As the NFL season approaches, all eyes are on the Minnesota Vikings and their upcoming schedule. Many experts are speculating that the Vikings may be leaning towards starting Sam Darnold early in the season, rather than rookie J.J. McCarthy. The key to this decision lies in the tough opponents the Vikings are set to face in the early weeks of the season.
“Speculating wins and losses for teams in the preseason is always one of the media’s favorite preseason exercises,” said one NFL analyst. “And that’s exactly what we will be doing here in a more summarized way, breaking up the season into three key stretches.”
The Vikings are scheduled to face the Giants, 49ers, Texans, Packers, and Jets in the first five weeks of the season. All of these teams are known for their strong defenses, which could pose a challenge for any quarterback, especially a rookie like McCarthy. It is expected that Darnold will have to work hard to keep the Vikings competitive in these early games.
“Sam Darnold will absolutely have his work cut out for him assuming he’s the Week 1 starter,” said a football analyst.
Looking at the projected record after the first five weeks, many experts are predicting the Vikings to have a record of 1-4. This poor start could lead to a quarterback change, with McCarthy potentially taking over the starting role in Week 7 against the Lions.
“After facing top-tier defenses their first five games, they don’t project to face another above-average defense the next several games coming out of the bye,” explained one expert. “Assuming Minnesota stumbles early as projected, that makes Week 7 an obvious target to transition McCarthy into the starting role.”
The following weeks see the Vikings facing the Rams, Colts, Jaguars, Titans, Bears, and Cardinals. These games provide a less daunting challenge compared to the early season matchups, giving McCarthy the opportunity to prove himself as the starting quarterback.
Head Coach Kevin O’Connell will also be under pressure to develop McCarthy while keeping the team competitive. The success of the Vikings during this stretch of games could determine O’Connell’s future with the team.
In conclusion, the Vikings’ schedule provides a glimpse into their potential quarterback situation and the challenges they face in the upcoming season. Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy will be key figures in determining the team’s success as they navigate a tough schedule with high stakes.
