Minnesota has the 10th-hardest schedule, based on the 2019 win percentages of 2020 opponents.
The Vikings also have a division slate that features the Packers, the 2019 divisional winner, the Bears, the 2018 divisional winner, and the Lions, a team that some have tabbed to be a dark horse candidate to win the NFC North in 2020.
Despite the strength of the NFC North, CBS Sports has picked a non-division matchup as the make or break game for the Vikings season.
The outlet predicted Minnesota’s primetime game against the Seahawks to be the make or break game for the Vikings. Here’s what the outlet said about the matchup:
For the past two years, the Vikings’ game against the Seahawks has turned into a “make or break” situation for Minnesota, so we’re just going to assume it’s going to happen again in 2020. Two years ago, the Vikings lost to the Seahawks in Week 14 and then ended up missing the postseason by one game. In 2019, the Vikings went to the playoffs as a six-seed, but could have been at least one spot higher if they had been able to beat the Seahawks in Week 13. Basically, this game always seems to have playoff implications, which isn’t great news for the Vikings because they’re usually on the losing end. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is 0-3 in his career against the Seahawks.
If last year’s game between Seattle and Minnesota is any indication, the Vikings will have to stop the run if they want anything to go differently.
In 2018, the Seahawks defense shut down the Vikings offense, but in 2019, Minnesota’s offense managed to be successful.
It was the Vikings run defense that gave up the big plays. The Seahawks ran for 218 yards en route to a 37-30 victory.