Minnesota Vikings: The Five Biggest Games of the 2009 Schedule

The schedule of an NFL team can speak volumes of how great they truly are. Then again, it can also prove how weak and pathetic they are. In 2008, the Minnesota Vikings had one of the toughest schedules in the NFL and finished with a strong 10-6 record.

All the same, a weak record to an NFL team can mean an easier road to destiny. In 2009, the Minnesota Vikings have among the easiest schedules in the NFL. With only six teams (seven games) of their seventeen game schedule had winning records in 2008.

With that said, Minnesota could see an easier road, yet may see some of the biggest teams in the NFL all the same.

Week 15: Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers

In 2008, the Carolina Panthers road into the Metrodome riding a 2-0 record while Minnesota was still trying to find it's mouthpiece at 0-2.

The Vikings had just named their season quarterback in Gus Frerotte, benching season starter, Tarvaris Jackson. Carolina also had the return of their star wide receiver, Steve Smith.

With that said, Carolina looked as though they had all the ammo they would need to enter into the '08 season with a 3-0 record. They opened up the game 10-0 before the Vikings would finally scratch on a field goal.

At this point, the Vikings had only scored one touchdown in five trips to the red zone.

With that said, the Vikings, in desperate need of scoring, turned to it's defense with Antoine Winfield. Winfield came in on a corner blitz.

Not only recording a sack, but forced a fumble, recovered the fumble, and returned it untouched 20-yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 10 with just over a minute before the half.

As the defense became fired up, the offense stretched it's legs and were able to finally able to score and control the ball. The Vikings went on to win their first game of the season, 20-10 and go 1-2 on the season.

It was also in this game that Jared Allen proved his worth by recording his first sack of 2009.

With that said and with how the Panthers finished the 2008 season (12-4) and considered one of the better running games finishing the season, many wondered if the Vikings had played the Panthers in the playoffs where they'd be.

With DeAngelo Williams proving to be one of the best running backs in the league and Minnesota's running proving to be the truest not to mention the comparisons to Adrian Peterson.

With that said, and the Vikings slated for a game in Carolina late in the 2009 season, it's not to hard to believe that the winner will advance further towards the Super Bowl then the other.

It'll also be one of the few games Minnesota plays away from the Dome in the second half of the season.

Week Six: Baltimore Ravens vs Minnesota Vikings

Arguably, this will be the finer match of the 2009 schedule (discarding the division schedule). With two of the best defenses in football and both with offenses out to prove they're an improvement, this game will be tight one.

Unlike all the other big games for Minnesota in 2009, Baltimore will be playing Minnesota under the teflon sky of the Metrodome.

The last time Minnesota played Baltimore was in the preseason of the 2008 schedule. The game of course, meaning nothing, paints no picture of what the 2009 regular season encounter will bring.

The Vikings won that battle 23-15, handily.

Week Four & Week Eight: Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers

I almost feel this series is beyond the need for description as we've all heard the anecdotes of those who have made their claims on Brett Favre.

The fact of the matter is, that this rivalry is anything, but dead and if nothing else, is as real as it gets. The Favre controversy alone should do nothing more then fire up this game.

Last season's regular season series between the two teams resulted in a 1-1 overall record on the season, both winning in their home venue going 24-19 at Lambieu and 28-27 at the Metrodome.

It was all the more emotional at the game in the dome when Adrian Peterson fought back after a crucial fumble to carry the purple to a one-point lead entering the final minutes.

Crosby would then miss the final kick as time expired and Minnesota walked out whiping the sweat from their foreheads.

Entering 2009, nothing will change. Winning in the other team's venue will prove pivotal to not only the season series, but the division on the whole.

If Brett Favre joins the Vikings, the Lambieu Field game will immediately jump to No. 1 on this list regardless of the result.

Week Seven: Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers

After winning the Super Bowl, the Steelers slated themselves as the next big dynasty in the NFL. With that said, they are the next big team to have a giant target on their backs.

With this game in Pitt featuring arguably the best defenses in the league, this could be a future Super Bowl game in the making.

The problem is, much like Baltimore, the last time they faced off was in the 2008 preseason in a meaningless game that ended 12-10 in favor of the Steelers.

With everything on the table, this should be as low a scoring affair and should produce a "game of the week" type product.

Week 16: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

Much like last year's amazing late-season game, the Vikings/Bears Part 2 of 2009 will prove to in all likelihood be the NFC North champs... whether or not the Packers are a part of the late season picture or not.

Last season's 99-yard touchdown pass from Gus Frerotte to Bernard Berrian is only a small reason why this game will produce top notch performances on both teams. These two teams are known for being very traditional to their 'Black n Blue' roots as a heavy defensive and rushing base.

Matt Forte is making many compare him to the great Walter Payton where as many are comparing Vikings running back Adrian Peterson to Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson.

On that note, it should also be noted that Peterson has averaged 138.5 yards a game against the Bears, averaging 6.2 yards a carry, and has 8 touchdowns over the course of the four games the Vikings have played the Bears in Peterson's career.

With that said, add two firepower defenses that are great against the run and this game has big time potential, especially if Minnesota figures out their quarterback situation.

Honorable Mentions...

***Arizona vs Minnesota***

Although this game looks appetizing when it comes to the NFC North Champions and the NFC Champions. The 2008 records seem comparable, with Arizona's 9-7 against the Vikings 10-6. The problem is that Arizona got butchered in Phoenix 35-14. The game was no where near close.

***New York Giants vs Minnesota***

The former Super Bowl champs have proved that regardless of their record in 2008 and their title in 2007 that they are now an afterthought. With Plaxico Burress now a free agent and Eli Manning back to "under-achiever" status, it's clear the Giants are back to 2006 form.

The Vikings may have defeated them in 2008, 20-19 and clinching the NFC North division title, but it came in week 17 when New York was "done" playing for the 2008 season. With another week 17 slated contest, this game will once again be cut down due to playoff preparations and safety precautions.