Minnesota’s schedule came out on Thursday, and in terms of the opponents and timing, it could have been better.
A relatively young Vikings team has to go up against a division rival, the Packers, in their opening game. The team also has to go on the road to play the Saints on a shortened week.
The Vikings have the 10th toughest schedule when it comes to 2019 winning percentages. Also, the team has to play some opponents that might have improved quite a bit, like the Buccaneers, Panthers and Cowboys.
Minnesota didn’t have the best luck on this year’s schedule, but I think with the way the team drafted, the Vikings could still be a playoff team.
After the Week 7 Bye, Minnesota has three consecutive division games: at the Green Bay Packers, vs. Detroit Lions and at the Chicago Bears. If the Vikings are prepared for those three and win them, I like their chances of at least being a wild card, especially considering the extra wild card spot in the NFC.
The Vikings will emphasize the run, and utilize Kirk Cousins in rollouts and play-action passes. The team will hope a young cornerback group steps up and prevents the team from regressing.
Overall, if the Vikings beat the teams they are supposed to — Lions, Falcons, Texans, Jaguars and the Colts — and eek out a couple victories against the teams they are evenly matched with, a playoff berth is well in sight.
