INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 26: Head coach Mike Zimmer of the Minnesota Vikings interviews during the second day of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
The 2020 NFL schedule has been released, and the Minnesota Vikings are hoping to win the NFC North for the first time since 2017.
It has been an offseason of change for Minnesota, which reloaded on the fly after cap concerns led to a mass exodus of talent. How will the new-look Vikings fare in 2020? Let’s take a game-by-game look at Minnesota’s regular-season schedule.
Weeks 1-4
Final
Green Bay Packers
31
Minnesota Vikings
23
The rivalry between the Packers and Vikings has been a bit one-sided of late, with each team claiming a sweep in one of the last three years. Green Bay assures itself a split here as Aaron Rodgers outguns Kirk Cousins in a shootout. Vikings fall 31-23.
Final
Minnesota Vikings
22
Indianapolis Colts
18
Both the Vikings and Colts have good defenses, which should make this contest very compelling and a bit lower-scoring than initially projected. Minnesota’s running game will be key here as they can take advantage of one of Indianapolis’ few weaknesses by controlling the clock with Dalvin Cook. Vikings win 22-18.
Final/OT
Tennessee Titans
30
Minnesota Vikings
33
Even though these teams like to run the football, both Minnesota and Tennessee have some quality pass-catchers and questionable secondaries. This will lead to a shootout that needs overtime to decide it all. A field goal in the extra session powers Minnesota to a 33-30 win.
Final
Minnesota Vikings
30
Houston Texans
20
The Vikings are fortunate to be taking on a Houston Texans’ team that Bill O’Brien has made much worse over the past two years. The two teams have a similar talent base, but Zimmer gets more out of the Vikings than O’Brien does out of the Texans. Minnesota wins 30-20.