The Vikings are 8-3, in first place in the NFC North and 6-1 since their early bye week. They have the NFL’s leading rusher and are just one point away — that’s one total point spread over 11 games — from leading the league in scoring defense.

They were a sleeper team this offseason, and they have exceeded everyone’s expectations. Yet despite all that success, the Vikings aren’t getting the national respect and attention they deserve, underdogs at home this week against the 6-5 Seattle Seahawks.

That can only be because people still don’t understand how well the Vikings have played all year long. This game is a chance to make a statement and seize the football world’s attention.

The Seahawks have been playing better these past few weeks, going 4-1 after a tough start, to climb back into playoff contention. Its offense has opened up these past few weeks, and they let Russell Wilson be Russell Wilson against the Steelers — with great results.

Anyone who wrote Seattle off after its 2-4 start jumped the gun, because they are still a good team. But these are not the Seahawks who steamrolled their way to back-to-back Super Bowls, were nearly unbeatable at home (22-2 from 2012-14) and led the league in scoring defense three straight years.

Ben Roethlisberger beat the Seattle defense for 456 passing yards Sunday, the first 400-yard passer they’ve allowed since beginning this run. The Seahawks have allowed three different 300-yard passers this year after allowing just one in each of the past two seasons. Seattle is still eighth in scoring defense, but it’s a noticeable drop from previous heights.

This week, Minnesota has home-field advantage. Seattle is just 2-3 on the road, with its two wins coming against the struggling 49ers and Cowboys. The Vikings are on just as much of a hot streak as the Seahawks, and they have just as much to play for.

Sunday’s game is an opportunity. The Vikings can: take another step in earning their one-game-at-a-time patch, build on their division lead, and put everyone on notice by beating the two-time defending NFC champions.

It won’t be easy, but the Vikings are fully capable of doing all of that. To do it, first of all the defense will have to keep playing at the same level it has been all year and show that it’s the best defense in the stadium. Get pressure on Wilson and keep forcing turnovers.

Offensively, the Vikings need Teddy Bridgewater to have a big game. Seattle has not allowed a 100-yard rusher yet this season, and its run defense has been near the top of the league. Adrian Peterson will be the Seahawks’ biggest challenge yet, but they will be focusing on limiting him as much as they can.

That means Bridgewater will need to make some big plays, converting some clutch third downs and making some big throws down the field to open up room for the running game. He has done exactly what the coaches have asked him to do this year, but this week he will need to play a larger role.

We’re in the home stretch of the season, and this is what you live for in the NFL: a big game between playoff contenders with major stakes.

It doesn’t get any better than this.

Fran Tarkenton is a Minnesota Vikings analyst for TwinCities.com and the Pioneer Press. A former Vikings quarterback and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he is the founder and CEO of Tarkenton Companies and the author of the new book “The Power of Failure.” Follow him at twitter.com/Fran_Tarkenton.