After leaks trickled in throughout the day providing breadcrumbs about the Minnesota Vikings 2020 schedule, the full 16-game slate was confirmed Thursday night. Before we analyze it, here’s how it looks:
*Games at noon unless otherwise noted
WEEK 1 vs. Green Bay
WEEK 2 @ Indianapolis
WEEK 3 vs. Tennessee
WEEK 4 @ Houston
WEEK 5 @ Seattle (SNF)
WEEK 6 vs. Atlanta
WEEK 7 BYE
WEEK 8 @ Green Bay
WEEK 9 vs. Detroit
WEEK 10 @ Chicago (MNF)
WEEK 11 vs. Dallas (3:25)
WEEK 12 vs. Carolina
WEEK 13 vs. Jacksonville
WEEK 14 @ Tampa Bay
WEEK 15 vs. Chicago
WEEK 16 @ New Orleans (3:30, Christmas Day)
WEEK 17 @ Detroit
OUT-OF-CONFERENCE EARLY
As expected, teams will be playing a heavy early slate of inter-conference games in case the season needs to be shortened due to COVID-19 concerns. However, the NFL still scheduled a number of premier divisional games in Week 1, including Vikings vs. Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. It’s the third straight season the Vikings will play the Packers in the first two weeks and the first time in history that they’ll host them in Week 1. After that, it’s three straight games against the AFC South at Indianapolis (Week 2), vs. Tennessee (Week 3) and at Houston (Week 4) with Jacksonville waiting until Week 13. The Vikings went 3-1 the last time they played the AFC South in 2016.
NATIONAL GAMES
The Vikings get two primetime games and two late-afternoon games, one of which comes on Christmas Day in New Orleans for a rematch of last year’s Wild Card game. Minnesota plays a primetime game at Seattle for the third straight year, having never beaten Russell Wilson in his time with the Seahawks. They also draw a Monday Night game at Chicago, where they’ve only won twice since 2007 and have been embarrassed twice with Kirk Cousins at the helm.
KEY HOME STRETCH
The Vikings got a rare three-game homestand for the first time since Weeks 12-14 of 2014. This year they host Dallas, Carolina and Jacksonville in succession in Weeks 11-13. The Panthers game could represent the return of Teddy Bridgewater to face the Vikings as a starter after signing a long-term deal with the Panthers this offseason.
OLD QUARTERBACKS, NEW PLACES
The Vikings get to face two teams with new high profile quarterbacks. They’ll face Philip Rivers in his Indianapolis home opener, one year after intercepting him seven times at Los Angeles. Then they’ll draw Tom Brady in Week 14 at Tampa Bay, facing him for the second time in three years. The last time Minnesota visited Tampa Bay, Anthony Barr won the game in overtime with a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
NO COLD?
This is a great schedule for the Vikings’ passing game. With six dome games and Tampa Bay comprising the final seven games on the schedule, the only matchup with the potential for bad weather is Nov. 16 at Chicago on Monday night. Cousins is appreciative.
NO THURSDAYS
Ordinarily most teams are required to play a Thursday night game once during the schedule, but it appears Minnesota’s Christmas Day game on a Friday is replacing that. The coaching staff will appreciate the absence of a four-day prep, but they’ll have to travel and play one of the NFC’s top teams when they visit the Saints on a short week.
ENDING ON THE ROAD
After New Orleans in Week 16 the Vikings get a long weekend before returning to prepare for their Week 17 matchup at Detroit. Considering the Vikings have won the last three games in that building, they’d certainly prefer that to an early January game at Soldier Field or Lambeau.
