Minnesota Vikings: 2017 Schedule Breakdown And Analysis

Week 9: BYE

Right around where Zimmer would like his bye to be, probably one of the few “wish-list” items teams are supposed to submit to the league.

Week 10: at Washington Redskins

If this isn’t perfect timing to get Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins on the schedule, then I don’t know what is. The turmoil in Washington is no joke between their quarterback and the front office, and it was made even worse when the Redskins front office allowed Cousins’ two primary options on the outside to leave via free agency. Rhythm with Josh Doctson and the newly signed Terrelle Pryor may still be questionable, and who knows how that defense will play.

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Minnesota will be well rested, hopefully some of their injures will be healed up during their week off, and they can come out with a ton of energy on the road. Washington hasn’t lost to the Vikings at home since 2011, though the tides may turn in 2017.

Week 11: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Will the real Todd Gurley please stand up? Well, not during this game, please. But you know, at some point. Coming out of college, Gurley looked like the second coming of Adrian Peterson. Lackluster blocking, a predictable offense and limited options caved in the chances of him (or the entire offense) being successful.

Let us not forget, Minnesota fans, this will also be Sam Bradford playing against the team that drafted him No. 1 overall back in 2010. This will mark the first game versus his former team, one that we bet he has marked on his schedule after they let him walk. The Rams are in a transition period under Jared Goff, and with a new head coach. Hopefully Minnesota doesn’t fall for the trap game.

Week 12: at Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving)

If this game is as competitive as it was last year during both games versus the Lions, Turkey Day fans should be in for a treat. Last season, the Lions snuck out of Minnesota with an overtime victory, then beat them again kicking a game-winning field goal on Thanksgiving. Detroit went out and spent some premium money on their offensive line, signing two guys the Vikings were rumored to being interested in, T.J. Lang and Ricky Wagner.

Maybe Detroit focuses on the run game more with Ameer Adbullah returning from injury. Either way, this will be another close game with turnovers dictating the winner. Matthew Stafford had an extremely efficient year last year, but has been known to be a bit less so throughout his entire career. The Vikings will need to capitalize when they can.

Week 13: at Atlanta Falcons

Starting a brutal stretch of games to end the season, the first of three away games in the final quarter pits them against the Falcons. Matt Ryan, last year’s MVP winner, at this point will be fighting for another playoff spot, and hopefully so will the Vikings.

Minnesota’s defense matches up with the Falcons weapons nicely if Trae Waynes continues to progress. His counter part, Xavier Rhodes, will be matched up against one of the best in the game in Julio Jones. With an extra day of rest, Minnesota should be able to keep up with the Falcons, but can they slow down the MVP?