2011 Minnesota Vikings Schedule: Predicting the Season's Outcome

The Vikings regular season schedule was recently released and it pleases me very much to see a lot of teams who they haven’t played in recent years, such as Tampa Bay, Kansas City and the Oakland Raiders.

At the same time, the rivalry with New Orleans continues—all Vikings fans feel there is unfinished business until victory is attained; even if they win, it will have less meaning than a particular loss though.

Minnesota will play their old enemies six times per standard.

All in all, the season is starting to shape up into an exciting journey, regardless of the quarterback issue.

So, here is the list and my predictions for each game. This is subject to who plays quarterback obviously.

It is more than likely that the Vikings will be able to find a savvy veteran to team with their seasoned starters, which should result in a mixture of success and being overmatched physically.

September 11: Vikings @ San Diego Chargers

The Vikings may have their hands full here. If the pass rush shows up, they can take down Phillip Rivers; if not, he will tear them apart.

Final score: Chargers 28 Vikings 10

September 18: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Vikings

Minnesota has the kind of defense that could stop these youngsters in their tracks. If the offense can keep up with the score, it could be a good game.

Final score: Vikings 17 Buccaneers 13

September 25: Detroit Lions @ Vikings

Matthew Stafford is set to have a breakout season and could have a great game here. But the Vikings always play them tough and Adrian Peterson practically owns them.

Final Score: Vikings 28 Lions 24

October 2: Vikings @ Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City was a surprising story last season, this year may not be so gracious to them. The Vikings showed they are an excellent outdoor road team with wins at Philadelphia and Washington under Les Frazier.

Final score: Vikings 20 Chiefs 17

October 9: Arizona Cardinals @ Vikings

Arizona is going to have a hard time being a contender even if they can get Larry Fitzgerald a throwing buddy. The Vikings offense no matter who is quarterback will have fun on this day.

Final score: Vikings 31 Cardinals 10

October 16: Vikings @ Chicago Bears

Minnesota never seems to have success at Soldier Field and that won’t likely be changing with this season.

Final score: Bears 28 Vikings 10

October 23: Green Bay Packers @ Vikings

Green Bay will be coming to Minnesota for the first time since drubbing them 31-3 last season. The Vikings will be playing for pride and revenge.

Final score: OT Vikings 34 Packers 31

October 30: Vikings @ Carolina Panthers

If the season goes this well up to this point and a win over Green Bay only a week behind them this could become a trap game. But Frazier will have the guys ready and Carolina is miserable.

Final score: Vikings 24 Carolina 3

Bye week:

A good place to have a bye, right in the middle of the season. Minnesota will rest up and prepare for the toughest game on the schedule.

November 14: Vikings @ Green Bay Packers

The Vikings may come out rusty, as they tend to do after a bye week. Green Bay will be too much at home.

Final score: Packers 21 Vikings 13

November 20: Oakland Raiders @ Vikings

The Raiders will be a test and I figure they will be the big surprise team like the Chiefs were.

Final score: Raiders 17 Vikings 14

November 27: Vikings @ Atlanta Falcons

Minnesota continues their slide in Atlanta, where the Falcons offense is too much and their defense has gotten stronger.

Final score: Falcons 21 Vikings 16

December 4: Denver Broncos @ Vikings

The slide ends and December gets things off on the right foot. The Broncos won’t be very good next season barring a monster draft class.

Final score: Vikings 38 Broncos 20

December 11 Vikings @ Detroit Lions

The Lions are a up and coming team, but Minnesota will get the best of them here, needing a win to stay in the playoff hunt the Vikings get a monster game from Lion tamer Adrian Peterson.

Final score: Vikings 22 Lions 20

December 18: New Orleans Saints @ Vikings

He revenge won’t be coming this year, New Orleans is strong and the Vikings won’t be able to match up with them down the stretch.

Final score: Saints 23 Vikings 14

December 24: Vikings @ Washington Redskins

Frazier has the guys ready as the playoff push continues in Washington. The Redskins will be better this season, but even with a new quarterback there are a lot of phases missing.

Final score: Vikings 31 Redskins 13

January 1: Chicago Bears @ Vikings

Needing a victory to stay alive the Vikings face an equally desperate Bears team. This game will most likely come down to how well the Vikings control the game.

Peterson loves to play Chicago.

Final score: OT Vikings 13 Bears 10

Season record: 10-6