Extremely early Vikings game-by-game 2019 record prediction
By Adam Patrick
Week 14
Detroit Lions (Home)
- Date: Sunday, December 8
- Time: 1 p.m. EST
- TV: FOX
If Matt Patricia is still the head coach of the Lions by the time of this matchup, then a victory should be pretty simple to come by for the Vikings. If Patricia is gone, then Detroit may actually have a better chance of being competitive in this game.
With this matchup being the beginning of the final stretch of the season, Minnesota will have more than just an NFC North title on their mind. The Vikings could possibly be in the running to earn a first-round playoff bye if they can finish the year with 12 or 13 wins.
No reason for Minnesota to get cute in this game with the Lions and suffer an avoidable loss. The Vikings should be able to pull away from Detroit early and stay on top to end the day with a victory.
Prediction: Vikings win (10-3)
Week 15
Los Angeles Chargers (Away)
- Date: Sunday, December 15
- Time: 8:20 p.m. EST
- TV: NBC
Time for a little piece of trivia. When was the last time the Vikings won a road game on a Sunday night in the month of December? Well, that would be all the way back in 1996 when Minnesota got a 24-22 win over Barry Sanders and the Lions.
If the Vikings are going to end this drought, it will have to come against a very talented Chargers team. One that finished with a top 10 offense and defense last season.
Helping Minnesota’s case in this contest is the fact that Los Angeles quarterback Philip Rivers has never really been that successful in his career when going up against a Mike Zimmer defense.
Win or lose for the Vikings, this showdown against the Chargers should still be one of their most entertaining games of the 2019 season.
Prediction: Vikings lose (10-4)