Vikings get primetime opportunity to showcase new regime
By Randy Smith
With the 2022 NFL schedule recently announced, the Minnesota Vikings will have some key opportunities to showcase their new regime.
The NFL Schedule for the 2022 season has been released, and the Minnesota Vikings have found themselves as beneficiaries to showcase the new regime of Head Coach Kevin O’Connell and GM Kwesi-Adofo Mensah.
Although Minnesota wasn’t among the 13 teams to have the maximum of five prime time slots, they’ll have plenty of chances to showcase their new look on a large stage in front of a national audience.
Kicking off the season at home against historic rivals in the Green Bay Packers, followed by a Monday Night Football matchup against a rather newer rivalry in the Philadelphia Eagles gives the Vikings a case of being must-see TV for the first two weeks. A Thanksgiving matchup against Mac Jones and the Patriots gives the Vikings a chance to represent the Twin Cities at home and on-screen, as well.
What the Vikings gain in primetime matchups against big-name opponents
Outside of the ratings and viewership that are associated with an NFL game outside of the standard noon time slot, the Vikings get a chance sooner than later to show exactly who they are under their new leadership. Gone from the Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman days, the Vikings will have a plethora of chances to show what the 2022 roster is exactly made of.
Still, under the command of QB Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will now show the offensive mindset of O’Connell, while being able to showcase their 3-4 defense led by Assistant Head Coach and former Packers DC Mike Pettine. Adofo-Mensah’s signing of OLB Za’Darius Smith will get a chance to target his former QB in Aaron Rodgers in week one, and a chance to wreak havoc on primetime games throughout the season.
With a seemingly new look all around and ample opportunities on the big screen to show for it, the Minnesota Vikings schedule gives the team a chance to not only improve on their 8-9 record but to do it in front of a massive audience.