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Minnesota Vikings Schedule 2015: Game-by-Game Breakdown, Predictions

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Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Not many people realize it, but the Minnesota Vikings went 7-9 last season. Without a few late-game losses, they would have finished above .500. Now, in Year 2 with Teddy Bridgewater at the helm, Minnesota will look to take another step forward. Here’s how their schedule breaks down and how they’ll do in 2015.

Sept. 14: @ 49ers

Sept. 14: @ 49ers Getty Images
While the Vikings actually have as much or more talent as the 49ers now that San Fran lost a bunch of their defense, it's going to be a tough environment to win in. Monday Night Football in front of a huge Niner crowd spells defeat for a young Vikings team. Prediction: 49ers 27, Vikings 17

While the Vikings actually have as much or more talent as the 49ers now that San Fran lost a bunch of their defense, it's going to be a tough environment to win in. Monday Night Football in front of a huge Niner crowd spells defeat for a young Vikings team. Prediction: 49ers 27, Vikings 17

(0-1) Sept. 20: vs. Lions

(0-1) Sept. 20: vs. Lions Getty Images
This will be the first game the Vikings put people on notice that they're for real. Against a Lions team that likes to air it out, Minnesota will have to control the clock. That means ground and pound all game long, and as long as they still have Adrian Peterson, that shouldn't be a problem. Prediction: Vikings 28, Lions 20

This will be the first game the Vikings put people on notice that they're for real. Against a Lions team that likes to air it out, Minnesota will have to control the clock. That means ground and pound all game long, and as long as they still have Adrian Peterson, that shouldn't be a problem. Prediction: Vikings 28, Lions 20

(1-1) Sept. 27: vs. Chargers

(1-1) Sept. 27: vs. Chargers Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
When the Chargers come to town, it's likely to be a fast-paced, high-scoring game. Both teams can move it up and down the field through the air and on the ground, but San Diego just has a little bit more firepower. Prediction: Chargers 35, Vikings 28

When the Chargers come to town, it's likely to be a fast-paced, high-scoring game. Both teams can move it up and down the field through the air and on the ground, but San Diego just has a little bit more firepower. Prediction: Chargers 35, Vikings 28

(1-2) Oct. 4: @ Broncos

(1-2) Oct. 4: @ Broncos Getty Images
In a tough stretch, the Vikings will have to travel to Mile High Stadium to take on a very talented Broncos team. While Denver isn't what they used to be, they still have more than enough offense to outscore a Vikings team that will still be finding their offensive identity. Prediction: Broncos 40, Vikings 21

In a tough stretch, the Vikings will have to travel to Mile High Stadium to take on a very talented Broncos team. While Denver isn't what they used to be, they still have more than enough offense to outscore a Vikings team that will still be finding their offensive identity. Prediction: Broncos 40, Vikings 21

(1-3) Oct. 18: vs. Chiefs

(1-3) Oct. 18: vs. Chiefs Mark J. Rebilas - USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota lucked out and got the Chiefs away from home where they are much worse. Bridgewater will have to utilize his legs to evade the scary Kansas City pass rush, but he should do just enough to lead the Vikings to a win. Prediction: Vikings 20, Chiefs 14

Minnesota lucked out and got the Chiefs away from home where they are much worse. Bridgewater will have to utilize his legs to evade the scary Kansas City pass rush, but he should do just enough to lead the Vikings to a win. Prediction: Vikings 20, Chiefs 14

(2-3) Oct. 25: @ Lions

(2-3) Oct. 25: @ Lions Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings put other teams on notice earlier in the season with their upset of the Lions, but lightning won't strike twice for them. Detroit at least needs to split with the Vikings and playing in front of their home crowd, they should score enough to top their divisional foes. Prediction: Lions 34, Vikings 21

The Vikings put other teams on notice earlier in the season with their upset of the Lions, but lightning won't strike twice for them. Detroit at least needs to split with the Vikings and playing in front of their home crowd, they should score enough to top their divisional foes. Prediction: Lions 34, Vikings 21

(2-4) Nov. 1: @ Bears

(2-4) Nov. 1: @ Bears Getty Images
Another tough divisional game for the Vikings will mean another tough loss. The Bears weren't good at all last year, but their defense has seemed to improve, at least on paper, this offseason with the additions of players like Pernell McPhee and Antrel Rolle. This should be a tight one, but the Bears get the edge at home. Prediction: Bears 28, Vikings 20

Another tough divisional game for the Vikings will mean another tough loss. The Bears weren't good at all last year, but their defense has seemed to improve, at least on paper, this offseason with the additions of players like Pernell McPhee and Antrel Rolle. This should be a tight one, but the Bears get the edge at home. Prediction: Bears 28, Vikings 20

(2-5) Nov. 8: vs. Rams

(2-5) Nov. 8: vs. Rams Getty Images
Home-field advantage should matter in this game between two pretty evenly matched teams. If Nick Foles is under center for the Rams, the Vikings' pass rush needs to force him into some mistakes that could turn the tide in their favor. Prediction: Vikings 24, Rams 18

Home-field advantage should matter in this game between two pretty evenly matched teams. If Nick Foles is under center for the Rams, the Vikings' pass rush needs to force him into some mistakes that could turn the tide in their favor. Prediction: Vikings 24, Rams 18

(3-5) Nov. 15: @ Raiders

(3-5) Nov. 15: @ Raiders Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland is going to be a very improved team this year and playing in front of their fans is never easy. But at this point in the season, the Vikings will be getting desperate. Even though the game will be close, Minnesota pulls out a tough road win to keep their playoff hopes intact. Prediction: Vikings 31, Raiders 24

Oakland is going to be a very improved team this year and playing in front of their fans is never easy. But at this point in the season, the Vikings will be getting desperate. Even though the game will be close, Minnesota pulls out a tough road win to keep their playoff hopes intact. Prediction: Vikings 31, Raiders 24

(4-5) Nov. 22: vs. Packers

(4-5) Nov. 22: vs. Packers Getty Images
It seems clear that the Packers are the cream of the crop in the NFC North, but that doesn't mean they're unbeatable. In a rivalry game at home, the Vikings really step up for the biggest divisional upset of the season and knock off the mighty Pack with a late score. Prediction: Vikings 27, Packers 24

It seems clear that the Packers are the cream of the crop in the NFC North, but that doesn't mean they're unbeatable. In a rivalry game at home, the Vikings really step up for the biggest divisional upset of the season and knock off the mighty Pack with a late score. Prediction: Vikings 27, Packers 24

(5-5) Nov. 29: @ Falcons

(5-5) Nov. 29: @ Falcons Getty Images
The Vikings could have a lot of momentum leading into this game and steal a road win to climb squarely into the playoff picture. Prediction: Vikings 30, Falcons 27

The Vikings could have a lot of momentum leading into this game and steal a road win to climb squarely into the playoff picture. Prediction: Vikings 30, Falcons 27

(6-5) Dec. 6: vs. Seahawks

(6-5) Dec. 6: vs. Seahawks Getty Images
Just as the Vikings are really getting going, they run into the Seahawks. Just like the Chiefs, they're lucky they aren't playing Seattle in their house where they are almost unstoppable, but they still won't have enough to hang with the Seahawks for four quarters. Prediction: Seahawks 30, Vikings 14

Just as the Vikings are really getting going, they run into the Seahawks. Just like the Chiefs, they're lucky they aren't playing Seattle in their house where they are almost unstoppable, but they still won't have enough to hang with the Seahawks for four quarters. Prediction: Seahawks 30, Vikings 14

(6-6) Dec. 10: @ Cardinals

(6-6) Dec. 10: @ Cardinals Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Cardinals' defense is downright scary, and when they're playing at home they can be even scarier. Even though a young Viking team will have made some nice strides on the offensive side of the ball by now, Arizona will force them into too many mistakes and they'll drop this one on the road. Prediction: Cardinals 24, Vikings 10

The Cardinals' defense is downright scary, and when they're playing at home they can be even scarier. Even though a young Viking team will have made some nice strides on the offensive side of the ball by now, Arizona will force them into too many mistakes and they'll drop this one on the road. Prediction: Cardinals 24, Vikings 10

(6-7) Dec. 20: vs. Bears

(6-7) Dec. 20: vs. Bears Getty Images
Playing in a home divisional game against the rival Bears, the Vikings know they need a win to stay in the playoff picture. It will be cold and both teams will likely utilize their running games quite a bit. That gives the slightest edge to the Vikings as AP can will them to victory. Prediction: Vikings 24, Bears 21

Playing in a home divisional game against the rival Bears, the Vikings know they need a win to stay in the playoff picture. It will be cold and both teams will likely utilize their running games quite a bit. That gives the slightest edge to the Vikings as AP can will them to victory. Prediction: Vikings 24, Bears 21

(7-7) Dec. 27: vs. Giants

(7-7) Dec. 27: vs. Giants Getty Images
If Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giant offense can take another step forward from last year's performance, they could be a surprising team in 2015. However, with the Vikings playing for a potential playoff spot at home, they may not be able to make enough plays to get the W. Prediction: Vikings 30, Giants 28

If Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giant offense can take another step forward from last year's performance, they could be a surprising team in 2015. However, with the Vikings playing for a potential playoff spot at home, they may not be able to make enough plays to get the W. Prediction: Vikings 30, Giants 28

(8-7) Jan. 3: @ Packers

(8-7) Jan. 3: @ Packers Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
With their playoff hopes on the line, the Vikings unfortunately run into the Packers on the road, who may be playing for a first-round bye in the playoffs. That's not good news for the Vikings, as Green Bay will have learned from their previous loss to them and pound them on the regular season's final day. Prediction: Packers 45, Vikings 21 Final Record: 8-8 (miss playoffs)

With their playoff hopes on the line, the Vikings unfortunately run into the Packers on the road, who may be playing for a first-round bye in the playoffs. That's not good news for the Vikings, as Green Bay will have learned from their previous loss to them and pound them on the regular season's final day. Prediction: Packers 45, Vikings 21 Final Record: 8-8 (miss playoffs)

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