5 Predictions for the 2025 Minnesota Vikings
After a long wait this summer, the Minnesota Vikings are officially set to kick off their 2025 schedule in just a few days.
As the Vikings’ regular season approaches, many have been getting predictions for this upcoming year off their chest. Well, it’s time we get in on that action too. Here are five predictions for the 2025 Minnesota Vikings.
J.J. McCarthy Throws for 3500+ Yards and 25+ TDs
The hype around J.J. McCarthy is palpable in Minnesota. Everyone wants to see the 2024 first-round pick get out on the field, and the anticipation has risen through the roof after the quarterback missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury.
McCarthy is a talented player with a strong arm and great athletic ability to help him evade pressure. Better yet, he is completely poised in the pocket and consistently makes the right decision over the bad one. McCarthy takes the league by storm this year, throwing for more than 3500 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Jordan Mason Gets More Carries Than Aaron Jones
The Minnesota Vikings revamped their running back room by poaching Jordan Mason from the San Francisco 49ers this spring. Mason, a 2022 undrafted free agent, has spent the past three years in San Francisco, but he didn’t get his first starting opportunities until 2024.
He made the most of it, too. Mason totaled 153 carries last year and totaled 789 yards as well as three touchdowns. The 26-year-old has a lot of tread left on the tires, and Aaron Jones just spent the 2024 season as a bell cow back for the Vikings. The 30-year-old is still a very valuable asset in the red zone, but Mason should see the lions share of the carries in the open field.
Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy Combine for 8 INTs
Byron Murphy had a banner season for the Vikings in 2024, which earned him a new three-year contract with the team. Joining him in the starting lineup this year is Isaiah Rodgers, who has never consistently gotten starting time in the NFL.
Even still, in his limited opportunities, Rodgers has shown great ball skills, recording 14 passes defended and three interceptions. If the Vikings are going to translate their success from 2024 to 2025, they will need to continue forcing opponents into turnovers. Murphy and Rodgers will play a big role in that.
Vikings Defense Ranks Top 5 in Points Allowed
Last year, the Vikings finished the season averaging 19.5 points allowed per game, which ranked fifth in the entire NFL. Of course, Minnesota has a few questions to answer on that side of the ball, particularly in the secondary. Camryn Bynum, Shaq Griffin, and Stephon Gilmore are no longer there, and Harrison Smith is entering his age-36 season.
However, Minnesota’s defensive front looks absolutely fierce after the additions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. As long as those two stay healthy, the Vikings should wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines and will not give quarterbacks time to sit in the pocket. Brian Flores has always featured a fantastic run defense as well, so that defensive front will be the recipe for the Vikings finishing as a top-five scoring defense once again.
Vikings Win a Playoff Game
Ultimately, the Vikings likely won’t replicate their 14-3 regular season that we saw in 2024 again this year. McCarthy will go through ups and downs as Minnesota’s new starting QB, and Jordan Addison’s three-game suspension could lead to an extra loss early in the season.
However, with new additions on the offensive line, defensive line, and running back, this team could be a more balanced group than they were last year. The Vikings are built to do two things that are winning qualities in January: wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks and control the clock with a strong rushing attack. The Vikings may not win as many games this year, but they will win a playoff game in January.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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