The NFL schedule leaks are the funniest thing in the world. We learn the Minnesota Vikings’ schedule piecemeal, and it still makes no sense when you see it as a whole.
Why is Minnesota playing in Mexico City after years of going overseas to Europe? Also, why isn’t the bye week after they play in a different country in Week 11 instead of Week 6, after playing in New Orleans?
They’re playing the Green Bay Packers here in Week 1, but then outside in the tundra in November? Doesn’t it make more sense to play outdoors in Wisconsin when it’s warmer?
Likewise, playing in New Jersey against the hapless New York Jets in January will be no fun. Why are they playing in Tampa in September? Swap that game with the New York one.
Everyone knows that the NFL doesn’t make schedules in a vacuum. They have to consider other teams, not just the Vikings. Still, there has to be a better way to lay this out, given who Minnesota’s opponents are this year.
Still, here’s the upside:
We’ll know immediately whether the Vikings are any good.
It’s fair to wonder what this team can be coming off a nine-win season, right? We assume Kyler Murray, the two-time Pro Bowler in his prime, will start over J.J. McCarthy. But will he be any good in Kevin O’Connell’s system?
We’ll find out in Week 1, even though the Packers won’t have Micah Parsons. If he leaves any room for doubt, the Chicago Bears defense will clarify things in Week 2.
The Vikings can’t start 0-3, and if they do, they should tank. That’s the lesson from 2023. However, they could start 1-2 and make up for it with games against the Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints in Weeks 4 and 5.
Then, there’s the gauntlet out of the bye.
- The Vikings will play the Daniel Jones revenge game in Week 7.
- They’ll head to Detroit a week later, to a venue that has become one of the toughest road environments.
- Minnesota plays the Buffalo Bills at home on Monday Night Football in Week 9. Remember the last time they played?
- A week later, they head to Lambeau to play outdoors in dreary November weather.
- Then, play the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City.
The Vikings can’t botch that part of the schedule, but they probably can go 2-3 and survive.
Using my admittedly manufactured schedule math, let’s say they start 1-2 and win the next two games to enter the bye 3-2. In that case, they can go 5-5, with games against the perpetually .500 Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers, who I occasionally forget play in the league. Pick up those two wins, and they’re 7-5 entering the home stretch.
Typically, playing the New England Patriots in Foxborough on a short week would be a daunting task. They were in the Super Bowl last year, even if they didn’t fully realize it. However, they played a historically easy schedule. Then – and you might have missed this – Mike Vrabel had an affair with reporter Dianna Russini in the offseason.
That’s a win, Dawg.
Finishing up with the Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders, and the Bears at home is challenging. Still, the Jets game is a mini-bye before the flex game against Chicago. Even if they go 2-2 in that stretch, they finish with 10 wins.
Murray or McCarthy will have to prove they can win in the playoffs. Still, 10 wins will feel cleansing after last year’s strange season. It would be very Vikings. We can’t ever know if they’re good, except for maybe right away this year. Here’s to faint hope.
