by Wayne Root
Tuesday, Nov 03, 2026The Vikings lost to Detroit yesterday. They were the last undefeated team in the NFL. The 1972 Miami Dolphins cracked open another bottle of champagne.
Unlike the playoffs, defense will only get you so far in the regular season.
NFL teams need more offense than defense to even make the playoffs. The Vikings have a very good defense but will Kyler Murray be able to carry his part and starting adding points to help out the defense??
We say NO. If fact, they have might not even make the playoffs. I project they finish 9-8. Their remaining schedule is brutal. Unless your team can average at least 28 points per game, don’t expect any favors in the win/loss column.
The Minnesota Vikings average 20.8 points per game (PPG) scored during the 2026 NFL season, while allowing 12.3 points per game (the fewest in the NFL).
Here’s the current odds of Minnesota winning the NFC-North
The Vikings' odds to win the NFC North range from +185 to +220 at major sportsbooks following their Week 8 loss to the Detroit Lions. They’re not even the favorites after Sunday’s loss to Detroit.
Had the Las Vegas Raiders lost to the NY Jets yesterday, that would have made a case for the Vikings reaching out to reunite Kirk Cousins with his former team. Believe me, the Minnesota fans would love this move before the trade deadline. (And then the Raiders #1 selection QB Mendoza could get his feet wet and gear toward next season.).
Remaining 2026 Regular Season Schedule
Week 9: vs. Buffalo Bills Monday,
Lose
Week 10: at Green Bay Packers
Lose
Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers
Lose
Week 12: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Win
Week 13: vs. Carolina Panthers
Toss up
Week 14: at New England Patriots
Lose
Week 15: vs. Detroit Lions
Lose
Week 16: vs. Washington
Win
Week 17: at New York Jets
Win
Week 18: vs. Chicago Bears
Lose
Unlike the playoffs, defense will only get you so far in the regular season.
NFL teams need more offense than defense to even make the playoffs. The Vikings have a very good defense but will Kyler Murray be able to carry his part and starting adding points to help out the defense??
We say NO. If fact, they have might not even make the playoffs. I project they finish 9-8. Their remaining schedule is brutal. Unless your team can average at least 28 points per game, don’t expect any favors in the win/loss column.
The Minnesota Vikings average 20.8 points per game (PPG) scored during the 2026 NFL season, while allowing 12.3 points per game (the fewest in the NFL).
Here’s the current odds of Minnesota winning the NFC-North
The Vikings' odds to win the NFC North range from +185 to +220 at major sportsbooks following their Week 8 loss to the Detroit Lions. They’re not even the favorites after Sunday’s loss to Detroit.
Had the Las Vegas Raiders lost to the NY Jets yesterday, that would have made a case for the Vikings reaching out to reunite Kirk Cousins with his former team. Believe me, the Minnesota fans would love this move before the trade deadline. (And then the Raiders #1 selection QB Mendoza could get his feet wet and gear toward next season.).
Remaining 2026 Regular Season Schedule
Week 9: vs. Buffalo Bills Monday,
Lose
Week 10: at Green Bay Packers
Lose
Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers
Lose
Week 12: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Win
Week 13: vs. Carolina Panthers
Toss up
Week 14: at New England Patriots
Lose
Week 15: vs. Detroit Lions
Lose
Week 16: vs. Washington
Win
Week 17: at New York Jets
Win
Week 18: vs. Chicago Bears
Lose
