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Minnesota Vikings: 5 Toughest matchups in 2018

By Joe Kipp

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings talks with field judge James Coleman #95 and Rodney McLeod #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles after making a catch during the third quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The eagles defeated the Vikings 21-10. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings talks with field judge James Coleman #95 and Rodney McLeod #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles after making a catch during the third quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The eagles defeated the Vikings 21-10. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings talks with field judge James Coleman #95 and Rodney McLeod #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles after making a catch during the third quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The eagles defeated the Vikings 21-10. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings talks with field judge James Coleman #95 and Rodney McLeod #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles after making a catch during the third quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The eagles defeated the Vikings 21-10. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

The Minnesota Vikings endure one of the hardest schedules in 2018. Who are the five toughest opponents they’ll face?

The Minnesota Vikings enjoyed a 13-3 regular season on their way to an NFC Championship Game berth in 2017. Because they won the division, they’ll play a first place schedule, one of the downsides to such prodigious success.

The Vikings will endure the eighth-hardest schedule based on last season’s winning-percentage, where their opponents combine for an overall average of .520. However, they only face eight teams with winning records from 2017.

But looking at the bigger picture, things may not be as they seem. After all, the NFL is as unpredictable as anything, and mediocre teams soon look like contenders. For instance, the Jimmy Garoppolo-led San Francisco 49ers finished 6-10, but are undeniably trending upwards.

Minnesota faces every team from the NFC West, NFC North, AFC East and AFC South this season. They’ll also hold a rematch from the NFC Championship game with the Philadelphia Eagles. Taking all that into account, let’s look at the five toughest matchups for the Vikings in 2018.

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