2011 NFL Schedule: A Game-by-Game Look at the Minnesota Vikings' Chances

The NFL has released its 2011 regular season schedule, and with that anticipation being quenched, it’s time to look at the Minnesota Vikings' schedule and the expectations of how they will fare in the NFC North.

As fans, we fantasize about our team’s success, winning the division and possibly representing our conference in the Super Bowl, but there is a little word called "reality" that overcomes fantasy every single time.

The reality for Minnesota is their quarterback situation. As of this writing, is it Joe Webb? Will we have free agency and possibly get a veteran in McNabb or Hasselbeck? Maybe there’s a trade for a younger veteran like Kolb.

One thing is for sure, in about a week, we will see how the Vikings address the quarterback position, so I reserve the right to revise my predictions after the draft.

Okay, to the schedule. 2010 is long gone, thank God, and a new fourth-place schedule looms for 2011.

The first things I look for right off the bat are when do we play our division rivals and when is the bye week. The Vikings are fortunate to have their bye week right after Game 8 on Nov. 7, and their divisional games, other than the Packers, appear to be equally spread out.

So, with our divisional rivals waiting, and the bye week splitting the year, here is a look at the two halves of the season.

Week 1: San Diego Chargers

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers looks to deliver a pass against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28. (Photo by Doug

In Week 1, the Vikings face a tough road test at San Diego.

The Vikings have one thing going for them in this game, and that is preparation. Plus, the Chargers are notoriously slow starters; however, San Diego will be excited to have their first game at home in a number of years.

Result: Loss

Week 2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 19: Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings in action during the game against of the Miami Dolphins on September 19, 2010 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Despite the Bucs nearly making the playoffs, a look at their fourth-place schedule a year ago can explain their success.

But the Bucs are a team on the rise, and Minnesota needs to be careful here. They lost their last game to the Bucs at home, and with the Dolphins in town for Week 2 last year, Minnesota lost, so it is imperative the Vikings get off to a good start with a nice home win and don't get into that 0-2 hole.

The Bucs could be thinking about Week 3 versus the Falcons, so the Vikings manage to pull this one out.

Result: Win

Week 3: Detroit Lions

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Joe Webb #14 of the Minnesota Vikings runs around the tackle of Ndamukong Suh #90 of the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Vikings get to enjoy home cooking for the second consecutive week and hope to avenge last season’s final debacle at Ford Field.

The Lions are improving, but Minnesota gets a turnover late to secure the win.

Result: Win

Week 4: Kansas City Chiefs

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Running back Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs for a first down against the Baltimore Ravens during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ph

This is an interesting game because there are two forces working here.

One, the Chiefs are the reigning AFC West champs, but many feel they did it with smoke and mirrors.

Secondly, the Chiefs are just coming off a road game against the Chargers, and next week face the Colts on the road, so if there is a trap game, this could be it.

The Chiefs are a good team, especially at home. I don’t see Minnesota having enough to overcome the road test.

Result: Loss

Week 5: Arizona Cardinals

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Cam Newton passes the ball during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The Cardinals are in a situation similar to Minnesota; who will be under center?

It seems like every other year these teams play one another and the road team wins, but Minnesota has the better defense and manages to have a strong performance from Peterson to win at home.

Result: Win

Week 6: Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears is hit after throwing a pass by Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 27-13. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

At this point in the season, most teams have things figured out.

For the Bears the big question remains, how will Cutler be performing by Week 6? The Bears face the Falcons, Saints and Packers in the first three games, then catch a break with the Panthers and Lions before facing the Vikings. Although the Lions game is on the road, the schedule favors the Bears through the first six weeks with four of those six games at home.

Vikings fans would love to see Minnesota steal one at Soldier Field, but at this point, the Bears have the stronger team, and dare I say it, the stronger quarterback.

Minnesota makes a close game of it, but the Bears score late to win by 10.

Result: Loss

Week 7: Green Bay Packers

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is hit by Ben Leber #51 of the Minnesota Vikings after being chased from the pocket at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Ph

The Super Bowl champs come to town with great confidence.

The Packers are most likely 5-1, at worst 4-2, as they roll into the new-look dome. The Packers' schedule, up to this point, is very much like that of the Bears: Falcons, Saints and Bears, with the Rams, Broncos and Panthers as the other three games.

If there is a game to steal, it would be this one, but Minnesota lacks the firepower to make it happen.

Result: Loss

Week 8: Carolina Panthers

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers drops back to pass during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (P

I cannot recall the amount of games in one season where the Vikings could face so many teams with first or second-year quarterbacks. Of course, the same could be said for the Vikings if they have to go with Joe Webb or a possible quarterback they select in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Here is another example of where the Vikings will face either a rookie in Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert, or second-year man Jimmy Clausen. And who knows, the Panthers could vie for veterans McNabb and Hasselbeck, or even trade for Orton or Kolb, but that is all speculation as we peer six months into the future.

Even though the Panthers are reorganizing, the Vikings cannot assume this is a victory. Carolina is a tough team at home, but Minnesota manages to run well against them to win a tight, low-scoring game.

Result: Win

Week 9: First Half Recap

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Interim head coach Leslie Frazier of the Minnesota Vikings looks on from the bench while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 20-13. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Gett

A lot of early season success or failure will rest mostly on the offensive side of the ball. I believe Minnesota's defense will be much improved as Griffin and Cook solidify the corner position and the linebackers become more active under Singletary.

Also, a resurgent Allen and co. will put fear into offenses once again. The schedule layout is pretty good so far with four home games and four away games.

Minnesota so far has faced all three division opponents and could stand at 2-1 or 1-2; I have them at 1-2 with losses to the Bears and Packers, and a win over Detroit.

With four away and four home, I have them losing one at home, but winning one on the road. Road games at Chicago, San Diego and Kansas City are difficult places to win. Playoff teams can manage those types of wins, and need to in order to be playoff worthy, but at this point, the Vikings are not playoff material.

First Eight Games: 4-4

Week 10: Green Bay Packers

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Sometimes life isn’t fair, and to have to play the Super Bowl champs twice in three weeks is a sure sign the football gods are not in your corner.

Despite the bye week, going on the road, this game should be a no-brainer—unless injuries have set in for the Packers.

The Vikings play the Packers tough, but home-field advantage just proves to be too much. Rodgers hits Jennings for a crucial touchdown and a costly turnover ruins the upset.

Result: Loss

Week 11: Oakland Raiders

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Fans of the Oakland Raiders look on against of the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 7, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

This is a tricky game because the Raiders won all of their divisional games last year, but struggled outside the AFC West. The Raiders are an enigma, so confusion sets in, and Oakland wants to get back home after coming off a physical loss to the Chargers the week before.

Result: Win

Week 12: Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons runs onto the field during player introductions against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. The

Staunch opponents in Weeks 9 with Indianapolis (road) and the Saints (home) in Week 10 test the Falcons' playoff push, and Atlanta could be licking their wounds a bit. But they get the Saints at home, followed by the Titans, then the Vikings come strolling into "Hot"lanta.

The Falcons are flying high, and with this being their third consecutive home game, they feast on the Vikings before heading on the road to Houston.

Result: Loss

Week 13: Denver Broncos

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 2: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a touchdown pass to Eric Decker during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jus

Tim Tebow or Kyle Orton? Heck, maybe even Brady Quinn—uh, don't think so.

As of now, the only people who have an idea as to who the man under center will be are Broncos coaches and management.

And no, the Broncos are not going to draft a quarterback at No. 2. If you have seen someone's mock draft that says that, please run as fast as you can away from that person's idea of a mock draft; or maybe it's their "mockery" draft.

This is yet another game where the Vikings could be facing a second-year quarterback, but my money is on Orton as the signal-caller.

The biggest question looming for the Broncos is, can Fox turn Denver around quickly? The Broncos have some very good pieces, and it is obvious that McDaniels was a disaster for them.

Minnesota gets a turnover late in the fourth quarter and converts it into points. December has begun, and the Vikings get off to a good start.

Result: Win

Week 14: Detroit Lions

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 07: Detroit Lions team doctor Kyle Anderson checks the right shoulder of Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions after leaving the game during the third quarter of the game at Ford Field on November 7, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Je

Will he or won't he?

Matthew Stafford, the NFL's No. 1 pick of 2009, has thus far been struck by the injury bug, and sometimes that just plagues a man's career. This year will tell the Lions a lot about their $50 million investment. I wonder if the Ford family could get a bailout if Stafford fails out? Hmm....

Well, it's put up or shut up time for most teams, and right now the Vikings are making some noise, but not enough to put them in the playoff conversation; conversely, the Lions are in the same spot.

Week 3 the Vikings got the best of the Lions, but Week 13 disappoints when Minnesota returns the turnover or special teams favor.

Result: Loss

Week 15: New Orleans Saints

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PEBBLE BEACH, CA - FEBRUARY 10: NFL quarterback Drew Brees plays a shot during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at Monterey Peninsula Country Club on February 10, 2011 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty

"Oh when the Saints, oh when the Saints, oh when the Saints come marching in."

I'm sure you were singing that; it's OK to admit it, so was I.

This is a watershed game for the Vikings because they lost a heartbreaker the week before, and the Saints face off against the Falcons the next week to avenge an earlier loss to them.

There’s a chance the Vikings could finish strong, and they really want the Saints at home, as they are tired of the Superdome and two crushing losses. They respond with one of their best games of the year.

Result: Win

Week 16: Washington Redskins

Win McNamee/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 02: Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan makes a point with a referee in the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field on January 2, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. The Giants won the game 17-14. (Pho

Who are the Redskins at this point? And to make matters worse, Congress may actually have a better opinion poll than this Washington team.

Now, I could be wrong, but if Grossman is the quarterback, who is the running back, and so on? See my point? The Redskins are stuck in a holding pattern.

Obviously, we have two teams that are rebuilding, but Minnesota has more parts working together right now.

Result: Win

Week 17: Chicago Bears

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears smiles while taking on the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Minnesota has a chance to either prevent the Bears from making the playoffs or winning the division if they can win this final game.

The Vikings have made good strides at this point. The defense is playing solidly, and the offense is beginning to have an identity. Free agent quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has played well enough to hold the ship steady, paving the way for next year's possible starter Andy Dalton—or maybe Christian Ponder—or maybe Jake Locker.

Result: Win

Season's Final Notes: A Step Forward or Backward?

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 18: An officials cap marks a play as the Minnesota Vikings face the Baltimore Ravens during NFL action at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on October 18, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Ravens 33-31. (Photo by

Over the course of the final eight games, Minnesota goes 5-3, giving them an overall record of 9-7 and third place in the NFC North.

The 2011 season is now over. Six teams from each conference are headed to the playoffs, while Minnesota packs it in for a second straight year, but all is not lost.

The Vikings have made great strides on defense with the steady play of its front seven, the emergence of Everson Griffen at left end and Greenway's (newly-elected All-Pro selection) monster year. Rookie free safety Quinton Carter has solidified his position as starter, and free agent Manny Lawson has complemented Henderson and Greenway nicely.

As for the offense, Hasselbeck has been solid, and Peterson is the NFC's leading rusher once again. Rookie wideout Austin Pettis (Boise State) or Stephen Burton (West Texas A&M) surprised by being effective and another weapon for the offense. Another plus is Harvin only misses one game with migraines and is a perennial All-Pro.

Realistically, the Vikings are looking at 8-8, but if they click and surprise in some games, they could go 10-6. But with the Bears and Packers leading the way right now, Minnesota can only hope either of those teams does not repeat the magic of 2010. So much depends on the draft and (possible) free-agency pickups, so who knows right now.

Of course this is all speculation. I might be about as right as a three-year-old trying to explain quantum physics. I might be scary right and warrant a "psychic" evaluation or at the very least a television appearance on one of those Dr. shows.  Either way, it's been fun putting this together. I always welcome comments and suggestions.

To find out what I think about all the teams in the NFC North, check out my soon-to-be released article on NFC North predictions.