Now that the 2018 regular season schedule has been released, how might the Minnesota Vikings fare in their quest to Super Bowl LIII?
An annual event that indicates the upcoming NFL season is inching even closer, the league released its official schedule for the 2018 regular season on Thursday night. The Minnesota Vikings and the 31 other teams around the league can now make their travel arrangements.
Since they finished first in the NFC North last year, the Vikings’ 2018 schedule is a little more on the difficult side of the spectrum. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t up to the task of repeating as division champs once again next season.
19 of 22 starters from a Minnesota team that made it to the NFC Championship last year will be returning in 2018. And two of the three open spots in their starting lineup for next season have been filled by talented free-agents Kirk Cousins and Sheldon Richardson.
The Vikings will also have their 22-year-old, stud running back in Dalvin Cook returning to the field in 2018. Plus, Minnesota will be adding even more players at the end of the month during the 2018 NFL Draft that could come in and immediately contribute.
Predictions in April almost never pan out, but let’s do them anyway. With their full schedule now known, how many games will the Vikings win in 2018?
Week 1: San Francisco 49ers (W)
In Kirk Cousins’ regular season debut with the Vikings, he’ll get to showcase his skills in front of the team’s home crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota is 3-1 in Week 1 games with Mike Zimmer as their head coach and 2018 will likely increase that win total to four.
The 49ers will present a tough matchup with quarterback Jimmy Garappolo, former Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon, and a talented young defense. But in the end, the Vikings should be able to come out of Week 1 with a victory.
Record after Week 1:
1-0
Week 2: at Green Bay Packers (W)
For the first time since 2008, Minnesota will be heading to Green Bay for a September showdown.
In the recent past, the Vikings and Packers have played in games at Lambeau Field with freezing cold temperatures. But this year, the weather should not even be a factor and that should benefit Minnesota.
In his first game against the Vikings since Anthony Barr broke his collarbone last year, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers will definitely be out for revenge. However, Zimmer’s defenses have a history of performing well against Rodgers in the past and that trend will continue for this matchup.
Record after Week 2:
2-0
Week 3: Buffalo Bills (W)
In their first of three straight matchups with 2017 playoff teams, the Bills should not be an easy win for Minnesota. While Buffalo’s quarterback situation is currently unknown at this point, it’s safe to assume that their defense should give the Vikings fits in this game.
But in the end, Minnesota’s own defensive talent should be enough for the Vikings to get a victory over the Bills and remain undefeated.
Record after Week 3:
3-0
Week 4: at Los Angeles Rams (L)
Thursday night games tend to favor the home team and this will likely be the case for this matchup. Not only do the Vikings have only four days to prepare for a game on the road, the contest will be up against a Rams team that should be even more improved from their 2017 squad that made the playoffs.
Because of the upgrades Los Angeles made this offseason and the short week, Week 4 will likely be where Minnesota suffers their first loss of the 2018 season.
Record after Week 4:
3-1
Week 5: at Philadelphia Eagles (W)
In a rematch of the 2017 NFC Championship, Mike Zimmer is going to make sure this season’s game turns out much differently. Plus, Zimmer is going to have three extra days to prepare for this year’s matchup due to the Vikings playing on Thursday night in Week 4.
Minnesota having former Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo as their offensive coordinator this season will definitely come into play for this Week 5 showdown. These factors combined with new Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins having previous success in his career against Philadelphia should result in Minnesota coming out with a win.
Record after Week 5:
4-1
Week 6: Arizona Cardinals (W)
Could this be a game that makes the Vikings regret letting quarterback Sam Bradford go this offseason? Probably not.
Bradford will likely be extra motivated for this matchup, but Minnesota’s defense should still be able to get the best of him. Even if running back David Johnson is out on the field for the Cardinals, the Vikings should be able to get the victory.
Record after Week 6:
5-1
Week 7: at New York Jets (W)
If Minnesota is able to defeat the Jets this season, it will be the Vikings’ first-ever road win over New York. In five previous matchups against the Jets in the Big Apple (well let’s be honest, New Jersey), Minnesota has never left the building with a victory.
There’s a decent chance that the Jets will be starting a rookie quarterback in this matchup (or even Teddy Bridgewater). But it won’t matter who New York starts under center as the Vikings’ defense will prove to be too much for the Jets’ offense to handle.
Record after Week 7:
6-1
Week 8: New Orleans Saints (W)
Hopefully, this season’s showdown with the Saints doesn’t come down to the last play like the last time these two teams met.
Expect this contest to still be a close one, but Minnesota usually gets the best of New Orleans in the Twin Cities (Vikings are 3-1 vs. the Saints at home since 2005). Kirk Cousins has seven touchdown passes in two career games against New Orleans, so look for that success to continue in this matchup and lead Minnesota to a win.
Record after Week 8:
7-1
Week 9: Detroit Lions (W)
With Mike Zimmer as their head coach, the Vikings have struggled in their games against the Lions. Minnesota is 3-5 in matchups with Detroit since Zimmer was hired in 2014.
Because of this, expect the Vikings’ head coach to have his team come out swinging against the Lions. Recent games between these two teams have remained pretty close (last four have been decided by seven points or less) and this Week 9 matchup will likely follow that trend, but with Minnesota coming out on top.
Record after Week 9:
8-1
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: at Chicago Bears (W)
Despite their history of struggles in the Windy City, the Vikings have actually won two out of their last three games in Chicago. Both victories were only by three points, so this still won’t be an easy matchup for Minnesota no matter what the Bears’ record is at the time.
Chicago should be improved from the team that finished 5-11 in 2017. But it still won’t be enough to defeat the Vikings in Week 11.
Record after Week 11:
9-1
Week 12: Green Bay Packers (W)
The Packers have never won a game in U.S. Bank Stadium, so why would this game be any different?
In these two previous matchups, Minnesota has held Green Bay to 14 points or less. If they can accomplish this feat again, the Vikings should have no trouble getting their second win of the season over the Packers.
Record after Week 12:
10-1
Week 13: at New England Patriots (L)
Getting a win over the Patriots in December is going to be a tough task for the Vikings. Playing in New England will make it even tougher.
Since 2001, the Patriots are 33-4 at home in December, including wins in their last six of these specific games. New England’s December success on their home field will continue in this matchup and result in Minnesota’s second loss of the season.
Record after Week 13:
10-2
Week 14: at Seattle Seahawks (L)
So a week after facing Tom Brady and the Patriots, the Vikings have to travel across the country to play in one of the toughest stadiums to get a road win. Especially in games played under the lights.
The Seahawks have not lost a December home matchup at night since 2006 (seven straight wins since then). Seattle may not be as talented in 2018 as they have been in years past, but having Russell Wilson as their quarterback always keeps them competitive.
It will be a second-straight loss for Minnesota in Week 14.
Record after Week 14:
10-3
Week 15: Miami Dolphins (W)
After two straight losses, Zimmer and the Vikings will get back on track at home against the Dolphins. Expect Minnesota to use this matchup with Miami as a statement game and come out with an easy victory.
Record after Week 15:
11-3
Week 16: at Detroit Lions (L)
As poorly as the Vikings have performed against the Lions under Mike Zimmer, two of Minnesota’s last three wins over Detroit have come on the road.
However, the Lions will be looking to avenge their Week 9 loss in this matchup. It should be a close, hard-fought divisional game, but Detroit will find a way in the end to hand the Vikings a loss.
Record after Week 16:
11-4
Week 17: Chicago Bears (W)
With their playoff seeding likely on the line, Minnesota will come out strong in this matchup with the Bears.
The Vikings have won six straight games at home against Chicago and there isn’t really any reason to think this streak will come to an end in 2018. With the victory, Minnesota also clinches their first unblemished home record since 2009.
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Final Record:
12-4