2024 Minnesota Vikings Schedule Predictions

Alright, now that the Vikings 2024 schedule has been revealed, its time to go over and discuss it!

First I want to say, that this year is more unpredictable in my opinion due to that Minnesota is kind of expecting an somewhat off year with a 21 year old QB waiting in the wings. I will of course venture a guess here.

Week 1: @ New York Giants 9/8 12 PM
The Vikings will open the season in the Big Apple playing the G-men. The last time Minnesota play the Giants was when they lost to them in the 2022 wild-card round at home. Both teams aren't too different from when that game was played. The Vikings have built their defense a bit better since those days, and the Giants have added some key pieces on offense. Of course, both teams have let go of key pieces such as QB Kirk Cousins and RB Saquon Barkley. I expect this game to actually be fairly close, this will really depend just how well either team's offense will be playing. 
Prediction: Minnesota wins 24-21
Record: 1-0

Week 2: vs. San Francisco 49ers 9/15 12 PM 
Minnesota's home opener will be against the Super Bowl runner-ups from last season. The Vikings played the Niners last season and won on Monday Night Football, which at the time was a pretty big win! I think this season might go a bit differently then that. The 49ers are definitely the better team, and Minnesota isn't quite up to the task of taking them down at this point.
Prediction: San Francisco wins 34-24
Record: 1-1

Week 3: vs. Houston Texans 9/22 12 PM
The Vikings will play two home games in a row, and two tough opponents as well. Houston may very well compete for the AFC Championship game this year, as they are LOADED! Former Vikings DE Danielle Hunter will be returning to Minnesota for the first time since signing with the Texans in the offseason. This is a similar script to the 49ers game, Houston is the vastly better team right now and Minnesota just doesn't have the throwing prowess yet.
Prediction: Houston wins 31-27
Record: 1-2

Week 4: @ Green Bay Packers 9/29 12 PM
The first NFC North game will come in week 4, with a visit to Lambeau Field. This rivalry always has some surprises in store. Last year, Minnesota dominated the Packers in their own stadium but also lost Kirk Cousins for the season in the process. This will be a different game then that, and the Packers will be the aggressor. I have been very bullish on Sam Darnold so far as the Vikings starting QB, but he won't be a terrible option for Minnesota to trot out there before JJ McCarthy is ready. This is a great time then to mention that I think the Vikings will beat the Packers in at least 1 game this season, and this is the one I am choosing. Its early on in the season so folks are still finding their footing, including the Pack.
Prediction: Minnesota wins 26-23
Record: 2-2

Week 5: vs. New York Jets 10/6 8:30 AM (London)
The Vikings will cross the pond for the first time since 2022. Minnesota is 3-0 all time in the UK. So this game could go a few different ways. If Rodgers is playing for New York then the Vikings could very well lose. I am actually going to side with Minnesota here though. There is a good reason why Minnesota hasn't lost in London, and I don't think that changes this year despite the Jets predicted resurgence.
Prediction: Minnesota wins 28-21
Record: 3-2

Week 6 Bye
Not exactly a favorable bye from the NFL this year, but it makes sense since it follows the Vikings' trip to the UK - as the NFL will routinely give bye weeks the week following an international trip. 

Week 7: vs. Detroit Lions 10/20 12 PM 
This will be Minnesota's first look at the Lions this year, who are coming off their first NFC North title (see their lone banner at Ford Field). Detroit has high hopes for this year, after reaching the NFC Championship game for the first time in over three decades. I don't really think the Vikings will have much business being in this game, and will respectfully bow out. 
Prediction: Detroit wins 31-17
Record: 3-3

Week 8: @ Los Angeles Rams 10/24 7:15 PM (Thursday Night Football)
Minnesota will indeed play their first primetime game of the season on TNF, which is on Prime Video again this year. This will be Kevin O'Connell's first time coaching against his former team since he joined the Vikings in 2022. LA isn't exactly the team they were when KOC was last with them. They made the postseason last year but didn't win a game. Defensive stalwart Aaron Donald decided to retire after last season, so that is a huge hole they will be trying to fill. I think Minnesota has a decent chance in this game. Darnold and JJ could have quite the fun time dismantling LA's defense.
Prediction: Minnesota wins 35-28
Record: 4-3

Week 9: vs. Indianapolis Colts 11/3 12 PM 
The Vikings will be playing the Colts for the first time since the biggest comeback in NFL history in 2022 when the purple won in overtime. Indianapolis hopes to have promising QB Anthony Richardson back this season after he suffered a season ending injury early last season. Either way, I think this will be a fairly even game.
Prediction: Minnesota wins 24-17
Record: 5-3

Week 10: @ Jacksonville Jaguars 11/10 12 PM
This will be the Vikings first trip back to Jacksonville since 2016. Minnesota has only lost to the Jaguars once, back in 2001. These two teams last met in 2020 which the Vikings won. If Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence plays like he did for the majority of last season, he could prove to be a challenge for Minnesota. I am not sure we win this win, especially out in the sunshine state.
Prediction: Jacksonville wins 38-24
Record: 5-4

Week 11: @ Tennessee Titans 11/17 12 PM 
Another first in a while for the Vikings. Minnesota has also not been to Nissan Stadium since 2016. The last game between the two was a 1 point loss at US Bank Stadium in 2020. Tennessee isn't exactly the playoff contender they used to be, this is one I think the Vikings could definitely win.
Prediction: Minnesota wins 31-21
Record: 6-4

Week 12: @ Chicago Bears 11/24 12 PM 
Minnesota will face the new look Bears for the first time in Week 12. Chicago hopes that rookie QB Caleb Williams will lead them to the promise land. In the interest of parity, I am going to say there will be a Chicago win here. But these games are always ugly and very close - which means a lot of frustration for fans.
Prediction: Chicago wins 17-10
Record: 6-5

Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals 12/1 12 PM 
This game will start a 3 game homestand after a 3 game road trip. Minnesota will be going for another win over the Cardinals. In recent history, they have had favorable results against the team from the desert. While Arizona will be trying to reclaim that magic they had a few years ago, I think Minnesota is able to win this.
Prediction: Minnesota wins 24-19
Record: 7-5

Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons 12/8 12 PM
This will be a really interesting game. It will be Kirk Cousins' first game back in Minnesota after signing with Atlanta in free agency. I am not sure how well received he will be, I suppose that depends on how well the Vikings are doing by that point. Either way, I think Kirk gets the win over his former team.
Prediction: Atlanta wins 22-21
Record: 7-6

Week 15: vs. Chicago Bears 12/16 7 PM (Monday Night Football)
This is the yearly game that Vikings fans ask "why is this on national TV?" It seems that the NFL likes to put one or both of the Minnesota-Chicago matchups on national TV, and this one could be the most lopsided yet. However, I think Minnesota will win one of the matchups, so here it is.
Prediction: Minnesota wins 21-17
Record: 8-6

Week 16: @ Seattle Seahawks 12/22 3:05 PM
Minnesota rarely plays well at Lumen Field. There was a string of seasons that the two teams played at Lumen Field 3 years in a row. Unfortunately, this string of losses is probably going to continue. 
Prediction: Seattle wins 31-21
Record: 8-7

Week 17: vs. Green Bay Packers 12/29 12 PM 
The Vikings will host Green Bay on the second to last week of the season for the second year in a row. Last year was a complete disaster, and with Green Bay most likely fighting for playoff positioning - it will be again. Its alright for Minnesota, as I don't think JJ McCarthy sees the field at all this season.
Prediction: Green Bay wins 38-21
Record: 8-8

Week 18: @ Detroit Lions TBD
Minnesota will again finish the season in Detroit, after falling to the division champs at the end of last season. The Vikings aren't really going to fare well against the Lions, especially in the Motor City this year. Again, that's alright - as I don't expect JJ McCarthy to play.
Prediction: Detroit wins 41-19
Record: 8-9

Final Record: 8-9, No Playoffs. 

Alright, now we wait another few months for the season to actually start. Until next time folks!

​#SKOL