The Vikings 2023 schedule was announced May 11 and features five prime-time games (as of now), as well as two that remain to be determined (Week 15 at Cincinnati and Week 18 at Detroit).
We've taken a look at intriguing player matchups in non-division matchups and 10 takeaways from a broader prospective.
Now, we'll preview each team in the order the Vikings will face foes.
We're continuing the four-part series with Weeks 5-8 that include a home game against Kansas City, Minnesota's annual trip to Chicago, a Monday Night Football matchup against San Francisco at U.S. Bank Stadium and the Vikings roadie at Green Bay to continue the Border Battle.
Vikings vs. Chiefs | Week 5
3:25 p.m. (CT) | Oct. 8 | U.S. Bank Stadium
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 5-8 (includes 0-1 in postseason)
Home: 4-2; Away: 1-5; Neutral: 0-1 in Super Bowl IV
Last time in regular season: Chiefs won 26-23 at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 3, 2019
Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Vikings won 16-10 at the University of Minnesota on Oct. 18, 2015
2022 Stats
Kansas City Offense
Yards/Game: 413.6 (1st in NFL) | Points/Game: 29.2 (1st)
Kansas City Defense
Yards Allowed/Game: 328.2 (11th) | Points Allowed/Game: 21.7 (16th)
2023 Status
Head Coach: Andy Reid (117-45 in 10 regular seasons and 12-7 in postseason games with Chiefs; 130-93-1 in 14 regular seasons and 10-9 in postseason games with Eagles from 1999-2012)
Key addition in free agency/via trade: T Donovan Smith, T Jawaan Taylor and LB Drue Tranquill
Key departure in free agency/via trade: DE Frank Clark, T Orlando Brown, Jr., T Andrew Wylie, S Juan Thornhill and WR Mecole Hardman
First two selections of 2023 NFL Draft: DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State (No. 31 overall) and WR Rashee Rice, SMU (55)
Icebreaking Storyline
Meeting up with Mahomes
The Vikings are scheduled to face Patrick Mahomes for the first time. He missed Minnesota's game at Kansas City in 2019 because of an injury. Mahomes returned in time to lead the Chiefs to their win in Super Bowl LIV and is coming off another title this February (LVII). The son of former Twins pitcher Pat Mahomes will be the first reigning Super Bowl MVP the Vikings have faced in a following season since Joe Flacco in 2013.
Vikings at Bears | Week 6
Noon (CT) | Oct. 15 | Soldier Field
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 65-57-2 (includes 0-1 in postseason)
Home: 39-24 (includes 0-1 postseason); Away: 26-33-2
Last time in regular season: Vikings won 29-13 at Soldier Field on Jan. 8, 2023
Last time in regular season at Chicago: Vikings won 29-13 on Jan. 8, 2023
2022 Stats
Chicago Offense
Yards/Game: 307.8 (28th in NFL) | Points/Game: 19.2 (23rd)
Chicago Defense
Yards Allowed/Game: 375.9 (29th) | Points Allowed/Game: 27.2 (32nd)
View home and away photos of the Vikings 2023 regular season schedule.
Week 1 | Vikings vs. Buccaneers
Sept. 10 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 1 | Vikings vs. Buccaneers
Sept. 10 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 2 | Vikings at Eagles (Thursday)
Sept. 14 - 7:15 p.m. CT
Lincoln Financial Field
Week 2 | Vikings at Eagles (Thursday)
Sept. 14 - 7:15 p.m. CT
Lincoln Financial Field
Week 3 | Vikings vs. Chargers
Sept. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 3 | Vikings vs. Chargers
Sept. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 4 | Vikings at Panthers
Oct. 1 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Bank of America Stadium
Week 4 | Vikings at Panthers
Oct. 1 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Bank of America Stadium
Week 5 | Vikings vs. Chiefs
Oct. 8 - 3:25 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 5 | Vikings vs. Chiefs
Oct. 8 - 3:25 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 6 | Vikings at Bears
Oct. 15 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Soldier Field
Week 6 | Vikings at Bears
Oct. 15 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Soldier Field
Week 7 | Vikings vs. 49ers (Monday)
Oct. 23 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 7 | Vikings vs. 49ers (Monday)
Oct. 23 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 8 | Vikings at Packers
Oct. 29 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Lambeau Field
Week 8 | Vikings at Packers
Oct. 29 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Lambeau Field
Week 9 | Vikings at Falcons
Nov. 5 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Week 9 | Vikings at Falcons
Nov. 5 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Week 10 | Vikings vs. Saints
Nov. 12 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 10 | Vikings vs. Saints
Nov. 12 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 11 | Vikings at Broncos
Nov. 19 - 7:20 p.m. CT
Empower Field at Mile High
Week 11 | Vikings at Broncos
Nov. 19 - 7:20 p.m. CT
Empower Field at Mile High
Week 12 | Vikings vs. Bears (Monday)
Nov. 27 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 12 | Vikings vs. Bears (Monday)
Nov. 27 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 13 | BYE
Week 14 | Vikings at Raiders
Dec. 10 - 3:05 p.m. CT
Allegiant Stadium
Week 14 | Vikings at Raiders
Dec. 10 - 3:05 p.m. CT
Allegiant Stadium
Week 15 | Vikings at Bengals
Date & time TBD
Paycor Stadium
Week 15 | Vikings at Bengals
Date & time TBD
Paycor Stadium
Week 16 | Vikings vs. Lions
Dec. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 16 | Vikings vs. Lions
Dec. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 17 | Vikings vs. Packers
Dec. 31 - 7:20 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 17 | Vikings vs. Packers
Dec. 31 - 7:20 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 18 | Vikings at Detroit
Date & time TBD
Ford Field
Week 18 | Vikings at Detroit
Date & time TBD
Ford Field
2023 Status
Head Coach: Matt Eberflus (3-14 in one season with Bears)
Key additions in free agency/via trade: WR DJ Moore (trade with Carolina), LB T.J. Edwards, LB Tremaine Edmunds, RB Travis Homer and RB D'Onta Foreman
Key departure in free agency/via trade: RB David Montgomery
First two selections of 2023 NFL Draft: T Darnell Wright, Tennessee (No. 16 overall) and DL Gervon Dexter, Sr., Florida (53)
Icebreaking Storyline
New direction?
Two organizations that changed head coaches and general managers in 2022 will meet for the third time under their new leadership. Chicago finished last in the NFL last season, vaulting its way up the draft board, but the Bears were tough against the Vikings in Week 5 last season before fading and winning just one of their final 12 games. Minnesota will try to extend its win streak at Soldier Field to four games, which would rank as the second longest run of success at the venue (1996-2000).
View behind-the-scene photos from the Vikings 2023 schedule release video that was shot with a drone throughout the TCO Performance Center.
Vikings vs 49ers | Week 7
7:15 p.m. (CT) | Oct. 23 | U.S. Bank Stadium
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 23-25-1 (includes 1-5 in the postseason)
Home: 15-9 (0-1 in postseason) | Away: 8-16-1 (1-4 in the postseason)
Last time in regular season: 49ers won 34-26 at San Francisco on Nov. 28, 2021
Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Vikings won 24-16 on Sept. 9, 2018
2022 Stats
San Francisco Offense
Yards/Game: 365.6 (5th in NFL) | Points/Game: 26.5 (6th)
San Francisco Defense
Yards Allowed/Game: 300.6 (1st in NFL) | Points Allowed/Game: 16.3 (1st)
2023 Status
Head Coach: Kyle Shanahan (52-46 in six seasons with 49ers and 6-3 in playoffs)
Key addition in free agency/via trade: DT Javon Hargrave, CB Isaiah Oliver and OL Jon Feliciano
Key departures in free agency/via trade: QB Jimmy Garoppolo (Raiders), DE Samson Ebukam (Colts), T Mike McGlinchey (Broncos), CB Emmanuel Moseley (Lions) and DB Jimmie Ward (Texans)
First two selections of 2023 NFL Draft: S Ji'Ayir Brown, Penn State (at No. 87 overall) and K Jake Moody, Michigan (99)
Icebreaking Storyline
The Vikings will host the No. 1 defense from last season with an opportunity to make a mid-season statement at home. The 49ers did lose a couple key defenders, but Minnesota will still have its stout front four to deal with. On the other side of the ball, the Vikings defense will prep for a San Francisco squad that ranked fourth in passing touchdowns (30) and fifth in rushing touchdowns (20) last season.
Vikings at Packers | Week 8
Noon (CT) | Oct. 29 | Lambeau Field
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 57-65-3 (includes 1-1 in postseason)
Home: 31-30; Away: 26-35-3 (1-1 in postseason)
Last time in regular season: Packers won 41-17 at Lambeau Field on Jan. 1, 2023
Last time in regular season at Green Bay: Packers won 41-17 on Jan. 1, 2023
2022 Stats
Green Bay Offense
Yards/Game: 337.9 (17th in NFL) | Points/Game: 21.8 (14th)
Green Bay Defense
Yards Allowed/Game: 336.5.2 (17th) | Points Allowed/Game: 21.8 (17th)
2023 Status
Head Coach: Matt LaFleur (47-19 in four seasons with Packers and 2-3 postseason)
Key addition in free agency/via trade: S Tarvarius Moore
Key departures in free agency/via trade: QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Allen Lazard, TE Robert Tonyan and DL Dean Lowry
First two selections of 2023 NFL Draft: DL Lukas Van Ness, Iowa (No. 13 overall) and TE Luke Musgrave, Oregon State (42)
Icebreaking Storyline
End of an era
The Vikings will face the Packers without Aaron Rodgers for the first time since 2017 when an injury that occurred against Minnesota in Week 6 sidelined him for the rest of the season. He had played in all but one other game against the Vikings since becoming a starter in 2008, going 17-11-1.
