Vikings game-by-game predictions after 2024 NFL schedule release

The Minnesota Vikings are going through a season of change in 2024. Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter left the organization through free agency, and they were two of the team’s leaders and best players.

The team has made multiple changes in the offseason, and perhaps the most important was the drafting of quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the first round. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said that he does not want to force feed McCarthy into the starting lineup, but the former Michigan quarterback is highly competitive and he is not going to merely accept sitting on the bench.

He will do his best to compete with veteran Sam Darnold to win the job this summer and possibly open the season as the team’s starting quarterback.

The Vikings are hoping for the continued improvement of the defense this season. While Hunter is now playing for the Houston Texans, the Vikings drafted pass rusher Dallas Turner with their second first-round pick and added free agents Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman to upgrade defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ unit.

Here’s a look at how the season could play out:

Week 1 at New York Giants

The Vikings face a very tough start to the schedule, and that makes this opener a crucial game. Fans remember that the last meeting between these two teams saw the Giants come into U.S. Bank Stadium and beat the Vikings in the Wild Card game at the conclusion of the 2022 season. Mediocre Giants quarterback Daniel Jones torched the Vikings secondary in that game, and it will be up to the Vikings defense to make sure that doesn’t happen again. If they can beat the Giants, the Vikings have a chance to surprise some opponents. If not, a brutal start is likely. WIN

Week 2 vs. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers still represent the elite of the NFC, and they will have some extra motivation since the Vikings actually beat them 22-17 in a Monday night game last year. Whether McCarthy or Darnold is under center, it maybe too much to ask O’Connell to keep his team close here. LOSS

Week 3 vs. Houston Texans

The Texans were one of the bright stories of the league last year as rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud was brilliant as a first-year quarterback. The Texans are the favorites to win the AFC South again, but it is not always so easy the second time around. The Vikings welcome back Hunter, and it will be up to the offensive line to contain him.  WIN

Week 4 at Green Bay Packers

The Vikings and the Packers split the season series a year ago, and the Vikings were successful at Lambeau while the Packers returned the favor later in the season at U.S. Bank Stadium. Jordan Love appeared to grow into the position of QB1 as the 2023 season progressed, and he appears to be a legitimate successor to Aaron Rodgers. LOSS

Week 5 vs. New York Jets (in London)

The Vikings go across the pond once again and they are one of the most popular NFL teams in England. Perhaps that will give them a “homefield” edge over Rodgers and the Jets. If the Vikings defense can attack Rodgers early and running back Aaron Jones can steady the offense, it should be a successful trip for Minnesota. WIN

Week 6 – BYE

Week 7 vs. Detroit Lions

The Lions are coming off a brilliant 2023 season in which they won the NFC North and made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game after winning two playoff games. Head coach Dan Campbell has a strong offensive team, but the defense may be vulnerable. They may think that the Vikings are an opponent they can beat with ease. That would be a mistake. WIN

Week 8 at Los Angeles Rams

This game will be a major test for O’Connell, his coaches and the players since it comes just four days after meeting the Lions. O’Connell clearly has great respect for the Rams and head coach Sean McVay since he came from that team before he was hired by the Vikings. It will be tough to compete for 60 minutes. LOSS

Week 9 vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Vikings are not going to be favored very often, but this could be one of the few games that the oddsmakers might expect them to win. Whether McCarthy is the team’s QB1 at the start of the season or not, he should have the job by this point in the year. Look for the Vikings to play a solid game against an opponent that may struggle in 2024. WIN

Week 10 at Jacksonville Jaguars

Much was expected of the Jaguars in 2023, but they were one of the league’s biggest disappointments. As long as quarterback Trevor Lawrence can stay healthy this season, look for this team to register a huge bounce back. The Vikings will not be helped by the heat of Jacksonville at this point in the year. LOSS

Week 11 at Tennessee Titans

This game will represent a chance for a road victory. The Titans will see that their division rival Jaguars were able to beat the Vikings the week before and they may think that this should be an easy game. Look for a big effort from Jones and the running game along with the Vikings defense. WIN

Week 12 at Chicago Bears

There is little doubt that the Bears were the NFL’s lead story in the offseason as they had the No. 1 pick in the draft and selected their franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams. While there is a great deal of pressure on Williams and his new offensive teammates — wideouts Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze — this should be a much-improved team. The Vikings come up short at Soldier Field. LOSS

Week 13 vs. Arizona Cardinals

This game represents the start of a key area on the schedule when the Vikings have several winnable games. The Cardinals have struggled in recent seasons, but quarterback Kyler Murray is difficult to contain. It won’t be easy, but the Vikings will be well-prepared and come away with the home victory. WIN

Week 14 vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Vikings welcome back old friend Kirk Cousins, and their fans are sure to give him a warm ovation. Cousins may hit a few big plays, but this will be a very important game for a number of reasons. They want to show the NFL that they made the right decision in moving on from Cousins and starting a new era with McCarthy under center. WIN

Week 15 vs. Chicago Bears

After a predicted loss to the Bears at Soldier Field, the Vikings will be hungry for revenge and they may be in the midst of a winning streak. Look for McCarthy to have his best game as he knows the comparison with Williams is coming. WIN

Week 16 at Seattle Seahawks

There is a chance that the Vikings could come into this game with a three-game winning streak and a boatload of confidence. However, they may not have the depth or ability to go to one of the toughest venues in the NFL and pull out a victory. LOSS

Week 17 vs. Green Bay Packers

If the Vikings are going to have any hope of putting together a season that allows them to make the postseason and shut their critics up, they will have to beat their archrivals. They are going to need a mature game from their rookie quarterback and they are going to have to contain Love, something they could not do when the Packers visited U.S. Bank Stadium a year ago. WIN

Week 18 at Detroit Lions

As long as the Lions are healthy and need this game for the division title or playoff positioning, the Vikings will see the home team’s best effort. Detroit may be looking for revenge after taking the Vikings lightly earlier in the year. It will be tough for the Vikings to keep this one close. LOSS

Final Record: 10-7