Leave it to the NFL to make releasing their schedule an actual event.  That being said, I took the bait and looked at various team schedules.  One schedule I looked at was that of the Minnesota Vikings.

It's a challenging schedule, but not impossible to come out okay and ready to take another step forward.  Let's face it, all eyes are already on 2016 when the new stadium opens so any success prior to that is just gravy.

Here are my game by game fearless, and far too early, predictions for the upcoming Vikings season:

Sept. 14: at San Francisco 9:20 p.m.
The Vikings return to Monday night football, and this is their only Monday Night appearance.  The 49ers aren't what they used to be, but facing them on the road for their season opener is not ideal.  I still think the Vikings will pull the upset.  VIKINGS WIN

Sept. 20: Detroit noon
The Vikings won just one divisional game last year, and Detroit was not that victory.  This will be a tough game, but it is their home opener and they will squeak by.  VIKINGS WIN

Sept. 27: San Diego noon
The 2-0 Vikings?  San Diego comes to town next and the Vikings chances in this game depend on whether Philip Rivers is the Chargers QB.  I'm assuming he will be, and he will hand the Vikings their first loss.  VIKINGS LOSS

October 4: at Denver 3pm
At Denver in October?  Peyton Manning's arm won't wear down until December!  Denver is built to win the big one now, the Vikings are not.  Will be a better game than people expect, but Vikes fall short.  VIKINGS LOSS

Oct. 11: Bye --- I think the Vikings would be pleased to enter the bye week at 2-2, no matter where the wins come from.

Oct. 18: Kansas City noon
Jamaal Charles, Jeremy Maclin and company come to town.  If you're going to play KC, best to get them away from from Kansas City, which is one of the toughest places to play.  Vikings defense will make this one they can win, and they will be well rested after their early bye week. VIKINGS WIN

Oct. 25: at Detroit noon
After the upset earlier in the year at home, the Vikings head to Detroit where the fans will be dressed in their Halloween best and will create a tough environment.  VIKINGS LOSS

Nov. 1: at Chicago noon
Back-to-back divisional road games are not exactly the best thing for a young team.  This could be the game that determines if the Vikings will be a team that just slightly improves in 2015 or takes a big step forward.  Let's assume Jay Cutler still forces the ball and the Bears D is still not back to the Monsters Of The Midway level.  VIKINGS WIN

Nov. 8: St. Louis noon
This is a game that everyone looks at and assumes it's a win.  Not me.  St. Louis is tough on defense and they have a real quarterback in Nick Foles, assuming he's still healthy at this point.  That said, the game is at home and they will be confident after a divisional road win.  VIKINGS WIN

Nov. 15: at Oakland 3:05 p.m.
The Vikings are 5-3 and head to Oakland for what should be victory?  Don't get too excited, Vikings fans because this looks like a trap game.  A West Coast road game against a young talented team who may be finding their stride at this point.  This will be ugly, but they will find a way.  VIKINGS WIN

Nov. 22: Green Bay noon
Finally, the first battle against the Green Bay Packers!  We all remember what happened last year as Green Bay swept the Vikings, although the Vikings home game was at least competitive.  I think this game will be even more competitive, but a reality check. VIKINGS LOSS

Nov. 29: at Atlanta noon
Last year Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings completely rolled the Falcons at home.  The Falcons have a new head coach and a lot of talent.  Vikings fans get nervous as they lose 2 in a row, could the season be imploding?  VIKINGS LOSS

Dec. 6: Seattle noon
Just what the Vikings need when riding a two game losing streak, the powerhouse Seattle Seahawks coming to town. Beast Mode, Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson and company will come in cocky and confident.  Surprise!  The Vikings play their best game of the year against a team that loses a little swagger away from home.  VIKINGS WIN

Dec. 10: at Arizona 7:25 p.m.
High on their victory over the powerhouse Seahawks, the Vikings have little time to prepare for a Thursday night road game against another incredible defense.  It's a tough back-to-back challenge for any team, especially on a short week.  VIKINGS LOSS

Dec. 20: Chicago noon
By now, I think Chicago will have imploded and the Vikings will have a long break to heal their bruises from the Seahawks /Cardinals games.  VIKINGS WIN

Dec. 27: NY Giants noon
The Vikings welcome Odell Beckham Jr to town with an 8-6 record and still in playoff contention.  I predict cold, snow and good old fashioned football as the Vikings secure a winning record for the year.  VIKINGS WIN

Jan. 3: at Green Bay noon
This is an interesting game for a lot of reasons.  Of course it's against Green Bay and it's the first time the two teams have met at Lambeau in a non-playoff January game.  The Vikings may very well need to win to make the playoffs.  The Packers may have already wrapped up the division and their playoff seeding, so the Vikings may only see Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy for a half.  However, let's assume it's both teams at full strength for the whole game.  I think the Vikings play well, but fall short.  They do erase the bad memory of their Ponder-led Lambeau performance of 2014.  VIKINGS LOSS

 

So, the Vikings finish 9-7, which I think would be a highly successful year.  I think it's possible even if they end up without Adrian Peterson, as long as they upgrade their current running backs via draft (most likely), free agency or trade. If things break the right way, the Vikings could be the dark horse to grab the final playoff spot in the NFC.

I realize Vikings fans wouldn't appreciate another sweep at the hands of the Green Bay Packers, but just think how much better you'll feel in 2016 when the Vikings defeat Green Bay week 1 to open their brand new stadium.

Come on NFL scheduling committee, make it happen.

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