A fast start will be a big key for the Vikings in 2019

After a disappointing 8-7-1 season, the Minnesota Vikings are looking to bounce back and prove to others that they can once again be one of the best teams in the NFL.

The play of the offensive line and the overall health of the Minnesota Vikings are among the biggest keys to the team’s upcoming season. But another big key to 2019 will be the Vikings’ schedule.

Once again, Minnesota has a tough schedule in front of them (their full slate for 2019 can be viewed here).

The Vikings have some tough games in the first eight weeks of the season, including playing the rival Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears on the road. Good news though is that neither of these matchups like won’t be cold weather games as both will take place in September.

The final eight games of Minnesota’s 2019 schedule gets even tougher though, which is why a fast start is critical for the team to be successful this season.

Starting the year with a 6-2 record is a good possibility for Vikings with their two losses coming at Green Bay and at Chicago.

Beating the Bears at Soldier Field has been always been a very tough task for Minnesota. Since 2001, the Vikings have only managed three wins (2017, 2015, 2007) in their last 18 trips to Chicago.

Minnesota nearly defeated the Packers last season at Lambeau Field as the game resulted in a tie. But it could have easily been a loss for the Vikings too.

Sweeping the Detroit Lions may not be as easy for Minnesota in 2019 as it was last season, but it’s still very possible. Detroit should have an improved team this year even if they end up finishing the season last in the NFC North again.

The Vikings beat the Philadelphia Eagles last year in the City of Brotherly Love and the two face off again this season in Week 6. But this time, the matchup will take place inside U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Eagles struggled during their game against Minnesota last year. But Philadelphia ended up getting hot later in the season and they ultimately made it into the playoffs.

The 2019 matchup with the Eagles is a winnable game for the Vikings. But the Eagles should have a good team once again this season and bringing back speedy receiver DeSean Jackson to the mix will help tremendously. Adding defensive tackle Malik Jackson to the roster was also a solid addition for Philadelphia this year. This game could easily go either way for Minnesota.

Attempting to get wins on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs (Week 9) and Dallas Cowboys (Week 10) in back-to-back weeks will be a very tough task for the Vikings this year.

Minnesota will also travel once again to the Emerald City to face the Seahawks for a Monday night matchup in Week 13. This game in Seattle and their road matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers will both be tough for the Vikings to come out with victories.

For the fourth consecutive year, Minnesota will close the regular season at home against the Bears. Last year, the Vikings lost to Chicago in their season finale, which ended up closing the door on their playoff hopes.

Facing the Packers at home in Week 16 is also a winnable game for Minnesota this year, but getting a victory will not be anything close to easy either. As long as Green Bay has a guy named Aaron Rodgers starting under center, they will never be easy for the Vikings to beat.

On paper, Minnesota looks like an 11-win team in 2019. But obviously, it is still too early to tell. Every team wins and loses some games that nobody expected each year and one devastating injury can completely change the outlook for a team too.

We saw this happen with the Packers two years ago when Rodgers went down with a broken collarbone. If the Vikings lost Kirk Cousins for an extended period of time in 2019, that would completely change the outcome of their season.

Defending their home field will also be very critical for Minnesota in 2019. 6-2 may be good enough for the Vikings to win the division this season, but going 7-1 or undefeated on their home field could really help them earn a top-three seed in the playoffs.

Seven of Minnesota’s 16 games in 2019 will come against teams that made it to the playoffs last season.

The Atlanta Falcons (the Vikings’ Week 1 matchup) did not make it to the postseason last year, but they have the talent to make it back this season. Green Bay could miss the playoffs again for the third straight year, but they should still be in the hunt with their defense expected to be improved. The health of Rodgers will, of course, be the biggest key for them though.

Facing tough opponents can hurt teams in the standings, but it can also help them prepare better for the playoffs if they get there. This Minnesota team has a very good shot at making it back there to the postseason this year.

Will the Vikings make it back to the playoffs this season? If so, will they go far again? Only time will tell in the always unpredictable NFL.