The Minnesota Vikings can be a tough team to predict. The team has been unable to string together successful seasons in recent years. However, when you think things are bad, they also sometimes surprise to the upside. Case Keenum knows how that works. Can the Vikings find the same magic in journeyman Sam Darnold? Can Brian Flores work his magic and piece together a top tier defense? Can Kevin O’Connell pull the team together for a run? There is a lot of reason for doubt, but there is always a chance it swings their way.
You can see my previous two years here.
2023 Prediction Here, 11-5 might have been good if Kirk didn’t go down.
2022 Prediction Here, nailed that 13-4.
Phase 1: Weathering the Tough Start
Week 1: Vikings @ Giants
They can’t lose to Danny Dimes again can they? Saquon is in Philly. Malik Nabers is in his first NFL game. The defense is decent, but not elite. The Vikings need to get off to a good start here with a tough stretch to start the season. It’ll be huge for Sam Darnold to build some confidence here. I’m going to say they pull off the road win.
Vikings 23 – Giants 16
Week 2: 49ers @ Vikings
The home opener is here! The Vikes are 1-0 and the bank is rocking. Brock Purdy rolls in with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and, recently extended, Brandon Aiyuk. Their defensive line is stout. The 49ers are one of the best teams in the league. It might be a long day for guys in purple.
49ers 30 – Vikings 17
Week 3: Texans @ Vikings
CJ Stroud and our good friends Stephon Diggs and Danielle Hunter roll into town Week 3. The Vikings (1-1) are smarting from the 49er loss and are coming off 2-6 at home in 2023. They’ll want to go against that trend, but that Texans offense is no joke. The Vikings have a couple of former Texans too. It’ll be a fun game watching that Texans offense and each team’s new pieces gel. I am not fully buying the CJ Stroud hype. He had a great rookie year, but the NFL isn’t that easy for anyone not named Patrick Mahomes.
Vikings 20 – Texans 17
Week 4: Vikings @ Packers
The rivalry starts early this year. A September matchup with Green Bay might prove to be important later in the year. Is Jordan Love another one of Green Bay’s Hall of Fame QBs or was it just a good run to end last year. I don’t think this team sweeps the Packers, so I will give them this one in Green Bay.
Packers 27 – Vikings 24
Week 5: Jets @ Vikings (LONDON)
The return of A A Ron would’ve been fun in Minneapolis, but the NFL wanted to send it to London. I am planning on being at this one. How does Aaron look after the achilles injury? Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall are the two big weapons he has to play with. The defensive line in NY is also a problem with Javon Kinlaw, Quinnen Williams and Hassan Reddick lining up. It will be a big test for the Vikings (2-2). I don’t think the Jets have enough fire power.
Vikings 24 – Jets 20
Week 6: BYE
Vikes are 3-2 and still in it.
Week 7: Lions @ Vikings
The reigning NFC North Champions roll into Minneapolis. The Lions didn’t lose much this offseason and the team appears to be stacked. I think the Lions are the class of the NFCN this year and the Vikings (3-2) wills struggle to stop Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs. Aidan Hutchinson and our old friend Marcus Davenport are on the defensive side. Although, Davenport is usually out by this point. Justin Jefferson plays big against the Lions and I think they’ll need it to win this one. Much like the Packers, I think the Vikings split the season series. They somehow win at home.
Vikings 30 – Lions 28
Week 8: Vikings @ Rams
Thursday Night game, on the road, coming off a divisional game. I don’t think this team is good enough to compete in a scenario like this. Chalk this loss up to the schedule gods and move on.
Rams 27 – Vikings 13
Phase II: Winnable Games
Week 9: Colts @ Vikings
The Vikings (4-3) get an extended rest coming off the Thursday Night game against LA. The Colts will be coming off a divisional road game at the Texans. Anthony Richardson looked good until he got hurt last year. It’s unknown how good he’ll look in year two. This is definitely a game that could swing either way. It will all be about stopping Johnathan Taylor for the Vikings.
Vikings 20 – Colts 17
Week 10: Vikings @ Jaguars
The Jaguars are another interesting team this year. Trevor Lawrence looked to be on his way to superstardom a few years ago. Now, he’s dangerously getting closer to the Kirk Cousins tier. I think the Jaguars are headed in the wrong direction. Their offensive line isn’t great and they plan on starting our old friend Ezra Cleveland at LG. Look for the Viking pass rushers to have a day.
Vikings 21 – Jaguars 20
Week 11: Vikings @ Titans
Year 2 of Will Levis in Tennessee. They will be without Derek Henry this year and I don’t think that team is ready to compete. They’ll be picking top 5 in the draft. However, are the Vikings (6-3) mature enough to win back to back road games? Three potential wins in a row here.
Vikings 24 – Titans 16
Week 12: Vikings @ Bears
The Vikings (7-3) 3rd road game in a row here. That isn’t doing them any favors after spending back to back weeks in the Southeast. The Bears are improved and their WR corps are strong. Caleb Williams will be rocking and rolling at this point. I am seeing a let down after three straight wins and a 3rd consecutive road game.
Bears 17 – Vikings 13
Week 13: Cardinals @ Vikings
The Cardinals are always a dangerous matchup. Kyler Murray can play when he is on, but he is inconsistent. It’s not a game you feel great about when you’re not a great team. Marvin Harrison Jr. should be going strong at this point. This seems like the game the Vikings (7-4) should win, but don’t.
Cardinals 30 – Vikings 23
Week 14: Falcons @ Vikings
The return of Kirk Cousins. The crowd will be amped for this game. The boo birds will be loud. I am looking forward to a classic Kirk turnover fest. The pressure will be on him to perform well and Flores’ squad will be ready. The Vikings (7-5) win easily.
Vikings 28 – Falcons 10
Week 15: Bears @ Vikings
The Vikings (8-5) lose in Chicago, but they can’t get swept by the Bears. This will be Monday Night Football with the Bears coming off a tough road game against the 49ers. It’s late in the season and they’ll likely be beat up. The Bears receivers will be tough to handle, but Flores will be able to scheme it up. Can’t get swept by the Bears.
Vikings 20 – Bears 18
Phase III – Heartbreak
Week 16: Vikings @ Seahawks
The Vikings (9-5) and the Seahawks might be fighting for a Wild Card spot at this point. Seattle is a tough place to play at any point. The Vikings have one less day to prepare coming off the Monday Night game. It’s 3 days before Christmas. I don’t like going on the road here for the late afternoon Sunday slot. Just seems to be a tough spot.
Seahawks 26 – Vikings 23
Week 17: Packers @ Vikings
The Vikings are 9-6 and trying to get that last playoff spot. Jordan Love and the Packers come in looking for the same or even the division title with Detroit. The Vikings could knock the Packers out of the NFCN race and give themselves a leg up for a Wild Card. However, they can’t get it done. Heartbreak coming to end the season.
Packers 24 – Vikings 20
Week 18: Vikings @ Lions
The Vikings are 9-7 and need a victory for the Wild Card spot. However, the loss to Green Bay the prior week means the Lions need to win to get the division. They aren’t resting their players and the Packers face the Bears at the same time slot. Lions offense is too much for the defense to handle.
Lions 34 – Vikings 17
My prediction is the team will build up hope and it will be a classic Viking finish to end the year. I don’t see Sam Darnold being enough to get the team to the playoffs. I think he will show some flashes of improvement, but ultimately will not be enough. Looking forward to seeing the team develop and hoping they prove me wrong.