Once the NFL releases the game-by-game schedule in April, it seems like common practice for football fans and observers to take a guess at what their team’s record will be after 16 games. After all, the excitement of the NFL draft, along with the release of the schedule, makes it feel like the regular season is just around the corner.
But not so fast. We are four and a half months away from games that count and too much will happen between now and then to accurately predict a final record. So instead of looking at each game scheduled for 2008 and then trying to predict a finishing record, let’s take a week-by-week look at each contest the Vikings have on the docket.
Before we get to that, though, here are a few reactions from Vikings players about the 2008 schedule…
Adrian Peterson: “We are going to face some stiff defenses this season but it just means we have to prepare that much harder. The games are all going to be tough, but it gives us a chance to show what we can do against some of the best teams in the NFL. We play the past two teams to win the Super Bowl so that will be a great measuring stick to see where we are at.”
Tarvaris Jackson: “We have a tough early schedule, but it allows us to get off to a strong start and set the tone for the season. Any time you open on Monday Night Football against a team like the Packers you have to be excited. It starts you off on the right foot and hopefully we build some momentum early.”
Darren Sharper: “It’s a great lineup of games, starting with a big rivalry game at Lambeau Field. It will be a tough test to play three playoff teams in the opening four games. Going to Green Bay early will prepare us for some tough road trips during the rest of the year.”
The Vikings 2008 regular season begins with a Monday Night Football showdown at Lambeau Field. To add even more excitement to the mix, it was reported on Thursday that the Packers plan to retire Brett Favre’s jersey that evening.
Vikings assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will see some familiar faces when Tony Dungy, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts visit the Metrodome for the first time since 1997. Frazier spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons on Dungy’s staff.
Carolina comes to the Metrodome for the second time in three years for a Week 3 matchup. The Vikings secondary will have their hands full trying to stop receiver Steve Smith.
Week 4 will be the Vikings first trip to Tennessee since 1998. The team will get a close look at Titans electric quarterback Vince Young. Bobby Wade played for the Titans in 2005 and 2006.
The Vikings will appear on Monday Night Football for the second time when they travel to New Orleans to take on Reggie Bush and the Saints. Minnesota has won its past two games at New Orleans.
Week 6 will be the Vikings second division game of the year as they host the Lions, a team Minnesota has defeated ten straight time at the Metrodome.
Free agent acquisition Bernard Berrian will visit his former team for the first time when the Vikings and Bears meet up in Week 7 at Soldier Field.
The Vikings host the Houston Texans after their bye week. Houston has never visited Minnesota and the Vikings have won the only other contest between the two franchises.
The Packers will visit the Metrodome without Brett Favre for the first time since 1992. The all-time series between these two teams favors the Packers by a 48-45-1 margin.
11/16 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Vikings play their first of two straight road games in Florida against former division rival Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium. It will be the Vikings first visit to Tampa since 2002.
The second Florida game will come against Jacksonville, the first time Minnesota has visited the Jaguars. Jacksonville is coached by former Vikings linebacker Jack Del Rio.
The Vikings and Bears will play at the Metrodome on a Sunday night for the seventh time in their shared history. Minnesota has won five of the last six contests in this series at the Metrodome.
The Vikings wrap up division play by traveling to Ford Field to take on the Lions. Minnesota has won five of six games played at Ford Field.
Week 15 will be Minnesota’s first trip to University of Phoenix Stadium and its first visit to Arizona since 2003.
The Falcons and new head coach Mike Smith visit the Metrodome for the second straight season.
The Vikings will host a defending Super Bowl champion for the first time since Green Bay played at the Metrodome in 1997. Amazingly, the Vikings and Giants have played one another in nine of the last ten seasons.