Before the Minnesota Vikings play their first game on Sunday, we already have the results for all of the games on their 2023 regular-season schedule.
Last season, the Minnesota Vikings shocked the entire NFL when they finished their 17-game schedule with 13 wins. Unfortunately, the Vikings' journey in the 2022 playoffs ended quickly, but their overall success still exceeded the expectations that most had for them heading into the season.
This year, Minnesota will be out to prove that 2022 wasn't a fluke. The Vikings might not finish with 13 wins, but they'll be looking to get further into the playoffs if they end up being able to qualify.
As it's been the case for the last few years, 2023 could be the last time we see some of the most notable Minnesota players from the last decade suit up in purple. It's not crazy to think that this season could be the last one with the Vikings for Kirk Cousins, Harrison Smith, Danielle Hunter, and K.J. Osborn.
Luckily, Minnesota still has a solid group of young players as part of their current core. Much of the Vikings' success this season will depend on the performance of players like Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, Christian Darrisaw, and Byron Murphy.
How much success will Minnesota end up having in 2023? Well, we actually have the results of every single game on the Vikings' schedule this year. So go ahead and take a look if you're not one who minds spoilers.
First 6 Games on the Vikings 2023 Schedule
Week 1
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Sunday, September 10th
- 12 p.m. CT
To kick off their 2023 season, the Vikings open up with an opponent in the Bucs, who likely aren't going to win very many games this year, even if they try.
Minnesota's new aggressive defensive scheme, courtesy of Brian Flores, will overwhelm Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield, and the Vikings will honor the late Bud Grant by leaving U.S. Bank Stadium with a win in their regular-season opener.
Prediction: Vikings win 27-9 (Record 1-0)
Week 2
- at Philadelphia Eagles (TNF)
- Thursday, September 14th
- 7:15 p.m. CT
For the second year in a row, Minnesota's second game on their schedule will send them to Philadelphia for a primetime NFC showdown with the Eagles.
After last season's 17-point beatdown, the Vikings and head coach Kevin O'Connell will be out for revenge in this rematch. Thanks to Primetime Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson, Minnesota ends up avenging their 2022 loss by delivering Philadelphia with a stunning defeat.
Prediction: Vikings win 31-25 (Record 2-0)
Week 3
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Sunday, September 24th
- 12 p.m. CT
Riding high off of their impressive win over the Eagles, the Vikings will host the Chargers and former Minnesota linebacker Eric Kendricks.
Knowing Kendricks isn't as quick as he used to be, the Vikings will use that to their advantage and heavily utilize their running backs and tight ends in their passing attack. Minnesota's strategy will allow them to escape a shootout with their third victory of the season.
Prediction: Vikings win 42-37 (Record 3-0)
Week 4
- at Carolina Panthers
- Sunday, October 1st
- 12 p.m. CT
This is where the Vikings return to the team that has caused their fan base so much stress over the years.
Caught looking ahead to their big matchup against the Chiefs in Week 5, Minnesota lets a pesky Panthers team pull off an upset. This will be the highlight of former Vikings receiver Adam Thielen's 2023 season with Carolina.
Prediction: Vikings lose 24-20 (Record 3-1)
Week 5
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Sunday, October 8th
- 3:25 p.m. CT
Many might chalk this game up as a loss for Minnesota. But just as the Detroit Lions just showed on Thursday, Kansas City has plenty of flaws that can be exploited.
Special teams will come up big for the Vikings in this matchup, as field position and taking advantage of scoring opportunities will be extremely important against the Chiefs. Thanks in part to their special teams making a big difference, Minnesota does the unthinkable and defeats Kansas City and the mighty Patrick Mahomes.
Prediction: Vikings win 37-30 (Record 4-1)
Week 6
- at Chicago Bears
- Sunday, October 8th
- 12 p.m. CT
Once again, the Vikings' high from their win from the week before will end up playing a factor in a contest that most would expect them to emerge with a victory.
Bears quarterback Justin Fields performed well against Minnesota last season, but that was against a Swiss cheese Vikings defense with Ed Donatell calling the plays. Minnesota's new defense will make life much more difficult for Fields in this matchup and this will ultimately allow the Vikings to escape with a win.
Prediction: Vikings win 23-20 (Record 5-1)
Next 6 Games on the Vikings 2023 Schedule
Week 7
- San Francisco 49ers (MNF)
- Monday, October 23rd
- 7:15 p.m. CT
The 49ers have lost seven straight road games to the Vikings, with their last win in Minneapolis coming all the way back in 1992. That streak will come to an end this season.
San Francisco's defense will shut down Alexander Mattison and Minnesota's rushing attack, and the Vikings' offensive line will have no answer for Nick Bosa and the rest of the 49ers' pass rush.
Prediction: Vikings lose 23-10 (Record 5-2)
Week 8
- at Green Bay Packers
- Sunday, October 29th
- 12 p.m. CT
Minnesota hasn't won a game in Green Bay with the sun still up and the stands packed full of fans since 2009, when the Vikings helped Brett Favre get revenge against his former team.
This season, Minnesota's struggles on the road against the Packers will continue, and the Vikings will suffer a loss for the second week in a row.
Prediction: Vikings lose 33-27 (Record 5-3)
Week 9
- at Atlanta Falcons
- Sunday, November 5th
- 12 p.m. CT
A struggling Falcons team will present Minnesota with a great opportunity to get back on track. Historically, the Vikings have actually had a bunch of success in Atlanta, as they've won six of their last eight road games against the Falcons.
This will continue this season, as Minnesota's aggressive defense will take advantage of young Atlanta quarterback Desmond Ridder and the Vikings will leave the field with a win.
Prediction: Vikings win 36-17 (Record 6-3)
Week 10
- New Orleans Saints
- Sunday, November 12th
- 12 p.m. CT
Even with Sean Payton no longer the head coach in New Orleans, the Saints are still a bitter non-divisional rival for Minnesota.
Veteran quarterback Derek Carr was never able to lead his team to a victory over the Vikings when he was a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. Now the starting quarterback for New Orleans, Carr will still be winless against Minnesota after this season's matchup.
Prediction: Vikings win 24-13 (Record 7-3)
Week 11
- at Denver Broncos (SNF)
- Sunday, November 19th
- 7:20 p.m. CT
Dating back to 1993, the last four matchups in Denver between the Vikings and Broncos have been decided by three points, with each team winning a pair of games.
This trend will continue for this year's contest between the two franchises, but this time, it will be Minnesota who comes out on top.
Prediction: Vikings win 35-33 (Record 8-3)
Week 12
- Chicago Bears (MNF)
- Monday, November 27th
- 7:15 p.m. CT
Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson always seems to shine under the brightest lights. So, in this matchup on national television, Jefferson will deliver a performance so amazing that it will be forever etched in Minnesota's history.
Despite the efforts by Justin Fields and their offense, Chicago's defense won't have an answer for Jefferson, and the Vikings will head into their bye week riding a four-game win streak.
Prediction: Vikings win 31-23 (Record 9-3)
Final 5 Games on the Vikings 2023 Schedule
Week 13
- BYE WEEK
Week 14
- at Las Vegas Raiders
- Sunday, December 10th
- 3:05 p.m. CT
After getting a week off, Minnesota returns for a matchup against the Raiders, who will likely be one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2023.
Despite the expected struggles of Las Vegas this year, the Vikings won't win this contest decisively. A late-game gamble by Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell will lead to his team escaping the City of Sin with a close victory.
Prediction: Vikings win 28-27 (Record 10-3)
Week 15
- at Cincinnati Bengals
- Date TBD
- Time TBD
Winners of five straight, the Vikings' streak of success will come to a halt when they take on Joe Burrow and the Bengals.
While Burrow and the offense get a lot of the love, it will be Cincinnati's defense that makes the difference in this matchup against Minnesota.
Prediction: Vikings lose 23-15 (Record 10-4)
Week 16
- Detroit Lions
- Sunday, December 24th
- 12 p.m. CT
After the Bengals snapped their win streak, the Vikings will get to return home to U.S. Bank Stadium to take out their frustrations on the Lions.
Detroit is expected to be better than they were in 2022, but Minnesota is also a better team than they were a year ago. So, in their first matchup of the season against the Lions, the Vikings will show everyone why they should have always been the favorite to win the NFC North in 2023.
Prediction: Vikings win 34-20 (11-4)
Week 17
- Green Bay Packers (SNF)
- Sunday, December 31st
- 7:20 p.m. CT
In their last game of the calendar year, Minnesota will provide their fan base with one last win to celebrate in 2023.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins will play a large role in defeating the Packers in this matchup, which will be a good sign for Minnesota when they enter the playoffs.
Prediction: Vikings win 30-20 (12-4)
Week 18
- at Detroit Lions
- Sunday, January 7th
- Time TBD
With the NFC North title wrapped up and their seed in the NFC playoff bracket unable to be changed, the Vikings take their final game of the 2023 season as an opportunity to rest their starters.
The Lions will get the win in this matchup, but it won't matter, as Minnesota will be more focused on who they will be taking on in the postseason.
Prediction: Vikings lose 18-9 (Record 12-5)