Extremely early Vikings game-by-game 2019 record prediction

Week 16

Green Bay Packers (Home)

• Date: Monday, December 23
• Time: 8:15 p.m. EST
• TV: ESPN

Their final two games of 2019 will likely be the most important of the season for the Vikings as well. Two vital matchups against divisional opponents for a Minnesota team that could be fighting for a favorable seed in the NFC playoffs.

Believe it or not, the last time the Vikings hosted the Packers on Monday night was when Brett Favre was starting under center in purple in 2009. Minnesota won that game and they should have a good chance to come away with a victory in this Week 16 matchup with Green Bay.

Also in the Vikings’ favor for this contest is the fact that the Packers have never (ever) left U.S. Bank Stadium with a win since the building opened in 2016.

With the postseason on their mind, Minnesota will do whatever it takes to keep Green Bay winless on their home field in the last Monday night game of the season.

Prediction: Vikings win (11-4)

Week 17

Chicago Bears (Home)

• Date: Sunday, December 29
• Time: 1 p.m. EST
• TV: FOX

In their 2018 season finale, Mike Zimmer saw his Vikings defense get embarrassed inside their home stadium by the Bears. Count on Zimmer to do everything in his power to make sure something similar doesn’t happen again in Minnesota’s final game of 2019.

It’s possible that the winner of this matchup could end up being what decides the NFC North next season. The Vikings absolutely cannot come out and have anything close to the performance they put forth in Week 17 against Chicago last year.

2018 was actually an anomaly when looking at the Bears’ recent road games against Minnesota. Prior to last season, the Vikings had won six straight home matchups against Chicago.

With the deafening sound of the crowd inside U.S. Bank Stadium on their side, Minnesota should be able to end this day against the Bears with a much different result than what went down during last season’s final game.

Prediction: Vikings win (12-4)