The Toughest Games on the Vikings Schedule in 2024
The general consensus this offseason is that the Minnesota Vikings have a difficult schedule on their hands in 2024.
They will face off with a number of last year’s playoff teams and do so with a young roster that will introduce a new starting QB. With the information that we have here at the end of May, here is a look at the five toughest games on the Vikings schedule this season.
5. Week 4 at Green Bay Packers
The Packers got off to a shaky start with Jordan Love at the helm to start the 2023 season, but they surged down the stretch of the year, winning six of their final eight games en route to a 9-8 record, qualifying for the playoffs. They also dominated the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round of the playoffs before falling to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional round.
Minnesota makes their trip to Lambeau Field early on this season, smushed in the middle of a very difficult opening stretch of the year (more on that later). With T.J. Hockenson potentially sidelined, and the Vikings trying to build chemistry with a new starting QB, this could prove to be a very tough matchup.
4. Week 3 vs. Houston Texans
A week before the Vikings travel to Lambeau Field, they will take on the Houston Texans, who were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL last season. Rookie QB C.J. Stroud saw his skillset translate perfectly to the NFL level, and Houston finished the year 10-7 with an AFC South title.
This offseason, the Texans have gone all-in on adding more veteran talent. Danielle Hunter signed with the team in March, and then, Houston traded for both WR Stefon Diggs and RB Joe Mixon.
3. Week 7 vs. Detroit Lions
The Vikings have lost four of their last five games against the Detroit Lions as the rivalry that was once owned by Minnesota has completely flipped in the other direction. Minnesota has not seen this lack of success against Detroit since their franchise’s infancy, and it may not change anytime soon as the Lions went from a feel-good story in 2022 to a bonafide contender in 2023.
Luckily for Minnesota, this first matchup against their division rivals comes following a bye week, meaning they will get extra time to prepare while the Lions will be coming off a tough matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
2. Week 2 vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Vikings dominated just about every aspect of last year’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, but this time around, Minnesota won’t have Kirk Cousins dealing the rock. As of now, it looks like this could be a Sam Darnold revenge game against his former team. The 49ers won the NFC last year before narrowly falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Expectations should be equally as high for that team this year, so this will be a very difficult home opener for the Vikings.
1. Week 18 at Detroit Lions
Once again, the Vikings close their regular season with game against the Lions at Ford Field. Everything mentioned previously about this matchup applies here while adding caveats of 1) the Vikings won’t get the benefit of a bye the week earlier, and 2) it’s a home game for the bad guys.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.