We don’t have much longer to go until the 2023 NFL schedule is released, and right now is a hotbed for schedule predictions. Today, I am going to give my personal predictions for the 2023 Minnesota Vikings schedule, as well as my predictions for those games.
Week 1 at Atlanta Falcons (Win, 1-0)
The Vikings will open the season on the road against the Falcons, and should be able to pull out a win here against a semi-rebuilding team who will likely be starting second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder. Plus, it’s 1pm Kirk Cousins.
Week 2 vs. San Francisco 49ers- Sunday Night Football (Loss, 1-1)
For the Vikings’ home opener, I went with a Sunday Night game against the San Francisco 49ers. Fielding one of the best rosters and coaches in the game, the Vikings will likely be unable to keep pace with the 49ers, whose offensive and defensive lines will likely dominate this contest. Plus, we saw how the Vikings did against elite teams last year, and it wasn’t great.
Week 3 at Detroit Lions- 4:25 p.m. (Loss, 1-2)
The favorites to win the NFC North this season, the improved Lions will present a formidable challenge for the Vikings after their 6-2 record to end last season. Like the contest against San Francisco, I don’t think the Vikings will be able to keep pace with the Lions in this late-afternoon contest.
Week 4 at Carolina Panthers (Win, 2-2)
In the Adam Thielen Bowl, the Vikings should be able to snatch a win against a rebuilding Panthers team whose starting quarterback as of now is unknown. While first overall pick Bryce Young should be able to get the Week 1 starting nod, new Panthers head coach Frank Reich recently stated that veteran Andy Dalton will be the team’s starter for now.
Week 5 vs. Los Angeles Chargers- 4:25 p.m. (Loss, 2-3)
Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense, now being coached by Kellen Moore, will likely have a field day against a rebuilding Vikings defense in this late-afternoon contest.
Week 6 at Chicago Bears (Win, 3-3)
Speaking of the Bears, the Vikings swept them last year, and I think their win streak against them will continue as this Bears squad is still young, but not quite ready to make noise yet. Plus, the Vikings will be desperate for a win here after a slow start to the season.
Week 7 vs. New Orleans Saints- Thursday Night Football (Win, 4-3)
Though the Vikings barely scraped by the Saints last year in London, I still expect them to get a home win here. The Saints were below average last year, and Derek Carr likely won’t improve their fortunes here. Expect the Brian Flores-led defense to have a productive game against the Carr-led offense.
Week 8 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Win, 5-3)
Now without Tom Brady, the Buccaneers will likely go back to what they have been for most of their franchise history: mediocre. Going up against what is projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFC, expect a Vikings win here.
Week 9 at Green Bay Packers- Sunday Night Football (Loss, 5-4)
I don’t know how good Jordan Love will be, but the Packers have had success against the Vikings in Lambeau Field during the Matt LaFleur era and that’s why I think the Vikings lose this game. Another day, another primetime loss for Kirk Cousins.
Week 10 BYE
With US Bank Stadium hosting a Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks concert, the Vikings will either be on the road this week or take their bye. In this schedule mock, I am predicting the latter.
Week 11 vs. Detroit Lions (Win, 6-4)
Though the Lions will be an improved team from last year, I still expect them to split the season series with the Vikings. The Lions have not won in Minnesota since 2017, and that will continue here.
Week 12 at Las Vegas Raiders (Win, 7-4)
Jimmy Garoppolo is not an upgrade at quarterback from Derek Carr, despite what the media may say. Though he knows the Josh McDaniels system, I expect Jimmy G to struggle during his first year in Las Vegas. Expect a Vikings win here against a rebuilding Raiders team.
Week 13 vs. Kansas City Chiefs- Sunday Night Football (Win, 8-4)
I think the Vikings will get an upset win against the defending champions as they continue a late-season playoff push. This will be the Chiefs’ first ever game at US Bank Stadium, which means that every NFL team will have played at the venue since it opened in 2016.
Week 14 at Philadelphia Eagles- 4:25 p.m. (Loss, 8-5)
The Vikings will be no match for the defending NFC champions, whose defense will harass Kirk Cousins all day just like in last year’s game.
At least the game isn’t on Monday Night again.
Week 15 vs. Chicago Bears (Loss, 8-6)
For every upset win, there’s an upset loss, and I think the Bears, who will be better following the Week 6 meeting, will upset the Vikings here as they make a late-season playoff push of their own.
Week 16 at Cincinnati Bengals- Monday Night Football on Christmas Day (Loss, 8-7)
Justin Jefferson once again goes up against his former college buddies Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, who will power the Bengals offense to a productive Christmas Day win. Fun fact: Vikings vs. Bengals was the first ever Christmas regular-season game in 1989, with the game being played at the old Metrodome.
Week 17 at Denver Broncos (Win, 9-7)
Looking to snap a three-game win streak, a desperate Vikings team making a push at the NFC North crown will go into Denver and snag a win against what should be a somewhat improved team, depending on Russell Wilson’s 2023 performance.
Week 18 vs. Green Bay Packers (Win, 10-7)
Looking to clinch a second consecutive playoff berth, the Vikings will take care of business against their most hated rival and punch their ticket to the playoffs.
While the Vikings won’t win 13 games again in 2023, the schedule is somewhat of a mixed bag. While the AFC games will be hard, their NFC games (with the exceptions of the 49ers, Eagles, and Lions games) are easier, which could be the key to the Vikings clinching another playoff berth and possibly competing for the NFC North crown once again.
