S/P Pt. 1: Vikings Get Off to Humdrum Start as Offense Both Sputters and Shines

NFL: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

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. Do the Vikings get off to a good start?

Almost certainly, Sam Darnold is going to be the QB1 in Week 1. He’ll be surrounded by some top-notch skill and a coach who is praised far and wide for some schematic brilliance. On the other side of the ball is the tactician: Mr. Brian Flores. Does improved personnel and a second season as Minnesota’s DC lead to a top-10 group?

Vikings Get Off to Humdrum Start

Week 1 — at New York Giants (Noon)

Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to pass the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter of a wild card game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Put simply, Daniel Jones isn’t a great quarterback. Is Sam Darnold? Maybe not, but he does have much better support.

Saquon Barkley is no longer in town but they’ve added Malik Nabers and Andrew Thomas is a stud along the offensive line. On defense, Dexter Lawrence is a tremendous defensive tackle who seems likely to overwhelm Minnesota’s interior o-line. Finding a way to neutralize him is easier said than done but it’s the task ahead of Kevin O’Connell, Wes Phillips, and Chris Kuper.

Add it all together, though, and Minnesota is just a far more talented team. There are rough moments but also some brilliant ones for the offense, too.

Prediction: Vikings 27 — Giants 17

Week 2 — vs. San Francisco 49ers (Noon)

Dec 3, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) walks off the field after win against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Expect a decent bit of chatter about Sam Darnold’s revenge. In reality, the challenge is going to involve slowing San Francisco’s abundant skill and the mastermind — Kyle Shanahan — who gets them open with ease.

On defense, the 49ers are no joke. Nick Bosa is a handful and so, too, is Fred Warner (among others). Playing the game at home will help and Minnesota’s offense is unlikely to be fully neutralized, but it’s hard to pick against such a formidable foe.

Prediction: 49ers 33 — Vikings 24

Week 3 — vs. Houston Texans (Noon)

Nov 5, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

C.J. Stroud proved to be an excellent quarterback as a rookie. Helping him to overcome a sophomore slump is that he’s now passing the ball to Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Stefon Diggs. It’s easy to see why the Texans look like the favorite.

Defensively, Houston will toss Will Anderson onto the field alongside…Danielle Hunter. Any chance the former Viking is going to be super motivated to take over the game? Thankfully, Minnesota’s tackle tandem will be able to slow down the pair, but things could get dicey if Anderson and/or Hunter get moved inside to the guards on passing downs.

Nevertheless, I’ll roll with the upset at U.S. Bank Stadium as Flores finds a way to confuse the sophomore passer.

Prediction: Vikings 20 — Texans 17

Week 4 — at Green Bay Packers

Jan 1, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander does the Griddy after breaking up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Tork Mason-USA TODAY Sports

The matchup everyone wants to see is Jaire v. Jets. No doubt, Green Bay’s corner got the better of Minnesota’s receiver in their last bout at Lambeau. Does it happen again? Jefferson hasn’t forgotten that game and is going to be super motivated to put his best foot forward.

Meanwhile, Aaron Jones is going to be looking for a strong day against his former team while Jordan Love looks to prove he has fully arrived as a top QB1 in the NFL. Close game, but being on the road doesn’t help.

Prediction: Packers 23 — Vikings 14

Cumulative Record: 2-2

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.