Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) reacts as he leaves the sphere following the sport in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals at College of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities
The Minnesota Vikings launched their 2026 schedule on Thursday night time, on faucet for 9 true dwelling video games, seven on the highway, and one at a impartial web site (Mexico Metropolis). With that within the books, it’s time to look on the “easy” video games on the schedule.
A handful of video games ought to favor Minnesota on paper.
We are saying simple loosely as a result of good groups can pop up out of nowhere, however from a Might standpoint, right here’s the record.
Dwelling Matchups Give the Vikings a Clear Path to Wins
The cakewalk sections of the 2026 docket, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = best recreation).
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones appears to be like on earlier than a house matchup in opposition to the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 26, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jones entered the competition making an attempt to solidify his standing with the Colts in the course of the second half of the common season after becoming a member of Indianapolis in quest of a profession reset. Necessary Credit score: Robert Goddin-Imagn Photographs
5. Week 7 — vs. Colts
This recreation makes the reduce to start out the record as a result of it’s at dwelling — plain and easy.
The Vikings’ protection will probably be aware of Daniel Jones; they noticed him in observe for 2 months in the course of the 2024 season. The Colts have an honest roster, not a dream crew.
Minnesota has additionally had luck in opposition to Indianapolis as of late, even orchestrating the most important comeback in NFL historical past in opposition to the franchise in 2022. The Colts’ protection ranked sixteenth within the league final 12 months per EPA/Play, so the Vikings is not going to face an excessively daunting check in Week 7.
4. Week 4 — vs. Dolphins
This crew’s roster stinks. Its finest large receiver is arguably Jalen Tolbert or Parker Washington. It’s a must to be fairly rattling deep into fantasy soccer to know who these guys are. Miami has been conducting a hearth sale over the past a number of months. It’s most likely not a severe contender in 2026 except Malik Willis turns into an All-Professional-caliber asset.
At dwelling, Minnesota ought to trash Miami.
SI.com’s Gilbert Manzano gave the Dolphins’ an ‘F’ grade this offseason: “Miami Dolphins: F. Notable moves: TE Greg Dulcich (one year, $3.25 million), CB Lonnie Johnson Jr. (one year, $1.48 million), edge David Ojabo (contract n/a), G Jamaree Salyer (one year, $1.4 million), WR Jalen Tolbert (contract n/a), QB Malik Willis (three years, $67.5 million).”
“Clearly, the Dolphins are in rebuild mode and have their eyes on 2027. The team needed a fresh start, and there was no need to add Willis, who now has to play for a team that said goodbye to wide receivers Waddle and Tyreek Hill this offseason. It would have been better if this team had fully committed to the rebuild and taken its lumps with a veteran quarterback who would have commanded a lot less money than Willis.”
3. Week 13 — vs. Panthers
One other dwelling contest, the Panthers will go to U.S. Financial institution Stadium for the primary time with followers in attendance. Carolina and Minnesota did battle in 2020, however that was the pandemic season, and no followers have been allowed.
Carolina Panthers large receiver Tetairoa McMillan stands on the sphere throughout second-quarter motion in opposition to the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 8, 2025, at Financial institution of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. McMillan continued adjusting to NFL competitors throughout preseason play because the Panthers evaluated the rookie receiver’s position inside the offense heading into the common season. Necessary Credit score: Bob Donnan-Imagn Photographs
Final season, the Panthers’ protection ranked twenty third within the NFL per EPA/Play. The group shouldn’t be scary. The offense checked in at No. 26 per the identical metric. Carolina made the postseason due to poor competitors within the NFC South.
The Vikings ought to win this one, virtually it doesn’t matter what.
Not everybody agrees, although. A to Z Sports activities‘ Kole Noble predicted a Panthers dub on Thursday, explaining, “Headline: Tetairoa McMillan fourth-down catch sets up game-winning field goal. This game will be a defensive chess match between Ejiro Evero and Brian Flores.”
“The tight game lasts deep into the final quarter until the Panthers pull off a fourth-down conversion when Young connects downfield with McMillan to set up the game-winning field goal. Score Prediction: Panthers win 13-10 (5-7).”
2. Week 12 — vs. Falcons
Will this contest characteristic Tua Tagovailoa because the Falcons’ quarterback? Will this contest characteristic Michael Penix Jr. because the Falcons’ quarterback? No person is aware of.
If it’s Tagovailoa, you possibly can circle it because the “Brian Flores Revenge Game.” A few summers in the past, out of nowhere, Tagovailoa known as Flores a “terrible person” on a random podcast. Flores will keep in mind the pointless dig and ensure Tagovailoa is aware of how horrible his move rush will be.
Minnesota additionally wants revenge right here as a result of the Falcons’ protection embarrassed the Vikings’ offense in 2025.
1. Week 17 — at Jets
Until the Jets are pressured to signal a free agent outsider 6-7 months from now, the Vikings will face Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik, Brady Prepare dinner, or Bailey Zappe at quarterback. That shouldn’t be a troublesome check. Climate could possibly be an element on this recreation, however usually talking, the Vikings are battle-tested within the parts from video games in Inexperienced Bay and Chicago.
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn walks the sideline earlier than a highway matchup in opposition to the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 21, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Glenn entered the late-season contest main the Jets via his first marketing campaign as head coach whereas making an attempt to maintain New York aggressive within the AFC playoff race. Necessary Credit score: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Photographs
The Jets have been one of many NFL’s worst groups final 12 months, and regardless of a fairly formidable protection, they’re not on observe to be a playoff crew in 2026. This one must be a win except Jets coach Aaron Glenn totally reverses his fortune.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
