Extremely early Vikings game-by-game 2019 record prediction

Week 3

Oakland Raiders (Home)

• Date: Sunday, September 22
• Time: 1 p.m. EST
• TV: FOX

In 2018, the Raiders won just four games. Oakland has added a bunch of new weapons this offseason, but they still have a long way to go before they get back to being competitive once again.

This may be a matchup that features the Vikings going up against a winless team. Minnesota needs to avoid suffering a similar fate to what went down last season in a matchup with an 0-2 Buffalo Bills team and just take care of business against the Raiders.

Antonio Brown versus Xavier Rhodes should be fun to watch. Even if Brown is able to find success against Rhodes, it likely won’t be enough for Oakland to come away with a win over the Vikings.

Prediction: Vikings win (3-0)

Week 4

Chicago Bears (Away)

• Date: Sunday, September 29
• Time: 4:25 p.m. EST
• TV: CBS

Minnesota and Soldier Field just don’t get along. With just three wins in Chicago since 2001, the Vikings seem to always have a tough time against the Bears on the road no matter what.

Luckily, two of those three wins have come during the last four years with Mike Zimmer as Minnesota’s head coach. So the Vikings are certainly capable of leaving the Windy City with a win in Week 4.

This divisional matchup is pretty much guaranteed to be close and it will likely come down to the last few drives. Minnesota may have to play a mistake-free game to get a victory and even that may not be enough against a talented Chicago team.

Prediction: Vikings lose (3-1)