The Minnesota Vikings are one of the most popular and successful franchises in the National Football League (NFL). Coming off a disappointing 8-9 season last year, expectations are high for the Vikings to bounce back and compete for a playoff spot in the 2023 season. With a talented roster led by star players like Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook on offense and Danielle Hunter and Harrison Smith on defense, the Vikings have the pieces in place to make a run. However, the NFC North division and NFC conference overall look to be highly competitive this season. The question is, are the Vikings favored by oddsmakers and experts to win the division and make the playoffs? Let’s take a look at their chances heading into the 2023 NFL season.
Vikings Offseason Recap
The Vikings had an active offseason aimed at bolstering their roster, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Here are some of their key offseason moves:
- Signed linebacker Za’Darius Smith in free agency – Smith is a proven pass rusher who had 26 sacks over the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
- Drafted safety Lewis Cine in the 1st round – Cine is an athletic and hard-hitting safety who will pair with Harrison Smith to form a dynamic safety duo.
- Drafted cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. in the 2nd round – Booth has the size and ball skills to develop into a starting-caliber corner.
- Drafted guard Ed Ingram in the 2nd round – Ingram provides depth and competition along the interior offensive line.
- Re-signed tight end Johnny Mundt – Mundt is an excellent blocker and will contribute on special teams.
These moves show the Vikings are committed to improving on defense, while also bolstering their offensive line. The additions of proven veterans and promising rookies should help Minnesota field an improved, more balanced squad in 2023.
Vikings 2023 Schedule
In addition to roster changes, the Vikings’ schedule for the upcoming season will also impact their chances to compete for a playoff spot. Here is a look at some notable games on their 2023 schedule:
| Week | Opponent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | at Green Bay Packers | Early NFC North clash against rival Packers |
| 3 | vs. New Orleans Saints (London) | Interesting “home” game in London vs. Saints |
| 5 | vs. Chicago Bears | Home game against division foe Bears |
| 9 | at Buffalo Bills | Tough road test against Super Bowl favorite Bills |
| 13 | vs. New York Jets | Home matchup with much-improved Jets team |
| 15 | at Green Bay Packers | Second matchup with Packers, this time at Lambeau |
The schedule has some very challenging games, especially the road contest against the Bills in week 9. But it also provides opportunities in winnable divisional matchups. Navigating this schedule will go a long way in determining if the Vikings can challenge for a playoff berth.
Vikings 2023 Roster and Depth Chart
Beyond the schedule, the Vikings’ success this season will hinge largely on the performance of their talented roster. If key players can stay healthy and play up to their potential, this team has the top-end talent to be very competitive. Let’s take a look at the projected starters and key backups at each position:
Offense
| Position | Projected Starter(s) | Key Backups |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Kirk Cousins | Nick Mullens |
| RB | Dalvin Cook | Alexander Mattison |
| WR | Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen | K.J. Osborn |
| TE | Irv Smith Jr. | Johnny Mundt |
| OT | Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill | Blake Brandel |
| OG | Ezra Cleveland, Ed Ingram | Jesse Davis |
| C | Garrett Bradbury | Austin Schlottmann |
Defense
| Position | Projected Starter(s) | Key Backups |
|---|---|---|
| DE | Danielle Hunter, Za’Darius Smith | Patrick Jones II |
| DT | Dalvin Tomlinson, Harrison Phillips | Ross Blacklock |
| LB | Eric Kendricks, Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah | Troy Dye |
| CB | Patrick Peterson, Cameron Dantzler | Chandon Sullivan |
| S | Harrison Smith, Lewis Cine | Josh Metellus |
This roster has Pro Bowl-level players at premium positions like wide receiver, running back, linebacker, safety, and defensive end. If Kirk Cousins can maintain his solid play at quarterback, the offense should put up plenty of points. The defense looks deeper and more talented than in recent seasons. Staying healthy and getting improved play along the offensive line will be key.
Vikings 2023 Win Total Odds
According to most Las Vegas sportsbooks, the Vikings’ win total over/under for the upcoming season is 9.5 wins. This means oddsmakers are projecting them to win close to 10 games. Here’s a look at their win total odds from a few top sportsbooks:
| Sportsbook | Vikings Win Total |
|---|---|
| DraftKings | Over 9.5 wins -110 Under 9.5 wins -110 |
| FanDuel | Over 9.5 wins -108 Under 9.5 wins -112 |
| BetMGM | Over 9.5 wins -110 Under 9.5 wins -110 |
Most books have this line set right at 9.5 wins, projecting the Vikings to be an above average, playoff contending team. The even odds on both sides indicate an expectation that Minnesota finishes right around that 9-10 win mark.
NFC North Odds
Beyond overall win totals, the odds specifically around the NFC North divisional race also indicate the Vikings are expected to be competitive:
| Team | Odds to Win NFC North |
|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers | +110 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +175 |
| Chicago Bears | +900 |
| Detroit Lions | +1200 |
The Packers are still division favorites at +110, but the Vikings are projected for a solid second at +175. This implies they have a legitimate shot to challenge Green Bay for the NFC North title. But it will likely come down to who sweeps the head-to-head matchups between these rivals.
NFC Playoff Odds
Here are the current odds for the Vikings to make the NFC playoffs:
| Sportsbook | Vikings to Make Playoffs |
|---|---|
| FanDuel | Yes +170 No -210 |
| DraftKings | Yes +150 No -185 |
The odds are right around +150 to +175 that Minnesota secures a wild card or divisional playoff spot. The parity in the NFC should give them a solid chance for a playoff return if they play up to their potential. But nothing is guaranteed, especially with teams like the 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, and Buccaneers likely competing for Wild Card positions.
Experts’ Preseason Power Rankings
In addition to oddsmakers, NFL experts and analysts have also weighed in with their expectations and predictions for the Vikings this season. Here’s a look at where they have Minnesota ranked in some notable preseason NFL power rankings:
NFL.com – Mike Florio
- Vikings Power Ranking: 17
- Division Ranking: 2nd in NFC North
ESPN – Dan Graziano
- Vikings Power Ranking: 16
- Division Ranking: 2nd in NFC North
CBS Sports – Pete Prisco
- Vikings Power Ranking: 19
- Division Ranking: 3rd in NFC North
USA Today – Nate Davis
- Vikings Power Ranking: 17
- Division Ranking: 2nd in NFC North
The consensus seems to be that the Vikings are projected to finish second in the competitive NFC North race this season. Most experts have them ranked in the 16-19 range league-wide. While not Super Bowl favorites, Minnesota looks poised to be in the mix for a playoff spot if they play up to their talent level.
Conclusion
In summary, the oddsmakers and experts see the Vikings as having a solid chance to bounce back from their disappointing 2022 season and compete for a playoff berth. Much of this optimism surrounds their talented offensive weapons like Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook, paired with impact defenders like Za’Darius Smith and Harrison Smith. If quarterback Kirk Cousins can maintain stability and the offensive line gels, this team has the pieces to contend with Green Bay for the NFC North crown. While maybe not on the short list of Super Bowl favorites due to questions about their passing game and the challenging NFC landscape, a consensus win projection of 9-10 games indicates the Vikings are expected to be in playoff contention. The opening weeks of the 2023 season will reveal soon enough if Minnesota is poised to return to postseason play.
