The Minnesota Vikings schedule was officially released last week with a great deal of anticipation. At last, fans knew the date, time and opponent of the team’s first game at U.S. Bank Stadium, how often the team would play in primetime, whether the bye week was early, middle or late and if schedule makers give the team a murderer’s row of games at any point during the season.
There’s a lot to look forward to, certainly, but this article is more about reflection and nostalgia.
In the NFL’s short season, each game is magnified. Wins and losses can stick around in our minds longer than they might in the NBA, NHL or MLB. The prospect of playing a certain opponent can generate flashbacks to bygone days. When you only play a team a handful of times each decade, it’s easy to remember, for instance, the Redskins game in 2006 or the Panthers game in 2011.
In the NFL’s short season, each game is magnified. Wins and losses can stick around in our minds longer than they might in the NBA, NHL or MLB.
So because it’s enjoyable to hearken back, and because there’s plenty more time for people to break down the schedule game by game and explain how the Vikings can go undefeated, we’re going to look back at some great moments between the Vikings and their 2016 opponents.
(For a more elaborate schedule breakdown – if you prefer trudging ahead instead of looking back – check out Andy Carlson’s latest Purple FTW Podcast. It’s hard-hitting.)
Week 1 @ Tennessee Titans
Remember When… Percy Harvin – the once-electrifying, always-unpredictable, now-retired former Viking – was wearing purple? We’ll always have this reminder of his capabilities – a dazzling double-juke touchdown that belonged in a Madden game.
Week 2 vs Green Bay Packers
Remember When… The Vikings opened against Green Bay in 2008 and Adrian Peterson did this to Al Harris?
Week 3 @ Carolina Panthers
Remember When… Hey, not all memories are glorious for the purple. Sometimes you’ve got to give a nod to a worthy foe. Steve Smith rowed his way into touchdown celebration lore as his Panthers torched the Vikings in 2005.
Week 4 vs New York Giants
Remember When… A much younger (basically a rookie) Chad Greenway picked off Eli Manning and took it to the house? It was his first-ever Pick 6. It took him eight years to have another.
Week 5 vs Houston Texans
Remember When… The Vikings signed a big free agent receiver named Bernard Berrian, who most people dislike now, but he actually did some pretty nice things once a while? Take a look at this Berrian touchdown versus Houston in 2008.
Week 7 @ Philadelphia Eagles
Remember When… Joe Webb started on a Tuesday night against Philadelphia, looked great and hoodwinked the entire fan base into thinking he could beat Green Bay in the playoffs two years later?
Week 8 @ Chicago Bears
Remember When… You still didn’t believe me about Berrian? How about now?
Week 9 vs Detroit Lions
Remember When… We were having fun recollecting the career of Joe Webb just a second ago? Here’s a Webb lowlight that made many Vikings fans livid. Whaddaya know: Another facemask controversy at Ford Field!
Week 10 @ Washington Redskins
Remember When… Brad Childress was still a hot new commodity trying to make his impression on the league? He actually won his first-ever game at Washington thanks to a missed kick.
Week 11 vs Arizona Cardinals
Remember When… The Vikings lost to the Cardinals on the final play of the season and missed the playoffs? Yeah, no need to torture you with that one. How about more Bernard Berrian greatness?
Week 12 @ Detroit Lions
Remember When… The Lions botched an extra point in the final minute to lose a game in 2004? Couldn’t find the highlight for that one, but a fun memory. Here’s a recent one: Adrian Peterson houses the season’s first offensive play.
Week 13 vs Dallas Cowboys
Remember When… Randy Moss eviscerated the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving of 2000? The Vikings play on Thanksgiving again this year, so it’s a great time to reminisce about Moss’s extraordinary performance.
Week 14 @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Remember When… Blair Walsh began his career with a huge clutch kick? Those were the days.
Week 15 vs Indianapolis Colts
Remember When… The Colts beat the Vikings on a last-second field goal every single time they played?
Week 16 @ Green Bay Packers
Remember When… The Vikings beat the Packers in Week 17 to make the playoffs? Yeah, you probably didn’t forget that one.
Week 17 vs Chicago Bears
Remember When… Jared Allen – who just signed a one-day contract to retire with the Vikings – set the team sack record in the season finale versus the Bears?
