Viking’s Win-Loss Prediction for 2021
Brett Peterson
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The Minnesota Vikings’ schedule officially released last night, and the Viking’s start off the season with two road games in Cincinnati and Arizona, followed by three straight home games at US Bank Stadium. This is the first 17 game schedule in NFL History, and the Viking’s bye week comes a little earlier then what Mike Zimmer had probably hoped for. Their bye week comes in week 7, but they also get a mini-bye after their Thursday night game vs Pittsburgh in week 14. Time for the predictions…..
Week 1 @ Cincinnati:
This game will be more interesting if Joe Burrow plays. His availability is in question, as he is still recovering from knee surgery. The Bengals have a weak secondary, so I think the likes of Jefferson, Thielen, and Irv Smith Jr. make the difference.
Vikings- 27 Bengals- 16
(1-0)
Week 2 @ Arizona:
Arizona is going to be tough to stop. Kyler Murray loves to use his legs, and the Vikings struggle to stop scrambling quarterbacks. The Cardinals are also loaded in the wide receiver room with Hopkins, Kirk, Green, Isabella, and rookie Rondale Moore. This is a tough matchup for the Vikings early in the season.
Cardinals- 28 Vikings- 24
(1-1)
Week 3 vs Seattle:
Fans are back at US Bank Stadium! It’s the home opener for the Vikings, and the atmosphere is going to be WILD. I like the Vikings’ chances here in this one. Mike Zimmer’s defense is going to benefit from the rowdy crowd, and the Viking’s offense is going to be able to make some big plays against a Seattle defense that struggles early in the season. But never count Russell Wilson out.
Vikings- 31 Seahawks- 23
(2-1)
Week 4 vs Cleveland:
The return of Kevin Stefanski is here. The Browns match up pretty well with this Vikings’ team. The Minnesota rush defense is really going to be tested in this one. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are the best running back duo in the entire league. If it was later on the year, I’d maybe take the Vikings, but Cleveland steals one in Minnesota.
Browns- 24 Vikings- 23
(2-2)
Week 5 vs Detroit:
Jared Goff comes to US Bank Stadium for the first time as a Lion, and it could get ugly. The Lions have a very weak wide receiving core, so Goff could struggle mightily in this one. Kirk Cousins always plays well vs Detroit and Dalvin Cook could get close to 150 yards on the ground.
Vikings- 34 Lions- 20
(3-2)
Week 6 @ Carolina:
Sam Darnold doesn’t scare me and he doesn’t scare Mike Zimmer. The Vikings defense could have a hay day in this one. I’m looking at an interception a piece for Cam Dantlzer and Xavier Woods.
Vikings- 26 Panthers- 17
Week 7- BYE
(4-2)
Week 8 vs Dallas:
Coming off the bye, the Vikings get a primetime game vs Dak Prescott and the Cowboys. Of course we will hear all the pre-game chatter about Kirk’s primetime record, but the Vikings come to play and win a non-divisional game at home.
Vikings- 31 Cowboys- 27
(5-2)
Week 9 @ Baltimore:
It’s the Vikings toughest match up yet, and Lamar Jackson is very hard to beat on his own turf. The Vikings struggle in this one, and can’t get enough stops on defense.
Ravens- 30- Vikings- 21
(5-3)
Week 10 @ Los Angeles (Chargers)
Justin Herbert is a fantastic young quarterback, but the Vikings’ offense has too many weapons for the Chargers defense. Herbert will keep them in the game, but Minnesota’s defense makes just enough plays to help pull out the victory in LA.
Vikings- 24 Chargers- 20
(6-3)
Week 11 vs Green Bay:
Of course, most of this depends on if Rodger’s is in a Packer uniform, but I like the Vikings in this one regardless of his situation. The Vikings are at home and take care of business in the division.
Vikings- 25 Packers- 23
(7-3)
Week 12 @ San Francisco:
I am not a huge fan of Jimmy G. But the rest of the 49ers’ roster is loaded with talent. I think San Fran has a little too much for the Vikings on the road. Minnesota falls in this one.
49ers- 23 Vikings- 17
(7-4)
Week 13 @ Detroit:
You know how I feel about Goff and the Lions. Ford Field is pretty much a home atmosphere for the Vikings.
Vikings- 32 Lions- 20
(8-4)
Week 14 vs Pittsburgh:
I think the Steelers are slightly overrated, but I think their defense will come to play in this Thursday night match up. The Vikings play well, but fall just short of a victory.
Steelers- 26 Vikings- 23
(8-5)
Week 15 @ Chicago:
It’s a Monday Night football showdown at Soldier Field, and the Vikings win it. Minnesota beat Chicago on their own turf last year on MNF and they do it again in 2021.
Vikings- 20 Bears- 16
(9-5)
Week 16 vs Los Angeles (Rams)
Matthew Stafford returns to Minnesota, but as a Ram. Not much changes though, because he goes home with a loss. The Vikings will do just enough in their home stadium to get the job done. Justin Jefferson shows Jalen Ramsey he’s for real.
Vikings- 30 Rams- 28
(10-5)
Week 17 @ Green Bay:
It’s a night game at frigid Lambeau Field, and the Packers squeak one out vs the Vikings. If Aaron Rodgers isn’t a Packer this season, I think the Vikings sweep Green Bay. It’s an unknown situation right now, so the teams split the season’s series.
Packers- 21 Vikings- 17
(10-6)
Week 18 vs Chicago:
At this point, the Vikings could already have a wild card spot earned, but the Vikings are playing for home field advantage in the first playoff match up and they beat Chicago to get that in this one.
Vikings- 30- Bears- 24
(11-6)