Extremely early Vikings game-by-game 2021 record prediction

Week 2

Arizona Cardinals (Away)

• Date: Sunday, September 19
• Time: 12 p.m. CT
• TV: FOX

Patrick Peterson’s second game in a Vikings uniform will come against his former team. Peterson will get to experience first-hand how difficult it can be to contain Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.

Minnesota’s newest cornerback will be extra-motivated for this matchup and him grabbing a pick-six near the end of the contest will help the Vikings leave Arizona with a victory.

Prediction: Vikings win (2-0)

Week 3

Seattle Seahawks (Home)

• Date: Sunday, September 26
• Time: 3:25 p.m. CT
• TV: FOX

Minnesota fans probably had to do a double-take when they saw that the Seahawks were actually the away team for this year’s annual matchup with the purple and gold.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer will be looking to eliminate the bitter taste he still has in his mouth from the team’s failed 4th-and-2 conversion attempt in Seattle last season. With a packed house expected to be inside U.S. Bank Stadium for the first time since 2019, Minnesota will not be leaving a bitter taste in Zimmer’s mouth this time.

Prediction: Vikings win (3-0)

Week 4

Cleveland Browns (Home)

• Date: Sunday, October 3
• Time: 12 p.m. CT
• TV: CBS

After leaving the Vikings to take over as the Browns’ head coach last year, Kevin Stefanski will return to the place that he called home for more than a decade of his life.

Stefanski has a talented Cleveland team in position to contend next season and his familiarity with Zimmer’s defense should prove to be an advantage for his team in this matchup.

Prediction: Vikings lose (3-1)

Week 5

Detroit Lions (Home)

• Date: Sunday, October 10
• Time: 12 p.m. CT
• TV: FOX

For the first time since 2008, Minnesota will be taking on a Lions team that doesn’t have quarterback Matthew Stafford on its roster.

Instead, Detroit will attempt to upset the Vikings inside U.S. Bank Stadium with Jared Goff under center. Spoiler alert, there will be no upset.

Prediction: Vikings win (4-1)