One of the most significant question marks for the Minnesota Vikings entering the 2025 season is how well J.J. McCarthy will play. Based on some data about the opponents on the Vikings' 2025 schedule that was recently shared, McCarthy is going to have plenty of opportunities to prove his worth to the team next season.
Last season was memorable for the Vikings. Despite not having McCarthy for the season with a torn meniscus, Sam Darnold led Minnesota to a 14-3 record and a Wild Card appearance in the playoffs. It all ended horrifically, as the Vikings were blown out by the Los Angeles Rams 27-9.
The offseason has passed with roughly $300 million spent on free agents and five players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. All that is to be determined is when the Vikings will play their 17 opponents in the 2025 season.
Despite all the lingering questions about specific roster positions, like quarterback, Minnesota faces a turbulent 2025 schedule that will be released on May 14.
How tough is the Minnesota Vikings 2025 schedule going to be?
Sharp Football Analysis founder Warren Sharp recently shared some data behind the strengths of schedules for all 32 NFL teams in the upcoming 2025 season.
The Vikings are not so lucky with who they are facing next season, as they have the fifth-hardest schedule in the league, according to Sharp's data. This is based on the projected 2025 win totals of each of the teams on Minnesota's schedule, according to Vegas. Last season, the Vikings had the 15th-hardest schedule heading into Week 1.
Of the 14 teams the Vikings will play, seven of them are projected to have 9.5 wins or more in the 2025 season.
Minnesota's home schedule will be the most challenging the franchise has had in quite some time. The Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears are the only home opponents not projected to have a winning record.
Here is how each of the Vikings' home opponents stand for projected win totals, according to Sharp's data.
- Chicago Bears (7.5 wins)
- Detroit Lions (10.5 wins)
- Green Bay Packers (9.5 wins)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11.5 wins)
- Washington Commanders (9.5 wins)
- Baltimore Ravens (11.5 wins)
- Cincinnati Bengals (9.5 wins)
- Atlanta Falcons (7.5 wins)
Minnesota's road schedule is more favorable, as the Los Angeles Chargers are the only non-division away opponent that is projected to have a winning record in 2025.
Below is how the Vikings' 2025 away opponents project with win totals, according to Sharp's data.
- Chicago Bears (7.5 wins)
- Detroit Lions (10.5 wins)
- Green Bay Packers (9.5 wins)
- Dallas Cowboys (7.5 wins)
- New York Giants (5.5 wins)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (8.5 wins)
- Cleveland Browns (5.5 wins)
- Seattle Seahawks (7.5 wins)
- Los Angeles Chargers (9.5 wins)
The bad news for the Vikings is that they are projected to win just 8.5 games this season, which would put them in the middle of the pack. Only the Bears have a lower projected 2025 win total than Minnesota in the NFC North.
Minnesota's 2025 schedule is challenging, especially with its home games, and that will certainly test McCarthy early to see if he can handle the pressure of beating the top teams in the league.