The 2026 Minnesota Vikings season gets underway this Sunday when they face division rival the Green Bay Packers at home. This is year five under Kevin O’Connell, and as Ben alluded in an earlier blog post, the Vikings likely need to not only make the playoffs, but get at least one playoff win for the head coach to keep his job going forward. So with the 2026 season just a few days away, the crew at Just Win Minnesota thought we’d go game-by-game and give our official Minnesota Vikings season predictions.
Week 1 vs. Green Bay
Jakeybigs: Week 1 is always tough to predict, especially against a division opponent. But I think Brian Flores takes advantage of an injured and weak GB o-line. 1-0.
Ben: I just have a feeling that KOC and Kyler Murray are going to cook something up against the Packers defense. I think the Vikings win this one on a late field goal from Will the Thrill. 1-0
Woody: Home opener. Packers without several key players. Weird to say a “must win” in your first game of the year but it feels like that with Green Bay far from 100%. Kyler with a statement win in his first Vikings start. 1-0
Week 2 @ Chicago
Jakeybigs: I’m down on the Bears this year. Regression is going to slap them in the face. But it feels like the Bears are due to finally beat us at Soldier Field. Something they haven’t done since 2019, which is hard to believe. 1-1
Ben: The Vikings have had recent success in Chicago but I always have an eerie feeling every time they go there. Even their recent wins there haven’t been pretty. I think Chicago wins this one by ten points. 1-1
Woody: Like Jake, I’m not a huge believer in the Bears. Yet. Minnesota’s offense proves too much and the Vikings win a shootout. 2-0
Week 3 @ Tampa Bay
Jakeybigs: The Bucs are coming off a bad second half meltdown last year where they missed the playoffs and finished 8-9. They still have talent, but if the Vikings are going to reach the playoffs this is a game you need to win and I think they will. 2-1.
Ben: Anyone remember when the Bucs played in the old NFC Central with the Vikings? The Vikings always struggled on the road at Tampa Bay, and that was the 1998 team’s only regular season loss. I also have PTSD from the 2023 season opener. Because of that, I think the Bucs ice this game late in a close one. 1-2
Woody: Fresh off a new contract, Baker and a balanced offense catch the Vikings napping on the road. 2-1
Week 4 vs. Miami
Jakeybigs: The Dolphins are projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. They traded away Jayden Waddle, are taking a gamble on Malik Willis, and have a brand-new head coach. This is a win. 3-1.
Ben: As Jake said, Miami is supposed to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. That makes the Minnesota sports fan in me a little nervous, but this isn’t the Timberwolves playing a bad team at Target Center. Vikings win in a blowout. 2-2
Woody: This has the potential to be a trap type of game but Miami just has too many flaws. Achane is their only real weapon but it won’t be enough. Jefferson and Addison will exploit this defense. Vikings win relatively easily. 3-1
Week 5 @ New Orleans
Jakeybigs: A sneaky tough game in my opinion. The Superdome is a tough road environment and I’m a believer in Tyler Shough and this young team. I think they win the NFC South and this game. 3-2.
Ben: New Orleans will be improved but I don’t think they’re ready to make that big of a step yet. Brian Flores will have Tyler Shough seeing ghosts. 3-2
Woody: I like New Orleans’ offense with Shough, Chris Olave, and recently added Travis Etienne. Highly regarded rookie WR Jordyn Tyson will make this roster even better when he returns from injury later on. Feels like another shootout but the good guys will drop this one. 3-2
Week 6: Bye
Jakeybigs: No Vikings (booo) or Gophers (who cares) this week.
Ben: I’ll be crunching CFP scenarios for the Gophers this weekend because they will be 6-0 or at worst 5-1 at this point.
Woody: I’ll be dialed into the Twins in the postseason this week, right guys?!
Week 7 vs. Indianapolis
Jakeybigs: Who knows who will be the Colts starting QB for this game. I get Daniel Jones is back but coming off a torn ACL is never easy, but this game will be easy for the Vikings. 4-2.
Ben: US Bank Stadium will win this game for the Vikings. I think a late Daniel Jones pick to Harry the Hitman will seal the win. 4-2
Woody: Colts have some legit talent in Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Warren. But even if Daniel Jones is healthy, I think the Vikings controls this one at home. 4-2
Week 8 @ Detroit
Jakeybigs: Sweeping Detroit with 9 and Max Brosmer is quite the accomplishment. The Vikings won’t be so fortunate this time around against an improved and healthier Lions team who have a cupcake schedule. 4-3.
Ben: Detroit is turning into the new Chicago for the Vikings in that it’s a hard place to play. I think Detroit is going to bounce back this year and take this game. 4-3
Woody: One of the toughest games on the schedule. Detroit remains one of the top teams in the NFC. Vikings fall short in a back and forth game. 4-3
Week 9 vs. Buffalo
Jakeybigs: The Bills have done a bit of a roster reset this offseason and have a new head coach to go with it. Although they still have Josh Allen, who’s the best QB in the NFL IMO, I think the Vikings find a way to win this one at home. 5-3.
Ben: I could see Buffalo struggling this year. A new head coach and a revamped roster could go either way for the Bills. But I think Josh Allen is a dog and one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and that will be the difference to give the Bills the win. 4-4
Woody: The Bills are still a legit Super Bowl contender with Josh Allen and James Cook leading the way. Vikings lose, but it’ll be closer than you think. 4-4
Week 10 @ Green Bay
Jakeybigs: Micah Parsons should be back by this time of the year, which will be a big boost for the Packers. I expect it to be a tight game, but unfortunately, it goes the way of Green Bay at Lambeau. 5-4.
Ben: I can’t envision the Vikings sweep the Packers this year, so going off that logic I am giving the Packers the win here. 4-5
Woody: Sweeping Green Bay is tough, and we got the home win out of the way. Packers avenge the week 1 loss. 4-5
Week 11 @ San Francisco (Mexico City)
Jakeybigs: I’m not very high on the Niners this year. Purdy is solid and they have a good head coach. This roster is aging though and it lacks the star power it once had. Vikings stay hot in international games. 6-4.
Ben: The Vikings have dominated international games of late, but this one isn’t in Europe. The 49ers always seem to be good even in the years you expect them to take a step back. I’m giving this one to Brock Purdy and the Niners. 4-6
Woody: Health will always be the question for San Francisco. By Week 11, they could be pretty depleted. Even if healthy, I think the Vikings are the better team overall and get the win on the road. 5-5
Week 12 vs. Atlanta
Jakeybigs: I assume by Thanksgiving that Tua will have had his 50th concussion and the Falcons are in shambles. Brian Flores also hates Tua and will make this game personal. Three score blowout loading. 7-4.
Ben: I don’t think Atlanta will be very good this year, and as Jake alluded to above I think Brian Flores is going to want to destroy Tua. The Vikings snap their four-game losing streak to get back into contention. 5-6
Woody: Bijan is obviously a special player, and I love Drake London. But God only knows who Atlanta’s QB will be at this point of the season. This should be an easy W for home team. 6-5
Week 13 vs. Carolina
Jakeybigs: The Panthers have a strong defense and some young promising players on offense. Unforuntately for them Bryce Young is still their QB and Brian Flores eats young QB’s alive. 8-4.
Ben: For some reason I could see the Panthers being relevant this year, but Bryce Young hasn’t shown me enough at this point to believe he’s going to be anything special. Brian Flores and the US Bank Stadium crowd will have Young looking lost. 6-6
Woody: This one will probably be a little closer than Vikes fans will want it to be, but Jefferson and company will prove too much, as the Vikings rattle off their 3rd consecutive victory. 7-5
Week 14 @ New England
Jakeybigs: New England is another likely regression candidate. However, Drake Maye is a stud, Mike Vrbal is an elite head coach and won’t be distracted by Dianna Russini anymore. Vikings fall short in a tough road environment on MNF. 8-5.
Ben: Correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s been 26 years since the Vikings last won in New England. The Patriots are still a solid team with a good quarterback, and I think their home field advantage will be too much to overcome. 6-7
Woody: I was BEGGING for the Vikings to somehow trade up for Drake Maye during his draft year. Reports say they tried, but New England was smart to hold strong. Vikings win streak is halted. 7-6
Week 15 vs. Detroit
Jakeybigs: The Lions are my pick to win the division this year. I also think they sweep the Vikings after getting swept last year. 8-6.
Ben: I said earlier that I like Detroit this year and I think by this point of the season they’ll be playing with a lot of confidence and swagger. The Ravens… *correction*… the Vikings lose this game in their rivalry uniforms. 6-8
Woody: We’ll come ready to play in this huge divisional match up. The home crowd will be a difference maker as the Vikes win a close one against one of the best in the league. 8-6
Week 16 vs. Washington
Jakeybigs: The only thing interesting about this team is Jayden Daniels, who from a PR standpoint is having a brutal offseason. Not to mention he’s injury prone. Vikings handle the Commanders at home. 9-6.
Ben: The Vikings go into this game 6-8 and just when you think they’re dead, they’ll win this one to delay their inevitable death. 7-8
Woody: I’m not sold on the Commanders. Too many question marks on offense outside of their stud QB who has struggled to stay healthy at times. Vikes win. 9-6
Week 17 @ New York Jets
Jakeybigs: What can you say. The Jets are the Jets. There’s no reason the Vikings shouldn’t win this game which means they won’t but I’m still picking them anyway. 10-6.
Ben: I think the only thing worse than growing up a Minnesota sports fan would be growing up a Jets fan. Vikings win against a no-name quarterback and whoever the Jets interim head coach will be for this game. 8-8.
Woody: Another trap game candidate, but I just don’t see it for the Jets. They are bad. 10-6
Week 18 vs. Chicago
Jakeybigs: As I mentioned earlier, I think the Bears are due for big time regression. They have a bad defense despite the turnover margin. They also had the most comeback wins as a team. This game will mean something to the Vikings as they could have a chance at winning the division still and also a chance to lock up a playoff spot in general. They take care of the Bears at home. Final Record: 11-6.
Ben: The Bears go into this game needing to win to lock up a Wild Card spot. But Caleb Williams throws a late interception to Harrison Smith to seal the game and knock the Bears out of the playoffs, and Smith gets carried off the field on his teammates shoulders one final time. Final Record: 9-8
Woody: Vikings sweep the Bears this year. Home crowd should be rocking in a game that very likely will have playoff implications in the final week of the regular season. Final Record: 11-6
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