My Fearless Minnesota Vikings 2018 Game By Game Predictions

The NFL released the 2018 schedule for all teams and while the Minnesota Vikings may face the 8th toughest schedule, I think it will once again be a successful season.  Here is the Vikings schedule along with my fearless predictions for each game.

1. Sunday, September 9 vs. San Francisco 49ers (W):  There's alot of hype around the 49ers and I think they'll be a lot better.  I also think it'll take them a few weeks to find their stride and Minnesota should win their home opener.
2. Sunday, September 16 at Green Bay Packers (L):  Aaron Rodgers revenge game against the Vikings?  I think the rivals will split this year, each winning at home.
3. Sunday, September 23 vs. Buffalo Bills (W): Buffalo is a team on the rebuild and they'll most likely have a young quarterback who will struggle at U.S. Bank Stadium.
4. Thursday, September 27 at Los Angeles Rams (L):  Thursday Night games are tough on the road and the Rams will be a trendy Super Bowl pick.  This will be a good game, but I'll give it to the home team on a nationally televised game.
5. Sunday, October 7 at Philadelphia Eagles (W):  The Vikings played their worst game of the year in Philly last year so they'll be up for this one and will pull off the upset.
6. Sunday, October 14 vs. Arizona Cardinals (W):  This will be an intriguing game if Sam Bradford isn't injured and suits up to face the Vikings, but I think the home team takes it either way.
7. Sunday, October 21 at New York Jets (W): This game will not be an easy victory as the Jets play defense and are tough at home.  Ultimately I think the Vikings defense wins this game.
8. Sunday, October 28 vs. New Orleans Saints (W):  We all know what happened the last time these two teams met.  I think this will be one of the best games of the year, but on a nationally televised Sunday night game, the Vikings win.
9. Sunday, November 4 vs. Detroit Lions (W):  Detroit will have a new coach and and a new fighters mentality team attitude, but the Vikings know that hosting division rivals is must-win territory.
10. BYE WEEK:  Vikings enter the bye week 7-2 and on a 5 game winning streak.  Now they'll prepare to hit he road to a place they haven't played their best in recent seasons.
11. Sunday, November 18 at Chicago Bears (W):  If this was a prime time affair, I'd pick the Bears as they seem to have the Vikings number in such scenarios. However, the Vikings should win a Sunday noon game after coming off the bye week.
12. Sunday, November 25 vs. Green Bay Packers (W):  Sunday Night nationally televised game at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Packers?  My collarbone tingles just thinking about it.  I think both Vikings/Packers games will be great and the home teams get the win.
13. Sunday, December 2 at New England Patriots (W):  I don't believe the Patriots are ready to have a bad year, as many do, and this is usually the part of the season when they're playing their best football.  However, I think the Vikings will be up for the challenge of playing Tom Brady and company.  The Vikings defense can provide pressure up the middle, which tends to take Brady off this game.  I think it'll be a scrappy game and the Vikings pull off the upset.
14. Monday, December 10 at Seattle Seahawks (L): The Seahawks are in a transitional period, but they won't be a bad team and playing in Seattle on Monday Night Football adds to the challenge.  The Vikings will have come off two major, high profile games against Green Bay and New England and this sets up as a let down game.
15. Sunday, December 16 vs. Miami Dolphins (W):  After a wake up call in Seattle, the Vikings return to U.S. Bank Stadium to face an outmatched Dolphins team and they'll find their mojo again.
16. Sunday, December 23 at Detroit Lions (L):  I think Detroit will surprise a lot of people and they'll be fighting for a final Wild Card spot at this point so hosting the Vikings will be an opportunity they'll take advantage of.
17. Sunday, December 30 vs. Chicago Bears (W):  The Vikings will be looking to regain some momentum heading into the playoffs and a home game against a Chicago Bears team already eliminated from the post season should do the trick.  The Vikings end the regular season with a victory over the Bears for the third season in a row.

The Minnesota Vikings finish the season 12-4.  I believe it will be enough to win the NFC North, unless the Packers take it by a game.  Either way, the Vikings will make the playoffs with a guarantee to host their first playoff game and, I believe, more.