The Minnesota Vikings finished 7-10 in 2023, missing out on the postseason while grabbing a spot in the NFC North behind the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers and a third-place schedule in 2024.
Minnesota once owned a fancy 6-4 record in November but finished 1-6 and squandered an 80% probability of reaching the postseason.
These Are the Vikings’ Opponents in 2024
With the offseason in clear view, so are the Vikings’ 2024 opponents. The season will be pivotal for the Vikings — Year No. 3 of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell’s reign — and at first glance, the schedule appears a little easier in 2024 than in 2023.
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) reacts with Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
For starters, the Vikings will have nine home games in 2024, as the NFL switches from a nine-game versus eight-game home format every year. In 2023, AFC teams received nine home games. Next year, the Vikings and 15 other NFC clubs will be afforded the nine.
So, for sure, these are the Vikings’ home opponents in 2024:
Arizona Cardinals
Atlanta Falcons
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
New York Jets
San Francisco 49ers
Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) and defensive end Dean Lowry (94), and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (40) as guard Luke Goedeke (67) attempts to block during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
Then, with the third place inside the NFC North, Minnesota will play these teams on the road next season:
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Jacksonville Jaguars
Los Angeles Rams
New York Giants
Seattle Seahawks
Tennessee Titans
Had the Vikings finished in last place inside the division — they needed the Bears to beat the Packers on Sunday for that — the three “other” opponents would’ve been the Commanders, Patriots, and Panthers. But no cigar.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) does a Lambeau Leap with Vikings fans Craig Lindsay, Nick Johnson and Chris Gangl against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Vikings won the game, 24-10. © Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK.
So, here’s the full schedule (that won’t be in order until May):
vs. Arizona Cardinals
vs. New York Jets
vs. Chicago Bears
vs. Detroit Lions
vs. Green Bay Packers
vs. Houston Texans
vs. Indianapolis Colts
vs. San Francisco 49ers
vs. Atlanta Falcons
at Chicago Bears
at Detroit Lions
at New York Giants
at Green Bay Packers
at Jacksonville Jaguars
at Los Angeles Rams
at Seattle Seahawks
at Tennessee Titans
Nov 19, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) reacts in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
And that translates tentatively to these quarterbacks:
Kyler Murray
Aaron Rodgers
Justin Fields or Caleb Williams (twice)
Jared Goff (twice)
Jordan Love (twice)
C.J. Stroud
Anthony Richardson
Brock Purdy
Falcons New QB
Daniel Jones
Trevor Lawrence
Matthew Stafford
Geno Smith
Will Levis
The Vikings will use their own offseason to determine the identity of QB1. Incumbent passer Kirk Cousins is scheduled to hit the open market via free agency in two months, but Minnesota could prevent that by extending his deal by a year or two. Otherwise, the Vikings own the 11th pick in April’s draft, a sweet spot to stand pat and choose a quarterback or trade up the board.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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