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With the NFL regular season fast approaching, we at SportsUntapped are taking our crystal balls out of storage and examining each team’s full 16-game schedule to prognosticate how the 2012 season will play out. We’ll look at all 32 teams and reveal each one’s final record. Next up: Christian Ponder and the Minnesota Vikings, who will try to prove they’re not the NFC’s worst team and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Last year’s record: 3-13
 
Vegas Over/Under on 2012 Regular Season Wins: 6

First four games:

Sep 9 Jacksonville 1:00 pm
Sep 16 @Indianapolis 1:00 pm
Sep 23 San Francisco 1:00 pm
Sep 30 @Detroit 1:00 pm

Last year the Vikings didn’t win a game until Week 5 and didn’t get their second victory until Week 8, but this year they should have a decent chance at starting 2-0.  Then they should fall back to earth pretty hard the next two weeks to end September 2-2.  The Vikings did lose both game to the Lions last year by less than a touchdown, so there is the potential for a Week 4 upset as well.

Second four games:

Oct 7 Tennessee 4:25 pm
Oct 14 @Washington 4:25 pm
Oct 21 Arizona 1:00 pm
Oct 25 Tampa Bay 8:20 pm

The Vikings were 1-7 at home last season, and also won at Washington last December.  Multiple October wins is definitely possible, but three losses seems more likely.  Still that matches last year’s win total with a 3-5 midseason record.

First four games of the second half:

Nov 4 @Seattle 4:05 pm
Nov 11 Detroit 1:00 pm
Week 11 BYE 
Nov 25 @Chicago 1:00 pm
Dec 2 @Green Bay 1:00 pm

Last season the Vikings lost by 29 in Chicago and by 38 in Green Bay.  They should do better this year, but probably not better enough to win. They probably lose both games before the bye as well, giving them a 3-9 record through 12 games.

Last four games:

Dec 9 Chicago 1:00 pm
Dec 16 @St. Louis 1:00 pm
Dec 23 @Houston 1:00 pm
Dec 30 Green Bay 1:00 pm

The Vikes did play the Bears and Packers a lot closer at home last season although they did still lose both games.  I see only one more win in these final four games for a 4-12 record, only one game better than last season.