The Vikings 2022 Strength of Schedule, in a Graphic
Remember last year when the Minnesota Vikings 2021 schedule seemed incredibly daunting?
It turned out to be accurate as the team floundered on defense and finished 8-9, causing the terminations of head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman.
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This year, however, the docket of opponents — at least per spring forecasts — is nowhere near as spooky. Of course, injuries will occur, and teams will suddenly look better or worse than their 2022 projection once the regular season starts. But, on the whole, based on 2021 wins and losses, Minnesota will have a more leisurely trek in Kevin O’Connell’s first voyage as head coach.
CBS Sports posted a graphic to Twitter on Tuesday, illuminating each team’s strength of schedule per opponents’ 2021 performance. The Vikings, for now, have the NFL’s 13th-easiest schedule.
And there’s a perk, too — well, a couple of them. This season is a nine-home-game campaign for all NFC teams. Beginning last year, the NFL added an additional game to the schedule, and the AFC and NFC will alternate years on conferences receiving an extra home game.
Plus, Minnesota has one game in London, scheduled for Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints. Ordinarily, that “should” have been a road excursion for the Vikings at Caesars Superdome. Instead, the Vikings take on the Saints on neutral ground. Some theories even suggest the Vikings have a broader fan base across the pond than the Saints.
If you’re keeping score at home, that’s nine home games, seven road games, and a neutral-site tryst. On top of that, the actual slate of opponents isn’t murderers’ row as it felt like last season.
Here’s the full list of opponents.
Home Games
- Arizona Cardinals
- Chicago Bears
- Dallas Cowboys
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- Indianapolis Colts
- New England Patriots
- New York Giants
- New York Jets
Away Games
- Buffalo Bills
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- Miami Dolphins
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
London
- New Orleans Saints
Moreover, the Vikings will play the Eagles in Week 2 at Philadelphia — a Monday night contest.
The full schedule will be announced by the NFL on Thursday night.
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 Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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