Ranking the 11 games left on the Vikings 2022 schedule
By Randy Smith
No. 8
at Chicago Bears (Week 18)
The Bears have not seen their new regime of head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles start the 2022 season as Minnesota’s new regime has. Instead of a 5-1 record and a surge to the top of the NFC North, the Bears are currently 2-4.
Justin Fields has not looked to be the franchise quarterback Chicago has hoped for and he has seen firsthand how a dysfunctional offensive line can be a quarterback’s worst nightmare.
Still, Fields had one of his best games against the Vikings in Week 5, and with the matchup set to take place in Chicago, Minnesota’s overall record at Soldier Field should concern them a bit. Hopefully, the division will be locked up by Week 18, but regardless, this should be a game the Vikings can win (again).
No. 7
New York Jets (Week 13)
In the AFC East, the Jets sit with a 4-2 record and will look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Zach Wilson has seen growing pains as he looks to be the savior at the quarterback position for New York, but the Vikings’ defense could allow another Justin Fields-type game.
Head coach Robert Saleh is making the most out of his sophomore season, already matching his season win total from last year, and is showing his defensive background with New York having one of the better defensive sides of the ball in the league.
If the Vikings can stop Wilson and overtake the defense, they’ll be in the driver’s seat. But Jets rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner and company have been a thorn in receivers’ sides and could cause problems for Minnesota.
No. 6
New England Patriots (Week 12)
Life after Tom Brady has been a come-to-reality moment for the Patriots this season. No longer are they the juggernaut of the AFC East and a shoo-in to win the division each year. Instead, they are fighting for playoff berths with Mac Jones.
Still, Jones has proven to be a solid young quarterback under Bill Belichick, and is expected to be fully healthy come time for the Vikings. That in and of itself should not be taken for granted, and the lack of success Minnesota has experienced against Belichick and company shouldn’t either.
The Thursday Night matchup in Minnesota will give the Vikings home-field advantage, but a rookie head coach under one of the greatest of all time could shake things up a bit.