Schedule stacks up against Purple

By Mike Schoemer  |   Thursday, April 17, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Minnesota Vikings
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!
By Mike Schoemer

If Brad Childress wants to take the Minnesota Vikings into the NFL playoff for the first time under his leadership, he’s going to have to earn it.

The schedule-makers gave the Vikings the toughest schedule (in terms of opponents’ winning percentage in 2007) in the NFC. It’s the fourth-toughest schedule in the league.

Of course, things change. Schedules that included teams such as the Saints, Panthers and Bears back in 2007 were considered difficult. Yet, those teams floundered, creating success for franchises like Green Bay and Tampa Bay last season. But it seems evident, heading into the season at least, that Minnesota will have a tough go at the beginning of the year, while the stretch run could be favorable. At least, that’s how it looks on paper.

A favorable schedule down the stretch could be good news for coach Brad Childress. During his two-year run as the skipper of the Vikings’ ship, Minnesota has been terrible out of the gate. Yet, in both seasons the Vikes have closed strong, narrowly missing the playoffs last year.

Minnesota will open on the road in the season’s first Monday night game, facing Brett Favre-less Green Bay. It could lead to a much-needed road win for the Vikes. Or, it could be a coming-out party for Aaron Rodgers if the Minnesota pass defense continues to under-perform.

Week 2 provides a daunting home opener for Minnesota, as Peyton Manning will put the pass defense to the test at the Metrodome.

Minnesota stays at home in Week 3 to host the Panthers, which usually spells a home-field win.

Three of the next four weeks, however, are on the road. The Vikings travels to Tennessee and New Orleans in back-to-back weeks. They host the Lions, then head to Soldier Field for a date with the Bears before a Week 8 bye.

The stretch run, again, looks favorable. Of the nine teams Minnesota faces in Weeks 9-17, four made the playoffs -- Green Bay, Jacksonville, Tampa and the New York Giants. Plus, five out of the last nine are in the comfy confines of the dome.

Working against Minnesota is the strength of the AFC South. No team in that division finished under .500 last year. Even the Texans, who were the squad that finished 8-8, are considered to have a shot at the postseason. And Jacksonville, which the Vikings face in Florida in Week 11, is the new trendy pick for a Super Bowl berth in the AFC.

Still, 9-7 or 10-6 isn’t completely out of the picture. If the Vikings can post a 4-2 record in division play (which shouldn’t be out of the question at all given the weakness of the Bears, Lions and Packers), Minnesota would need to hold serve and win at home. Sure, games against Indy and the defending world champs will be tough, but the Vikes are usually good for at least one upset at home (ask the 2006 Seahawks) and could have some luck on the road.

However, if Tarvaris Jackson can’t outplay opponents like Vince Young, Jon Kitna, Matt Leinart or Jeff Garcia on the road, Childress may be playing out his last season in purple and gold.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

About Mike Schoemer

• Currently serving as managing editor of the award-winning Monticello Times after promotion in September of 2007. • Took the helm of the Edina, Minn., community newspaper, The Edina Sun Current in September 2006 in the heart of an election year. • Promoted to the Managing Editor of the...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report