Hope For Week 1 & 3 Home Games
So far, most of the Vikings schedule is a mystery. Nevertheless, we do know two things: the Vikings will be on the road in Week 2 and Week 4.
It’s the Week 4 game that is a crucial point in Minnesota’s season. Not only does it come against the conference-rival Saints, it’s being played in London. Needing to travel overseas is merely one more challenge in the already challenging season, another source of weariness for players often left weary.
For this reason, I’m really hoping we’ll learn that Minnesota plays at home in Week 3. Being able to stick around town leading up to the Week 3 game will make things less challenging. Minnesota, in turn, will have an easier time travelling to London. Being on the road for Week 2 (and on MNF, no less) and Week 3 would put the Vikings in a tough spot as they head into Week 4.
The opening week will, hopefully, involve the Vikings playing at home. The new coaching staff can get the advantage that comes from playing at U.S. Bank Stadium. Ideally, we’ll see a very winnable game against a team that ought not compete in 2022. That would give Minnesota both more rest (since they aren’t travelling) and then the chance to get their feet underneath themselves.
There are no guarantees in the NFL. Anyone who thought there was must have been very disappointed by the toothless Lions taking down Minnesota on the final play of last season’s game. That was a gut punch, one that reminds us that everything needs to be earned in the NFL.
So, by no means am I suggesting that a Week 1 and Week 3 pair of home games guarantees anything. Rather, I’m simply suggesting that teams look for any advantage they can get, even if it’s minuscule. Being able to avoid a gruelling set of road matchups in the opening weeks of the 2022 season will be just one small detail that could help the Vikings.
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