S/P Pt. 4: Vikings Enter Season’s Final Stretch with a Shot to Control Own Destiny
On September 8th, the Vikings will venture over to New York to take on the Giants. The starter’s pistol will sound and the 2024 season will be underway. Can the Vikings enter the final stretch of the season in control of their own playoff destiny?
Going into the final five games, Minnesota is sitting at a pretty strong 7-5 record (Part 1, Part 2, & Part 3). Being able to push the win total to 9 or — dare we say it — 10 would be impressive, all things considered. Expectations are low right now, so getting into the playoffs behind double-digit wins would certainly qualify as a surprise, at least given how things look in early/mid August.
Vikings Enter Final Five Games in Control of Playoff Destiny
Week 14 — Atlanta Falcons (Noon)
Criminal that the game is at noon. Thankfully, it will be taking place at U.S. Bank Stadium. Expect both boos and cheers for Captain Kirk, who is now the QB1 with the Falcons.
The thinking far and wide is that Kirk Cousins is going to unlock some impressive skill in Atlanta. Sometimes, what gets lost in that conversation is how impressive the Falcons’ OL is. Chris Lindstrom is a monster, the top-rated guard on PFF. But then the presence of Jake Matthews, Kaleb McGary, and others make it even more impressive. The game will be hard fought but Cousins will get some revenge.
Prediction: Falcons 28 — Vikings 24
Week 15 — Chicago Bears (MNF)
Life is easier outside of Soldier Field. Will life be easy against the Chicago Bears and their star-studded offense?
Minnesota is going to need this game. It’s anyone’s guess who will be the QB1 at this stage, but the likeliest option probably still is Sam Darnold. Were Cousins still in town, the conversation would be around performing in prime time. Darnold’s Vikings only have a pair of prime time contests — a TNF and MNF tilt — so there won’t be too many opportunities for Minnesota to slay the pressure-packed dragon of prime time football. Look for the Vikings to get it done behind a strong day on the ground, thereby rendering the QB question somewhat moot.
Prediction: Vikings 23 — Bears 17
Week 16 — at Seattle Seahawks (3:05 p.m. CST)
In a lot of ways, Geno Smith is the QB Sam Darnold is seeking to emulate. Both drafted by the Jets, Smith and Darnold possess many similarities, including a late-career opportunity to soak up wisdom as a backup.
Smith is tossing the football to D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, a formidable pair. Kenneth Walker III is no joke at RB and their secondary boasts Tariq Woolen alongside Devon Witherspoon. The Seahawks, in short, have a lot going for themselves. On this late afternoon on the road, Minnesota overcomes that talent to snag an unlikely victory.
Prediction: Vikings 30 — Seahawks 24
Week 17 — Green Bay Packers (Noon)
Matt LaFleur has proven to be a good coach. Can he help shepherd his team to another playoff spot in a tough NFC North? Will Jordan Love keep the good times rolling?
The Vikings will be looking to get win #10 against a dreaded foe. By this point in the season, the pair of teams will have undergone no shortage of change and turmoil, adversity and success. Projecting things this far in advance, in other words, is a fool’s errand. Tipping the scales in Minnesota’s favor is going to be a motivated Mr. Jones and a home crowd that’s looking to push their side toward the win.
Prediction: Vikings 21 — Packers 20
Week 18 — at Detroit Lions (Time TBD)
Much to the chagrin of Brian Flores and Aaron Glenn, defense will be in short supply in Week 18. Both teams will be trading haymakers as they look to make a statement ahead of the NFC playoffs.
Jared Goff has proven to be an adept QB within Ben Johnson’s scheme for the Lions. In Minnesota, there is much that needs to be proven at QB, but at least Kevin O’Connell showed that backup QBs could pile up yards and points last season. Add it all together and I’m looking at a shoot out in Detroit.
Prediction: Lions 38 — Vikings 31
Cumulative Record: 10-7, an NFC Wild Card team.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF helped with this piece.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.
