Vikings Schedule Sets Up Epic Finish

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

With the Minnesota Vikings schedule now fully unveiled for the 2024 NFL regular season, we have a clear view of the opponents and where they fall on the schedule. With the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions being the last two games on the schedule, an NFC North showdown could commence.

Vikings Schedule Sets Up Epic Finish

The Minnesota Vikings could be in for a rebuilding year after selecting J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in April’s draft. Sam Darnold is expected to come out of the gate as the starter, but the quality of his play is anything but a guarantee. There’s an avenue for it to work, but thinking he’s a sure bet to lead a division champion would seem lofty.

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports | Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports.

Suppose Kevin O’Connell’s squad can take steps forward on defense and find a way to put their quarterbacks in position for success. In that case, they may follow a similar narrative as the 2023 Houston Texans and come out as a surprising story.

In the event that the Vikings do put together a strong season, then the final two weeks of their regular season will bring all of the fireworks. Detroit should be the favorite to win the division, and they certainly haven’t done anything in the offseason to get any worse. Having an opportunity to get a win against them in Week 18 with the title on the line would be pretty special.

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Lions fans react to a touchdown scored by 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey during the second half of the Lions’ 34-31 loss in the NFC championship game in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Of course, the rivalry with the Green Bay Packers is well documented, and finishing the home slate with a big victory like that would be nothing short of impressive. Jordan Love took serious steps forward last season as he looked to emerge from Aaron Rodgers’ shadow. Matt LaFleur’s team is a force to be reckoned with, and there are never any cakewalks when facing them.

Obviously, there is more reason to believe the Vikings could be out of it as they limp to the finish, but seeing how McCarthy fares in what could be his first starts against key division opponents will be a storyline in and of itself.

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No matter what position they are in from a record perspective, having opponents like the Lions and Packers to close out the season will bring fireworks for a franchise that has had plenty of them in the past few months.


Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.