An NFL assistant coach is fully confident about the Minnesota Vikings’ 3-0 start to the 2024 season.

“They move the ball forward as well as anybody, they do it with purpose and they use their personnel well to make explosive plays,” the coach told Mike Sando of The Athletic. “The combination of what Minnesota does on defense and what they do in the passing game … damn, they’re real.”

Fans took notice when Minnesota defeated the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers 23-17 in Week 2. The Vikings made an even stronger statement on Sunday when they swept the Houston Texans 34-7.

The defense held the Texans to 296 yards and intercepted two passes from Houston quarterback CJ Stroud. On offense, quarterback Sam Darnold’s efficient passing and Aaron Jones’ effective running made for a devastating combination. Darnold completed 17 of 28 passes for 181 yards and four touchdowns, while Jones carried the ball 19 times for 102 yards.

Admittedly, Darnold’s health is an important topic in the third week.

The 27-year-old suffered a knee injury and was briefly replaced by Nick Mullens. After the game, he told Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio that his knee was “good” and that he would undergo an MRI on Monday.

The excitement surrounding Minnesota will die down somewhat if the team is forced to use its third quarterback, with first-round draft pick JJ McCarthy already out for this year. A shakeup at quarterback following Kirk Cousins’ Achilles injury was a major factor in the team’s 7-10 record in 2023.

An NFL executive spoke to Sando succinctly when considering the possibility that Darnold’s MRI would show a serious injury.

“If something happens there, I think they’re screwed,” the manager said. “You can’t win with Nick Mullens. (Head coach) Kevin O’Connell proved last year that he can do better than expected with some of these guys, but when you’re down to three quarterbacks, you’re in trouble.”

The Vikings are on the road to face the Green Bay Packers in Week 4. If Darnold is healthy, this NFC North matchup is a chance for Minnesota to bolster its chances as a contender. Should Mullens be thrust into the starting lineup, it could instead be a harsh reality check.