The Minnesota Vikings are eyeing a blazing 5-1 start to their 2026 season, a prediction that feels a little wild, especially after the letdown of last year. Kyler Murray is officially at the helm, and the schedule makers clearly gave the Vikings a serious boost with an early slate that should let the team find its groove. This season’s looking like it could wipe away some of that regret from 2025.
Murray’s Early Ride and a Schedule You’ll Love
Look, the NFL schedule can be brutal, but this year the Vikings definitely caught a break. Kicking things off in Week 1, the Packers come to town, and honestly, their defense without Micah Parsons is going to be different. Plus, with no WR1 and Jacobs out, the Vikings’ defense should handle it, putting up a 20-13 win to start strong. Week 2 might be tougher on the road against the Bears, who clinched the NFC North last season and might even be better. The Vikings defense will keep it tight, but the offense might not capitalize, leading to a close 23-20 Bears win.
Then the schedule softens up in a big way from Weeks 3-5, which is exactly what a team needs with a new QB. Week 3 sees them heading to Tampa Bay, and I’m telling you, Kyler Murray could totally find his rhythm in that Florida sun. A 24-17 Vikings win feels right there. Week 4, the Dolphins roll into Minnesota, and let’s be real, they’re shaping up to be one of the league’s worst this season. The Vikings’ defense should cruise, securing a 27-13 home victory. Finally, Week 5 sends them to New Orleans. Going into the Big Easy is never easy, but with a questionable starting QB for the Saints, the Vikings should grab a 20-10 win. That’s a 5-1 start before the early Week 6 bye! That’s a super optimistic start, but it’s all thanks to this easier stretch.
Past Pains and the Road Ahead
After that bye week, things get real. The author of this preview openly admits they were too optimistic about J.J. McCarthy in 2025, predicting a 12-5 season that didn’t pan out. But let’s not forget 2024, when they didn’t believe in Sam Darnold at all, and the Vikings finished 14-3. They were dead wrong on that one, proving predictions can be wild.
Now, coming out of the bye, Week 7 brings the Colts to Minnesota. And honestly, who wants to play Daniel Jones? Jonathan Taylor is elite, and the Colts will have a strong run game, a veteran QB, and decent weapons. The Vikings could stumble there, a projected 27-16 loss feels like a real gut punch after that hot start. Week 8 means another tough road game, this time in Detroit against the Lions. I’m not sure Murray’s ready to go into that environment and pull off a win, and stopping the Lions’ offense completely is a huge ask. Expect another loss, 24-17. It shows how quickly this schedule turns.
Next up, after that rough patch, is a Monday Night Football showdown in Week 9 against Josh Allen and the Bills. That’s going to be a massive test under the lights. The Vikings are going to need Kyler Murray to be in top form by then if they want to get back on track. It’s early, but every game shapes the season, and the pressure will be on to prove that 5-1 start wasn’t just a fluke.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Daily Norseman.
Leave a Reply