2015 NFL Football – Vikings Analysis
The Minnesota Vikings open the 2015-16 NFL Season with a difficult early-season slate. It’s not until Week 8 that this group sees a team with a sub-.500 record from last year, but it does have the luxury of playing three of its first five games at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Vikings Odds
2015 Minnesota Vikings Odds to win the 2016 Super Bowl: 50/1
2015 Minnesota Vikings Odds to win the 2015 NFC Conference: 25/1
2015 Season Win Total: Vikings 8 wins (OVER -160 , UNDER 130); 2014 wins: 7
***2015 BONUSES***
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The Vikings enter this season with a young quarterback leading the way, but just as importantly, it has a defense that it also young and improving.
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Let’s take a look at each game on Minnesota’s schedule and determine whether or not to bet over or under on the eight games predicted for this group this year.
Week 1: Monday, Sept. 14 @ San Francisco (10:20 p.m. ET)
Minnesota begins the year with a west-coast night game on the road. It’s going to be their first appearance on Monday Night Football since 2013, and it has the luxury of going up against a 49ers squad in flux. Vikings should take this one by at least one touchdown.
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20 vs. Detroit (1 p.m. ET)
Minnesota has a short week to get ready for its first contest against a divisional opponent — and one that had their number last season. Detroit’s front line should be the biggest difference that results in a loss for the Vikes.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27 vs. San Diego (1 p.m. ET)
Minnesota has the luxury in this one of being San Diego’s second-straight trip out East.Home-field advantage against a potentially tired Chargers squad equals the Vikings’ second win of the season.
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4 @ Denver (4:25 p.m. ET)
Minnesota gets another advantage here. Denver is coming off of a short week, as it will be reeling from a night game against the Detroit Lions. Unfortunately, Peyton Manning’s track record versus Mike Zimmer is impressive, and that should be the difference in the Broncos’ favor.
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18 vs.Kansas City (1 p.m. ET)
Minnesota has the opportunity to show the Kansas City Cheifs a good time in Week 6. It will be the first time K.C. has been to U.S. Bank Stadium in 12 years, and while the Vikings will struggle at times against a high-powered scoring defense, it will also have the luxury of coming off a bye week.
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Give this one to Minnesota.
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1 @ Chicago (1 p.m. ET)
Minnesota has struggled in Chicago for quite some time now. The good news here is that the Bears are in flux, which should mean a relatively easy win for the Vikings if they can put together a two-score unanswered stretch at any point in the contest.
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8 vs. St. Louis (1 p.m. ET)
St. Louis won’t be an easy victory, but it should be a victory nonetheless. The Rams’ young defense will test Minnesota, but home-field advantage should kick in here for the Vikings.
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 15 @ Oakland (4:05 p.m. ET)
Going into the ninth game of the season, a win over Oakland would start to put Minnesota into the postseason discussion. Expect just that to happen, as this group should be 6-3 going into a big game against the Green Bay Packers.
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22 vs. Green Bay (1 p.m. ET)
Home-field advantage is going to be key here. Green Bay is a Super Bowl favorite for a reason, and also the Vikings’ biggest rivalry. Expect this one to be decided by less than a touchdown, but most likely in the Packers’ favor.
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29 @ Atlanta (1 p.m. ET)
Unless Atlanta’s defense has significantly improved in terms of sacks by this point in the season, look for Minnesota to take advantage. The Vikings scored 41 points against them in 2014-15, and while it’s impossible to project that same number again, a high-scoring victory should be in order for Week 12.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6 vs. Seattle (1 p.m. ET)
Week 13 features the second Super Bowl contender in three weeks. Like Week 11 against the Packers, home-field advantage will be crucial. Unfortunately, the Hawks’ defense should be too much to handle, which should equate to a lopsided victory in Seattle’s favor.
Week 14: Thursday, Dec. 10 @ Arizona (8:25 p.m. ET)
This is not a fun stretch for Minnesota. Following a Sunday matchup against a team that has been to back-to-back Super Bowls, the Vikings are up against a very tough Arizona Cardinals squad on Thursday. Not only that, but you’re adding the road element to it as well. Let’s chalk this one up as a loss.
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20 vs. Chicago (1 p.m. ET)
We’ve already got the Vikes up for a win against Chicago early in the year, so let’s do it again.
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And that’s a good thing for Minnesota with postseason hopes not yet out of the question at this point in the process.
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27 vs. NY Giants (1 p.m. ET)
Minnesota needs a win here, and we’ve got it down for one. The final home game of the regular season should see the Vikings squeak out a close win going into the final game of the season against — once again — the Super Bowl favorite Green Bay Packers.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3 @ Green Bay (1 p.m. ET)
We’re giving Minnesota a shot to win this one. Well, there’s one caveat: Green Bay needs to rest its starters. If the Packers rest their starters, we’ll look at Minnesota as a de facto favorite. If not, count the Vikes out.
2015 Vikings NFL Prediction
You’re looking at a borderline playoff team in the Vikings this season. The truth is, their postseason fate really could come down to that final contest against the Packers and whether or not their opponents rest their starters. Eight wins (as projected) isn’t unreasonable, but we’ll be generous and give Minnesota the over, going 9-7 in 2015-16.
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