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With a stifling defense, the Vikings could make the Super Bowl in their home stadium

No team has ever played a Super Bowl in its home stadium. You’d think in 51 Super Bowls, it would have happened once by now.

After Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings can dream about being the first team to have a home Super Bowl.

The Vikings, perhaps the biggest surprise story in the NFL this season, kept the good vibes rolling with an impressive 24-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Both teams came in with 7-2 records. Now the Vikings have a game lead on the Rams and the tiebreaker, which might matter when NFC seeds are handed out.

The Vikings’ defense could end up being a big factor in the playoffs. The Rams led the NFL in points scored before Sunday, and got a touchdown on their first possession Sunday. That was all they got. Minnesota’s defense had a fantastic day, throttling a Rams offense nobody else has been able to stop. The Rams had just 254 yards, and they were stuck on 200 before a meaningless drive at the end of the game.

The Vikings defense has stars at every level, and the offense has been good enough. Case Keenum had another solid game, as he tries to hold off Teddy Bridgewater and keep the starting quarterback job. The play that broke the game open was a short catch and run for a 65-yard touchdown by Adam Thielen in the third quarter. That made the score 21-7, and the Vikings defense wasn’t going to give up that lead.

Coach Mike Zimmer has done a good job orchestrating the defense, and maneuvering through injuries on offense, too. Sunday was a huge step for his team in the NFC playoff picture. The Vikings have never won a Super Bowl, but playing one in their home stadium might help. After Sunday’s complete win over a really good Rams team, the Vikings in this season’s Super Bowl doesn’t seem so crazy.

Minnesota Vikings strong safety Anthony Harris, left, strips the ball from Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. (AP)
Minnesota Vikings strong safety Anthony Harris, left, strips the ball from Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. (AP)

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!