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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 – DECEMBER 20: David Montgomery #32 of the Chicago Bears is tackled with the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 20, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 20: David Montgomery #32 of the Chicago Bears is tackled with the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 20, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

2. At Chicago Bears

The odds of the NFC North producing three playoff teams in 2021 appear slim thanks to the incredible strength of the NFC West. Getting to second place looks like the bare minimum requirement to get to the playoffs out of this division, making Minnesota’s matchups with the Chicago Bears critical.

The two bitter rivals split the season series a year ago with each team winning on the road. The Vikings scored a huge win over the Bears at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football only for Chicago to return the favor with a key 33-27 win in December.

That game was the backbreaker for Minnesota’s late-season surge, with David Montgomery trampling all over the Vikings defense for 146 yards and two touchdowns. That game also ensured that the Bears finished ahead of Minnesota in the standings, ending up with an 8-8 record that allowed them to break that tie with Arizona for the NFC’s final playoff spot.

The best-case scenario for the Vikings would be to find a way to sweep the Bears, making their road trip to Chicago an important game. If Minnesota can pick up a victory at Soldier Field for the second straight year it would significantly boost the Vikings’ chances of ending up in at least second place in the NFC North.

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