The Vikings and Falcons are scheduled to meet for the 32nd overall time and second occurrence at U.S. Bank Stadium at noon (CT) Sunday.
Far different from last season's 2019 opener when a raucous crowd helped Minnesota seize control early with a defensive stop, blocked punt and quick touchdown, this game will be held without fans in attendance because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mystic Lake is presenting the 12th annual Crucial Catch game hosted by the Vikings.
Past Crucial Catch home games have featured in-person tributes to cancer survivors, patients, caregivers and those who have died from the disease, but this year's recognition will mostly be from afar.
Vikings Entertainment Network has launched a new array of programming that will deliver elements to fans/bring them to the stadium virtually before kickoff and after the game is over.
How to connect with the game
On the airwaves
The game will be televised by FOX (KMSP FOX 9 in Minneapolis/St. Paul) and broadcast on the Vikings Radio Network (KFAN 100.3-FM/KTLK 1130-AM are the flagship stations).
Click here for all of the ways to watch/listen/stream the game.
Vikings Pregame All-Access
Vikings Pregame All-Access, a new program presented by U.S. Bank, will be streamed live at 11 a.m. (CT) to Vikings.com, the Vikings mobile app, the Vikings Now Connected TV app, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Vikings Pregame All-Access will take fans inside the stadium and deliver exclusive, behind-the-scenes content that was previously only available in the stadium. Coverage will include Vikings warm-ups, live shots from the Vikings locker room and analysis in the hour leading up to kickoff.
Live Chat
Vikings.com Team Reporter Eric Smith will host a live chat from U.S. Bank Stadium beginning at 10 a.m. (CT). Join the conversation with Staff Writer/Assistant Editor Lindsey Young and Senior Editor Craig Peters before the game and stay connected with in-game updates.
Vikings Playbook
In previous seasons, the Vikings Playbook has been available to all fans in U.S. Bank Stadium. This year, the team will offer the Playbook free at all 11 Minneapolis-St. Paul Hy-Vee locations. The Star Tribune will also package a set number in Sunday newspapers for every Vikings home game.
Pick up your print copy or view the digital version at vikingsplaybook.com or in the Vikings mobile app.
Safety Anthony Harris, who recorded two interceptions and a fumble recovery against the Falcons in 2019, is on the cover. Read about how he's using his voice more this year in an expanded leadership role.
Also, Vikings fullback C.J. Ham will play with a heavy heart and honor the memory of his mother Tina. She passed away in May at age 57 after battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Vikings Postgame Live
Tune-in after each Vikings game on the team's digital and social platforms to watch Vikings Postgame Live presented by Mystic Lake. The show will feature expert analysis, highlights, Next Gen Stats and postgame sound from Head Coach Mike Zimmer.
Game-day promotions
Crucial Catch: It Takes All of Us
This year has been dramatically altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the battle against cancer continues. The NFL and ACS are reminding "It takes all of us to fight cancer."
Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph was among players, coaches and fans who participated in a national television ad to deliver that message.
Rudolph's brother, Casey, was born with and overcame neuroblastoma, an aggressive cancer that affects babies. The Rudolph family's experience as Casey battled motivated the three-time Vikings Community Man of the Year to create "Kyle Rudolph's End Zone" at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital.
Additionally, Rudolph recently surprised 7-year-old cancer survivor and superfan Haakyn Mohr with a video call. After he was diagnosed with a tumor the size of a football on his kidney, Haakyn underwent surgery to remove the kidney and tumor, followed by 28 weeks of aggressive rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.
Haakyn recently told his parents, Ryan and Tory, that he wants to play in the NFL so he can bring his teammates to a children's hospital, sign footballs and make young patients smile – just like Rudolph.
Game-worn Crucial Catch merchandise will be auctioned on NFL Auction (nfl.com/auction). The NFL does not profit from the sale of Crucial Catch merchandise. Charitable contributions are donated to the American Cancer Society to support its Community Health Advocates Implementation Nationwide Grants for Empowerment (CHANGE) grant program.
Since 2012, the NFL has funded CHANGE grants, contributing to 370,000 screenings in underserved communities and reaching more than 1 million individuals with education, screening reminders and patient navigation.
Chris Doleman Tribute
The Vikings will honor the memory of defensive end Chris Doleman by placing his Pro Football Hall of Fame bust, which is usually on display at the Minnesota Vikings Museum, in the stadium near his Vikings Ring of Honor plaque.
Doleman tragically passed away in January at age 58 after courageously battling brain cancer for more than two years. Doleman, who would have turned 59 today, sounded the Gjallarhorn before the Vikings 2019 Crucial Catch game.
U.S. Bank Hometown Heroes:
The U.S. Bank Hometown Heroes program honors individuals who have gone to extraordinary measures to make positive differences in the community. If you would like to nominate someone, visit Vikings.com/fans/promos/hometown-hero.
In recognition of Crucial Catch, Sunday's Hometown Hero is Erika Rucks, a pediatric oncology nurse. Erika has worked at the University of Minnesota's Masonic Children's Hospital for 17 years. Erika knows firsthand what it's like for the children she treats, as she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma when she was 15 years old. While in remission, she studied to be a nurse so that she could give back to individuals that were going through the same struggles she endured. In 2019, Erika was diagnosed with breast cancer and later found out that it had spread to her spine, a diagnosis of Stage 4 terminal cancer. Despite the diagnosis, she has remained positive and energetic and continues to work at the hospital and care for the patients she loves.
Erika also will sound the Gjallarhorn before Sunday's game.
Vikings Fans in the Stands Presented by Caribou Coffee
The Vikings have partnered with Caribou Coffee to allow fans to purchase a cutout to be placed in the stands for all home games at U.S. Bank Stadium. The cutouts are available to the fans for pickup at the conclusion of the season, and 100% of the net proceeds will go to support charitable causes within the community. Fans can visit vikings.com/cutouts for more information or to place an order.
Caribou Coffee is additionally providing 100 cutouts to patients at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital and family members so they can "attend" the game and making a $15,000 donation to the hospital.
Multicolored banners that represent multiple types of cancer will be placed in the stands.
Pass or Play and Stat Showdown presented by Mystic Lake
Expand your game-day activities to include a pair of free-to-play fantasy football games presented by Mystic Lake. The games are available in the Vikings mobile app and on the web.
Hy-Vee Fuel Saver
THEY score, YOU save! Shop your local Hy-Vee store following game day to receive great fuel savings. Simply spend the same amount that the Vikings scored, and earn a one-cent credit on your Hy-Vee Fuel Saver + Perks® card. If the Vikings score 14 points, spend $14 or more the next day and earn 14 cents of credit on your Hy-Vee Fuel Saver + Perks® card. Promotion valid at all Minnesota Hy-Vee locations; some limitations apply. See stores for details.
CenturyLink Legends Connection
Don't miss your chance to virtually meet fan-favorite football heroes all season. CenturyLink has teamed up with your Minnesota Vikings for the Legends Connection Meet & Greet Sweepstakes — an opportunity for a 30-minute virtual Meet & Greet with a Vikings Legend. For a chance to win, enter online at vikings.com/fans/centurylink-promo.
Kwik Trip Opening Drive
The Kwik Trip opening drive contestant for Week 3 is Tamara Collins from Blaine, Minnesota. Tamara will win $25 for every yard earned on the Vikings opening drive plus a $500 bonus if it ends with a field goal or $1,000 if it ends with a touchdown. To enter, visit your neighborhood Kwik Trip today.
60 Greatest Vikings Fans Presented by U.S. Bank
In celebration of 60 seasons of Vikings football, the Vikings are naming 60 of their most passionate supporters to the 60 Greatest Fans Team. If you know someone with unyielding dedication to the Vikings, nominate that fan today at vikings.com/60Fans.
Skol Scribbles Contest Driven by Polaris
Enter the Skol Scribbles contest by submitting your idea for weekly photo transformations. You could win one of 16 weekly prize packs from Polaris. Follow the @vikings on Instagram or Snapchat Stories to learn more.
Frontline Features Presented by Miller Lite
Frontline Features will recognize extraordinary Vikings fans throughout the season who have overcome challenges to make a difference for others during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nominate someone at vikings.com/frontline.
Buffalo Wild Wings Sacks for Apps
Buffalo Wild Wings brings you "Sacks for Apps" during all Vikings home and away games this season. When the Vikings record 3.0 or more sacks in a game, all fans score a free appetizer with a minimum purchase of $5. Offer is valid for three days after each eligible game. Visit vikings.com/bww for more details.
Absolut® Vikings Homegater
Are you the Absolut® Vikings Homegater? You can submit a photo to prove it at vikings.com/homegater. Fans will have a chance to win a Vikings and Absolut® weekly prize pack, and one superfan will earn the title of Homegater of the Season and win a mini-fridge.
