Analysis: Vikings' final stretch favorable -- if team is still in playoff hunt

More than 4 1/2 months remain before the opening kickoff, but we could taste it Tuesday. The NFL released its 2008 schedule, unleashing a torrent of debate and instant analysis. So, Star Tribune staff writers Kevin Seifert and Judd Zulgad figured they would pile on. A look at the Vikings' 2008 schedule, divided by quarters:

• Monday, Sept. 8: at Green Bay Packers, 6 p.m.

• Sunday, Sept. 14: vs. Indianapolis Colts, noon

• Sunday, Sept. 21: vs. Carolina Panthers, noon

• Sunday, Sept. 28: at Tennessee Titans, noon

Zulgad's take: It won't take the Vikings long to find out if they are going to be contenders and if Tarvaris Jackson is ready for prime time. Three of the first four games are vs. 2007 playoff teams (Green Bay, Indianapolis and Tennessee), and the first two games will provide big tests. The opener at Green Bay promises to be an emotional night, especially if the Packers end up retiring Brett Favre's No. 4. Last season's NFL-worst pass defense will be tested the following week when it goes against future Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning in the home opener.

Seifert's take: The Vikings haven't started better than 2-2 in coach Brad Childress' first two seasons. But that record might be a best-case scenario in the most difficult opening-month schedule he has faced here. The Vikings will hope to capitalize on some unsettled quarterback situations: The Packers (new starter Aaron Rodgers), Panthers (a rehabilitating Jake Delhomme) and Titans (Vince Young under a new offensive coordinator) are all in some kind of transition.

• Monday, Oct. 6: at New Orleans Saints, 7:30 p.m.

• Sunday, Oct. 12: vs. Detroit Lions, noon

• Sunday, Oct. 19: at Chicago Bears, noon

• Sunday, Nov. 2: vs. Houston Texans, noon

Zulgad's take: This appears to be a favorable stretch of games -- the bye is tossed into this stretch -- but keep in mind that it's dangerous to assume a team that struggled in 2007 is going to be bad again in '08. That said, the Saints, Lions, Bears and Texans were a combined 29-35 (.453) last season. RB Adrian Peterson will get his second chance to play before a national audience when the Vikings visit New Orleans on a Monday night. Think ESPN won't sell that one as Peterson vs. Reggie Bush?

Seifert's take: No matter their results in the first quarter, a reasonable goal is to reach the season's midpoint no worse than .500. That could mean winning three of these four, which -- at least 4 1/2 months away-- seems reasonable. The Vikings haven't lost to the Lions at home since 1997, and they should be able to grab another game at Soldier Field.

• Sunday, Nov. 9: vs. Green Bay Packers, noon

• Sunday, Nov. 16: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, noon

• Sunday, Nov. 23: at Jacksonville Jaguars, noon

• Sunday, Nov. 30: vs. Chicago Bears, 7:15 p.m.

Zulgad's take: Two division games will begin and end a stretch that also will see the Vikings make back-to-back appearances in Florida. The Vikings' first-ever game in Jacksonville will pit them against former coach Mike Tice (a Jaguars assistant) as well as receiver and first-round bust Troy Williamson. The Bears game marks the first time the Vikings have been on the league's initial schedule for a Sunday night appearance since NBC took over that package in 2006 -- though it could be moved to the afternoon if another matchup becomes more attractive. The Tampa Bay game begins a stretch in which the Vikings will be on the road for four of five.

Seifert's take: Quick quiz: When was the last time the Vikings won in the state of Florida? Quick answer: In 1997, at Tampa Bay. With consecutive games there in this stretch, maybe they will be well-served to practice in the Sunshine State (between the games against Tampa Bay and Jacksonville). Closed-circuit to Childress: The beat writers wouldn't mind it.

• Sunday, Dec. 7: at Detroit Lions, noon

• Sunday, Dec. 14: at Arizona Cardinals, 3:05 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 21: vs. Atlanta Falcons, noon

• Sunday, Dec. 28: vs. New York Giants, noon

Zulgad's take: It will be interesting if the Vikings enter their season finale with a playoff berth on the line. Certainly, the Giants won't have forgotten an embarrassing 41-17 loss at home last season, and this could be a grand opportunity for the Super Bowl champs to get payback. The Vikings' three previous games would seem to set up pretty well for a postseason run. Now, if Nathan Poole is back on the Cardinals roster ...

Seifert's take: In a lot of ways, this is the most favorable stretch of the season. The Vikings' traditional cold-weather blues -- their last sub-50-degree outdoor victory in December came in 1999 -- are eliminated. Detroit's Ford Field is climate-controlled, while Arizona is, well, Arizona. Assuming the Vikings enter December in contention, this part of the schedule should catapult them into the playoffs.