2023 Minnesota Vikings schedule analysis

On Thursday night, the NFL released the complete Vikings schedule. Per NFL research, Vikings opponents had a 143-145-0 record in 2022, making their 2023 schedule the 18th-easiest in the NFL, tied with the division rival, the Chicago Bears.

Circle the date: Week 18 @ Lions, TBD date 

There's a lot to accomplish before Week 18 means anything, but if the Vikings and Detroit Lions are who they say they are, the season's final game could be crucial. 

In the mind of most, the Lions are the most capable team when it comes to dethroning the Vikings as NFC North champs. Last season, the Vikings split the season series with the Lions, winning by four at home in Week 3 (28-24) before suffering a lopsided loss at Detroit (34-23) in Week 14. 

This season, the Vikings' and Lions' two meetings will occur over the last three weeks of the regular season, meaning Week 18 could very well decide the division winner. 

Toughest stretch: Weeks 2-7

Getting off to a good start is vital for any team with Super Bowl aspirations, but that won't be the easiest task for the Vikings. Minnesota will take on four playoff teams between Week 2 and Week 7, highlighted by matchups against last year's Super Bowl combatants, the Philadelphia Eagles and defending champion, Kansas City Chiefs. 

Smashed between their contests with the Eagles and Chiefs, the Vikings will also host Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers before a road tilt with the Carolina Panthers, where they'll likely face No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. 

Minnesota wraps up the tough stretch with a divisional game at the Justin Fields-led Chicago Bears before hosting the defending NFC West Champion San Francisco 49ers under the hot lights of "Monday Night Football." 

Easiest stretch: Weeks 8 and 9 

It is challenging to find an easy batch of games for the Vikings over their landmine schedule. However, if there's a brief break for Minnesota, it might come in Weeks 8 and 9, when they travel to take on the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons, who both have unseasoned quarterbacks leading the helm, in Jordan Love and Desmond Ridder.  

Bye-week difference: The Vikings' schedule has its fair share of heavy hitters and will be tough enough to navigate. Making things even more challenging for Minnesota is a late bye coming in Week 13. Only six teams have a later bye than the Vikings, which could impact things at the backend of the season. 

A later bye week could benefit the Vikings, who will get a breath around the time when all NFL teams are bruised and battered. Or, the bye may come too late should the Vikings fall victim to the injury bug early. 

In a perfect world, the Vikings would probably like their break to come a little earlier in the season.