Vikes Views: 2026 Season Preview

I came into last season a little too optimistic about J.J. McCarthy. I bought into the hype and predicted a 12-5 season, which makes me a bit hesitant heading into this year. That said, the NFL schedule makers did the Vikings a few favors. A slate that includes the NFC South should provide some timely opportunities throughout the season, and the softer stretch in Weeks 3-5 will give the team time to settle in with Kyler Murray at the helm. Hopefully, I won’t be looking back after the 2026 season with the same regret I felt following 2025.

2025: 12-5, too optimistic on the young QB

2024: 9-8, I didn’t believe in Darnold, couldn’t have been more wrong and they ended 14-3.

2023: 11-6 prediction, might have been good if Cousins didn’t go down, they eneded 7-10.

2022: 13-4, I was called a homer, but I was right. Disappointing ending to the season though.

Week 1: Packers @ Vikings

The Vikings will get off to a good start with Kyler Murray. The Packers defense without Micah Parsons will be different than later in the season. The Vikings defense will be able to handle a team with no WR1 and Jacobs out of the lineup.

Vikings 20 – Packers 13

Week 2: Vikings @ Bears

Week 2 won’t be as easy on the Vikings. Chicago won the NFC North last season and might have even improved from there. The Vikings defense will keep it close, but the offense won’t be able to take advantage.

Bears 23 – Vikings 20

Week 3: Vikings @ Buccaneers

Road game after a couple of early divisional games can be tough. I have a feeling Murray might find his zone a little bit in the warm Florida weather.

Vikings 24 – Bucs 17

Week 4: Dolphins @ Vikings

I think the Fins are going to be one of the worst teams in the league this season. I can’t see them giving the Vikings defense any trouble. The Vikings will cruise to a victory at home.

Vikings 27 – Dolphins 13

Week 5: Vikings @ New Orleans

Another team with a questionable starting QB. Going into New Orleans is never fun. However, the bounties won’t be enough this time though.

Vikings 20 – Saints 10

Week 6: Bye

Early bye might be a good thing. 5-1 is a very optimistic start, but it’s the easier portion of the schedule.

Week 7: Colts @ Vikings

I hate playing Daniel Jones. Jonathan Taylor is elite. The Colts will have a strong run game and a veteran QB with decent weapons. The Vikings stumble out of the bye.

Colts 27 – Vikings 16

Week 8: Vikings @ Lions

The Vikings continue with another tough game on the road in Detroit. I don’t know if I have confidence in Murray’s ability to go into this environment and pull through. They Vikings won’t be able to completely stop the Lions’ offense.

Lions 24 – Vikings 17

Week 9: Bills @ Vikings – MNF

Josh Allen rolling in on Monday Night Football will be fun. The Vikings will be reeling after back-to-back losses. I think Vikings will be able to move the ball well. The Bills won’t have the weapons to keep up.

Vikings 27 – Bills 16

Week 10: Vikings @ Packers

The Vikings will struggle a little more against the Packers defense if Micah Parsons is back healthy. Parsons along with not being inside US Bank, will slow them down a little too much.

Packers 20 – Vikings 17

Week 11: 49ers @ Vikings – SNF

The 49ers offense might be scary if they can figure out Mike Evans, Deebo, and McCaffrey all on the field. The 49ers have a lot of weapons and I’m not counting on enough injuries for them to not handle their business against the Vikings.

49ers 31 – Vikings 17

Week 12: Falcons @ Vikings

The schedule gives the Vikings a little bit of a break with the Falcons coming into town. They’re hoping to recapture the magic of Tua’s 2023 breakout season, if they don’t, Michael Penix Jr is likely going to see the field by Week 12. I don’t think either QB will have enough. Bijan is always going to be tough to stop, but a one dimensional offense won’t be enough.

Vikings 27 – Falcons 16

Week 13: Panthers @ Vikings

Matching up against the worst division in the NFL is going to do the Vikings a lot of favors this season. I can’t see the Panthers coming into Minnesota and walking away with a victory. The Vikings move to 4-0 against the NFC South.

Vikings 31 – Panthers 13

Week 14: Vikings @ Patriots – TNF

The Patriots offense has a few new weapons they’ll need to figure out, but by the time Week 14 rolls around, I have a feeling they’ll be looking good. Their defense will once again be one of the best in the league. A short week on the road is usually not good. Late in the season in New England won’t be any different.

Patriots 24 – Vikings 10

Week 15: Lions @ Vikings – SNF

This is where the season gets interesting. Two divisional games with two winnable non-divisional games in between. If the Vikings can pull off a victory here, it will likely launch them into a playoff run. If they can’t, the season will sputter to a finish. Call me a homer, but I think they can do it.

Vikings 27 – Lions 24

Week 16: Commanders @ Vikings

The Commanders are a hard team to read. Jayden Daniels amazing rookie year was followed up with an injury filled year 2. Stephon Diggs and Terry McLaurin will give him weapons to do so. However, I think the Vikings will ride the momentum of the victory against Detroit. The crowd will be ready to go.

Vikings 24 – Commanders 20

Week 17: Vikings @ Jets

The Jets stink. They’re be vying for the #1 pick by now.

Vikings 30 – Jets 6

Week 18: Bears @ Vikings

The Bears will have wrapped up the NFC North by the time we get here. The Vikings will be in the Wild Card and need a win. The Vikings will ride a four game win streak into the playoffs.

Vikings 24 – Bears 13

11-6 would be a great first season for Kyler Murray with the Vikings. The team will head into the playoffs with a good head of steam. I don’t think they’re serious contenders, but it’s truly anyone’s game in the playoffs.

I was late to come around to the idea of Kyler leading this team, but I think Kevin O’Connell can make it work. Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age, but I keep looking at this roster and thinking it’s better than a lot of people want to admit.

The defense should be one of the best in the league. Justin Jefferson is still Justin Jefferson. The offensive line looks improved on paper, and if the running game takes a step forward, Murray won’t need to be Superman every week.

That’s really the key to the entire season. The Vikings don’t need Murray to play like an MVP candidate. They need him to avoid the mistakes that have followed him throughout his career and make the plays that are there when they present themselves.

If he can do that, 11-6 feels very realistic.

If he plays better than that, the Vikings could surprise some people.