Predicting the Vikings final record with 8 games left on their 2024 schedule
Overall, the first 10 weeks of the 2024 NFL season were successful for the Minnesota Vikings, as they managed to win seven of their first nine games.
Currently, the Vikings and their 7-2 record sit in second place in the highly contested NFC North. With a very favorable schedule going forward, Minnesota should still be able to make a serious run at dethroning the Detroit Lions at the top of the division.
With that being said, let's make an attempt to predict the outcomes of each of the eight remaining games on the Vikings' 2024 schedule will go.
Minnesota Vikings final record prediction with 8 games left in the 2024 NFL season
Week 11
Away at Tennessee Titans
Whether it's Mason Rudolph or Will Levis starting under center for the Titans, there probably isn't a scenario in which either one of those guys is able to take on a Brian Flores-coached Minnesota defense. Tennessee does have one of the top-ranked defenses in football but expect Sam Darnold and the rest of the Vikings offense to put up plenty of points to walk away with a win.
Prediction: Vikings win (8-2)
Week 12
Away at Chicago Bears
The Bears are currently on the verge of firing head coach Matt Eberflus, their offense is in absolute disarray, and quite frankly, they're a bad team that beats on other bad teams.
Prediction: Vikings win (9-2)
Week 13
Home vs. Arizona Cardinals
This has the makings of a “trap game” for the Vikings. Minnesota will likely be favored going into this matchup, but this Cardinals team can beat anyone on any given day.
The key for Minnesota to win this contest is going to depend on their ability to keep Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray contained and stop running back James Conner.
Conner is one of the more underrated running backs in football, and he's probably going to play a big part in the Cardinals' game plan as they stay alive in the NFC West race.
Prediction: Vikings lose (9-3)
Week 14
Home vs. Atlanta Falcons
This game is a candidate to be flexed into primetime as Kirk Cousins is returning to Minnesota for the first time since leaving earlier this year, and it won't be a moment to remember.
Expect this to be a high-scoring matchup on both sides, but the Vikings' familiarity with Cousins's limitations will pay dividends, and Minnesota will walk away with a closely contested win.
Prediction: Vikings win (10-3)
Week 15
Home vs. Chicago Bears (Monday Night Football)
As it was mentioned earlier, Chicago is a mess, and by this time, they will more than likely have an interim head coach at the helm. Expect a ton of moments where Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams attempts to play hero ball, which will likely cause him to make plenty of mistakes.
Prediction: Vikings win (11-3)
Week 16
Away at Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are incredibly inconsistent. They have the talent to be one of the best teams in the NFL, but they haven't been able to close out games all year long. Seattle quarterback Geno Smith has done well managing this Ryan Grubb offense, but he's prone to turning the ball over.
If the Vikings can once again win the turnover battle, they should leave the Pacific Northwest with a victory and, most likely, a playoff spot locked in.
Prediction: Vikings win (12-3)
Week 17
Home vs. Green Bay Packers
The biggest question mark for this game is going to be the health of Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who shredded Minnesota's defense earlier in the season.
Expect this matchup to be a back-and-forth battle, but unlike in Week 4, Green Bay is able to make enough big plays to win the game.
Prediction: Vikings lose (12-4)
Week 18
Away at Detroit Lions
The standings leading up to this game will play a huge part in how this contest shapes out. This could be a game in which the winner is crowned the NFC North champion, or this could be one where Detroit has already locked up the division, forcing Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell to rest his starters before a playoff run.
It's difficult to see the Lions losing this game, as Detroit head coach Dan Campbell will likely play his starters until the final whistle of the regular season.
For the Vikings, O’Connell and his staff have a cautious approach to player health, and more than likely, they will sit their starters in this matchup if playoff positioning is not a factor.
Prediction: Vikings lose (12-5)
Final Regular-Season Record:12-5; No. 5 seed in NFC Playoffs