3 ways the NFL screwed the Vikings with the 2023 schedule

Week 2 at the Philadelphia Eagles on primetime (again)

Lincoln Financial Field has not been too kind to the Vikings in recent years. Since 2016, Minnesota is 1-4 at The Linc. Their lone win came in the form of a 23-21 victory back in Week 5 of the 2018 season.

Last season, Minnesota walked into Lincoln Financial Field in Week 2 with a little bit of added juice stemming from their big divisional win against the Green Bay Packers the week before. However, that feeling was short-lived, as the Vikings were absolutely dominated from start to finish in a 24-7 dismantling by the Eagles on Monday Night Football.

The Eagles fanbase is one that is very passionate, and they sell out The Linc week after week. It is not unreasonable to say that Philadelphia may just be the most hostile environment in all of the NFL. However, it seems as though when their team is playing in primetime, they bring a little extra juice.

Minnesota is hoping they don't see a repeat performance from their high-powered offense as they did in Week 2 of last season against Philadelphia. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins threw three interceptions, along with a 21.3 QBR. Minnesota receiver Justin Jefferson was also held to only 48 receiving yards, and as a team, they only rushed for 63 total yards in the loss.

For the 2023 Vikings, they will need to have a much better game plan defensively if they want to have a chance at escaping the city of brotherly love with a win. In Week 2 last season, Minnesota's defense gave up 333 passing yards and 163 rushing yards to the eventual NFC champions.

This will not be an easy ask for a Vikings defense that is in a transitional period. There could potentially be five to six new starters on defense for Minnesota in 2023, and for us Vikings fans, we could get an early look at what to expect of this defense for the rest of the season.