Week 10
The Vikings will travel to Washington to take on the Redskins. The two teams have met 24 times, with each team winning 12 games. Last season, Washington finished with a record of 9-7.
Scoring 24.2 points per game (10th) and only allowing 23.7 (17th), Washington was a surprise team in 2015. No longer the underdogs, this team won’t be over-looked and will get every team’s best shot.
This is another game the Vikings should be the favorites in. Kirk Cousins may be a young quarterback on the rise, but he isn’t to the level yet where he puts fear into opposing defenses. This will be another win for the Vikings.
Week 11
The Arizona Cardinals will come to Minnesota in week 11. These two teams have played 26 times, with the Vikings winning 15 of them. Last season, Arizona went 13-3.
With Carson Palmer getting his mojo back, Larry Fitzgerald still playing at a high level, and the defense shutting opposing offenses down, the Cardinals look to be an impressive team heading into 2016. Arizona finished 2nd in the NFL with 30.6 points per game, while also finished 7th on defense, only allowing 19.6 ppg.
Last season, these two teams met on a short week and with several of the Vikings’ premier defensive players on the bench with injuries. Arizona came out on top, and I don’t see the outcome changing this year.
Week 12
The Vikings will travel to Detroit to play the Lions on Thanksgiving. Even though this one will be on the road, the Vikings should still come out on top, giving them their 8th win of the season.
Week 13
The Vikings play back-to-back Thursday night games, facing off against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. These two teams have played 29 times, with the Vikings winning 14 of them. Last season, Dallas went 4-12.
Even though Dallas had a poor record in 2015, they will be getting quarterback Tony Romo back from injury and will look to improve their 17.2 points per game (31st). Defensively, the Cowboys were right in the middle of the pack, allowing 23.4 ppg (16th).
The Vikings will be the favorites in this game, although it will be difficult to shut down Dez Bryant. In a closer-than-anticipated match-up, the Vikings will walk away winners.
Next: Predicting games 13-16