A fast start to 2021 season is necessary for the Vikings

Success in the 2021 season for the Minnesota Vikings will likely depend on how they perform during the early portion of their schedule.

This offseason, the Minnesota Vikings have added plenty of new talent to their roster and they got key players back from injury. But, once again, the Vikings have a tough schedule during the upcoming season.

Minnesota has the talent to get out to a fast start this year, which would be very beneficial for them. Take a look at the Vikings‘ first seven games of the 2021 season and see if you think they can hit the middle of the campaign with an impressive record.

• Week 1
  • Cincinnati Bengals (away)
• Week 2
  • Arizona Cardinals (away)
• Week 3
  • Seattle Seahawks (home)
• Week 4
  • Cleveland Browns (home)
• Week 5
  • Detroit Lions (home)
• Week 6
  • Carolina Panther (away)
• Week 7
  • Bye
• Week 8
  • Dallas Cowboys (home)

2021 schedule becomes tougher for Minnesota Vikings later in the season

After Week 8, Minnesota plays the Baltimore Ravens on the road, the Green Bay Packers twice, the Pittsburgh Steelers at home, the Chicago Bears at home and on the road (always a tough place for the Vikings to play), and the Los Angeles Rams at home. Minnesota’s Week 12 game at the San Francisco 49ers will not be very easy either.

The matchup against Baltimore could end up being the Vikings’ toughest game of the entire 2021 season.

Minnesota was able to win in Chicago last year, but before that their previous four wins at Soldier Field came in 2017, 2015, 2007, and 2000. For some reason, the Vikings always struggle on the road against the Bears.

Minnesota will likely split with the Packers again this year. But how many expected the Vikings to win at Lambeau Field last season? A split seems like a very good bet, but maybe Minnesota finds a way to sweep them (Green Bay is capable of sweeping the season series too).

In their first seven games of the year, the Vikings do play two very good teams in the Seahawks and Browns (yes, Cleveland is no longer one of the worst teams in the NFL) and both matchups are at home inside U.S. Bank Stadium. This does not guarantee Minnesota will win both contests, but they should have a good shot in each game.

Starting 7-0 does not seem very likely for the Vikings this season, but a 6-1 or 5-2 record after their first seven games feels like it could happen. Since injuries happen often in the NFL each year, we do not know how different each team might look when it comes time for them to face Minnesota in 2021.

If all goes well, the Vikings could definitely finish with a 13-4 or 12-5 record this season. In addition to staying healthy and getting good contributions from their rookies again, Minnesota needs to start fast this year.

The Vikings going ending up with a 4-3 record or worse in the beginning of the season could make the rest of their 2021 schedule that much more difficult. Minnesota should make the playoffs this season. But if they want to compete for the division title and perhaps a top-two seed in the NFL, then they need a fast start.