Predicting the Vikings post-bye record
The Minnesota Vikings are heading into their Week 13 bye on a sour note. The entire season has been a rollercoaster of streaks. The team started off the season losing four of their first five games. Then they managed to reel off five straight wins to recover and get themselves back into the thick of the NFC playoff picture.
Now the team heads into their bye week off the heels of a two-game losing streak, and with major questions at the most important position in the game: the quarterback. Will Josh Dobbs continue to be at the helm for the Vikings when they emerge from the bye week? Will the duties be handed over to Jaren Hall or Nick Mullens?
That singular decision could have a profound impact on how the Vikings finish out the season. Until that decision is officially made, we have to assume that the job is Dobbs’. Given that, let’s take a look at the remainder of the Vikings schedule and try to predict how the rest of the season goes.
Week 14: at Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders were in shambles for much of the 2023 season. Then they fired head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager David Ziegler. Since then, it’s like a light bulb has gone off with the team. Under interim head coach Antonio Pierce, the Raiders are playing like an entirely new team.
However, that new lease on life hasn’t exactly translated in the record. Since firing McDaniels at the end of October, the Raiders have gone 2-2. They won their first two games in the wake of cleaning house, but have since dropped two in a row.
This is a game that, at least on paper, the Vikings should win. They have a better team on both sides of the football. The questions at quarterback loom large for the Vikings, however. If they get the caliber of play from Dobbs that they’ve got the past two weeks, it’s going to be a struggle to beat the Raiders.
Ultimately I think the talent wins out here and the Vikings get a close win.
Prediction: Win
Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals
Much like the Vikings, the 2023 season has not gone according to plan for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals and their fans came into the 2023 season fresh off the heels of serious playoff success.
They were the AFC representative in the Super Bowl two seasons ago, and lost in the AFC Championship to the Kansas City Chiefs last season. By all accounts, they should have been on a similar path this season.
But the NFL is the ultimate “what have you done for me lately?” sport. Past success in no way guarantees future results, and the Bengals have learned that lesson in a big way this season.
The team is sitting at 5-6 on the season, have lost three straight games — including two pivotal division matchups — and have lost their quarterback and young star Joe Burrow. My how the tables have turned.
Much like the Raiders the week before, this is a game where, at least on paper, the Vikings should have the advantage. They simply have more talent on both sides of the ball, and no matter who the quarterback is, that talent should prevail. But “should” is a dangerous word in the NFL.
Ultimately I think the Vikings sneak away from this one with another close win. Which they’re going to need heading into the final stretch of the season.
Prediction: Win
Week 16: vs. Detroit Lions
The Week 16 matchup against the Detroit Lions has the potential to be an incredibly important game. Or it could be completely irrelevant. It all depends on how the schedule plays out for both teams.
As it stands today, the Lions are sitting two games ahead of the Vikings for the NFC North crown. If the Vikings drop their two games against the Raiders and Bengals, it’s entirely possible that the Lions have wrapped up the division crown by the time this game rolls around.
Conversely, if the Lions were to drop two of their three games prior to the matchup — games against the New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, and Denver Broncos — then the game becomes incredibly important to both teams.
Whether or not the Lions have anything to play for will go a long way toward determining who wins this game. The Lions should be able to come away from all three of those games with a win and not have anything to play for. However, it’s a division matchup and those always matter, at least a little bit.
I think the Lions will show up in this one and give the Vikings a loss to wrap up the NFC North crown.
Prediction: Loss
Week 17: vs. Green Bay Packers
The Minnesota Vikings versus the Green Bay Packers. One of the most storied rivalries in the NFL, and arguably in all of sports. This one is a knock-down, drag-out fight each and every time the two teams square off against each other. The Week 17 game should be no different.
It’s entirely possible that both teams are out of the hunt for the division title by the time this game rolls around. The Packers could be out of the NFC playoff picture entirely. However, that will likely play little role in how motivated the Packers are to come into Minneapolis and walk away with a win.
The Packers were the third team to lose to the Vikings in the midst of their five-game win streak, and that loss likely left a sour taste in their mouths. They’ll be on the hunt for revenge, and a chance to hurt the Vikings’ playoff chances would be the icing on the cake for Green Bay.
Will they be able to pull off the win, though? I don’t think so. Minnesota should be highly motivated to get the sweep over their division rivals and to keep pace in the NFC playoff race. Minnesota wins this one to set up a crucial Week 18.
Prediction: Win
Week 18: Detroit Lions
The rematch versus the Detroit Lions should have a far different feel than the first game. By now, the Lions should have wrapped up the NFC North crown, and will likely be resting their starters for the game to get them ready and healthy for a playoff run.
The Vikings, on the other hand, could still be playing for playoff seeding by the time this one rolls around, and would still have a reason to play their key guys. That should lead to the Vikings taking this one, splitting the season series with the Lions, and ending the 2023 regular season on a high note.
That leaves us with the Vikings finishing out the season 4-1 in their last five to wind up 10-7 on the year. That record should put them into the NFC playoffs. What they do from there remains to be seen. But even making the playoffs from the horrific start this team had is an accomplishment.
Prediction: Win
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