Vikings game-by-game predictions after 2026 NFL Schedule release

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Vikings game-by-game predictions after 2026 NFL Schedule release

Steve Silverman, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Fri, May 15, 2026 ·

8 min read

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Vikings game-by-game predictions after 2026 NFL Schedule release appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

The 2026 season is upon us. Until the schedule was released, it was just a nebulous thought that included free agency, the NFL Draft and the knowledge of which teams the Minnesota Vikings would face. However, the team could not really develop a plan of attack until they knew which opponent would be played in each particular week.

The 2025 season saw the Vikings finish with a 9-8 record , but it was truly misleading. After finishing with the NFC's second-best record the season before, the Vikings lost eight of their first 12 games and they were out of playoff contention. Much of this had to do with the injuries and inconsistency of quarterback J.J. McCarthy and the fact that the Vikings did not have a legitimate backup quarterback.

The situation is quite a bit different this season because the Vikings have brought in Kyler Murray to compete with McCarthy for the team's QB1 job. This appears to be a legitimate fight where both signalcallers are on even terms at this point. Head coach Kevin O'Connell — still looked at as one of the best quarterback whisperers in the NFL — will determine which quarterback gives the Vikings the best chance to win games this season.

Here's a look Minnesota's game-by-game predictions for the 2026 season:

Vikings open season with Packers , Bears

Week 1, vs. Green Bay Packers— The Vikings open the season with one of their biggest rivals and they hope to set the tone with a victory. By the time the season kicks off, the QB competition will have been decided. The belief here is that Murray will start under center and do just enough to the Vikings get off to a winning start. Vikings 24, Packers 23

Week 2, at Chicago Bears— The Vikings will come into this game with a good feeling and some early-season momentum, but the Bears have the winning combination of QB Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson.The Vikings beat the Bears at Soldier Field last season, but they will fall short this time around. Bears 27, Vikings 19

Week 3, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — This could be a dangerous game for the Vikings since the Bucs are hoping to rebound in 2026 after failing to make the playoffs. Tampa Bay had won the division title the previous four seasons and the brutally hot weather should work in the home team's favor. But look for Justin Jefferson to make the difference and the Vikings get the tough road win. Vikings 27, Buccaneers 23

Excellent chance to get off to huge start

Week 4, vs. Miami Dolphins — This is another team team that is going through a major transition. Mike McDaniel always looked out of place as the Dolphins head coach, but he did have some clever offensive concepts. First-year head coach Jeff Hafley is a defensive guru with 26 years of coaching experience. Hafley comes from a stint with the Green Bay Packers, and former Green Bay backup QB Malik Willis takes over as the team's QB1. This will likely be a rough season for the Dolphins, but Hafley and Willis are familiar with the Vikings. Vikings 20, Dolphins 13

Week 5, at New Orleans Saints — If the Vikings have been able to win three of their first four games, this will be a game that Minnesota will almost certainly be favored. The Saints are trying to rebuild with Tyler Shough at quarterback. New Orleans may be an exciting team, but the hosts will make too many mistakes. Vikings 28, Saints 17

Week 6, Bye

Tough stretch awaits Vikings at midseason

Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Week 7, vs. Indianapolis Colts — The Colts could be one of the more surprising teams in the league in 2026, and strong-armed quarterback Daniel Jones will have much to do with it as long as he stays healthy. Jonathan Taylor is one of the best running backs in the league, and he will take pressure off of Jones. The Vikings will fall short here. Colts 31, Vikings 28

Week 8, at Detroit Lions — The Lions are bent on filling their championship potential this season. They were favored to do that last season, but they ended up finishing in fourth place in the NFC North. Wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the best in the league and he will lead Detroit to a brilliant season. Lions 28, Vikings 21

Week 9, vs. Buffalo Bills (Monday Night)— This will be a major test for the Bears since the Bills remain a legitimate threat to represent the AFC and get to the Super Bowl. Bills fans are certainly tired of having a team that regularly comes close but fails to make the full journey, but there is no denying that QB Josh Allen is one of the most talented and athletic signal callers in the NFL. Much will depend on the Bills defense and new head coach Joe Brady. The Bills fired Sean McDermott at the end of last season, and the Bills are going through changes. Bills 28, Vikings 21

Rematch vs. Packers, trip to Mexico captures national attention

Week 10, at Green Bay Packers— After beating the Packers in the opening game of the season, the Vikings know they will get Green Bay's best effort here. The Vikings come into this game having lost three in a row, and if they are going to rescue their season, they must come up with the sweep of the Packers. Murray and Jefferson make big plays in the fourth quarter and the Vikings earn the victory. Vikings 27, Packers 23

Week 11, at San Francisco 49ers , Mexico City (Sunday Night)— The eyes of Mexico City will be on the Vikings, and while the 49ers are the designated home team, Minnesota will get plenty of support. Former 49er Jauan Jennings will make his old team pay and the Vikings will get a surprising Sunday night win. Vikings 31, 49ers 24

Week 12, vs. Atlanta Falcons — The Falcons have one of the best running backs in the league in Bijan Robinson . He combines explosive speed with power. This should take pressure off of starting quarterback Michael Penix , but that's not what the NFL is about. The starting quarterback must produce. Penix knows this, because the Falcons have brought in former Dolphin Tua Tagovailoa to step in if Penix suffers any downturn or gets injured. Vikings 20, Falcons 17

Vikings could be vulnerable to upset

Week 13, vs. Carolina Panthers — There has been significant progress in Carolina, as the Panthers have improved significantly in the past two seasons as they were a 2-15 team in 2023, 5-12 in 2024 and 8-9 last season. The Panthers made the postseason playing in the struggling NFC South a year ago, and Bryce Young has keyed that improvement. The Panthers expect that improvement to continue this season. Panthers 21, Vikings 20

Week 14, at New England Patriots (Thursday Night)— The Vikings don't have much time to get ready, but they are focused after suffering a painful upset to the Panthers. O'Connell is as angry with his team as observers have ever seen him and he gets a much better effort from the Vikings. They pull of the road upset. Vikings 29, Patriots 27

Key game vs. Lions may serve as key to season

Week 15, vs. Detroit Lions (Sunday Night)— This is the most crucial game of the season to this point. Detroit has been a dominant team to this point in the season and there have been remarks in the media from the Lions that disparage the Vikings. O'Connell makes sure that his players know they are not respected by their opponents, and the Vikings play their best game of the season. Vikings 35, Lions 22

Week 16, vs. Washington Commanders —The Vikings are riding a high after beating the Lions on Sunday night football. After letting down earlier in the season against the Panthers, O'Connell doesn't let that happen against the Commanders. Vikings 24, Commanders 17

Week 17, at New York Jets — The Vikings are on a roll and they could be in danger here against a Jets team that plays excellent defense and is much-improved this season. However, a playoff spot is on the line and the Vikings play a conservative game and get by with a narrow triumph. Vikings 13, Jets 10

Week 18, vs. Chicago Bears— The Vikings will be looking for the NFC North title and revenge over the Bears after losing the first matchup between the two teams. O'Connell is fully confident that his team will get the job done at home and find a way to keep Williams in check. The Vikings outlast the Bears and earn an overtime triumph. Vikings 30, Bears 27 (OT)

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