As we gear up for the 2025 NFL season, all eyes in Minnesota are on J.J. McCarthy.

The Minnesota Vikings certainly have set the stage for a drama-filled season, filled with both challenges and opportunities for their new quarterback. Last season, the Vikings managed to stage an impressive 14-3 record under the leadership of Sam Darnold—even without McCarthy, who was sidelined with a torn meniscus.

Yet, the season ended on a sour note as they fell to the Los Angeles Rams in a disappointing 27-9 Wild Card loss.

The offseason was a whirlwind of activity, with the Vikings splashing around $300 million on free agents and bolstering their roster with five selections from the 2025 NFL Draft. Now, as the anticipation of their full schedule release builds, the big question is about the gauntlet they face.

Warren Sharp, the sharp mind behind Sharp Football Analysis, crunched the numbers on the upcoming 2025 schedule strengths. According to his findings, Minnesota has its work cut out for them with the fifth-hardest schedule in the league. That’s some steep competition when you consider the projected win totals from Vegas.

Last year, the Vikings emerged victorious through the 15th-hardest schedule, but this year, the stakes are higher. Seven of the teams they’re slated to play are anticipated to reach 9.5 wins or more.

Their home battles will be particularly grueling, marking the toughest matchups they’ve seen at home in years. Among their challenges are the formidable Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens, each projected to win over 11 games.

Here’s a quick rundown of their home opponents based on Sharp’s data:

• Chicago Bears (7.5 wins)
• Detroit Lions (10.5 wins)
• Green Bay Packers (9.5 wins)
• Philadelphia Eagles (11.5 wins)
• Washington Commanders (9.5 wins)
• Baltimore Ravens (11.5 wins)
• Cincinnati Bengals (9.5 wins)
• Atlanta Falcons (7.5 wins)

On the upside, the road schedule offers some relief. Expectation-wise, only the Los Angeles Chargers are projected to be a robust competitor outside their division.

The Vikings’ away matchups look like this:

• Chicago Bears (7.5 wins)
• Detroit Lions (10.5 wins)
• Green Bay Packers (9.5 wins)
• Dallas Cowboys (7.5 wins)
• New York Giants (5.5 wins)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (8.5 wins)
• Cleveland Browns (5.5 wins)
• Seattle Seahawks (7.5 wins)
• Los Angeles Chargers (9.5 wins)

Despite these demanding games, the projections peg Minnesota to win about 8.5 games this season. This places them in the mid-tier ranks, a point that underscores just how competitive the NFC North is shaping up to be—only the Bears are forecasted to win fewer games in the division.

With a challenging home lineup and a quarterback with much to prove, the Vikings’ 2025 season promises to be a thrilling ride. It’s a proving ground for McCarthy, who will need to rise to the occasion and demonstrate he can thrive under the spotlight, even against the toughest teams the NFL has to offer.

This season’s journey will either confirm Minnesota’s readiness to make another playoff run or highlight areas needing more attention. Either way, it will make for compelling football.