EAGAN, Minn. — If the Minnesota Vikings are to continue a recent trend of making the postseason in odd-numbered years, they will have to do well against the fifth-hardest 2021 NFL schedule, based on opponents' win percentages in 2020.
The teams that Minnesota will face this fall combined to go 144-127-1 for a win percentage of .531 last season.
While last year's results don't have a direct correlation to what happens this season and a significant amount has changed across the league, it's still interesting to compare each team's slate.
Reminders: The NFL uses a rotational format that has been in place since 2002 when the league introduced eight four-team divisions.
NFC North teams are due this season to play NFC West and AFC North teams. The strength of those divisions last season helped create a jumbling of teams from the NFC North that can expect tough sledding. All four "Norse" teams and three AFC North squads will face the seven-toughest schedules in all of football.
Brand new for 2021: NFL Owners opted to add a 17th game for the first expansion to the regular-season schedule since 1978. NFC North teams were matched against AFC West teams that finished in corresponding order. Minnesota's third-place showing a season ago means a matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium, the site of Super Bowl LVI.
AFC teams are hosting nine games this season; NFC teams will get a ninth home game in 2022. The conferences will alternate in subsequent years, assuming the 17-game format lasts a while.
In addition to annual home-and-away contests with the Packers, Bears and Lions, the Vikings are scheduled to host the Browns, Steelers, Cowboys, Rams and Seahawks and visit the Bengals, Ravens, Panthers, Cardinals, 49ers and Chargers.
Dates and times for each of those contests will be announced on vikings.com and the team's social media platforms at 6:45 p.m. (CT) Wednesday. Be sure to flag vikings.com/schedule and tune-in to "Schedule Release '21 Presented by Verizon" at 7 p.m. (CT) on NFL Network. Vikings platforms will deliver additional analysis.
Until then, here's a list of the toughest 2021 schedules based on 2020 results, with special credit to eatdrinkandsleepfootball.com for running the numbers.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
Strength of 2021 schedule: .574 (155-115-2)
2021 home opponents: Ravens, Bengals, Browns, Bears, Broncos, Lions, Raiders, Seahawks, Titans
2021 road opponents: Ravens, Bengals, Browns, Bills, Packers, Chiefs, Chargers, Vikings
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 9
2. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Strength of schedule: .563 (152-118-2)
2021 home opponents: Bengals, Browns, Steelers, Packers, Colts, Chiefs, Chargers, Rams, Vikings
2021 road opponents: Bengals, Browns, Steelers, Bears, Broncos, Lions, Raiders, Dolphins
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 8
3. Chicago Bears (8-8)
Strength of schedule: .550 (149-122-1)
2021 home opponents: Lions, Packers, Vikings, Cardinals, Ravens, Bengals, Giants, 49ers
2021 road opponents: Lions, Packers, Vikings, Browns, Raiders, Rams, Steelers, Seahawks, Buccaneers
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 8
4. Green Bay Packers (13-3)
Strength of schedule: .542 (147-124-1)
2021 home opponents: Bears, Lions, Vikings, Browns, Rams, Steelers, Seahawks, Wash. Football Team
2021 road opponents: Bears, Lions, Vikings, Cardinals, Ravens, Bengals, Chiefs, Saints, 49ers
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 7
5. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
Strength of schedule: .531 (144-127-1)
2021 home opponents: Bears, Lions, Packers, Browns, Cowboys, Rams, Steelers, Seahawks
2021 road opponents: Bears, Lions, Packers, Cardinals, Ravens, Panthers, Bengals, Chargers, 49ers
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 7
View photos of the Vikings 2021 coaching staff.
Head Coach Mike Zimmer
Assistant Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Andre Patterson
Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Adam Zimmer
Special Teams Coordinator Ryan Ficken
Senior Offensive Advisor Rick Dennison
Quarterbacks Coach Andrew Janocko
Wide Receivers Coach Keenan McCardell
Tight Ends Coach Brian Pariani
Running Backs Coach Kennedy Polamalu
Offensive Line coach Phil Rauscher
Offensive Quality Control/Assistant Wide Receivers Christian Jones
Offensive Quality Control/Assistant Running Backs Coach AC Patterson
Senior Defensive Assistant Paul Guenther
Assistant Defensive Line Coach Imarjaye Albury Sr.
Defensive Backs Coach Karl Scott
Assistant Defensive Backs/Safeties Coach Roy Anderson
Asst. Offensive Line Coach Ben Steele
Assistant Special Teams Coach Robert Steeples
Defensive Quality Control/Assistant Linebackers Coach Sam Siefkes
Head Strength and Conditioning Josh Hingst
Assistant Strength & Conditioning Derik Keyes
T-6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1)
Strength of schedule: .529 (144-128-0)
2021 home opponents: Ravens, Browns, Steelers, Packers, Jaguars, Chiefs, Chargers, Vikings, 49ers
2021 road opponents: Ravens, Browns, Steelers, Bears, Broncos, Lions, Raiders, Jets
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 8
T-6. Detroit Lions (5-11)
Strength of schedule: .529 (143-127-2)
2021 home opponents: Bears, Packers, Vikings, Cardinals, Ravens, Bengals, Eagles, 49ers
2021 road opponents: Bears, Packers, Vikings, Falcons, Browns, Broncos, Rams, Steelers, Seahawks
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 7
8. Las Vegas Raiders (8-8)
Strength of schedule: .526 (142-128-2)
2021 home opponents: Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, Ravens, Bears, Bengals, Dolphins, Eagles, Wash. Football Team
2021 road opponents: Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, Browns, Cowboys, Colts, Giants, Steelers
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 7
9. Cleveland Browns (11-5)
Strength of schedule: .518 (140-130-2)
2021 home opponents: Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Cardinals, Bears, Broncos, Lions, Texans, Raiders
2021 road opponents: Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Packers, Chiefs, Chargers, Vikings, Patriots
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 6
10. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
Strength of schedule: .515 (140-132)
2021 home opponents: Cardinals, 49ers, Seahawks, Bears, Lions, Jaguars, Buccaneers, Titans
2021 road opponents: Cardinals, 49ers, Seahawks, Ravens, Packers, Texans, Colts, Vikings, Giants
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 7
T-11. Seattle Seahawks (12-4)
Strength of schedule: .511 (139-133)
2021 home opponents: Cardinals, Rams, 49ers, Bears, Lions, Jaguars, Saints, Titans
2021 road opponents: Cardinals, Rams, 49ers, Packers, Texans, Colts, Vikings, Steelers, Wash. Football Team
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 7
T-11. Kansas City Chiefs (14-2)
Strength of schedule: .511 (138-132-2)
2021 home opponents: Broncos, Raiders, Chargers, Bills, Browns, Cowboys, Packers, Giants, Steelers
2021 road opponents: Broncos, Raiders, Chargers, Ravens, Bengals, Eagles, Titans, Wash. Football Team
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 6
T-13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)
Strength of schedule: .507 (138-134)
2021 home opponents: Rams, 49ers, Seahawks, Panthers, Packers, Texans, Colts, Vikings
2021 road opponents: Rams, 49ers, Seahawks, Bears, Browns, Cowboys, Lions, Jaguars, Titans
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 8
T-13. Tennessee Titans (11-5)
Strength of schedule: .507 (138-134)
2021 home opponents: Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Cardinals, Bills, Chiefs, Dolphins, Saints, 49ers
2021 road opponents: Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Rams, Patriots, Jets, Steelers, Seahawks
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 9
T-15. Houston Texans (4-12)
Strength of schedule: .504 (137-135)
2021 home opponents: Colts, Jaguars, Titans, Panthers, Chargers, Rams, Patriots, Jets, Seahawks
2021 road opponents: Colts, Jaguars, Titans, Cardinals, Bills, Browns, Dolphins, 49ers
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 9
T-15. Washington Football Team (7-9)
Strength of schedule: .504 (136-134-2)
2021 home opponents: Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, Chiefs, Chargers, Saints, Seahawks, Buccaneers
2021 road opponents: Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, Falcons, Bills, Panthers, Broncos, Packers, Raiders
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 6
17. Los Angeles Chargers (7-9)
Strength of schedule: .493 (133-137-2)
2021 home opponents: Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders, Browns, Cowboys, Vikings, Patriots, Giants, Steelers
2021 road opponents: Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders, Ravens, Bengals, Texans, Eagles, Wash. Football Team
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 5
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-15)
Strength of schedule: .491 (133-138-1)
2021 home opponents: Texans, Colts, Titans, Falcons, Cardinals, Bills, Broncos, Dolphins, 49ers
2021 road opponents: Texans, Colts, Titans, Bengals, Rams, Patriots, Jets, Seahawks
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 8
T-19. New England Patriots (7-9)
Strength of schedule: .489 (133-139)
2021 home opponents: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Browns, Cowboys, Jaguars, Saints, Buccaneers, Titans
2021 road opponents: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Falcons, Panthers, Texans, Colts, Chargers
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 9
T-19. New York Jets (2-14)
Strength of schedule: .489 (132-138-2)
2021 home opponents: Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, Bengals, Jaguars, Saints, Eagles, Buccaneers, Titans
2021 road opponents: Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, Texans, Colts
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 8
T-19. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
Strength of schedule: .489 (132-138-2)
2021 home opponents: Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks, Falcons, Packers, Texans, Colts, Vikings
2021 road opponents: Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks, Bears, Bengals, Lions, Jaguars, Eagles, Titans
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 7
22. New Orleans Saints (12-4)
Strength of schedule: .483 (131-140-1)
2021 home opponents: Falcons, Panthers, Buccaneers, Bills, Cowboys, Packers, Dolphins, Giants
2021 road opponents: Falcons, Panthers, Buccaneers, Patriots, Jets, Eagles, Seahawks, Titans, Wash. Football Team
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 7
T-23. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
Strength of schedule: .478 (130-142)
2021 home opponents: Dolphins, Patriots, Jets, Falcons, Panthers, Texans, Colts, Steelers, Wash. Football Team
2021 road opponents: Dolphins, Patriots, Jets, Jaguars, Chiefs, Saints, Buccaneers, Titans
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 8
T-23. Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
Strength of schedule: .478 (130-142)
2021 home opponents: Texans, Jaguars, Titans, Raiders, Rams, Patriots, Jets, Seahawks, Buccaneers
2021 road opponents: Texans, Jaguars, Titans, Cardinals, Ravens, Bills, Dolphins, 49ers
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 8
25. New York Giants (6-10)
Strength of schedule: .474 (128-142-2)
2021 home opponents: Cowboys, Eagles, Wash. Football Team, Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, Raiders, Rams
2021 road opponents: Cowboys, Eagles, Wash. Football Team, Bears, Chiefs, Chargers, Dolphins, Saints, Buccaneers
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 5
26. Carolina Panthers (5-11)
Strength of schedule: .472 (128-143-1)
2021 home opponents: Falcons, Saints, Buccaneers, Vikings, Patriots, Jets, Eagles, Wash. Football Team
2021 road opponents: Falcons, Saints, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Bills, Cowboys, Texans, Dolphins, Giants
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 6
T-27. Denver Broncos (5-11)
Strength of schedule: .471 (127-143-2)
2021 home opponents: Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers, Ravens, Bengals, Lions, Jets, Eagles, Wash. Football Team
2021 road opponents: Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers, Browns, Cowboys, Jaguars, Giants, Steelers
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 5
T-27. Miami Dolphins (10-6)
Strength of schedule: .471 (128-144)
2021 home opponents: Bills, Patriots, Jets, Falcons, Ravens, Panthers, Texans, Colts, Giants
2021 road opponents: Bills, Patriots, Jets, Jaguars, Raiders, Saints, Buccaneers, Titans
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 7
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5)
Strength of schedule: .465 (126-145-1)
2021 home opponents: Falcons, Panthers, Saints, Bills, Bears, Cowboys, Dolphins, Giants
2021 road opponents: Falcons, Panthers, Saints, Colts, Rams, Patriots, Jets, Eagles, Wash. Football Team
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 6
30. Atlanta Falcons (4-12)
Strength of schedule: .454 (123-148-1)
2021 home opponents: Panthers, Saints, Buccaneers, Lions, Patriots, Jets, Eagles, Wash. Football Team
2021 road opponents: Panthers, Saints, Buccaneers, Bills, Cowboys, Jaguars, Dolphins, Giants, 49ers
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 6
31. Dallas Cowboys (6-10)
Strength of schedule: .452 (122-148-2)
2021 home opponents: Giants, Eagles, Wash. Football Team, Cardinals, Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, Raiders
2021 road opponents: Giants, Eagles, Wash. Football Team, Chiefs, Chargers, Vikings, Patriots, Saints, Buccaneers
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 3
32. Philadelphia Eagles (4-11-1)
Strength of schedule: .430 (117-155)
2021 home opponents: Cowboys, Giants, Wash. Football Team, Chiefs, Chargers, Saints, 49ers, Buccaneers
2021 road opponents: Cowboys, Giants, Wash. Football Team, Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, Lions, Raiders, Jets
Games against teams with 10-plus wins last season: 3
