Minnesota Vikings win-loss prediction for the 2016 season

Week 5

The Vikings will have two games at home in a row, as the Houston Texans will come to Minnesota in week 5. The Vikings and Texans have only gone to battle three times, with the Vikings winning each one. Last season, the Texans had a 9-7 record and made the playoffs.

The Texans are built around their defense, and more specifically, their star player J.J. Watt. The Texans’ defense only allowed 19.6 points per game (7th), but their offense was 21st in the NFL with 21.2 points per game.

This is another game the Vikings should win, but the key will be how well the offensive line can stop (or at least get in the way of) J.J. Watt.

Week 6

The Vikings have their bye week in the early portion of the season.

Week 7

The Vikings will be on the road in week 7, traveling to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles. These two teams first faced off in 1962, and 25 times in total, with the Vikings winning 13 of them. Last season the Eagles finished 7-9, missing the playoffs.

The Eagles fired their head coach Chip Kelly with a game left in the season, after the team was 13th in points per game (23.6) and 28th in points allowed (26.9). Quarterback Sam Bradford demanded a trade after the Eagles traded up to the number 2 overall pick to select NDSU quarterback Carson Wentz in this year’s draft, but eventually backed down after realizing no team would take on his massive contract.

The Vikings should be heavily favored in this game, and will leave Philadelphia with their fifth win of the season.

Week 8

The Vikings play their second Monday Night Football game of 2016 when they travel to Chicago to take on the Bears. The Vikings and Bears have faced off 111 times, with the Vikings winning 57, Chicago winning 51, and the teams tying twice. Chicago finished 2015 with a 6-10 record.

2015 saw the Bears finish 23rd in the NFL with 20.9 points per game and gave up 24.8 points per game (20th). Chicago made several changes on both sides of the ball, with most coming on the defense, and will also be getting 2015’s first round pick back from injury.

Although the Vikings will more than likely be the favorites to win the game, I expect the teams to split their two match-ups, giving the Bears the win at home.

Week 9

Minnesota will battle another divisional foe in week 9, as the Detroit Lions come to town. The Vikings and Lions have battled 109 times in the past, with Minnesota winning 71. The teams have also tied twice. Detroit finished 2015 with a 7-9 record.

Detroit’s 22.4 points per game (18th in the NFL) will likely take a hit in 2016 after the retirement of All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Detroit’s defense ranked 23rd in the NFL, giving up 25 points per game in 2015.

The Vikings should be able to handle the Lions at home, giving them their sixth win of the season.

Next: Predicting games 9-12