The Minnesota Vikings outperformed almost everyone’s expectations in 2024. I thought the team would be ok (9-8), but not nearly as good as they were. Darnold excelled in KOC’s offense. Flores’ defense stood strong, for most of the season.
This season seems impossible to predict. I wouldn’t be shocked if J.J. McCarthy struggled and the Lions and Packers played well. I also wouldn’t be shocked if J.J. McCarthy excels in Kevin O’Connell’s offense and this talented roster wins the NFC North. It’s exciting times in the best division in the NFL.
You can see my previous three years here.
- 2024 Prediction Here, 9-8 because I didn’t have enough faith in Sam Darnold.
- 2023 Prediction Here, 11-5 might have been good if Kirk didn’t go down.
- 2022 Prediction Here, nailed that 13-4.
Week 1: Vikings @ Bears – MNF
Starting off the season with Caleb Williams seems like a gift from the scheduling gods. We’ll thank Goodell’s staff and move on with this easy win. I haven’t seen anything from Williams that makes me think he’s capable of leading that offense. The run game in Minnesota with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason will get a lot of work.
Vikings 20 – Bears 6
Week 2: Falcons @ Vikings – SNF
This game is intriguing. Michael Penix Jr. came in for Kirk Cousins and played well last season. Bijan Robinson is a legitimate NFL running back. It’s not going to be easy. However, it’s the home opener for J.J. McCarthy and I don’t see him losing it. The Vikings defense is better than the Falcons defense and that’s too much for the Falcons to overcome.
Vikings 27 – Falcons 24
Week 3: Bengals @ Vikings
This game is a tough one. Two international games coming up. I’d be a homer if I predicted a win here. The Bengals locked up all of their talent this offseason. They’re looking for a Super Bowl run and this buzzsaw is too much, at least this early in the season.
Bengals 34 – Vikings 23
Week 4: Vikings @ Steelers – DUBLIN
I will have the pleasure of being at this game. The Vikings will get to see their old friend Aaron Rodgers one more time. He has no weapons outside of DK Metcalf and the Vikings front seven will be all over the 41-year old QB. The Steelers defense is good, but there are too many weapons with Addison back in action.
Vikings 30 – Steelers 20
Week 5: Vikings @ Browns – LONDON
For the second year in a row, the Vikings will play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Browns are a mess. They ruined their franchise for 10 years with the Deshaun Watson trade and contract. Joe Flacco is a corpse, and we might see one of the rookies eventually this season. I can’t see the Browns winning very many games. There is no talent on the offense. The defense is good. Garrett, Newsome, Delpit, Ward, it’s a talented lineup at all levels. The defense gives the Vikings offense the ball back a few times in good positions and the Vikings get it done.
Vikings 27 – Browns 13
Week 6: BYE
Time to rest up and feel good about the hot start.
Week 7: Eagles @ Vikings
The Vikings are 4-1 and everyone is ecstatic at the start. They’ll be coming off the bye week refreshed after two international games. The Super Bowl Champs roll into town off a mini-bye playing the NY Giants on Thursday Night Football the week before. The Eagles offense is too strong and the Vikings can’t keep up on offense.
Eagles 27 – Vikings 23
Week 8: Vikings @ Chargers – TNF
The Chargers are an interesting team. Justin Herbert looks the part, but doesn’t seem to be enough. Omarion Hampton should provide some help at running back. The Vikings offense should be coming into their own at this point. J.J. McCarthy’s ears are a little wet and they might be able to put up some points. McCarthy plays well in front of his old coach and wins a shootout.
Vikings 35 – Chargers 31
Week 9: Vikings @ Lions
This is going to be a tough environment. The Lions fans will be hostile. I don’t think the Lions will be as good as they were the past two seasons, but they are still formidable. The crowd noise and pass rush in Detroit is a little too much.
Lions 23 – Vikings 17
Week 10: Ravens @ Vikings
The team is 5-3 heading into the midpoint of the season. MVP Candidate Lamar Jackson will come into town with Derick Henry and a stable of WRs. Justin Jefferson will ser an old friend Jaire Alexander on the other side. I think both offenses play well, but the other team in purple comes out with the win.
Ravens 30 – Vikings 28
Week 11: Bears @ Vikings
The Vikings offense is rolling and the team is 5-4. This will be the start of a playoff run or a disappointing finish. The Bears are just what the teams needs to get back on track.
Vikings 27 – Bears 16
Week 12: Vikings @ Packers
The first matchup with Micah Parsons. I like the fact that Kenny Clark isn’t in the middle to disrupt the interior OL as well. The Vikings hold off the Packers’ defense fairly well, but their offense is no slouch either. Packers win at home.
Packers 24 – Vikings 20
Week 13: Vikings @ Seahawks
Old friend Sam Darnold will see the Vikings roll into Seattle. I think it’s a transition year for Seattle and Darnold is going to realize how much easier it is when you play with talent like the Vikings. The defense will be amped to stop their old teammate and the Vikings roll.
Vikings 30 – Seahawks 18
Week 14: Commanders @ Vikings
The best QB of the 2024 NFL Draft will host Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. The Commies are good because Daniels is special. Scary Terry is a consistent stud, and their run game should be improved. This will be a coach’s game and I’ll take Kevin O’Connell over Dan Quinn any day.
Vikings 31 – Commies 28
Week 15: Vikings @ Cowboys – SNF
I don’t know how a team recovers from losing a player like Micah Parsons a week before the season starts. The Dallas defense isn’t nearly as good without Parsons. The offense is ok, but nothing special. I’d bet the Cowboys aren’t playoff bound and they’re running out the clock at this point. Fire Jerry Jones the GM.
Vikings 27 – Cowboys 16
Week 16: Vikings @ Giants
Giants are another team that is not going anywhere. Their roster is corny Russell Wilson, the best QB 2 in Jameis Winston and a guy young enough his parents spell his name with the X. We’ll probably see Jaxson Dart in this game and Flores will love it.
Vikings 31 – Giants 13
Week 17: Lions @ Vikings – Christmas Day
We’re done with the blowout for the rest of the season. The Vikings would be 10-5 at this point and possibly still in contention for the NFCN, but definitely for the Wild Card. The Lions, Packers, and Vikings all fighting for the same spots as last year. The Vikings lost in Detroit, but find a way to win at home.
Vikings 28 – Lions 27
Week 18: Packers @ Vikings
The teams are in the playoffs and this could be for seeding/division. I like the Vikings at home with a season under JJ’s belt. They finish strong and head into the playoffs with huge momentum.
Vikings 27 – Packers 20
12-5 is my final tally. Last year I predicted a fast start and a dud finish. I was right about the start and predicted the downfall a few weeks too early. This year I expect the team to start off well also, but have a tougher middle part of the season. The Vikings will fair fine without Addison, now that Thielen will step in. However, there are some good teams in the middle portion of the season, and it will be a test with two international games mixed in. They’ll build momentum and we’ll have a fun January. Let’s hope for a healthy and winning season. Skol
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Sign up to join in!
Follow me on X @GA_Skol
0 CommentsSee More:
