{"id":18896,"date":"2017-04-23T10:00:28","date_gmt":"2017-04-23T14:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=18896"},"modified":"2017-04-23T01:53:49","modified_gmt":"2017-04-23T05:53:49","slug":"minnesota-vikings-schedule-means-record-prediction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/04\/23\/minnesota-vikings-schedule-means-record-prediction\/","title":{"rendered":"What the Minnesota Vikings Schedule Means: A Record Prediction"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Vikings started last year 5-0 but had a disappointing second half of the season, finishing 8-8 overall. Injuries, lack of depth on the offensive line, and, to put it in honest terms, an offensive running game made things difficult. <\/span><\/p>\n

What the Vikings Schedule Means: A Record Prediction<\/strong><\/h2>\n

So now that the Vikings schedule is out for 2017, what will their record look like when all is set and done? A perfect record would be exceptional, but let\u2019s take a realistic look at games as things stand now. <\/span><\/p>\n

Monday, September 11 vs, New Orleans Saints – win<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Saints seem to have the same story every year: decent offense with <\/span>Drew Brees<\/a><\/b>, poor defense. This year, it seems things will be no different. So the Vikings will win this one. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sam Bradford<\/a><\/strong> will pick apart the Saints secondary, and the new additions to the Minnesota offensive line <\/span>Riley Reiff<\/a><\/b> and <\/span>Mike Remmers<\/a><\/b> will finally give the oft-injured quarterback time to throw the football.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday, September 17 at Pittsburgh Steelers – loss<\/span><\/h3>\n

This will be a tough loss for the Vikings, but they will probably keep the game close. Still, an away game against <\/span>Ben Roethlisberger<\/a><\/b>, running back <\/span>Le’Veon Bell<\/a><\/b>, wide receivers <\/span>Antonio Brown<\/a><\/b> and <\/span>Eli Rogers<\/a><\/b> and also tight ends <\/span>Jesse James<\/a><\/b> and <\/span>Ladarius Green<\/a><\/b> along with the comeback of wide receiver <\/span>Martavis Bryant<\/a><\/b>, and this offensive powerhouse will make things rough for the Vikings. With the defense not fully\u00a0gelling, and in only their second regular season game together, they\u2019re going to struggle. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday, September 24th vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – win<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Buccaneers are arguably the second best team in the NFC South behind the Falcons, and with the addition on offense of wide receiver <\/span>DeSean Jackson<\/a><\/b> to compliment wide receivers <\/span>Mike Evans<\/a> <\/b>and <\/span>Adam Humphries<\/a><\/b> along with tight end <\/span>Cameron Brate<\/a><\/b> they have the potential for a powerful offense. On the other side of the ball, they\u2019ve added defensive end <\/span>Chris Baker<\/a><\/b> and safety <\/span>J.J. Wilcox<\/a><\/b> to the lineups while keeping players like <\/span>William Gholston<\/a><\/b>, <\/span>Gerald McCoy<\/a><\/b>, and <\/span>Robert Ayers<\/a><\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coming off a tough loss to the Steelers, the Vikings will come home hot and ready, and the Buccaneers main weakness? Their offensive line. Minnesota will win this one, but not by much. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday, October 1 vs. Detroit Lions and Thursday, November 23rd at Detroit Lions – win and loss<\/span><\/h3>\n

These will be two tough meetings, with the Lions charging in with <\/span>Matthew Stafford<\/a> <\/b>at quarterback\u00a0<\/b>but no discernible running game. Still, with the possibility that Detroit will get Miami\u2019s tight end <\/span>David Njoku, <\/b>the passing game might not be a total disaster. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Vikings will take the first game of the two, coming in hyped after a victory over the tough Buccaneers, but the Lions will be ready in November. This series will be split, with the Vikings winning the first meeting, and Detroit taking the second. <\/span><\/p>\n

Monday, October 9 at Chicago Bears – win<\/span><\/h3>\n

Quarterback <\/span>Mike Glennon<\/a><\/b>? Really? When Chicago could have stuck with <\/span>Matt Barkley<\/a><\/b> for one more year, Glennon seems like only a minor upgrade. There\u2019s not much more to be said about this team, except that it will be another year in the NFL basement for the Bears.<\/span><\/p>\n

This should be a sure win for the Vikings, but they have to be careful they don\u2019t come in too cocky after two wins in a row and relax a bit too much. This is a potential trap game, but Bradford and crew should hold their own. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday, October 15 vs. Green Bay Packers – win<\/span><\/h3>\n

In the offseason, the Packers lost <\/span>T.J. Lang<\/a><\/b>,\u00a0center <\/span>JC Tretter<\/b>, and defensive back Micah Hyde<\/a><\/strong>. At the same time, they gained tight end <\/span>Martellus Bennett<\/a><\/b> adding to wide receivers <\/span>Jordy Nelson<\/a><\/b>,\u00a0<\/span>Randall Cobb<\/a><\/b> and running back <\/span>Ty Montgomery<\/a>.<\/b> Still, <\/span>Aaron Rodgers<\/a><\/b> bore the weight of most of the offense with little help from his receivers and the horrible Green Bay secondary. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Vikings will win this game, but probably not by much. The deciding factor will be Rodgers. Bradford should be able to pick apart the defense and the new additions to the Vikings offensive line should keep him relatively safe in the pocket. But the Pack often performs above expectations, thanks to a Superstar quarterback. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday, October 22 vs, Baltimore Ravens – win<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Raven\u2019s offense is, well, dull. With Steve Smith<\/a><\/strong> retiring and Kamar Aiken<\/a><\/strong> gone, it is even more of a snoozer. Baltimore was not a good team last year either, but they have added some talent on defense with cornerback <\/span>Brandon Carr<\/a> <\/b>and safety <\/span>Tony Jefferson<\/a><\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n

This should result in another Vikings win, but much like the game against Chicago, it depends on confidence and stable play.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday, October 29 vs. Cleveland Browns – win<\/span><\/h3>\n

Cody Kessler<\/a><\/b>\u00a0is set to be the Cleveland’s starting quarterback. Unless they draft a quarterback and start him\u00a0instead, the Browns will lose this game and a lot of others. <\/span><\/p>\n

Dear Sam Bradford<\/a><\/strong> and Vikings offense,<\/span><\/p>\n

Take it easy on the Browns this week. They have families and they are people too. Mike Zimmer, you might want to rest some of your starters this week, at least in the second half.<\/span><\/p>\n

Signed,<\/span><\/p>\n

Vikings fans who feel kind of sorry for Browns fans. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday, November 12 at Washington Redskins – win<\/span><\/h3>\n

This is likely the last year for <\/span>Kirk Cousins<\/a><\/b>, barring a miracle. He doesn\u2019t seem all that happy about it, and could still be traded at draft time. <\/span><\/p>\n

Either way, by this point in the season the \u2018Skins will be tired. In the offseason, they lost defensive end <\/span>Chris Baker<\/a><\/b> and wide receivers<\/span> DeSean Jackson<\/a><\/b> and\u00a0<\/span>Pierre Garcon<\/a><\/b>. They did pick up another pass catcher in\u00a0<\/span>Terrelle Pryor<\/a><\/b> and linebacker <\/span>Zach Brown<\/a><\/b>, but without clear leadership at quarterback, the Vikings should win this one. <\/span><\/p>\n

The primary concern? Coming off an easy win over the Browns and a bye week, the Vikings could be a bit rusty and slow starting. Whether Washington can take advantage of this is a huge question at best. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday, November 19 vs. Los Angeles Rams – win<\/span><\/h3>\n

This offense is shaping up to be one of the worst in the league. They lost Kenny Britt<\/a><\/strong> but brought in wideout Robert Woods<\/a><\/strong> to replace him. They also brought in offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth<\/a><\/strong> to protect young quarterback Jared Goff<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not enough. This will be another poor year for the Rams, and the Vikings will win this one easily. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday, December 3 at Atlanta Falcons – loss<\/span><\/h3>\n

This will be a tough December loss with the Falcons coming in with quarterback <\/span>Matt Ryan<\/a><\/b>, wide receiver <\/span>Julio Jones<\/a><\/b> and running back <\/span>Devonta Freeman<\/a><\/b> heading a powerful offense. They added nose tackle <\/span>Dontari Poe<\/a><\/b> to an already impressive defense, and they are essentially the same team as last year. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday, December 10 at Carolina Panthers – win<\/h3>\n

Cam Newton<\/a><\/strong>, despite his on and off performance, last season, is still a solid quarterback. With tight end Greg Olsen<\/a><\/strong> and wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin<\/a><\/strong> on offense and linebacker Luke Kuechly<\/a><\/strong> on defense, the Panthers are a good team, on paper.<\/p>\n

Whether that translates to the field or not is another story. If Carolina is on, this will be a tough one for the Vikings, but I am going to say they will win this one against a team struggling to gel.<\/p>\n

Sunday, December 17 vs. Cincinnati Bengals – win<\/h3>\n

Yes, they still have\u00a0still have wide receiver A.J. Green<\/a><\/strong>, but they lost\u00a0Andrew Whitworth<\/a><\/strong> and Kevin Zeitler<\/a><\/strong> from the offensive line. Acquiring\u00a0Andre Smith<\/a><\/strong> and linebacker Kevin Minter<\/a><\/strong> were both good moves, but without something more on the offensive line, the basement is where the Bengals will live.<\/p>\n

The Vikings will take this one as well, but it will be a tougher game than they expect.<\/p>\n

Saturday, December 23rd at Green Bay Packers – loss<\/h3>\n

Aaron Rodgers<\/a> <\/strong>will be sore from the first time the Vikings beat them this season and will be pushing his team and his teammates for a win and a wildcard in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Minnesota will come in overconfident from their last two wins. This will be another close game, but the Pack will shut them down for sure.<\/p>\n

Sunday, December 31 vs. Chicago Bears – win<\/h3>\n

The Vikings will start their new year and their playoff wildcard run by beating the Bears, again. By this time in the season, Chicago will only be working to spoil someone else’s postseason or make themselves look better. This will be an easy Vikings victory.<\/p>\n

With a record of 12-4, the Vikings should be in the playoffs, but a couple really close games could drop that record to 9-7, and make them more of a wildcard. A handful of their wins come against pretty weak teams, so they will have to be mentally prepared if they are going to win post season. <\/span><\/p>\n

What do you think? How will the Vikings do this season? <\/span><\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n