Among the numerous NFL and franchise records the Vikings set last year, one stat was accomplished for the first time in team history: Minnesota swept the entire AFC East division in the same season.
The Vikings also defeated the Colts, marking just the fifth time in franchise history and first since the 1998 season that Minnesota has gone undefeated against AFC opponents in the same season (the Vikings went 4-0 against AFC Central, East and West teams in 1975; 4-0 against the Central in 1983 and 1998; and 2-0 against AFC teams in 1985).
That same interconference success hasn't carried over so far in 2023. Three of the Vikings six losses this season have come against AFC West teams (Chargers, Chiefs and Broncos). Minnesota will wrap up that division on Sunday when it travels to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders.
The Vikings will also look to avoid going winless against the AFC West in the same season for the first time since 2011 and second overall (1984 was the other season, but the Vikings did not play the Chiefs that year).
Minnesota and Las Vegas have met 16 times in their history, with the Raiders holding a 10-6 advantage. The Vikings have had the Raiders number the past few games, winning three of the four previous matchups and two consecutive contests (30-14 in 2015 and 34-14 in 2019).
Let's see who the experts are picking to win the game:
Raiders 21, Vikings 18 – Gennaro Filice, NFL.com
Did Josh Dobbs turn into a pumpkin in his last outing? The four-pick nightmare in a painful 12-10 home loss to the Bears had Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell so shook that he openly pondered a quarterback change. Dobbs ultimately remains in the starting lineup, and it appears he'll be joined for the first time by Justin Jefferson, who's on track to return from the hamstring injury that's sidelined him since Week 5. Instant chemistry between the journeyman passer and superstar pass catcher is no guarantee, but it certainly can't hurt Dobbs to have that kind of weapon at his disposal. Meanwhile, Raiders rookie QB Aidan O'Connell is coming off his best NFL game, having acquitted himself quite well against the Chiefs stout defense despite the loss. And you can bet interim Raiders coach Antonio Pierce will look to lighten the young QB's load by continuing to lean on Josh Jacobs' bell-cow ability, even against a Vikings defense that's been pretty strong against the run. In an imperfect game between two incomplete teams, AOC improves to 3-1 at home, while the Passtronaut continues falling back to Earth.
Raiders 24, Vikings 20 – Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
These two are coming off their byes, which means they are rested. … The Raiders are 2-2 under Antonio Pierce, and they are playing much better football with him as the interim coach. I think that carries over here.
Vikings 26, Raiders 20 – Staff, Bleacher Report
We can't give the preparation edge to the Minnesota Vikings or the Las Vegas Raiders with both squads coming off a bye week.
However, the Vikings will get an offensive boost with All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson set to return from a seven-game absence.
"Last week, the Raiders released cornerback Marcus Peters, so they'll have to change up their personnel in the secondary with Justin Jefferson set to return, which isn't an ideal situation," [Bleacher Report NFL analyst Maurice] Moton said.
"In recent weeks, Peters had been a major liability in coverage, but the Raiders may not have an answer for one of the few wide receivers who can compete with Davante Adams for the title of the best at the position. The Vikings also have an emerging wideout in rookie first-rounder Jordan Addison. Don't forget that Las Vegas has a weakness up front with its 25th-ranked run defense."
Vikings 23, Raiders 20 – Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
The Vikings are facing the Vegas trap against a scrappy Raiders defense under Antonio Pierce, but they also have found their own defensive playmaking pop with Brain Flores calling the plays. They can get after Aidan O'Connell well with the defense staying active for Kevin O'Connell, led by Danielle Hunter. Josh Dobbs rebounds well after a bye with Justin Jefferson back.
Vikings 21, Raiders 17 – Bill Bender, Sporting News
Both teams are coming off bye weeks, and this will be a quarterback matchup between Joshua Dobbs and Aidan O'Connell. That makes it a toss-up-by-turnovers type game. O'Connell has thrown just one interception in three home starts, and Joshua Dobbs had five interceptions in Minnesota's last two losses. Who protects the football? This is one of the more difficult picks of the week. _
6 of 7 experts pick the Vikings, The MMQB
6 of 8 experts (2 of 10 total had not submitted) pick the Vikings, ESPN
"Straight-up consensus" from seven experts: Vikings, Bleacher Report
4 of 11 experts pick the Vikings, The Athletic
