Predicting The Minnesota Vikings 2024 Record
The NFL schedule is here, and it's time for the speculation and record predictions to begin. The Minnesota Vikings have the 18th most difficult strength of schedule in 2024, but a lot has changed since last season, most notably their starting quarterback.
So, what will the Vikings' record be in 2024? Here's a game-by-game prediction of how the year could play out.
Week One: At New York Giants
Both of these teams have undergone a lot of change this offseason. The Giants lost their best player in running back Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles, while Minnesota moved on from long-time starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. I don't expect J.J. McCarthy to start Week One. Sam Darnold will do an OK job behind center until it's time for the rookie to take over. With a more talented roster, Minnesota will leave the Big Apple with a victory.
Score: 17-10 Vikings
Vikings Record: 1-0
Week Two: Vs. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are arguably the most talented team in the NFL entering the 2024 season. They'll be coming off a tough Week One game against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets, but Kyle Shanahan will have his guys ready to take on their former backup QB. Minnesota drops their first home game of the year.
Score: 28-13 49ers
Vikings Record: 1-1
Week Three: Vs. Houston Texans
Following the 2024 NFL Draft, there were some comparisons between the Texans and Vikings. The year before, Houston drafted Stroud with their first pick and then traded up for Will Anderson to build their defense. Earlier this year, Minnesota selected J.J. McCarthy and later traded up for Dallas Turner.
Minnesota would love for McCarthy to progress as quickly as Stroud did in his first NFL season. However, Sam Darnold is still the starter in Week Three, and the Texans escape U.S. Bank Stadium with a win.
Score: 35-21 Texans
Vikings Record: 1-2
Week Four: At Green Bay Packers
The Packers can be good this season if Jordan Love can continue to play at the level he did at the end of last year. If there's a positive for the Vikings, it's the fact they get to play at Lambeau Field early in the season, as opposed to later when the weather becomes a factor. Although the Vikings will make it an exciting game, the Packers find a way to win late.
Score: 28-24 Packers
Vikings Record: 1-3
Week Five: Vs. New York Jets (London)
I was looking forward to Aaron Rodgers' return to U.S. Bank Stadium, but that won't be the case as the Jets and Vikings will battle overseas in Week Five. While the Vikings will be familiar with Rodgers, the same is true of the Jets and Sam Darnold, whom the team drafted third overall in the 2018 draft. The Jets' defense will make this a long day for Darnold and the Vikings' offense, and they will leave London with a 'W.'
Score: 21-10 Jets
Vikings Record: 1-4
Week Six: BYE Week
The last time the Vikings played in London, they opted not to take their BYE Week upon their return. This season, they're going with a different strategy. I don't hate taking this BYE week after the Europe trip, but I would've liked to have seen it a bit later in the season. Having a BYE later in the year could have opened the door for J.J. McCarthy's first start. However, that doesn't seem likely with the BYE in week six, especially when you consider their next opponent.
Week Seven: At Detroit Lions
The Lions will continue to build on their success in 2023. The squad gave contract extensions to three of its biggest stars: quarterback Jared Goff (four years, $212 million), wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (four years, $120 million), and right tackle Penei Sewell (four years, $112 million). Detroit is the best team in the NFC North, and they'll roll in their first meeting with the Vikings.
Score: 38-21 Lions
Vikings Record: 1-5
Week Eight: At Los Angeles Rams (TNF)
The Rams exceeded expectations in 2023. They should be able to continue growing and developing young talent to surround veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. This will be a big task for the Vikings. It's a short week against one of the best coaches in the NFL, and that's too much to overcome.
Score: 28-24 Rams
Vikings Record: 1-6
Week Nine: Vs. Indianapolis Colts
If the Minnesota Vikings are 1-6 come Week Nine, I could see the coaching staff switching to J.J. McCarthy as the starting quarterback. He's got some extra prep time coming off Thursday Night Football. He'll be playing at home, and the Colts could make for an interesting first opponent. I believe the Vikings will get a victory in the rookie QB's first outing, their first win since opening week.
Score: 24-21 Vikings
Vikings Record: 2-6
Week Ten: At Jacksonville Jaguars
Minnesota won the last game between these two teams in 2020, and the Jaguars have only won one of the seven all-time meetings. This could be McCarthy's first road game as a pro, but unlike his first start, things don't go so well. Josh Allen and the Jags defense make this a miserable afternoon for the 21-year-old QB.
Score: 31-24 Jaguars
Vikings Record: 2-7
Week 11: At Tennessee Titans
There's been a lot of change for the Tennessee Titans. Will Levis is the expected starting quarterback. Brian Callahan was hired as the new head coach in January, and running back Derrick Henry is now with the Baltimore Ravens. I don't expect the Titans to be good in 2024, and the Vikings win this one, thanks to their more talented roster.
Score: 21-17 Vikings
Vikings Record: 3-7
Week 12: At Chicago Bears
The Week 12 matchup between the Vikings and Bears could be a sneak peek into the next decade of NFC North quarterback talent. Chicago has done a fabulous job finding talent to surround rookie QB Caleb Williams. Bears fans will be excited for this new era, and the crowd noise will make life difficult for the Vikings offense.
Score: 23-17 Bears
Vikings Record: 3-8
Week 13: Vs. Arizona Cardinals
I'm unsure what to make of the Arizona Cardinals heading into this season. If Kyler Murray can stay healthy, I'd say they'll have a chance to be competitive against any team in the NFL. If rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is as good as advertised, this game should be an absolute thriller. I have the Vikings winning by a field goal.
Score: 31-28 Vikings
Vikings Record: 4-8
Week 14: Vs. Atlanta Falcons
Every football fan should have this game circled on their calendar as Kirk Cousins makes his return to Minnesota. Despite the drama around the Falcons drafting Penix, I think the Falcons will be very successful in 2024. I also believe Kevin O'Connell will have his team pumped up to take on their former QB, and Brian Flores will have the defensive front in Kirk's face all day long. The Vikings pull off an upset for their second straight victory.
Score: 28-21 Vikings
Vikings Record: 5-8
Week 15: Vs. Chicago Bears (MNF)
Chicago went into U.S. Bank Stadium and beat the Vikings on Monday Night Football last year. The Vikings get some revenge for that during their prime-time meeting in Week 15 of 2024. I believe J.J. McCarthy will have a strong outing in prime time as Minnesota wins their third game in a row.
Score: 21-17 Vikings
Vikings Record: 6-8
Week 16: At Seattle Seahawks
It's always challenging to play in Seattle, especially later in the year. Minnesota won the most recent game against the Seahawks, but Seattle had won the previous seven matchups before that. The Vikings have failed to win in Seattle since 2006. That streak continues as McCarthy struggles in a harsh environment.
Score: 28-10 Seahawks
Vikings Record: 6-9
Week 17: Vs. Green Bay Packers
The Packers won the first game between these two divisional rivals in Week Four, and they'll win this one, too. Green Bay should be in the mix for a playoff spot late in the season, while the Vikings, at 6-9, aren't.
Score: 30-21 Packers
Vikings Record: 6-10
Week 18: At Detroit Lions
The Lions will have the NFC North and third seed in the NFC secured by Week 18. Therefore, don't expect this game to carry much weight. Dan Campbell won't play his starters, and the Vikings get a somewhat meaningless victory over the back-to-back Division Champs. Minnesota finishes with a 7-10 record, but there's lots of optimism for the future.
Score: 21-10 Vikings
Vikings Record: 7-10
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