Vikings 2022 Win-Loss Predictions from Nate Powalie

At long last, the 2022 season is upon us, and it’s time to present predictions for which games the Vikings will win and lose. The 2021 season for the Purple and Gold gave an 8-9 finish and a near-miss of the playoffs. Overall, 8-9 put the Vikings 2nd in the NFC North behind the Green Bay Packers.

A familiar foe will open and close the 2022 schedule for the Vikes, but let’s see which direction their 62nd campaign will take them.

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Week 1: Sunday, September 11 vs Green Bay Packers (U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, 4:25 PM EDT/3:25 PM CDT) – USA Today’s predictions can be found here. Likewise, our boss, Dustin Baker, presents his thoughts here. My guess: Vikings 26, Packers 21

Explanation – I see this being a close game, but Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson will have breakout performances, while the defense will wreak havoc on a banged-up Green Bay O-line.

Week 2: Monday, September 19 @ Philadelphia Eagles (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 8:30 PM EDT/7:30 PM CDT) – Eagles 31, Vikings 20

Jalen Hurts is bound for a big year. Unfortunately, he shines at the expense of Minnesota in a rematch of the 2018 NFC Championship.

Week 3: Sunday, September 25 vs Detroit Lions (U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, 1 PM EDT/Noon CDT) Vikings 27 – Lions 6

The Lions are still a young team, and this should be a relatively easy win at home.

Week 4: Sunday, October 2 @ New Orleans Saints (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England, 9:30 AM EDT/8:30 CDT) Saints 17, Vikings 13

I have this as a defensive battle, with the Saints staking their claim in the International Series.

Week 5: Sunday, October 9 vs Chicago Bears (U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, 1 PM EDT/Noon CDT) Vikings 31 – Bears 10

Another big game from Jefferson and Cook, while Justin Fields struggles.

Week 6: Sunday, October 16 @ Miami Dolphins (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, 1 PM EDT/Noon CDT) Dolphins 24 – Vikings 22

Tua and Tyreek are too dynamic of a duo for the Vikes’ D to overcome, thus heading into the bye week on a sour note.

Week 7: BYE

Week 8: Sunday, October 30 vs Arizona Cardinals (U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, 1 PM EDT/Noon CDT) Vikings 26, Cardinals 16

Kyler Murray will be shut down thanks to a stiff Vikings defense, and Kirk Cousins will assert himself against a weak secondary by the birds.

Week 9: Sunday, November 6 @ Washington Commanders (FedexField, Landover, Maryland, 1 PM EST/Noon CST) Vikings 24, Commanders 14

Carson Wentz has not proven to be a solid quarterback, and he won’t help his case against the Vikes.

Week 10: Sunday, November 13 @ Buffalo Bills (Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York, 1 PM EST/Noon CST) Bills 41, Vikings 23

Josh Allen is a star QB, and he will dance all over this purple and gold unit, and a revenge game for Stefon Diggs is incoming.

Week 11: Sunday, November 20 vs Dallas Cowboys (U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, 4:25 PM EST/3:25 PM CST) Vikings 20, Cowboys 17

This will be one of those games that go either way, but I think it’ll belong to Minnesota.

Week 12: Thanksgiving Day vs New England Patriots (U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, 8:20 PM EST/7:20 PM CST) Patriots 22, Vikings 10

Bill Belichick proves his mastery here. Also, Mac Jones leads the Pats to a Thursday night win.

Week 13: Sunday, December 4 vs New York Jets (U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, 1 PM EST/Noon CST) Vikings 34, Jets 6

This is a game where the Vikes prove unstoppable. Zach Wilson and the Jets will have no chance.

Week 14: Sunday, December 11 @ Detroit Lions (Ford Field, Detroit, 1 PM EST/Noon CST) Vikings 32, Lions 17

Let Cook rumble! Dalvin has a big game against a depleted Lions D. As a result, it’s a sweep against the Motor City Kitties.

Week 15: Sunday, December 18 vs Indianapolis Colts (U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, 1 PM EST/Noon CST) Colts 29, Vikings 24

Matt Ryan is the new sheriff in Indianapolis. And with Johnathan Taylor in tow, I think he can lead the Colts to success, much to the Vikings’ chagrin.

Week 16: Christmas Eve vs New York Giants (U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, 1 PM EST/Noon CST) Vikings 30, Giants 21

The Vikings are in the spirit of cheer, and no coal will be found in their fans’ stockings. Thus, a sweep of both New Jersey teams is accomplished.

Penultimate Week: Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, @ Green Bay Packers (Lambeau Field, Green Bay, 4:25 PM EST/3:25 PM CST) Packers 26, Vikings 13

I think the Pack will avenge a split here. And it’s the end of the season, so Green Bay fans can’t imagine a sweep.

Final Game: Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, @ Chicago Bears (Soldier Field, Chicago, 1 PM EST/Noon CST) Vikings 27 and Bears 13

It should be a sweep of the Bears here, and Dalvin Cook will take advantage of the cold weather.

Thus, my final prediction for the Vikings’ 2022 schedule is a 10-7 win-loss record. And I think that will get them into the playoffs as a Wild Card team. However, only time will tell.

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