The official 2023 Minnesota Vikings schedule leaked earlier this morning ahead of the official schedule release time. Here are my official thoughts and reactions to the schedule.
Week 1 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I didn’t expect the Vikings to open the season at home, but we will be the first team to get a crack at the post-Tom Brady Buccaneers. Good choice.
Week 2 at Philadelphia Eagles (Thursday Night Football)
Another game against the Eagles in primetime? Great. At least it’s not Monday Night Football again.
Week 3 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Vikings will host the Chargers in this early afternoon showdown that will showcase the two best rookies, Justin Jefferson and Justin Herbert, from 2020.
Week 4 at Carolina Panthers
One of two games I predicted correctly, the Vikings will indeed travel to Carolina to face hometown hero Adam Thielen in Week 4.
Week 5 vs. Kansas City Chiefs- 4:25 pm
Surprisingly, this game isn’t on prime time, but a 4:25 game instead. However, given Kirk Cousins’ track record during primetime, it shouldn’t be a surprise that this matchup got scheduled for this slot.
Week 6 at Chicago Bears
The second game I correctly predicted, the Vikings will travel to Chicago to take on a young, up and coming Bears team.
Week 7 vs. San Francisco 49ers (Monday Night Football)
This is one of two Monday Night Football games on the Vikings’ schedule, and a game I expected to get a primetime slot. This will likely be the hardest NFC game on the schedule.
Week 8 at Green Bay Packers
The author of this article will be celebrating his 20th birthday with a classic Border Battle matchup.
Week 9 at Atlanta Falcons
This should be a fun game. Let’s see who the Falcons quarterback is, though it will likely be second-year man Desmond Ridder.
Week 10 vs. New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr and the Saints will travel to Minneapolis for an early November showdown.
Week 11 at Denver Broncos (Sunday Night Football)
New Broncos head coach Sean Payton’s rivalry with the Vikings is renewed on this edition of Sunday Night Football. If the Broncos and Vikings are both good, this could be a fun game.
Week 12 vs. Chicago Bears (Monday Night Football)
Kirk Cousins is 2-11 on Monday Night Football, with both of the wins coming against the Bears. Can he extend his Monday Night record against them to 3-0?
Week 13 BYE
Instead of a fourth straight Week 7 bye for the Vikings, the off week will come during the first week of December.
Week 14 at Las Vegas Raiders
The Vikings’ first trip to Las Vegas will come during this Week 14 showdown. Will Jimmy Garoppolo be the starter for this game?
Week 15 at Cincinnati Bengals- date/time TBD
Justin Jefferson meets his old college buddies in Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase for this Week 15 game, which will likely be an option for a Saturday game.
Week 16 vs. Detroit Lions
How good will this Christmas Eve showdown be? We will know when the time comes. This could have NFC North title implications.
Week 17 vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday Night Football)
Though the prediction of the team’s home finale against the Packers was correct, it’s in Week 17 and a Sunday Night Football game. This will be Jordan Love’s first start at US Bank Stadium.
Week 18 at Detroit Lions
Similar to Week 16, this game could have playoff implications for both teams. Not a bad choice for the season finale.
