2021 Vikings Schedule Evaluation

Its that time of year when football nudges its way back into our lives for a few days and then disappears again until August. Lets capitalize on that interest and talk about the Minnesota Vikings 2021 Schedule!

Week 1
Sunday, September 12 @ Cincinnati Bengals (12 PM)
The Vikings will open the season on the road in Cinci! This will provide an interesting matchup. The Vikings will return to the gridiron better then last year in theory. The offense is largely the same, with a slightly bolstered offensive line (while healthy). The defense will hopefully be better as well, but time will tell. The Bengals will have Joe Burrow back after an ACL tear ended his season last year. If the Vikings come out swinging and beat a team they should have no business losing to, this could be a good sign. Otherwise, more pain.
I say the Vikings are one of the 16 teams with a win.
Record: 1-0

Week 2
Sunday, September 19 @ Arizona Cardinals (3:05 PM)
Patrick Peterson will return to his old stomping grounds in this week 2 matchup. Arizona has quite a bit of power, with the enormous potential Kyler Murray possesses and the star power in receiver Deandre Hopkins the sky is limit. Now, the defense is a little less powerful with the star corner now playing in purple. I think the Vikings balanced attack with a better defense will prove to win in this one, Minnesota wins a close one in the desert.
Record: 2-0

Week 3
Sunday, September 26 vs. Seattle Seahawks (3:25 PM)
The Vikings and Seahawks are playing each other for the 6th straight year. This time the Vikings will play Seattle in US Bank Stadium, the first in the saga. How about that for a home opener? This should be quite the game! I will enjoy it from my TV. I will say the Vikes finally notch the win in this series. 
Record: 3-0

Week 4
Sunday, October 3 vs. Cleveland Browns (12 PM)
Now this may be the biggest challenge the Vikings will have in the early season. The Browns made it all the way to the AFC divisional round and that is extremely respectable. I don't think the Vikes surpass this one, they drop their first one.
Record: 3-1

Week 5
Sunday, October 10 vs. Detroit Lions (12 PM)
The first division game of the year! This won't be nearly as fun in past years. The Lions do have Jared Goff now, but they have no other weapons. I think Minnesota runs all over the Lions. Not even close, especially at home with the roaring crowd.
Record: 4-1

Week 6
Sunday, October 17 @ Carolina Panthers (12 PM)
The final game before the bye week is against a rebuilding Panthers team. I don't think Carolina offers much of a fight against a strengthened Vikings team. Minnesota beats Carolina handily. 
Record: 5-1

Week 7 - Bye

Week 8
Sunday, October 31 vs. Dallas Cowboys (7:20 PM) - Sunday Night Football
The first primetime game of the year will be at home against the Cowboys. The last time the Vikings and Cowboys faced off in primetime, the Vikes won in Dallas. I don't think the Vikes get past them this time. They drop their second of the year off the bye.
Record: 5-2

Week 9
Sunday, November 7 @ Baltimore Ravens (12 PM)
Now the Vikings will face off against the might of the Ravens. This will also prove to be a challenge. But despite all the losses when the could have won, the Vikes will win this game, in surprising fashion. 
Record: 6-2

Week 10
Sunday, November 14 @ Los Angeles Chargers (3:05 PM)
Hah, this could be an interesting game. A lot like the first game of the year. They have second year QB Josh Herbert and a growing offense at the helm, with an under the wings type defense at their aid. This will be the first time Minnesota will be playing inside SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. I like the Vikings in this matchup.
Record: 7-2

Week 11
Sunday, November 21 vs. Green Bay Packers (12 PM)
The first game against the Packers. The last several years have provided at least one memorable game, and I expect this one to be no different (provided they are able to retain Aaron Rodgers). I think the Packers snag another precious win inside US Bank Stadium. 
Record: 7-3

Week 12
Sunday, November 28 @ San Francisco (3:25 PM)
Minnesota will visit sunny San Francisco on the Sunday following Thanksgiving. This may be a very interesting matchup for some Vikings fans. The 49ers drafted former NDSU QB Trey Lance with the 3rd overall pick. Their plan is not to start the former FCS All-American in his rookie year, but if Garoppolo can't have a better year he may start before its finished. Who knows what this game may hold! I am going out on a limb and saying that the Vikes come away with a win.
Record: 8-3

Week 13
Sunday, December 5 @ Detroit Lions (12 PM)
The conclusion of the year between Minnesota and Detroit will probably be yet another lopsided victory for the Vikings. I am calling this one already. 
Record: 9-3

Week 14
Thursday, December 9 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (7:20 PM) - Thursday Night Football
The second primetime game of the year will come at home against the typically robust Steelers. They made the playoffs last year but lost to their division rival, the Cleveland Browns. I don't think the Vikings come away with a win. 
Record: 9-4

Week 15
Monday, December 20 @ Chicago Bears (7:15 PM) - Monday Night Football
The typical Vikings at Bears matchup in MNF. So very typical. I think this plays out like last year's MNF win in Chicago. Another win for the Vikes.
Record: 10-4

Week 16
Sunday, December 26 vs. Los Angeles Rams (12 PM)
The Rams will come to visit US Bank Stadium again. The last time, they lost big. Hah, I hope it happens again. The Vikings and Matthew Stafford know each other very well. This should prove to be fun. But I think the Vikings go out on top.
Record: 11-4

Week 17
Sunday, January 2 @ Green Bay Packers (7:20 PM) - Sunday Night Football
Another division games that brings back the tradition of just 3 years ago where the Vikes and Packers faceoff on SNF in Green Bay. I think the Vikings snag this one because they are on a roll. 
Record: 12-4

Week 18
Sunday, January 9 vs. Chicago Bears (12 PM)
Final game of the year, is against Chicago and at home. This is the 3rd year this has been scheduled. The Vikings have hardly won any of them. It will be weird, but I think Minnesota should grab this one. 
Record: 13-4

This is the first ever 13-4 record in Vikings history!! I think this makes them either a 2nd or 3rd seed in the NFC. 

Hopefully this means we have a good year!!

​#SKOL