In the world of professional sports, narratives matter. Teams are often judged not just by their win-loss records but by how those wins are achieved, the expectations set for them, and the context surrounding their success. A perfect example of this lies in the contrasting reputations of the 2022 Minnesota Vikings and the 2024 Kansas City Chiefs. Despite both teams enjoying successful regular seasons, the former was labeled as “frauds,” while the latter has largely avoided such criticism. Why the difference?

The 2022 Vikings: Winning Ugly

The 2022 Minnesota Vikings finished the regular season with an impressive 13-4 record. On paper, they seemed like one of the NFL’s elite teams. However, advanced metrics painted a different picture. The Vikings posted a negative point differential (-3), meaning they gave up more points than they scored—a rarity for a team with such a strong record. They were historically reliant on winning close games, going 11-0 in one-score contests, a feat many analysts attributed more to luck than sustainable performance.

Their struggles against strong competition further fueled the skepticism. The Vikings were blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and Green Bay Packers. By the time they were upset by the underdog New York Giants in the Wild Card round, the “fraud” label seemed, to critics, validated.

The 2024 Chiefs: A Different Perception

Fast forward to 2024, and the Kansas City Chiefs are again among the NFL’s elite. Yet despite a few underwhelming performances—narrow wins against lesser teams and a couple of head-scratching losses—they’ve largely avoided the kind of scrutiny that plagued the 2022 Vikings.

Why the difference? Several factors are at play:

1. Credibility Through Consistency

The Chiefs’ recent history plays a massive role in their perception. As of 2024, the Chiefs have appeared in five consecutive AFC Championship Games and won two Super Bowls during the Patrick Mahomes era. They’ve established themselves as a dynasty in the making, and their track record earns them the benefit of the doubt.

In contrast, the 2022 Vikings were coming off a mediocre 2021 season and hadn’t built a reputation as perennial contenders. Their sudden success felt like an outlier rather than the norm.

2. Elite Quarterback Play

Patrick Mahomes is arguably the best quarterback of his generation. Even when the Chiefs struggle, Mahomes is seen as a stabilizing force who can elevate his team. The 2022 Vikings, while featuring an efficient Kirk Cousins, lacked the same level of quarterback star power. Fair or not, Mahomes’ presence shields the Chiefs from some criticism.

3. Strength of Wins vs. Quality of Opponents

The Chiefs’ victories in 2024 have come against stronger opponents compared to the Vikings’ wins in 2022. The Chiefs have beaten contenders like the Miami Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals, adding credibility to their record. The 2022 Vikings, meanwhile, feasted on weaker teams and struggled against playoff-caliber squads.

4. Coaching and Intangibles

Andy Reid’s reputation as an offensive genius also helps deflect criticism. The Chiefs are viewed as a well-coached team capable of adjusting and thriving in high-pressure situations. Kevin O’Connell, in his first season as the Vikings’ head coach in 2022, didn’t have the same level of respect or proven success.

The Role of Narrative

Ultimately, the “fraud” label is less about the teams themselves and more about the narratives surrounding them. The Vikings’ surprising 2022 success invited scrutiny because it didn’t align with expectations or deeper statistical analysis. The Chiefs, on the other hand, have earned a level of trust from fans and analysts, allowing them to weather criticism more easily.

Both teams’ situations reveal a lot about how success is judged in the NFL. Numbers, context, and history all shape the story, and that story often matters just as much as what happens on the field.