One Vikings Game Labeled “Must-See” in 2024
The third week of May was dominated by the schedule release in NFL-speak, as the Minnesota Vikings learned the when of all previously determined 17 opponents on Wednesday night.
One Vikings Game Labeled “Must-See” in 2024
The purple team starts the season on the road for the third time in the last 10 years, at Brian Daboll’s New York Giants, the first time Minnesota has seen that foe since a regrettable playoff loss in 2022.
And according to CBS Sports, Minnesota has one “must-see” game in 2024 — a grudge match versus Kirk Cousins’ Atlanta Falcons in December. For starters, here’s the Vikings’ full schedule:
- Week 1 — at New York Giants
- Week 2 — vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Week 3 — vs. Houston Texans
- Week 4 — at Green Bay Packers
- Week 5 — vs. New York Jets (London)
- Week 6 — Bye
- Week 7 — vs. Detroit Lions
- Week 8 — at Los Angeles Rams (TNF)
- Week 9 — vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Week 10 — at Jacksonville Jaguars
- Week 11 — at Tennessee Titans
- Week 12 — at Chicago Bears
- Week 13 — vs. Arizona Cardinals
- Week 14 — vs. Atlanta Falcons
- Week 15 — vs. Chicago Bears (MNF)
- Week 16 — at Seattle Seahawks
- Week 17 — vs. Green Bay Packers
- Week 18 — at Detroit Lions
Week 14 at U.S. Bank Stadium is the where and when of Cousins versus Vikings, and per CBS Sports, that showdown will be one of the NFL’s 10 best this season.
CBS Sports‘ Cody Benjamin wrote Friday about December 8th matchup, “Kirk Cousins left Minnesota for Atlanta, only to find himself in an unexpected, albeit mild, quarterback controversy, with the Falcons quickly spending a top-10 pick on Michael Penix Jr. Presuming Cousins is still under center in Week 14, he’ll be returning to his old stomping grounds, where the Vikings may or may not have rookie J.J. McCarthy guiding their own playoff aspirations.”
Vikings-Falcons ranked 10th on Benjamin’s list, but at least Minnesota had some representation. On the whole, Minnesota does not have an easy schedule this year, considered one of the NFL’s most challenging, according to Sharp Football Analysis.
The storylines for Minnesota + Atlanta will be plentiful, though. Atlanta allegedly tampered to acquire Cousins in March, and the NFL is investigating the tomfoolery. Meanwhile, Cousins has never played as the opponent in U.S. Bank Stadium. If he stays healthy and Penix Jr. doesn’t pilfer his job, all eyes will turn to Cousins against the team he led for six seasons.
Atlanta is also expected to reach the postseason inside a weak NFC South division, so there’s a possible element of spoiler for Minnesota. The Vikings, on the other hand, are only expected to win six or seven games.
Cousins has faced Minnesota twice in his career. His Washington Commanders split wins in the meetings during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.