Minnesota Vikings win-loss prediction for the 2016 season
Week 1
The Vikings will start the regular season with a trip to Tennessee to take on Marcus Mariota and the Titans. The Vikings and Titans (/Houston Oilers) have played 12 times since 1974, with the Vikings winning 8 of those match-ups. Last season, the Titans had a 3-13 record.
The Titans are led by a phenomenal young quarterback in Mariota and have a two-headed monster at running back with DeMarco Murray and 2nd round pick Derrick Henry. In 2015, they put up 18.7 points per game (28th in the NFL). However, their defense allowed 26.4 points per game in 2015 (27th) and is still a work in progress in 2016.
The Vikings should be able to get the victory on opening weekend.
Week 2
The Vikings will play their first (regular season) game in their new stadium week 2, when the division rival Green Bay Packers come to town. Dating back to 1961, the Vikings and Packers have played each other 111 times (including twice in the playoffs) and the Packers hold a slight edge with 59 wins compared to 50 for Minnesota. The teams have also tied twice. Last season, the Packers finished with a 10-6 record.
In years past, the Vikings have had a propensity to lose the big, nationally televised games, regardless of their opponent. However, with Mike Zimmer at the helm, they appear to be reversing that curse. The Packers will always be considered a top-tier team as long as Aaron Rodgers is behind center, and this Sunday Night game on NBC will be a fun one to watch. The Packers were 15th in the NFL, scoring 23 ppg, while the defense was 12th in the league, allowing 20.2 ppg.
Entering their new home and not wanting to lose to a division rival, the Minnesota Vikings will pull off the victory and start the season off 2-0.
Week 3
The Vikings will travel to Carolina in week 3 to take on the Panthers. The Vikings and Panthers have played each other 12 times over the last 20 years and the Vikings have won 7 of those match-ups. The Panthers made it to the Super Bowl last season with a record of 15-1.
The Panthers are a well-rounded team that led the NFL in points scored (31.2 ppg) while also having a defense that was 6th in fewest points allowed per game (19.2). On a mission to avenge their Super Bowl loss, the Panthers will be one of, if not the toughest team the Vikings will face in 2016.
Coming off a hard-fought game against the Packers and going on the road against the defending NFC champs, the Vikings will lose their first game of the season.
Week 4
The Vikings will be back home week 4 to take on the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Since 1964, the Vikings and Giants have played 27 times, with Minnesota winning 15. Last season, the Giants won only 6 games.
The Giants had a great offense in 2015, led by Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr., scoring 26.2 points per game (6th in the NFL). However, their defense was atrocious, allowing 27.6 points per game (30th). With a new head coach for the first time since 2004, the Giants will be undergoing a rebuild in 2016.
With the team in transition, the Vikings should be able to get the victory, finishing their first 4 games with a 3-1 record and going undefeated in the new stadium.
Next: Predicting games 5-8