It might be hard for some to believe, but there are only seven games that now separate the Minnesota Vikings from the end of the 2024 regular season. Luckily, the Vikings currently have an 8-2 record, so they're likely going to play at least one more contest following the final week of the regular season.
Minnesota earned its eighth win of the 2024 campaign this past Sunday when they were able to defeat the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee made the matchup interesting for a few minutes, but the victory never really seemed in legitimate doubt for the Vikings, and they ultimately walked off the field with a 10-point win.
Minnesota currently has a 94.7 percent chance to make this season's playoffs, according to ESPN's NFL Football Power Index, so a spot in the 2024 postseason seems almost inevitable at this point for the purple and gold. Now it's really just about waiting to see which seed in the NFC the Vikings end up with after the final seven games on the team's schedule are completed.
Predicting the Minnesota Vikings final record with 7 games left
Week 12
Away at the Chicago Bears (4-6)
It's a small sample size, but Minnesota is 2-0 in road games against the Bears since Kevin O'Connell became the team's head coach in 2022. The typical weird Soldier Field shenanigans haven't occurred for the Vikings with O'Connell leading the way, and they won't re-emerge this season either.
Prediction: Vikings win (9-2)
Week 13
Home vs. the Arizona Cardinals (6-4)
After a three-game road trip, Minnesota will be happy to be back inside U.S. Bank Stadium for this matchup. The Cardinals are much improved compared to last season, but the Vikings should still be able to take care of business and come out of this contest with a win.
Prediction: Vikings win (10-2)
Week 14
Home vs. the Atlanta Falcons (6-5)
Everyone will be focused on Kirk Cousins making his return to Minnesota heading into this game. Cousins will be motivated to get revenge on the team that didn't re-sign him earlier this year, and to the surprise of some, he will accomplish that and lead his new team to a win over the Vikings.
Prediction: Vikings lose (10-3)
Week 15
Home vs. the Chicago Bears (4-6)
This is a matchup that will be played on a Monday night with the Vikings sporting their new "Winter Warrior" uniforms. The deafening crowd inside U.S. Bank Stadium will cause Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to make multiple mistakes and ultimately help Minnesota get back in the win column.
Prediction: Vikings win (11-3)
Week 16
Away at the Seattle Seahawks (5-5)
Road trips to Seattle haven't really gone that well for the Vikings during the last two decades, and that lack of success in the Pacific Northwest will continue for the purple and gold in this game. Minnesota should be able to keep it close, but the Seahawks will find a way to get their sixth straight home victory over the Vikings since 2012.
Prediction: Vikings lose (11-4)
Week 17
Home vs. the Green Bay Packers (7-3)
Minnesota and Green Bay played in a highly competitive game earlier this season in Week 4 at Lambeau Field, and the second matchup of the year should be just as entertaining when these two NFC North rivals face off inside U.S. Bank Stadium. Like the first meeting, though, the Vikings will be the team to leave the field with a win.
Prediction: Vikings win (12-4)
Week 18
Away at the Detroit Lions (9-1)
The Lions got the best of the Vikings when these two teams met in the Twin Cities earlier this season, and Minnesota will be looking to deliver some payback inside Detroit's home stadium. This matchup could potentially determine the winner of the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the NFC, so a lot could be on the line.
Unfortunately for the Lions, they'll be coming off a Monday night game in Week 17, so they will have one less day to prepare for this important battle against Minnesota. That will prove to be just enough of an advantage for the Vikings to close out the 2024 regular season with a victory.
Prediction: Vikings win
Final 2024 Record Prediction: 13-4