45 minutes into their Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears, it seemed like the Minnesota Vikings were heading into a long and difficult 2025 season with J.J. McCarthy as the team's new starting quarterback.
But then the magic of McCarthy was put into action, and it resulted in the Vikings leaving the field after their regular-season opener with a win over the Bears, despite trailing by 11 points at the start of the fourth quarter.
With the victory, Minnesota has a 1-0 record after the first game on its schedule for the third time in four seasons with Kevin O'Connell as the team's head coach. With the first matchup out of the way, how might the next five games turn out for the Vikings?
Predicting the results of the next five games for the Minnesota Vikings after their 1-0 start in 2025
Week 2
Atlanta Falcons (SNF)
Minnesota will be on the national stage for the second week in a row, but this time the contest will take place on their home field inside U.S. Bank Stadium.
The focus of this matchup will center around McCarthy and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who were both top-10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. In the end, the Vikings and their young quarterback will get the best of the Falcons.
Prediction: Vikings win (2-0)
Week 3
Cincinnati Bengals
There will be a ton of offensive talent on the field when Minnesota hosts the Cincinnati Bengals for an afternoon matchup in Week 3, with guys like McCarthy, Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins occupying spots on both rosters.
This contest has the potential to be a shootout, and if that ends up being the case, then give the advantage to the Vikings, who have a defense that can actually make a stop or two, unlike the Bengals.
Prediction: Vikings win (3-0)
Week 4
at Pittsburgh Steelers (in Dublin, Ireland)
In their first of two straight international matchups, Minnesota will face Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first-ever NFL regular-season game in Dublin, Ireland.
Last season, the Vikings defeated a team with Rodgers as its starting quarterback on international soil, and they'll do the same in Week 4, especially since Jordan Addison will be in the lineup for the purple and gold for the first time this year after serving a three-game suspension.
Prediction: Vikings win (4-0)
Week 5
at Cleveland Browns (in London, England)
After a short trip over to London, Minnesota will take its undefeated record and go up against a Cleveland Browns team that might still be looking for its first win heading into Week 5.
Who knows who will be starting at quarterback for the Browns by the time this contest takes place, but it won't matter to the Vikings' defense, who will make life miserable all game long for whoever ends up getting the nod to start under center for Cleveland.
Prediction: Vikings win (5-0)
Week 7
Philadelphia Eagles
Following a bye in Week 6 after an extended stay across the pond, Minnesota returns to U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 7 for a gigantic NFC showdown against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Unfortunately, this will be the game where the Vikings' opponent gets the best of them this season, as the Eagles will prove why they are still the team to beat in the NFC this year with an impressive win in the Twin Cities.
Prediction: Vikings lose (5-1)