What is the Minnesota Vikings’ 2021 NFL schedule, how many times will we see them in primetime games, and who are the toughest and easiest opponents on their schedule?
Minnesota Vikings Preseason Schedule
All times listed below are Eastern Time.
PS1: vs. Broncos | TBD
PS2: vs. Colts | TBD
PS3: at Chiefs | TBD
Minnesota Vikings Schedule | 2021 Regular Season
All days are Sunday unless otherwise noted. All times listed below are Eastern Time.
Week 1: at Bengals | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 2: at Cardinals | 4:05 PM | FOX
Week 3: vs. Seahawks | 4:25 PM | FOX
Week 4: vs. Browns | 1:00 PM | CBS
Week 5: vs. Lions | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 6: at Panthers | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 7: Bye
Week 8: vs. Cowboys | 8:20 PM | NBC
Week 9: at Ravens | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 10: at Chargers | 4:05 PM | FOX
Week 11: vs. Packers | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 12: at 49ers | 4:25 PM | FOX
Week 13: at Lions | 1:00 PM | CBS
Week 14: vs. Steelers | TNF | 8:20 PM | FOX/NFLN/Amazon
Week 15: at Bears | MNF | 8:15 PM | ESPN
Week 16: vs. Rams | 1:00 PM | FOX
Week 17: at Packers | 8:20 PM | NBC
Week 18: vs. Bears | 1:00 PM | FOX
How many primetime games do the Vikings play in 2021?
The Vikings have four primetime games. They will play the Cowboys in Week 8, the Steelers in Week 14, the Bears in Week 15, and the Packers in Week 17.
When is the Vikings’ bye week?
The Vikings’ bye is in Week 7.
Vikings’ strength of schedule and win/loss prediction
The Vikings’ 2021 schedule ranks almost right in the middle of the NFL average. According to Vegas win totals, they are tied with the Kansas City Chiefs at 14th in terms of schedule difficulty. However, when we look back at last year’s results, the schedule appears significantly more difficult, ranking as the sixth-hardest.
Toughest opponents
Minnesota will face five teams projected to win 10 or more games in 2021. The Vikings’ schedule also contains another four teams projected to win nine or more games. Those games against potential double-digit win opponents include two against the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers have won 13 games in back-to-back seasons. However, the Vikings handed Green Bay a defeat in Lambeau Field last season. For as good as the Packers are, the Vikings know they can compete with one of the NFC heavyweights. If Minnesota can split the games with Green Bay in 2021, they can keep themselves within a shot of winning the division.
The other three games come against the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Ravens. All three of those teams will be tough matchups for the Vikings, especially the Ravens and 49ers on the road. Baltimore and San Francisco will really test the Vikings’ run defense, while the Rams will give Minnesota an examination both against the run and pass.
Easiest opponents
As tough as those five aforementioned games are, the Vikings also have five games on their 2021 schedule against NFL teams projected to win seven games or fewer. Four of those games come within their division with the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions.
The Bears have had the Vikings number in recent years, with Minnesota losing five of the last six. However, they split the season series in 2020, and the Vikings will be hoping to go one better in 2021. The question with the Bears is whether it will be Justin Fields, Andy Dalton, or Nick Foles under center and how that changes the situation for the Vikings.
The Lions have caused the Vikings fewer issues in the past few years. Minnesota has won all of the last seven games between the two franchises. Despite Detroit having one of the better drafts in 2021, the Vikings should have confidence in taking two wins against the Lions.
The fifth game comes against the Cincinnati Bengals, who are a hard team to predict in 2021. Returning from his knee injury, we do not know what Joe Burrow will bring to the table. However, with him on the field in 2020, the Bengals scored over 20 points in 60 percent of their games.
2021 season prediction
The Vikings enter the 2021 NFL season with a schedule that makes them an intriguing wild card. They have the talent to compete and a middle-of-the-road schedule. However, with 8.5 wins projected by Vegas, the jury is out on just how good the Vikings will be in 2021.
With uncertainty surrounding the Bears and Lions, Minnesota should be able to comfortably finish second in the division. The questions all revolve around whether they can get to 10 or 11 wins this year. Crunch games against teams like the Cowboys, Seahawks, Rams, and 49ers will tell the story of whether we see Minnesota in the playoffs.
Projected 2021 record: 9-8
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