Fresh look at the Vikings' 2023 opponents: It got even harder
Winning 13 games and the NFC North was great for the Minnesota Vikings even though the payoff didn't materialize in a first-round playoff loss to the New York Giant last season. What's more is that Minnesota's 2023-24 schedule is going to be a nightmare no matter how its sliced when the NFL unveils the full regular season schedule on May 11.
The Vikings will play these eight teams in Minneapolis:
- San Francisco 49ers (13-4) - NFC West champs
- Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) - AFC West champs
- Los Angeles Chargers (10-7)
- New Orleans Saints (7-10)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9) - NFC South champs
- Green Bay Packers
- Chicago Bears (3-14)
- Detroit Lions
The only teams from that list that might be worse this season than last are the Bucs and Packers, but those are big ifs considering the Packers are high on Jordan Love replacing Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and the Bucs, despite saying so long to Tom Brady, have dangerous receivers (Mike Evans and Chris Godwin) to catch passes from Baker Mayfield.
The 49ers' over/under win total is 11.5. They're a juggernaut and could easily walk into U.S. Bank Stadium and pummel the Vikings. Same goes with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs for obvious reasons.
The Chargers are surely going to be as good or better than their 10-win season with former Viking Eric Kendricks playing middle linebacker and Justin Herbert adding another weapon with first-round draft pick Quentin Johnston to help take pressure off of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
The Lions might be on the fast track to being very good after the way they finished lat season with eight wins in the final ten games. And now Jared Goff, who was outstanding last season, has another weapon with running back Jahmyr Gibbs (12th overall pick) in the backfield.
The Bears had more money than any team to spend in free agency and while they might not be ready to push for the playoffs they'll be better than the three-win team they trotted onto the field a season ago.
The Saint won seven games but now they have Derek Carr at quarterback, Michael Thomas presumably healthy to create a dangerous duo with fellow wide receiver Chris Olave.
The Vikings will play these eight teams on the road:
- Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) - NFC East champs
- Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) - AFC North champs
- Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
- Carolina Panthers (7-10)
- Denver Broncos (5-12)
- Las Vegas Raiders (6-11)
- Green Bay Packers
- Chicago Bears (3-14)
- Detroit Lions
Philly is elite. The Bengals are elite. Those are more likely to be losses than wins for the Vikings.
Atlanta is expected to be awful since they could be starting Desmond Ridder at quarterback, although they did add the dangerous Bijan Robinson in the draft and he could be a problem if Minnesota's defense isn't improved.
Carolina was a tough team last season and we know they are solid on defense, so it'll be up to the No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Bryce Young, to use a bunch of talented weapons around him, including ex-Viking Adam Thielen, rookie Jonathan Mingo, D.J. Chark and Terrace Marshall at wide receiver, along with ex-Eagles running back Miles Sanders.
Denver went from contender to pretended in a hurry last season so what they do in Year 1 under head coach Sean Payton is a mystery. It's probably better if the Vikings get them early in the season when the Broncos are still tryin to perfect Payton's game plans.
The Raiders aren't forecast to be elite by any measure, but they do have Jimmy Garoppolo to settle things at QB and he has weapons with Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs, who led the league in rushing last season. And their D-line could be problematic with edge rushers Maxx Crosby and the No. 7 pick in the draft Tyree Wilson.
