The Softest Matchups Left on the Vikings 2025 Schedule
Hopefully, you, the Minnesota Vikings fan, enjoyed the last five weeks — because the team’s schedule turns treacherous the rest of the way.
From this point forward, the Minnesota Vikings’ schedule turns ugly, so much so that it’s tricky to find easy or winnable games. But here’s our best stab.
Although some of the Vikings’ opponents have encountered hurdles as of late, the docket truly turns grim in Week 7 and after, fresh off a slate of opponents including the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns.
But if you’re looking for soft spots, the following games are the “easiest” ones remaining. They’re listed ascendingly (No. 1 = easiest game).
The Vikings’ Schedule: Most Winnable Games Left
Strength of schedule for Minnesota gets vicious in Week 7.
No. 3
vs. Washington Commanders (Week 14)
Unlike last year, the Commanders appear beatable.
Jayden Daniels, last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, has played like a mortal, while Washington’s defense ranks near the middle of the pack per EPA/Play.
Daniels has also battled an injury so far in 2025, paving the way for Marcus Mariota to get under center. There’s a chance that Mariota starts at quarterback when Minnesota meets Washington at U.S. Bank Stadium in November.
This game certainly won’t be easy, but Brian Flores’ defense has performed well against young quarterbacks, and perhaps by December, J.J. McCarthy will have hit his groove.
The 2025 Commanders are not as good as the 2024 Commanders, at least not yet.
NFL.com‘s Eric Edholm on the Commanders’ performance so far in 2025: “If you’re a Commanders fan, this was exactly the kind of performance you wanted to see from Jayden Daniels after the face of the franchise missed two games. It was also the kind of defense I wasn’t sure Washington was capable of playing, but by golly, from the Quentin Johnston fumble on, that unit was locked in. Furthermore, this was a breakout game for Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who went from contributor to undisputed RB1.”
“Even after the rookie’s fourth-quarter fumble, the Commanders kept feeding him, which told me they believe in the 24-year-old who goes by Bill. There have been some bumpy parts to the road so far this season, but the Commanders are sitting at 3-2 and suddenly in good shape again after their first road triumph of the season. A tough pack of games is in front of them, but it feels like they’re back on the upswing after a statement win.”
Vikings-Commanders narrowly edged the showdown in Dallas on this list in Week 15 because it is at home.
No. 2
vs. Chicago Bears (Week 11)
In retrospect, it seems the Vikings faced the rusty — or bad — version of the Bears out of the gate in Week 1. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy delivered a masterclass in his first-ever start, leading a 4th Quarter comeback at Soldier Field and winning the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award for his troubles.
Chicago has since improved, compiling a 2-1 record since that loss. Caleb Williams, as well, looks a bit more poised than he did against Brian Flores and friends to start the 2025 campaign.
Still, the Bears are the league’s ninth-worst team per DVOA, and with the schedule ahead, that can be considered a breath of fresh air for Minnesota, particularly with the game at home.
No. 1
at New York Giants (Week 16)
It’s an awkward time to announce the Giants as the easiest game left on Minnesota’s schedule because Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, and friends just spanked the world champion Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football.
SI.com‘s Patricia Trainia wrote about Dart and Skattebo this week, “Part of that energy that Skattebo and Dart emit is naturally baked into their personalities, Dart’s being a cross between Phil Simms and Eli Manning. In contrast, Skattebo’s personality reminds one of a cross between Brandon Jacobs and Madison Hedgecock–all Super Bowl champion players, by the way.”
“Both rookies are also fortunate in that they have yet to be beaten down by the consistent losing at this level, which, despite most good intentions, often leaves guys with almost a subconscious degree of helplessness that no matter what they do, it’s never going to make a difference. Dart and Skattebo aren’t like that. Dart, who has already had to make multiple trips to the blue medical tent since being named the starter in Week 4, hates it with a passion when he can’t be out there on the field when the team is on offense.”
Still, dollar to donuts, based on their roster and the fact that Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores will face a rookie quarterback, New York represents Minnesota’s least challenging contest remaining, at least from an October standpoint.
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