Minnesota Vikings 2021 schedule predictions: Picking every game

Jan 3, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (25) celebrates his touchdown with center Garrett Bradbury (L) and quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) against the Detroit Lions during the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

With the 2021 NFL regular season schedule out now, here’s a game-by-game prediction for the Minnesota Vikings.

Every the NFL does becomes an event, and as such each season’s schedule release has become a primetime-telecasted event. Of course 2021 brings a 17-game slate, and the Minnesota Vikings have the fifth-hardest schedule in the league.

The playoffs have been an odd-numbered year thing throughout head coach Mike Zimmer’s tenure. So that means 2021 is their year again, against the aforementioned top-5 toughest schedule in the league.

Going further, 2021 is a critical year for the three most prominent people in the Vikings’ organization. Zimmer, general manager Rick Spielman and quarterback Kirk Cousins all need to win this year, or all three could be gone. Yes, trading Cousins is possible next offseason if a suitor can be found. Any years left on the contracts for Zimmer and Spielman don’t really matter if the Vikings go 8-9 or something. Simply not making the playoffs could bring sweeping changes.

Predicting any NFL team’s schedule in May is akin to taking raw strength of schedule in fantasy football seriously based on the previous year’s results. But not making schedule predictions with wins, losses and a final record prediction wouldn’t be as fun, would it?

Over 18 weeks and 17 games, here’s a game-by-game prediction for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021. They will play every team in the NFC West and AFC North this season.