EAGAN, Minn. — Times and dates have been set for all Vikings 2020 preseason contests, the team and its opponents announced Friday.
Minnesota is scheduled to open the 60th preseason in franchise history by hosting Houston at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14.
The Vikings will then visit Cincinnati at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21 before heading to Cleveland for a nationally televised contest with the Browns at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30.
Minnesota is slated to close the exhibition slate by hosting Seattle at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3.
In addition to hosting Houston and Seattle in the preseason, Minnesota is scheduled to visit both clubs in the regular season.
All times listed are Central.
A little more about each matchup follows:
Preseason Week 1: Vikings vs Texans
Time/Date: 7 p.m. (CT) on Friday, Aug. 14
Broadcast Info (TV/Radio): FOX 9 in the Twin Cities/KFAN 100.3-FM and Vikings Radio Network
Preseason series: Vikings are 2-2 in four games (2009 Away, 2011 Home, 2012 Away, 2013 Home)
Roots: The Vikings hired Dom Capers as a senior defensive assistant this offseason. He was the first head coach of the Texans. His successor on the Gulf Coast, Gary Kubiak, is the Vikings offensive coordinator. Kubiak was at Houston's helm from 2006-13.
Preseason Week 2: Vikings at Bengals
Time/Date: 6 p.m. (CT) on Friday, Aug. 21
Broadcast Info (TV/Radio): FOX 9 in the Twin Cities/KFAN 100.3-FM and Vikings Radio Network
Preseason series:Vikings are 3-2 in five games (1976 Home, 1977 Away, 1989 Home, 1991 Away, 2016 Away)
Tigers tandem: The game also will provide an opportunity for Vikings first-round pick Justin Jefferson to reconnect with Joe Burrow, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Cincinnati tabbed Burrow, an Ohio native who teamed with Jefferson from 2018-19 after transferring from Ohio State. Burrow won the Heisman Trophy last fall. Jefferson helped by catching a school single-season record 111 passes.
Preseason Week 3: Vikings at Browns
Time/Date: 3 p.m. (CT) on Sunday, Aug. 30
Broadcast Info (TV/Radio): FOX Nationwide/KFAN 100.3-FM and Vikings Radio Network
Preseason series: Vikings are 9-3 in 12 games (1967 Home, 1969 in Akron, 1970 Away, 1972 Away, 1976 Away, 1977 Home, 1980 Home, 1990 Away, 1991 Home, 1992 Away, 1999 Away, 2002 Home)
Purple-hued Browns: Former Vikings assistant coach Kevin Stefanski is in his first year of leading the Browns. Stefanski was with the Vikings from 2006-19, most recently as the offensive coordinator. Cleveland also signed former Vikings QB Case Keenum and S Andrew Sendejo during free agency.
Preseason Week 4: Vikings vs Seahawks
Time/Date: 7 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, Sept. 3
Broadcast Info (TV/Radio): FOX 9 in the Twin Cities/KFAN 100.3-FM and Vikings Radio Network
Preseason series: Vikings are 10-8 in 18 games (1979 Away, 1982 Home, 1983 Away, 1985 Home, 1986 Away, 1993 Home, 1994 Away, 1997 at Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, 2004 Away, 2005 Away, 2007 Away, 2008 Home, 2010 Home, 2011 Away, 2016 Away, 2017 Away, 2018 Home, 2019 Home)
Streaks continue: Would it really be a preseason without a game against the Seahawks? At this point, no. The teams are scheduled for the fifth consecutive preseason (and third consecutive regular season).
