans.

There are cheerleaders, a drum line and even snowflakes falling from above. Everything has been carefully constructed to build up to a deafening finale: the franchise’s iconic Skol Chant and Gjallarhorn.

On Sunday, the Vikings will bring their Gjallarhorn and get a taste of what it’s like to watch a game in Minnesota when they turn a corner of North London purple to play Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.

That’s because Kevin O’Connell’s team may have a perfect record in the NFL right now, but the Vikings are determined to conquer internationally as well.

“We want to try and bring the passion, enthusiasm and excitement that we have here on game day to Britain,” said co-owner Mark Wilf. DailyMail.com in Minnesota before their Week 2 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

‘We are lucky to play there (London). It will be our fourth visit and we have a special bond with Great Britain. We fully support what the NFL and Commissioner (Roger) Goodell are doing when it comes to growing the game internationally.

“We want to be a franchise that is first class in every way. One that is about the fans and as stewards of this great franchise we want to make sure that we are well connected to our fans, strongly connected to our community and that we do everything in a first class way that everyone can be proud of. by.

“Coach O’Connell and Kwesi (Adofo-Mensah – the team’s general manager) and our entire operation are trying to build a culture of inclusivity. And we want to win championships. Let’s make no mistake about it, that is really what we ultimately want and we think we are on the right track with that.’

The Wilf family’s dedication to being the best in its class is evident throughout this franchise. It is one that honors its history, but also seeks to create a bright future.

The Vikings have been voted the best game entertainment in the NFL thanks in large part to “Showtime,” have a 99 percent season ticket renewal rate and have the No. 1 show rate for the second straight season, meaning US Bank Stadium is virtually full when kick-off arrives.

In the NFL’s major annual player association rankings, the Vikings were second best out of 32 teams. The Wilf family and O’Connell were voted the second best owner and head coach, respectively.

US Bank Stadium may have cost $1.1 billion to build, but it is widely recognized as one of, if not the best arena in the NFL. That includes the team’s $90 million TCO Performance Center, which is a state-of-the-art facility.

Laying the foundation for success was step one. They are now starting to see the results of that investment on the field.

A win against the Jets in London would only add to the buzz surrounding this impressive young Vikings team that is already being billed as Super Bowl contenders after a flying 4-0 start.

The only other perfect team in the NFL right now? That would be the Kansas City Chiefs, who are in the hunt for a third straight Vince Lombardi Trophy.

It is therefore the perfect time for the Vikings to continue their push into the UK market, thanks to the rights granted to them by the NFL’s Global Markets Program.

The Vikings still have the most social media followers of any NFL team in Britain and they are driving interest in the game through a wildly popular flag football programme, which will this time have a school tournament in Newcastle.

There’s also a hectic schedule of events as the Vikings, making their fourth appearance in London, attempt to make a splash across the Atlantic.

It certainly helps to have a megastar within your ranks. Justin Jefferson, who signed a four-year, $140 million contract in June, is just that and someone who transcends the sport.

Last season, he let Netflix’s cameras into his life for the hit docuseries “Receiver,” which aired this summer, opening up the wider world to his talents. A year earlier, he watched the same crew cover Kirk Cousins ​​for “Quarterback.”

With his sweet tooth and iconic Griddy celebration, Jefferson has set record after record in his four seasons in Minnesota. After four weeks of this, he is fifth in receiving yards and has four touchdowns, including a remarkable 97 yards against the 49ers.

‘I love London. I didn’t like that we didn’t have the chance to really explore London and the city,” he said of the 2022 visit.

‘We went to London with the plan to win a competition and to come out on top is always a great feeling, especially the flight back home, that’s the best feeling in the world. I like the international growth. More fans, more people are exposed to the game we play.

“When you go to their country and play in a completely different environment with a completely different fanbase, it’s not your normal fans, it’s a completely different fanbase from a completely different country.

“The experience is phenomenal and hopefully we can explore different countries, but I love the idea of ​​expanding the game.”

When asked where he would choose if he were told he could play anywhere in the world, Jefferson replied, “I know it’s far, but Dubai would be a crazy game.

“I just want to have the experience of going anywhere and meeting new fans and interacting with new fans. It shows you how much love the game of football really travels around the world.

“I’m just excited to be able to play in London again this year and get back on the road for the fans.”

And what is life like now without the cameras following his every move?

“It’s a bit weird, but I love not having cameras around me and I love not having to go home and shoot some stuff with the field crew. It’s a little lighter, I have to think about less and worry about less,” he continued.

“That whole experience of being part of the documentary, where the whole world saw my process of getting injured and back on the field, that whole season was an amazing experience.”

The willingness to let Netflix follow your quarterback and top receiver in back-to-back seasons is a testament to the forward-thinking mentality of a coach like O’Connell.

At 39 years old, he is one of the brightest minds in the NFL and has already won a Super Bowl as offensive coordinator of Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams in 2022. His record in Minnesota is brilliant and only Andy Reid can match his results match this season.

A game in London may feel like a headache to some, but he embraces the challenge and knows this is a unique opportunity for the franchise to grow globally.

“You put a lot of time and energy into planning what that week is going to look like, both our preparation here and what we do when we go there, and then you actually get there and realize how special it is. is for you,” he told The Sun.

‘I’m a big fan of these games, I really am. I always have the feeling: I will never forget the tension in the stadium that you feel, no matter who is the home team, the away team, whatever it is.

“You just know, A, I know we have a lot of Vikings fans in that part of the world, and B, it’s just the energy and the enthusiasm for football, our version of football, that’s really exciting, because I think that it’s really cool for our game and for the league to really make our special game a little bit more known around the world.

“This year I’m looking forward to staying there on Sunday evening and allowing our players and their families to enjoy some post-match London. It’ll be great.’

As an organization, the Vikings only seem to be going in one direction. Harmony off the field produces phenomenal results with an owner, GM, coach and team all working together in pursuit of that elusive Super Bowl win.

It’s impossible not to be impressed by the Vikings. Everything is in place to conquer Britain as they bring a taste of Minnesota to London this week.