Three takeaways from the Vikings’ 2021 schedule

Like every other NFL team, the Minnesota Vikings announced its schedule on Wednesday.

We already knew every opponent the Vikings would be facing off against for 2021. Now, we know the order, which can sometimes make the schedule more or less challenging.

The Vikings have four primetime games in 2021: the Cowboys, Steelers, Bears and the Packers. Minnesota plays Dallas, Green Bay on Sunday nights. The Vikings play the Bears on Monday night and the Steelers on Thursday.

Minnesota has a tough start, then closes out the 2021 slate with divisional opponents. Here are some key takeaways from the Vikings’ slate now that we know the order:

The first four games will be a good indicator

Dec 2, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles out of the pocket against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota has a game that it's favored to win in Week 1 against Cincinnati. Other than that, the Vikings will face three teams with the potential to be very good: the Cardinals, the Seahawks and the Browns. Vikings fans will know pretty quickly just how this team stacks up against top-tier talent.

The Vikings should gain confidence after Week 4

Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah gets ready for a play against the Saints during the first half at Ford Field on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020.

Minnesota has Detroit and Carolina in Weeks 5 and 6. Then, the Vikings have a bye. The team should go 2-0 during that stretch if it wants to have a promising season. After that, Minnesota has to prepare for Dallas on Halloween in Week 8. The two-game stretch before that might be a nice confidence boost.

The division could come down to the wire

Oct 18, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy with defensive end Akiem Hicks (96) on the sidelines in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings have the potential to be the best team in the division. However, if Aaron Rodgers elects to stay in Green Bay, the Packers should be the division favorites. Then there's Chicago, a team with high potential after taking QB Justin Fields in the first round of the 2021 draft. It gets even more interesting: Minnesota plays Green Bay and Chicago to close out the year. With how up in the air this division is, the Vikings' playoff chances could come down to Weeks 17 and 18. The Vikings go to Lambeau to play the Packers in Week 17, and come back home to play the Bears in the final game of the regular season. Those two matchups should be fun. [vertical-gallery id=50487]

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