The Minnesota Vikings were very busy in the off-season hiring a new head coach and offensive and defensive coordinator. They were very active during free agency signing players like Linval Joesph and Captin Munnerlyn to help add depth on the defensive side of the ball. The Vikings also had a great draft and added a lot of young talent to the roster. Up to 5 players from this draft could get substantial playing time this season.
The Vikings are definitely a more talented team this year on both sides of the ball but are they good enough to have a winning season this year? With the young talent still developing on offense and defense it is hard to tell how good the Vikings might actually be. If they are able to get consistent quarterback play on offense and stop the run on defense they will be an intriguing team to watch, but if they don’t it will be a long season for the Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings were 0-8 on the road last season. They did beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in England but that was technically a home game so that doesn’t really count. Their road games this year don't look much better. In fact, you could argue that they might repeat the 2013 performance and go 0-8 on the road again. With the Vikings having to play the AFC East and the NFC south, their schedule will be a little tougher than last years and that isn’t good news for a team that only won 5 games last year.
September 7 at St. Louis Rams
Minnesota’s 2013 road woes continue, St. Louis is a young, talented, well coached team that beat 2 playoff teams at home last year. Record 0-1
September 14 vs New England Patriots
Minnesota’s treacherous first month continues with their home opener against an AFC favorite to compete for the Super Bowl. It will be tough for them to pull this one out. Record 0-2
September 21 at New Orleans Saints
For the second week in a row the Vikings get to face a Super Bowl contender, only this time on the road. That is a very tall order for a team that is trying to learn a new offense and defense. New Orleans shouldn't have a problem winning this one. Record 0-3
September 28 vs Atlanta Falcons
If the Vikings get a win in the month of September it will be here. Atlanta’s lack of depth on defense and inability to stop the pass rush crushed them in 2013. They may have fixed a few of those problems but will still have a hard time stopping Adrian Peterson. Vikes get their first win. Record 1-3
October 2 at Green Bay Packers
The 3rd playoff team in 4 games that the Vikings will face comes on a short week in Green Bay. A rivalry game in primetime will be very emotional. With only 4 days to prepare, it will be tough to keep up with Green Bay. Record 1-4
October 12 vs Detroit Lions
With 10 days rest the Vikings should be get their second win of the season. Detroit has a strong offense but the Vikings will be able to slow them down enough to get a win. Record 2-4
October 19 at Buffalo Bills
Buffalo is going to be better than many people think this year and it would be a tough win for the Vikings to pull off. But I think they ride the wave a little bit and string 2 wins together. Record 3-4
October 26 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay has done a lot of the same things that the Minnesota Vikings have this off-season. New coaching staff and signed some key free agents to fill some holes. Tampa will be a much improved team this year and I don’t know that the Vikings can win 2 games in a row on the road. Record 3-5
November 2 vs Washington Redskins
This is one of the easier games for the Vikings this season, shouldn’t be too hard to win this one. Record 4-5
November 9 Bye Week
November 16 at Chicago Bears
Their 2nd year under Mark Tressman, the Chicago Bears will be in the hunt to win the division. If this game were at home and coming off of a bye week the Vikings might upset them. But the struggles on the road continue in this game. It will be a very close game but the Bears prevail. Record 4-6
November 23 vs Green Bay Packers
The Vikings haven’t been given any favors with their schedule, facing the 2 best teams in their division back to back and getting the Green Bay Packers on a short week the first time and after a divisional road game with Chicago the second time around. Minnesota struggles in this one. Record 4-7
November 30 vs Carolina Panthers
Carolina is unpredictable. Cam Newton can be great at times and can be bad at other times. This will be a defensive struggle from start to finish. Carolina pulls out a tough game. Record 4-8
December 7 vs New York Jets
Another defensive struggle but the Vikings offense is much better than the Jets. Even with Chris Johnson on the Jets they shouldn’t be able do much against the Vikings. Record 5-8
December 14 at Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions offense seems to run flawlessly at home and it will be very hard for the Vikings to stop them. Remember the 2013 season opener. Record 5-9
December 21 at Miami Dolphins
This will be a very interesting game at the end of the season. Miami is close to becoming a playoff team but they suffer from the same thing the Vikings do, inconsistent quarterback play. Minnesota will win this game in a weird fasion. Record 6-9
December 28 vs Chicago Bears
The last game of the season will be against a team that is already in the playoffs or needs a win to get in. Chicago will be a little overwhelming for the Vikings. Record 6-10
Minnesota’s 2014 Record
Optimistic: 9-7
Realistic: 6-10
Dumpster fire: 3-13
Minnesota’s success in 2014 will predicate on more consistent quarterback play then they got in 2013. If the team struggles early in the season and decides to put rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in they might win an extra game or 2. The Vikings are a season or 2 away to competing for the division. They have a young team with a lot of talent on the roster. Unfortunately, they won’t be ready this year to compete