Vikings Schedule Release Predictions: Minnesota lands multiple primetime games around star QBs and more intriguing tidbits
The Minnesota Vikings have an intriguing batch of opponents, and how they are scheduled will say a lot about their success.
The NFL schedule release is less than 48 hours away, and the Minnesota Vikings are set to have a fascinating schedule.
This year, the Vikings are playing a third-place schedule, meaning they will play the Washington Commanders, Indianapolis Colts, and San Francisco 49ers, along with the AFC East and NFC South. Last season, the Vikings went 0-3 in said games, arguably costing them a playoff spot. How those games will be scheduled is going to tell us a lot about how the Vikings will play this year.
Each season, the Vikings usually have multiple primetime games, and they had seven in standalone timeslots. After finishing 9-8, that number will likely go down, but primetime games will still be plentiful with the addition of Kyler Murray. Here are our bold predictions for the schedule release.
Vikings will host Bills on Thanksgiving night
The last time the Vikings faced the Buffalo Bills, it ended up being one of the best games of the 2022 season.
That was a noon game, and it had everything. Great quarterback play from both Kirk Cousins and Josh Allen, catch of the year candidates from Justin Jefferson and Stefon Diggs, a game-altering fumble for a touchdown inside two minutes left, and a walk-off interception.
While these two teams are nowhere near the same as those 2022 teams, they are both still in really good shape, and the quarterback matchup will be a major draw nationally. Plus, the last time the Vikings played on Thanksgiving was in 2022, where they beat the New England Patriots 31-24. Speaking of the Patriots…
Kevin O’Connell faces Drake Maye in primetime
One of the bigger stories over the last few years for the Vikings was their pursuit of their future quarterback in 2024. They ended up with J.J. McCarthy at 10th overall, but it was widely reported that O’Connell was pursuing Drake May. Despite an offer that allegedly included three first-round picks, a trade never manifested, and it helped the Patriots make the Super Bowl.
If it ends up being McCarthy playing over Murray, this will be a very intriguing option, with the idea being “what would have been.” Even if it’s Murray, this has the appeal of being two of the better offenses on paper.
Vikings will have at least one Friday or Saturday game vs. divisional opponent
The NFC North is one of the best divisions in football. All four teams finished with at least nine wins, and the Chicago Bears were incredibly close to beating the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs. These games are usually must-see television, and the Vikings will benefit from them.
With the multitude of games the NFL will play on non-traditional days, I expect the Vikings to be included in that group. They have played on Saturday two times over the last four years (2022 vs. Colts, 2023 vs. Cincinnati Bengals), and this year, they will have one against a divisional opponent.
