As per usual, the great Josh Frey sent along a picks piece for Vikings Territory. Consider Mr. Frey’s work if you’re interested in looking into a crystal ball.
The concern here is is more prescriptive rather than being predictive. Put differently, I’m checking out the NFL schedule to see how Vikings fans ought to cheer in Week 5. As a general rule, I don’t like telling people what to do. All things being equal, go ahead and live your life. Allow me to violate that impulse by offering a take on how you — the Vikings fan, presumably — should cheer.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys
Somehow, the Bucs pulled it off. Jerry Jones must be a grumpy billionaire.
Philadelphia Eagles at Jacksonville Jaguars Jags are the correct answer here (especially if you are dreaming of Saquon Barkley). Philadelphia appears to be in a difficult spot.
Cleveland Browns at New York Jets
Tough call here, in a sense. Cheering against Deshaun Watson is the correct call. However, there’s some talent on the Jets that could help Minnesota, so more losses would be helpful if the desire is to see a trade. Maybe roll with the NYJ in this game and then go for losses afterwards.
Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots
Kirk Cousins, Klint Kubiak, and a New England team being led by a Mike Vrabel coming off a terrible offseason. Go for the Raiders.
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans Gotta be the Texans. As with the Jets, the Titans are a team that looks like a good option if Minnesota opts to buy at the trade deadline.
New York Giants at Washington Commanders
Cheer for J.J. McCarthy. Cheer for Dontae Fleming. Cheer for the New York Giants.
Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers leading things. So, Colts it is. A perfect world might even see Camryn Bynum dancing up a storm after intercepting Rodgers.
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints Moving on.
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
Roll with the Bears even if they’re a significantly tougher team. Best guess on this end of the internet is that Green Bay is more hated by Minnesotans due to the decades of terrific football from Brett Favre and Rodgers. Chicago doesn’t have quite the same history of passer competence.
Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins
Will say the Dolphins, folks. But if you like Dalton Risner, then cheer for the Bengals.
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers Tough one. Sean Payton coaches the Broncos while Jim Harbaugh coaches the Chargers. Maybe a tie. Roll with the Chargers if you feel compelled to pick a side.
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Best case for the Vikings is to see the Seahawks win. A Week 5 where Seattle wins and Minnesota wins means that the Vikings are the top team in the NFC.
Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals.
Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons Bird battle! Hard not to like Kevin Stefanski. But then the other factor is that the Ravens are an AFC team, meaning they don’t impact the playoffs in the same way as the Falcons, an NFC team. Cheer for Baltimore.
Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams
The Bills are the correct answer. Can you imagine a Super Bowl between Buffalo and Minnesota? A pair of wounded fanbases would be a nervous wreck going into that one.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
The NFL Schedule: A Cheering Guide for Vikings Fans
