They say optimism blooms in the spring, right? Maybe that's why every year when the NFL releases the next season's schedule, as it did Tuesday, you "analyze" your favorite team's opponents and come up with your annual decree: "13-3. OK, 12-4 at worst." Vikings fans, here's your chance to map out an NFC North title.
VIKINGS 2008 SCHEDULE

Week 1 Monday, Sept. 8 at Green Bay, 6 p.m. ESPN

Week 2 Sunday, Sept. 14 Indianapolis (noon, CBS)

Week 3 Sunday, Sept. 21 Carolina (noon, FOX)

Week 4 Sunday, Sept. 28 at Tennessee (noon, FOX)

Week 5 Monday, Oct. 6 at New Orleans (7:30 p.m., ESPN)

Week 6 Sunday, Oct. 12 Detroit (noon, FOX)

Week 7 Sunday, Oct. 19 at Chicago (noon, FOX)

Week 8 Sunday, Oct. 26 BYE WEEK

Week 9 Sunday, Nov. 2 Houston (noon, CBS)

Week 10 Sunday, Nov. 9 Green Bay (noon, FOX)

Week 11 Sunday, Nov. 16 at Tampa Bay (noon, FOX)

Week 12 Sunday, Nov. 23 at Jacksonville (noon, FOX)

Week 13 Sunday, Nov. 30 Chicago (7:15 p.m., NBC)

Week 14 Sunday, Dec. 7 at Detroit (noon, FOX)

Week 15 Sunday, Dec. 14 at Arizona (3:05 p.m., FOX)

Week 16 Sunday, Dec. 21 Atlanta (noon, FOX)

Week 17 Sunday, Dec. 28 N.Y. Giants (noon, FOX)