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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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 19: Tashawn Bower #90 of the Minnesota Vikings sacks Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams at the end of the fourth quarter of the game on November 19, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 19: Tashawn Bower #90 of the Minnesota Vikings sacks Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams at the end of the fourth quarter of the game on November 19, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

3. Week 4 @ Los Angeles Rams (Away)

A Thursday night game is never the players’ favorite, but fans will take football any day of the week. This Thursday night matchup should be an offensive-thriller. The Vikings had no problem taking care of the Los Angeles Rams at home last season, but LA has since upgraded at some key positions while maintaining most of the rest of the roster.

First-year head coach Sean McVay broke onto the scene as Coach of the Year in 2017, and with another year in the system Jared Goff should have a better grasp on the playbook. Todd Gurley will take care of his business, and the newly-acquired Brandin Cooks poses a real threat on the outside.

Ndamokung Suh, Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters make for tremendous additions on a defense that already includes the best defensive player in the league in Aaron Donald.  The Rams are one of the most complete teams on paper, but will need to show out on the field before they can officially be classified within the NFL’s elite.

Despite that, Minnesota may have a difficult time against the offensive mastermind that is Sean McVay. Look for this matchup to be one of the best overall games of the entire season.

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