The Minnesota Vikings remain undefeated. Here's what history says about NFL teams that start 5-0.

MINNEAPOLIS – After Week 5 of the NFL season, there are only two undefeated teams left: the Minnesota Vikings and the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Both fan bases may already have their sights set on the playoffs, but how successful are NFL teams that start 5-0? Good question.

That's why Vikings fans should be both excited and cautious given the team's history.

Sit back and relax, Vikings fans, because the sweet taste of victory is all you know right now. Fans told WCCO they are optimistic and happy with the team so far. Fans of opposing teams are surprised to see the purple and gold at the top of the NFC North Division.

When asked if it was fair to think about the postseason, Vikings fan Mike Applequist said: “I’m not quite there yet. I would say there are three to four games left and I will manage that too.”

From 1990, when the NFL expanded the playoffs, through the 2023-24 season, 64 teams have started the season 5-0.

The Vikings accomplished this five times during that span: 1998, 2000, 2003, 2009 and 2016.

What percentage of teams that start with a 5-0 record make the playoffs? Fans estimated between 75 and 85%.

Of the 64 teams mentioned, 58, or 91%, made it into the playoffs.

Only six teams missed the playoffs. Unfortunately, two of them were Vikings. The first time was in 2003 after a heartbreaking loss to the Cardinals in the final game of the season. Their last record this year was 9-7.

The second time happened in the 2016 season.

“All of a sudden one day they went to Philadelphia, got beat up and didn’t look like the same team,” said Mike Max, WCCO athletic director. The Vikings finished this year with a record of 8-8.

What separates the 2024 team from the two teams that didn't make the playoffs? Max didn't say much at all. All three teams win and lose by narrow margins and have the same amount of talent on their roster.

“In the last two games, one drive could have cost them the game against Green Bay (Packers) and the (New York) Jets,” he said. According to Max, if there is one thing that stands out positively about the current team, it is their defense. “The defense seems to be able to keep you in every game.”

Since 1990, nine teams that started 5-0 have won the Super Bowl. The last team to do this was the Denver Broncos in 2016.

In 1998, the Vikings started the season with seven straight wins and scored 29 points or more in each of those games, giving fans Super Bowl hopes. The team finished the regular season 15-1 but lost in the NFC Championship. Fans will remember that kicker Gary Anderson missed a key field goal in this game, especially since he didn't miss a single kick all season.

History would repeat itself a few years later. After a 7-0 start in 2000, the team finished with an 11-5 record and lost again in the NFC Championship. The New York Giants finished 41-0.

Quarterback Brett Favre led the team to a 6-0 start and a 12-4 record in 2009. The team infamously lost after Favre threw an interception in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship.