Minnesota Vikings 2022 Win Total Prediction, Computer Picks and Super Bowl Odds

The 2022 NFL season is firmly on the horizon and over the coming weeks the Dimers crew will break down the chances of each and every team, all vying for Super Bowl 57 glory in Glendale, Arizona come February.

Let's take a look at the key factors to consider when betting on the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.

The Mike Zimmer Era in Minnesota ended with a resounding “meh” in 2021, but regime change aside, the Vikings are largely banking on the same group of players to show improvement in new coach Kevin O’Connell’s scheme.

Minnesota Vikings Win Total Prediction, Computer Picks and Super Bowl Odds

Minnesota Vikings

• 2021 Record: 8-9, 2nd in the NFC North (missed playoffs)
• 2021 ATS:  9-7-1
• Key off-season losses: Mike Zimmer HC, Mackenzie Alexander CB, Tyler Conklin TE, Sheldon Richardson DT, Xavier Woods S
• Key off-season additions: Kevin O’Connell HC, Jesse Davis OL, Jordan Hicks LB, Za’Darius Smith DE, Chandon Sullivan CB

Minnesota Vikings 2022 Win Total - 8.5 

Kirk Cousins has largely the same weapons on offense, with the notable addition of tight end Irv Smith Jr., who appeared ready to take a leap forward in his third season before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the final preseason game of 2021. O’Connell’s more modern offensive approach could open the field for Cousins to deliver the ball to Smith, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.

YOU LIKE THAT: Minnesota #Vikings QB Kirk Cousins, Dan Marino AND Peyton Manning are all basically the same guy... 😉🏈 #SKOL pic.twitter.com/KwRcdRa7jP

— SKOR North (@SKORNorth) July 19, 2022

The early portion of Minnesota’s schedule should prove to be a reasonable litmus test. Outside of a Week 1 match-up with NFC North favorites, the Green Bay Packers, each game before the team’s bye in Week 7 is winnable. A three-week midseason stretch at the Buffalo Bills, vs. the Dallas Cowboys and vs. the New England Patriots will set the tone for the rest of the season. If Minnesota can emerge with a winning record after the Patriots game then 7-4 is within the realm of possibility. The Vikings should remain in the wild-card hunt through the remainder of the season.

DimersBOT: In our model's 10,000 simulations of the upcoming NFL season, the Vikings averaged 8.86 wins per year. With that in mind, the Over on this isn't the worst play in the world. 

Minnesota Vikings X-Factor - Danielle Hunter, DE

In the land of the Purple People Eaters, defensive coordinator Ed Donatell’s 3-4 scheme will look foreign to Minnesota followers, but it could provide the right environment for the freakishly athletic Hunter to get his career back on track.

With Hunter limited to seven games in the past two seasons, the Vikings defense gave up gobs of yardage while being relegated to bottom-half status. Rumors of cutting Hunter in the offseason to free up cap space ran amok in Vikings media circles, but the pass rusher has the tools to silence the critics in 2022.

After signing his five-year, $72-million contract extension before the 2018 season, Hunter ripped off monster years en route to becoming the NFL’s youngest player to reach 50 career sacks.

Hunter looks the part of a superstar when healthy. A down year — or worse, another injury — could force an untimely end to Hunter’s tenure with the team as the Vikings continue to remake the roster under new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

Minnesota Vikings Super Bowl 57 Chances

Minnesota’s strength of schedule is soft, just 20th in the league, but the playoffs is the cream of the crop. 

Even if the Vikings are rejuvenated and improve on last season’s efforts, the gap between the haves and have-nots in the NFC only grew wider this offseason. If you like to bet the sneaky candidate, though, there is lightning to be caught in a bottle with this team.

DimersBOT: We wouldn't suggest anything major here, but we'd understand if you want to throw a small dart on this. Offensive-minded coaches have had success turning teams around recently — look at Sean McVay and Zac Taylor — but this team is probably a year or two away from having the talent it needs on defense. 

Minnesota Vikings 2022 Schedule 

• September 11, 2022 - vs Green Bay Packers
• September 19, 2022 - at Philadelphia Eagles
• September 25, 2022 - vs Detroit Lions
• October 2, 2022 - vs New Orleans Saints (in London)
• October 9, 2022 - vs Chicago Bears
• October 16, 2022 - at Miami Dolphins
• October 30, 2022 - vs Arizona Cardinals
• November 6, 2022 -  at Washington Commanders
• November 13, 2022 - at Buffalo Bills
• November 20, 2022 - vs Dallas Cowboys
• November 24, 2022 - vs New England Patriots
• December 4, 2022 - vs New York Jets
• December 11, 2022 - at Detroit Lions
• December 18, 2022 - vs Indianapolis Colts
• December 24, 2022 - vs New York Giants
• January 1, 2023 - at Green Bay Packers
• January 8, 2023 - at Chicago Bears