As NFL season looms, Vikings look to overcome odds for deep run into 2023 playoffs

Justin Jefferson, Kirk Cousins to face several playoff contenders

After an unusual season that produced a perfect 11-0 record in one-score games last season, the Minnesota Vikings look to repeat as NFC North champions in 2023 and advance further than the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

Few oddsmakers expect the team to match their 13-4 overall record in 2022, with current projections at 8.5 wins for the year. But the Vikings have an opportunity to start fast Sunday when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium, where Minnesota was 8-1 last season.

The schedule immediately becomes more difficult with a trip to NFC champion Philadelphia looms on short rest in week two. And there are several Super Bowl contenders on the schedule, including the 2022 Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, the high-octane San Diego Chargers, the defensive-minded San Francisco 49ers and 2021 AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.

The regular season ends with three games against divisional foes, including two with the Detroit Lions — a team many expect to compete with the Vikings for the divisional title. Nestled between the Lions is a New Year's Eve matchup with rival Green Bay.

Overall, though, the Vikings' strength of schedule ranks 18th most difficult to start the season, so the road to the NFL playoffs could be tougher.

Here's a quick look at the upcoming season and a few key players.