The 4 Most Intriguing Parts of Vikings Schedule
The NFL released the 2024 schedule on Wednesday, and the Minnesota Vikings weren’t afforded many favors.
The 4 Most Intriguing Parts of Vikings Schedule
The club technically has nine home games, as all NFC teams this season are allotted, but one is in Great Britain. Minnesota also has a grueling first half of the year, at least according to how opponents’ rosters are assembled in May.
Here’s the 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
And these are the four fascinating aspects, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most intriguing).
4. Chance to End the Seattle Streak
The Vikings haven’t won at Seattle since 2006 — when players like Chester Taylor and Bryant McKinnie ruled the purple team. Since that game 18 years ago, Minnesota has lost five consecutive times in Seattle.
Most of that naughty streak involves the good version of Russell Wilson; a) He’s no longer very productive and b) He works for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Vikings can end the streak at Seattle, hoping to down Geno Smith and his pals.
3. No Cousins in Primetime
The rumor mill was hot and heavy with theories that suggested the Vikings-Falcons game at U.S. Bank Stadium would occur in primetime. There’s a false narrative that claims Cousins can’t handle primetime football, though the man personally plays well.
Many expected the NFL to capitalize on the misleading factoid, but in the end, nobody cared. There’s a chance that Minnesota-Atlanta is flexed into primetime, but that’s a longshot.
The Cousins-in-primetime-versus-his-old-team theory was all for nil.
2. Three Straight AFC Games
In Weeks 9 through 11, Minnesota plays the Colts, Jaguars, and Titans — all in a row. Thankfully, that slate isn’t murderous per opponent strength, but it’s a little odd that the league plopped three straight AFC games consecutively in front of Minnesota.
Generally speaking, Minnesota’s AFC opponents are spread out a bit more. Not in 2024. They’re bunched up.
1. Last Half Perfect Spot for Rookie QB
No one is too sure when rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will take over for the Vikings. However, if the coaching staff has the back half of the season in mind, well, it will work marvellously.
This is a prime territory for a rookie passer to cut his teeth:
- 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
Based on Minnesota’s extremely challenging first seven games, it is unlikely to own a fancy record at the season’s midpoint, meaning a change of power to McCarthy could emerge. He’d then receive a reasonable batch of opponents to start his NFL career.
Cold Water Poured on Vikings QB1 Theory
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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