Vikings 2024 schedule with predictions for each game: The J.J. McCarthy era starts sooner than expected
The Minnesota Vikings' official 2024 schedule is here and now, we have the road map to the regular season.So, naturally, that means it's time to make some way-too-early predictions regarding the entire 17-game schedule. For context starting out, I do think Sam Darnold wins the Vikings' starting quarterback job over the summer and is the […]
The Minnesota Vikings' official 2024 schedule is here and now, we have the road map to the regular season.
So, naturally, that means it's time to make some way-too-early predictions regarding the entire 17-game schedule. For context starting out, I do think Sam Darnold wins the Vikings' starting quarterback job over the summer and is the main guy come Week 1. But, as we know from the headline, that doesn't last very long.
Let's stop wasting time and have some fun predicting the Vikings' 2024 schedule.
Week 1: Vikings at New York Giants
Vikings win 17-10: This is a very interesting opening matchup for both teams. Each roster has enough talented playmakers at important positions to where if the quarterback play is on point, or even serviceable, making the playoffs is reasonable. The Giants still have big questions along the offensive line and Daniel Jones is an absolute wildcard. Even with the Vikings' uncertain QB situation, it's hard to see them losing this game – albeit a win won't come easily, either.
Vikings' record after Week 1: 1-0
Week 2: Vikings vs San Francisco 49ers
49ers win 27-19: Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is 2-0 when going against Kyle Shananan offenses and he's held the unit to just 17 points in both contests. Unfortunately, the levees break this year and third time's charm for Shanahan and co. The 49ers offense is too much for a Vikings defense that is still gelling with its six projected new starters and whether its Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy at the helm, the 9ers defense is able to contain the Vikings offense.
Vikings' record after Week 2: 1-1
Week 3: Vikings vs Houston Texans
Texans win 28-14: Houston is simply too talented, throughout, and it will show up in this game. For every strength the Vikings have, the Texans can surpass, match, or get damn close enough to matching. C.J. Stroud and his weapons take advantage of the Vikings secondary, Laremy Tunsil ruins Danielle Hunter's return to Minnesota, and the Texans cruise to an easy victory.
Vikings' record after Week 3: 1-2
Week 4: Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Packers win 23-17: This isn't the same Packers team the Vikings dominated in a 24-10 win back in Week 8 of last year. Jordan Love and co. are moving in the right direction and will keep the momentum going despite some shuffling up front. A tough opening month sees the Vikings get off to a slow start for the second year in a row.
Vikings' record after Week 4: 1-3
Week 5: Vikings vs New York Jets (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
Jets win 24-10: We don’t really know what this team will look like with a healthy Aaron Rodgers under center. What we do know, however, is the Jets have one of the AFC’s best rosters when healthy. Injuries can happen at any time, but the Jets should still be healthy enough in Week 5 to where they can show the Vikings their true colors in the form of a dominant win.
Vikings' record after Week 5: 1-4
Week 6: BYE
The bye couldn't come at a better time for the Vikings, who have some soul searching to do after a 1-4 start. I do think Sam Darnold opens the season as the starting QB, but this start, along with the timing of the bye, prompts the Vikings to bring in McCarthy.
Week 7: Vikings vs Detroit Lions
Vikings win 26-22: Divisional games can go anyway, no matter what a team's season looks like and that's the case, here, as McCarthy provides the exact spark the Vikings are both looking for and desperately need to get back on track. A win against a Super Bowl contender in the Lions doesn't save the season, but it certainly puts things on the right path.
Vikings' record after Week 7: 2-4
Week 8: Vikings at Los Angeles Rams (TNF)
Rams win 19-13: The Vikings' big win over the Lions is short-lived, as they fall to the Rams on the road during a short week. McCarthy looks like an NFL rookie after a big debut, which is the catalyst behind a tough loss. On the bright side, Brian Flores' defense is starting to round into the same midseason form we saw last year.
Vikings' record after Week 8: 2-5
Week 9: Vikings vs Indianapolis Colts
Vikings win 31-28: This game has the potential to be a shootout, especially if Anthony Richardson is healthy and available. The Vikings’ passing attack should be able to take advantage of a less-than-stellar Colts secondary, but the Colts should be able to do the same regarding their passing attack against the Vikings secondary. In the end, the Vikings defense gets a key stop after a long day and that ends up being the deciding factor.
Vikings' record after Week 9: 3-5
Week 10: Vikings at Jacksonville Jaguars
Jags win 20-19: The Jags looked like one of the better teams in the NFL before losing five of its final six games to finish 9-7 on the year and miss the playoffs. They made some pretty solid upgrades during the offseason and Trevor Lawrence will be looking to bounce back from a stagnant 2023 season. The Jags' front is simply too much, even for the Vikings' solid offensive line, and it derails this contest.
Vikings' record after Week 10: 3-6
Week 11: Vikings at Tennessee Titans
Vikings win 28-17: Minnesota gets its first road win since the season opener against a Titans team that just has too many holes in Brian Callahan's first year as head coach. The offensive line and secondary are still largely unsettled and Will Levis is still an unknown product. All of those factors help McCarthy and Justin Jefferson pave the way for a big win.
Vikings' record after Week 11: 4-6
Week 12: Vikings at Chicago Bears
Bears win 21-12: It's hard enough winning on the road, so winning three straight road games is an extremely tough ask. Especially when the third game is a divisional opponent. The Bears are able to take advantage of a weary Vikings team at Soldier Field in what should be a defensive contest, like both of last year's matchups.
Vikings' record after Week 12: 4-7
Week 13: Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals
Vikings win 24-16: The Cardinals made solid improvements during the offseason, but are still a season away from competing on a weekly basis. Still, this game won’t be easy. Arizona showed plenty of fight, last year, under Jonathan Gannon and while the Vikings have the better roster – they can’t take the Cardinals lightly.
Vikings' record after Week 13: 5-7
Week 14: Vikings vs Atlanta Falcons
Vikings win 29-24: The Falcons have a ton of talent, but they have a lot to prove. Kirk Cousins should be the starter in this game and while he's familiar with Brian Flores and the Vikings defense, the Vikings are much more familiar with him and his strengths/weaknesses. That proves to be the difference in a close-fought contest and all of a sudden, are one game away from .500 after a brutal first seven games.
Vikings' record after Week 14: 6-7
Week 15: Vikings vs Bears
Bears win 24-20: The Bears are finding their groove with Caleb Williams under center and a defense that's carried over from last season. The Vikings are finding their way themselves, after two straight wins and three out of four – but the Bears are simply too talented to handle and it leads to their first sweep of the Vikings since 2019.
Vikings' record after Week 15: 6-8
Week 16: at Seattle Seahawks
Vikings win 12-9: This is an ugly win, but a must-have for the Vikings as they enter the final three matchups of the year. All three are against NFC teams, with two being divisional opponents, which is huge for playoff implications. Mike Macdonald's defenses are as tough as they come, but McCarthy shows off the clutch factor that helped him win a national championship at Michigan and all of a sudden, the Vikings have playoff life heading into the last two weeks.
Vikings' record after Week 16: 7-8
Week 17: vs Packers
Packers win 26-23: The Vikings put a better fight this time around, but Love has officially proven he's the guy and the performances over the back half of last year was no fluke. The Vikings *sigh* have yet another high-caliber Packers QB to deal with for the foreseeable future.
Vikings' record after Week 17: 7-9
Week 18: at Lions
Lions win 21-20: Detroit gets its revenge in front of a rambunctious home crowd, but it doesn't come without a last-second field goal to give the Vikings their 10th loss of the season.
Vikings' record after Week 18: 7-10
Final Record: 7-10
BetMGM currently has the Vikings win total at 6.5 on the season, so this would be considered a successful season in Vegas' eyes. And, as long as the team can pull off a couple of big wins and McCarthy shows the potential to be a franchise quarterback – it would be considered a successful season, at 7-10.
There's also the fact the Vikings play in the NFC North, which is the second-toughest division behind the AFC North. The Lions, Packers, and even Bears are teams capable of a postseason presence and it'll be interesting to see who gets left out in the cold.
I do think the Vikings' season will boil down to the ups and downs that come with an unknown QB position, like we saw last year. Except for, unlike last year, the end of the season won't see them fizzle out. Instead, it'll see them show the NFL that 2025 can be a big year – much like the Lions at the end of the 2022 season.
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