Ted Schwerzler’s Game-by-Game Vikings Predictions
We are just days away from the Minnesota Vikings kicking off their 2025 regular season. They start with a road contest against a divisional opponent. Minnesota will be off and running after the kick against Chicago at Soldier Field. From there, the focus is on a better finish than 2024.
The Minnesota Vikings kick off their regular season on Monday against the Chicago Bears, and they are going to win 12 games.
This season, Kevin O’Connell has a new quarterback, but it’s not a stopgap, and it’s not some veteran castoff. J.J. McCarthy can represent the future of the Minnesota Vikings and provide both O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah their biggest win since being involved with the organization.
Before the results bear themselves out, he’s my stab at how things wind up for the hometown team.
Vikings Win-Loss Forecast from Ted Schwerzler
Week 1 @ Bears – Win
It was all fun and games in Detroit for Ben Johnson. He doesn’t have the same weapons, though, and the Bears are talent-deficient in comparison to the Vikings. He’ll find his footing, but it isn’t happening against Kevin O’Connell in Week 1.
Week 2 vs Falcons – Win
This game could have been more fun as a homecoming for Kirk Cousins. Instead, the bag master is the NFL’s most expensive backup. He gets to watch and laugh at Michael Penix Jr. being flummoxed by Brian Flores’ relentless rush.
Week 3 vs Bengals – Loss
I’d love to think the Vikings use homefield advantage and pull this off. J.J. McCarthy is going to be good, but Joe Burrow is better. Justin Jefferson outduels Ja’Marr Chase, but Cincinnati leaves victorious.
Week 4 @ Steelers (Ireland) – Win
Minnesota might as well have a second home overseas with the frequency with which they play in Europe. It doesn’t faze them, and they beat Aaron Rodgers in London last year. They’ll do it again this season, just in a different country.
Week 5 @ Browns (London) – Win
See above. The Vikings run Europe. Despite being the “away” team, they’ll have more fans in attendance. Whether this is still Joe Flacco, or if Dillon Gabriel (or…Shedeur Sanders) has taken over, the Browns are the Browns.
Week 7 vs Eagles – Loss
The time off will help, and the fact that this game is played at U.S. Bank Stadium will give Minnesota an extra chance. I’m not picking against the reigning Super Bowl champs.
Week 8 @ Los Angeles – Win
If the Vikings don’t win this game, it could set up a rough stretch. Going to the West Coast and beating the fighting Harbaughs is not an easy task. I think Justin Herbert settles in a bit more during his second year with the new head coach, too. Still, O’Connell and his roster are too much to handle.
Week 9 @ Lions – Loss
Dan Campbell is going to be forced to coach without his security blankets this season. He’s the vocal leader, but Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn were the lifeblood of that team. I wouldn’t be shocked if they take a slight step backward, but winning on the road is the tougher place to do it.
Week 10 vs Ravens – Loss
Lamar Jackson came up just short of consecutive MVP wins. He’s still an elite talent and one of the most difficult quarterbacks to gameplan against in the entire league. Home game or not, this would be an upset victory.
Week 11 vs Bears – Win
Another tilt against Chicago should have Minnesota facing a better team. Johnson will have imparted more wisdom on young Caleb Williams and his cronies. It’s not going to matter at U.S. Bank Stadium, though.
Week 12 @ Packers – Loss
Similarly to the Detroit situation, the line between the top of the division is too thin. I’m still out on Jordan Love being anything more than an average quarterback, but I’ll give the Packers a home win at Lambeau in November.
Week 13 @ Seahawks – Win
Kevin O’Connell isn’t coaching Sam Darnold anymore. Sam Darnold isn’t passing to the Minnesota Vikings’ weapons either. It’s great he got paid, but the downside of his environment is that he’ll find things much tougher in his new digs.
Week 14 vs Commanders – Win
Jayden Daniels was electric last season, and he would have been a blast in a Vikings uniform. He’s going to be good again this year, and scary Terry McLaurin sticking around helps him too. A road win against Minnesota is a lot to ask, though, and the Vikings will have plenty to play for at this point.
Week 15 vs Cowboys – Win
No bigger franchise in sports is well-known despite providing little reason to care. Dak Prescott is back. Micah Parsons is not. The Vikings will win this game.
Week 16 @ Giants – Win
Road games with weather are toss-ups. New York in December is a crapshoot. The Giants have a boatload of quarterbacks, though, and none of them are particularly good. This is a game that Minnesota should feel confident about.
Week 17 vs Lions – Win
Splitting the season series, a victory over the Lions with playoff implications on the line is a must. Minnesota could drop this one if they steal the contest at Ford Field, but one win apiece seems fair.
Week 18 vs Packers – Win
Looking toward the playoffs, the Vikings won’t overlook this contest. Green Bay is a rivalry game, and Minnesota will always get up for the Packers. Jordan Love isn’t beating Kevin O’Connell at home, and especially not when there’s something to play for.
That’s a 12-win season for Minnesota. It’s a step back from last year, but there isn’t much room to go up from 14. It still puts them in the playoffs, and this will be a more complete team capable of making a deep run.
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