Aug 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell talks to his team before the game against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Vikings record predictions, week-by-week picks from Vikings On SI staff

Originally posted on Minnesota Vikings on SI
By Will Ragatz | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 11:02 AM ET

What makes this Vikings season so fascinating and intriguing is the uncertainty of it all, specifically in regards to 22-year-old J.J. McCarthy in his first season as an NFL starting quarterback. Can he take the reins and get a loaded roster back to the postseason? The situation around him could hardly be better, but McCarthy still has to play at a high level for the Vikings to get to where they want to go.

National expectations can best be described as cautiously optimistic. Our staff at Vikings On SI is throwing caution to the wind. Here are our final record predictions, with week-by-week picks, for the 2025 Vikings.

Will Ragatz: 11-6

There are a couple things I'm confident in. One is that, in Kevin O'Connell and Brian Flores, the Vikings have at least a top-three coaching duo in the league. Those two are experienced and innovative and very good at leading a football team to success. Another is that, quarterbacks aside, the Vikings have at least a top-five roster in the league. The weapons are incredible, led by the best wide receiver on the planet, and the offensive line has been upgraded massively. The defense was the league's second-best last year and is now improved on paper with the addition of two star pass-rushing defensive tackles. What that means is J.J. McCarthy simply has to steer the ship, take care of the football, and let his natural playmaking ability show up when needed. I think he'll do just that, even if there may be some ups and downs in the first half of the campaign.