The 5 Most Difficult Games on the Vikings’ Schedule
The Minnesota Vikings have a brutal schedule in 2025, and if they are going to make a run to the playoffs, they will have to win some difficult games.
The 5 Most Difficult Games on the Vikings’ Schedule
In a strong NFC North division and with games against the tough AFC North and NFC East to negotiate, the Vikings have one of the toughest schedules across the league.
When choosing what I believe to be the five most challenging games the Vikings will play this season, matchups against division opponents the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears don’t make the cut, nor do games against good teams like the Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, or Cincinnati Bengals.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has put together a competitive-looking roster. The one major doubt comes from untested quarterback JJ McCarthy, but Minnesota will expect to compete this season. Without further ado, here are the five most difficult games on the Vikings’ 2025 schedule.
At Steelers
The Vikings will travel across the Atlantic Ocean to Ireland to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4. Croke Park plays host to Ireland’s first-ever NFL regular-season game. The Steelers lose their home advantage with the international series game, which is good news for the Vikings, who have lost the last three times in Pittsburgh, last winning there in 1995.
Minnesota can still expect a tough, smash-mouth brand of football from Mike Tomlin’s team, and they will be severely tested. There are doubts over the Steelers at quarterback with Mason Rudolph pencilled in as QB1 — far from an exciting prospect. No matter, you can still expect Tomlin to have his team competitive, whoever is at QB. Pittsburgh has not had a losing season since 2003 and is a regular playoff participant. They are the measuring stick for a consistently good football team.
Vs. Eagles
The reigning Super Bowl champs, need we say more? The Eagles will be expected to be in the mix again, having reached two of the last three Super Bowls and winning the most recent. Nick Sirriani has produced a strong team that dominates the line of scrimmage but also has talented skill players – the recipe for success. The Vikings host Philadelphia in Week 7 in a serious test of any championship credentials Minnesota thinks they have.
Kevin O’Connell has twice led the Vikings into battle against the Eagles, losing both times. Both games were in Philadelphia; this time, O’Connell has the home advantage to try and get the better of Sirriani and make a statement that would make the whole league sit up and take notice. The work done this offseason to bolster the trenches was for exactly this type of game. Minnesota will be able to show whether they have fixed its problems.
At Lions
The Detroit Lions have won the NFC North in back-to-back seasons. They are the team to beat in the division. O’Connell won his first game against Detroit back in 2022, but the Vikings have lost the five games that have followed. The Lions haven’t dominated the Vikings like this since the 1960s, when they won the first five games after Minnesota came into the league as an expansion team. The Vikings need to turn the tide, but it won’t be easy in Detroit.
There is some doubt hanging over the Lions this season after they lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators to head coaching jobs. However, I don’t foresee a huge drop-off this season from a team full of talent on both sides of the ball. A win in Detroit in Week 8 would be a bonus for the Vikings.
Vs. Ravens
Two-time MVP winner Lamar Jackson and his Baltimore Ravens team are strong every year, with much expected of them. Only to consistently fail in the playoffs. Minnesota hosts them in Week 9 when they should be at their best. The Vikings and Ravens have only met on seven occasions, with the home team winning every time – good news for the Vikings. This will be the first time coach O’Connell leads his team against the Ravens.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores will be tasked with containing Jackson’s dual-threat ability and Derrick Henry’s running power. It will be another serious test for the revamped Vikings defensive line. Vikings fans will also get their first chance to see Kyle Hamilton up close — the man many wanted to see their team draft back in 2022, when Adofo-Mensah instead opted to trade down and draft Lewis Cine.
Vs Lions
The season’s penultimate game sees the Lions come to Minnesota for a game that you would expect to be high-stakes with lots of pressure. Whether the Vikings are challenging for the division or trying to get a wild card spot, I have this game circled on the calendar as pivotal. If they didn’t manage it earlier in the season, Minnesota may need to break their losing streak against Detroit here to make the playoffs.
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