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Minnesota Vikings 2021 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games

By Mike Phillips

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 20: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 20: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 22: Dalton Schultz #86 of the Dallas Cowboys scores the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 22, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 22: Dalton Schultz #86 of the Dallas Cowboys scores the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 22, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

These five games rank as must-win affairs for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021.

The 2020 season was a disappointment for the Minnesota Vikings, who were a trendy pick to win the NFC North despite a massive reload of their defense. That overhauled defense struggled for most of the season, playing a key role in the team’s 7-9 record.

The media is currently sleeping on the Vikings, who no longer appear to be a top Super Bowl contender or even a favorite to win their division, but it is worth mentioning that the NFC beat itself up to the point that the Chicago Bears made the postseason last year with an 8-8 record. A stronger season could put Minnesota right back into the playoff hunt but they will need to find a way to win these five games first.

5 games the Vikings must win on the 2021 NFL Schedule

5. Vs. Dallas Cowboys

Having a third-place schedule means that Minnesota draws the NFC East’s third-best team, the Dallas Cowboys. This game should be trickier than it initially appears since the Cowboys will be getting Dak Prescott back from an ankle injury and have a significantly healthier offensive line.

The diminished version of Dallas went into U.S. Bank Stadium and won 31-28, a game that cost the Vikings dearly as their attempts to come back from a 1-5 start fell short of the postseason. Getting some revenge on the Cowboys would be nice and a win would also give Minnesota a key head-to-head tiebreaker in the NFC playoff picture.

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