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Hi Eric … it seems like the Vikings are ALWAYS heading to play at Seattle! On the other side, I see the Falcons coming to town again this year! Hope they put a beat down them … but they're going to have to lock down Julio Jones without Xavier Rhodes. They get to see Tom Brady, too! Will be another tough schedule, but can't wait to see how they do! What matchups are you excited about?
— Jim Bremer
We'll dive into the Vikings 2020 schedule right away. Yes, those Seattle trips are turning into an annual thing, but the reasoning can be found here. As for the matchups I'm most excited about, I'll give you a few:
Week 1 vs. Green Bay: Everyone wants to be 1-0 after Week 1, but the stakes are even higher when you have your biggest rival at home. The Packers swept the Vikings in 2019, so you know this will be a big one for the Purple to prove they belong in the NFC North discussion.
Week 12 vs. Carolina: For sentimental reasons, the chance to see Teddy Bridgewater as a starting QB will be awesome, even if he's on the other side. He overcame so much to get back on the field. Plus, this could be a late-November matchup of NFC teams battling for playoff spots.
Week 14 at Tampa Bay: Plenty of hype around the Buccaneers with Tom Brady now at QB. But a mid-December trip to Florida is always nice, too. This highlights the lack of cold-weather games for the Vikings this year.
Week 16 at New Orleans: The rare Christmas Day game, just the fourth time in franchise history we will play on the holiday. Plus, these two teams have emerged as bitter rivals (and NFC contenders) in recent years. This one could also be important for playoff seeding.
What Is the toughest stretch for games for the Vikings? The secondary will be seriously tested in what games?
— Zane Stanley
As for the toughest stretch, you could look to the first slate of games for that. The Vikings first seven games feature plenty of 2019 playoff teams: the Packers (twice), plus the Titans, Texans and Seahawks. The AFC South is a grinder of a division, and Minnesota will be tested.
The three NFC North tilts after the bye are huge, and so are the three straight home games in Weeks 11-13. That's because Minnesota ends with three of four on the road, which is no easy feat.
The Vikings young secondary will certainly have their hands full, well, pretty much every week.
Let's start in the division, where Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford are experienced veterans. If Nick Foles ends up starting in Chicago, we know he's had plenty of success against the Vikings. If it's Mitchell Trubisky, well, he's fared well against the defense, too.
Outside of the division, the Vikings will see future Hall of Famers in Drew Brees and Tom Brady… those guys rank first and second, respectively, in all-time passing yards and touchdowns. Fun!
Philip Rivers is a crafty veteran in a new home (Indianapolis), Matt Ryan was the NFL MVP in 2016, Russell Wilson has a Super Bowl and is seemingly unbeatable in Seattle, and the Texas Two Step of Dak Prescott and Deshaun Watson are among the most-exciting young players in the game.
Did I mention that Titans QB Ryan Tannehill led the league in passer rating in 2019 at 117.5? And you know that Bridgewater will be fired up to play his former team as a starter in a venue where it looked like he was poised to play in for years to come. And don't discount [Gardner] Minshew Mania with Jacksonville.
So, let's see, that covers … yep, all 16 games … on the Vikings schedule in 2020. Buckle up!
When referring to having a "window" to win now, it appears Minnesota's window has closed. I believe the Vikings will be competitive in their division, but with a turnover of players, especially defensively (defensive wins championships, right?), would you say that window has closed?
— Jesse in Grand Forks, North Dakota
The outside perception from those who cover the league — and perhaps the NFL itself — appears to be that the Vikings will take a step back in 2020. They were scheduled on just two prime-time games, not including the Christmas Day game, while other teams across the league were featured on four or even five nationally-televised games. With 12 games scheduled to start at noon (CT), it appears the Vikings will play a regular, plain Jane schedule for most of 2020.
You know who loves that? Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer. The Vikings are 35-14-1 under Zimmer when kicking off at noon (CT) since 2015. And you know that Zimmer and his team love playing the underdog role, which they reveled in before beating the Saints on the road in the playoffs in January.
The view of the Vikings has likely changed since so many prominent names — Stefon Diggs, Linval Joseph, Xavier Rhodes, etc. — are now gone. But Zimmer and his staff love the challenge of developing young players and getting them ready to play. And, don't forget, the roster still includes plenty of talent, even on defense. Danielle Hunter, Harrison Smith, Anthony Harris, Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr will surely have something to say about that this season.
So no, I don't believe the window has closed. And you can bet the Vikings and Zimmer agree and want to prove that this upcoming season.
View photos of the Vikings 2020 schedule in photos including all opponents for the regular season.
Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 13 | 09.13 | NOON | Home vs. Green Bay Packers | U.S. Bank Stadium
Aaron Rodgers - Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers finished 2019, his 15th NFL season, with 4,002 yards, 26 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
The Vikings have played the Packers to open a season six previous times but have never kicked off a campaign by hosting a Border Battle. Green Bay's only appearance in a Minnesota home opener was during Week 2 in 2016 when the Vikings prevailed 17-14 in U.S. Bank Stadium's inaugural game.
Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 20 | 09.20 | NOON | Away @ Indianapolis Colts | Lucas Oil Stadium
Darius Leonard - Linebacker Darius Leonard hauled in an impressive five interceptions for the Colts in 2019 en route to his first career Pro Bowl.
Marlon Mack - Marlon Mack led the Colts ground attack in 2019, totaling 1,091 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 247 carries.
![Joe Kapp (Sept. 28, 1969) [7 passing touchdowns against Baltimore Colts] = Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp tied an NFL record in 1969 when he threw for an incredible seven touchdowns against the Baltimore Colts, who moved to Indianapolis in 1984.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/lupn6gwpo05hnkvylukp.jpg)
Joe Kapp (Sept. 28, 1969) [7 passing touchdowns against Baltimore Colts] = Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp tied an NFL record in 1969 when he threw for an incredible seven touchdowns against the Baltimore Colts, who moved to Indianapolis in 1984.
Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 27 | 09.27 | NOON | Home vs. Tennessee Titans | U.S. Bank Stadium
Derrick Henry - Derrick Henry won the 2019 rushing title with 1,540 yards and tied for the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns
Kevin Byard - Safety Kevin Byard recorded five interceptions in 2019, which tied for fourth in the league. He has picked off at least four passes in each of the past four seasons.
Eric Kendricks (Sept. 11, 2016) - Eric Kendricks had a 77-yard interception return for a score — his first NFL touchdown — in the most-recent meeting between the teams, back in Week 1 of the 2016 season.
Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 4 | 10.04 | NOON | Away @ Houston Texans | NRG Stadium
Deshaun Watson - Deshaun Watson set a career-high with 33 total touchdowns in 15 games in 2019. He threw for 26 scores for the second straight season and added seven rushing touchdowns, which tied for second among quarterbacks.
J.J. Watt - J.J. Watt is tied for fourth among active players with 96 career sacks.
Marcus Sherels (Oct. 9, 2016) - Marcus Sherels returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown in the most-recent meeting between the teams. It was his fifth career punt return for a score and first in a home game.
Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 11 | 10.11 | 7:20 PM | Away @ Seattle Seahawks | CenturyLink Field
Russell Wilson - Russell Wilson threw a career-low five interceptions in 516 attempts in 2019. Wilson also passed for 4,110 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Bobby Wagner - Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner led the NFL with 159 total tackles (league stats) in 2019.
Anthony Harris (Dec. 2, 2019) - Safety Anthony Harris had a 20-yard interception return for a score against the Seahawks in 2019. It was his first career touchdown.
Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 18 | 10.18 | NOON | Home vs. Atlanta Falcons | U.S. Bank Stadium
Matt Ryan - Ryan, who is 109-80 as a starter, has recorded 38 game-winning drives and 30 come-from-behind victories.
Julio Jones - Julio Jones has seven Pro Bowls to his credit and a career average of 96.2 yards per game. In four games against Minnesota since 2014, however, Jones has averaged just 48.3 yards per game.
Kevin Williams (Sept. 9, 2007) - Defensive tackle Kevin Williams returned an interception 54 yards for a touchdown to put the Vikings up by seven early in what became a 24-3 victory.
Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 25 | 10.25 | BYE WEEK
Week 8 | Sunday, Nov. 1 | 11.01 | NOON | Away @ Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field
Za'Darius Smith - OLB Za'Darius Smith started all 16 games for the first time in his career and totaled 13.5 sacks in his first season with Green Bay.
Taking NFC North title in 2015 - The Vikings closed the 2015 season by defeating the Packers 20-13 at Lambeau Field to win the NFC North.
Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 8 | 11.08 | NOON | Home vs. Detroit Lions | U.S. Bank Stadium
Matthew Stafford - Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford started 136 straight regular-season games from 2011 to Nov 3, 2019. He missed the final eight games of last season.
Cris Carter's 1,000*th* catch - Receiver Cris Carter hauled in his 1,000th career catch, a four-yard TD pass from Daunte Culpepper, in the first quarter against the Lions on Nov. 30, 2000.
Week 10 | Monday, Nov. 16 | 11.16 | 7:15 PM | Away @ Chicago Bears | Soldier Field
Khalil Mack - Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack led Chicago with five forced fumbles in 2019.
Adrian Peterson (Oct. 14, 2007) - Adrian Peterson racked up 224 rushing yards and three touchdowns (67, 73 and 35 yards) in a 34-31 comeback victory at Soldier Field on Oct. 14, 2007.
Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 22 | 11.22 | 3:25 PM | Home vs. Dallas Cowboys | U.S. Bank Stadium
Ezekiel Elliott - Ezekiel Elliott ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards last season, racking up 1,357 yards and 12 touchdowns on 301 carries.
Jaylon Smith - Linebacker Jaylon Smith started all 16 games for the Cowboys in 2019 and led the team with 142 tackles (league stats) en route to his first career Pro Bowl nod.
Eric Kendricks (Nov. 10, 2019) - Linebacker Eric Kendricks helped the Vikings wrangle the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 10 last season. Kendricks broke up a fourth-down pass that Dak Prescott intended for running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Week 12 | Sunday, Nov. 29 | 11.29 | NOON | Home vs. Carolina Panthers | U.S. Bank Stadium
Christian McCaffrey - Running back Christian McCaffrey led the NFL with 2,392 combined yards in 2019, joining Roger Craig and Marshall Faulk as the only three players in league history to have more than 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in one season.
Teddy Bridgewater - Former Viking Teddy Bridgewater is poised to make his first start against the Minnesota team that drafted him with the 32nd overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Adam Thielen (Nov. 30, 2014) - Adam Thielen blocked a punt and returned it 30 yards for his first career touchdown to help the Vikings defeat the Panthers 31-13 on Nov. 30, 2014, a 12-degree day (Wind Chill of minus-7) at the University of Minnesota.
Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 6 | 12.06 | NOON | Home vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | U.S. Bank Stadium
Gardner Minshew II - Gardner Minshew II threw for 21 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 12 starts as a rookie last season.
Josh Allen - Jaguars edge rusher Josh Allen, the seventh overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, led Jacksonville with 10.5 sacks.
Randall Cunningham (Dec. 20, 1998) - Randall Cunningham threw three touchdowns (13, 43 and 14 yards) to build a 23-point lead at the end of the third quarter in an eventual 50-10 Vikings victory, a big boost for Minnesota's season points total of 556.
Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 13 | 12.13 | NOON | Away @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Raymond James Stadium
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski - Tampa Bay added Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski this offseason. Brady is a six-time Super Bowl champion who ranks second all-time in passing yards (74,571) and passing touchdowns (541). Gronkowski has caught 78 career scores from Brady.
Shaquil Barrett - Shaquil Barrett set a Buccaneers franchise record — and led the NFL — with 19.5 sacks in 2019.
Anthony Barr (Oct. 26, 2014) - This will be Minnesota's first trip to Tampa Bay since 2014, when Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr forced and recovered a fumble before racing 27 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
Week 15 | Sunday, Dec. 20 | 12.20 | NOON | Home vs. Chicago Bears | U.S. Bank Stadium A
Cordarrelle Patterson - Cordarrelle Patterson led the NFL with 825 kickoff return yards in 2019, including a 102-yard touchdown.
Danielle Hunter (Dec. 20, 2015) - This game is scheduled to occur five years to the date of Minnesota's 38-17 win over Chicago at the University of Minnesota. Danielle Hunter recorded 1.5 sacks that night for the first multi-sack game of his career.
Week 16 | Friday, Dec. 25 | 12.25 | 3:30 PM | Away @ New Orleans Saints | Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Cam Jordan - The son of Vikings Ring of Honor member Steve Jordan, Saints defensive end Cam Jordan racked up 15.5 sacks in 2019, which ranked third in the NFL behind Shaquil Barrett (19.5) and Chandler Jones (19.0).
Drew Brees - Entering his 20th NFL season (15th) with the Saints, quarterback Drew Brees has been named to 13 Pro Bowls.
Kyle Rudolph (Jan. 5, 2020) - Kyle Rudolph caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins for a 26-20 walk-off Vikings victory that stunned the Saints in overtime of the NFC Wild Card game in January.
Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 3 | 01.03 | NOON | Away @ Detroit Lions | Ford Field D
Kenny Golladay - Lions receiver Kenny Golladay started all 16 games in 2019, recording 65 catches for a career-high 1,190 yards and a league-best 11 touchdowns.
Kirk Cousins (Oct. 20, 2019) - Kirk Cousins threw for a season-high 338 yards and four touchdowns to help Minnesota notch a 42-30 road win in Detroit last season.
I cannot wait to see what Andre Patterson does with D.J. Wonnum, James Lynch, and Kenny Willekes. The battle for defensive line roster spots on the Vikings will be competitive. Some tough decisions will have to be made.
— Gerald Goblirsch
This position group should be fun to watch with a mix of veterans and youngsters. Let's just hypothetically say that Hunter, Shamar Stephen, Michael Pierce and Ifeadi Odenigbo are the current starters based on the roster as it stands today.
That's a formidable group, with plenty of depth behind them. The three rookies — Wonnum, Lynch and Willekes — should all be in position to compete for playing time.
But they will be pushed by those already on the roster in Armon Watts, Jaleel Johnson, Jalyn Holmes, Hercules Mata'afa and Eddie Yarbrough. Plus, Minnesota added Anthony Zettel in free agency, and he'll also provide a solid veteran presence.
From 2014-2018, the Vikings kept between eight or nine defensive linemen on the roster. But the team kept 10 players on the initial 53-man roster in 2019, a sign of the depth and talent in that group. Perhaps the coaching staff will feel that double-digit linemen are warranted again.
