The Minnesota Vikings (8-8 in 2016) open the 2017 preseason slate at the Buffalo Bills(7-9 in 2016) on Thursday, August 10. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. CT at New Era Stadium. The game will be simulcast live locally on FOX 9 and KFAN 100.3 FM. The simulcast team features Paul Allen and Pete Bercich in the booth with Greg Coleman and Ben Leber on the sideline.

The Vikings have earned an 12-1 (.923) preseason mark under Head Coach Mike Zimmer, who has led the club to 2 undefeated preseasons in his 3 seasons at the helm. Prior to dropping the 2015 preseason finale to Tennessee, 24-17, the Vikings boasted a perfect 8-0 preseason mark under Zimmer.

The Vikings top draft pick, RB Dalvin Cook, who was selected with the 41st pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, is slated to make his NFL debut against Buffalo on his 22nd birthday.

BROADCAST COVERAGE

TELEVISION: FOX 9 (Channel 9 in Minneapolis)

Play-by-Play: Paul Allen   Analyst: Pete Bercich

Sideline Reporter: Greg Coleman/Ben Leber

LOCAL RADIO: KFAN-FM 100.3/KTLK-AM 1130

Play-by-Play: Paul Allen   Analyst: Pete Bercich

Sideline Reporter: Greg Coleman/Ben Leber

Pre-Game Show: Mike Mussman – 4:00 p.m. CT

KFAN and KTLK serve as the flagship stations for the 63-station, 5-state Vikings Radio Network.

Vikings in the Preseason

• The Vikings have a combined record of 152-97-3 (.609) in their 252 preseason games.

• The team has finished undefeated in the preseason 8 times (1964, '65, '73, '92, '98, '01, '14, '16).

• The Vikings have finished with a .500 record or better 43 times in the team's 56 preseasons.

• Minnesota has finished .500 or better in the regular season 33 times after posting a .500 or better record in the preseason.

• The 13 preseasons in which the Vikings have finished below .500, the team went on to finish below .500 seven times in the ensuing regular season.

• Under Head Coach Mike Zimmer, the Vikings have compiled an 12-1 (.923) record in the 2014 (4-0), 2015 (4-1) and 2016 (4-0) preseasons.

Connections

VIKINGS-BILLS CONNECTIONS

Vikings Defensive Coordinator George Edwards served as the Bills Defensive Coordinator from 2010-11.

Vikings Defensive Backs Coach Jerry Gray served as the Bills Defensive Coordinator from 2001-05.

Bills Running Back Joe Banyard appeared in 18 games for the Vikings during the 2013-14 seasons.

HOMETOWN CONNECTIONS

Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater, CB Xavier Rhodes, RB Dalvin Cook and Bills G John Millerall hail from Miami, FL.

Vikings S Jayron Kearse and Bills WR Sammy Watkins both hail from Fort Myers, FL.

Vikings WR Michael Floyd and Bills T Seantrel Henderson are both natives of Saint Paul, MN.

Vikings T Rashod Hill, Bills LB Sam Barrington, QB Nathan Peterman, CB Charles James and all natives of Jacksonville, FL.

*COLLEGE CONNECTIONS *       

Vikings CB Mackensie Alexander and S Jayron Kearse were teammates with Bills WR Sammy Watkins and DE Shaq Lawson at Clemson.

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook was the teammate of Bills CB Ronald Darby and TE Nick O'Leary at Florida State.

Vikings DE Danielle Hunter and DE Tashawn Bower were the teammates of Bills CB Tre'Davious White and LS Reid Ferguson at LSU.

Vikings CB Trae Waynes was the teammate of Bills DT Jerel Worthy at Michigan State.

*FAMILY CONNECTIONS *       

Vikings WR Cayleb Jones and Bills WR Zay Jones are brothers and both hail from Austin, TX where they attended Austin High School and played three seasons together. Their father, Robert Jones, a three-time Super Bowl winner with the Cowboys, played for Mike Zimmer during the 1994-95 seasons.

Vikings Big Days vs. Bills

• DE Everson Griffen notched 8 tackles, a career-high 3.0 sacks, 1 FF and 2 TFL against the BIlls 10/19/14.

• CB Terence Newman recorded 3 tackles (2 solo), 2 PBUs, 2 INTs, including 1 returned 43 yards for a TD vs Buffalo on 11/13/11 while with the Cowboys.

• LB Anthony Barr had 10 tackles (8 solo), 2 FR, 1 PBU and 1 TFL on 10/19/14 against the BIlls.

Vikings vs. Bills Series Info

Record vs. Bills: 8-5

Last regular season game: Vikings 16, Buffalo 17 (2014, In Buffalo)

Vikings largest winning margin:24; Vikings 38, Bills 14 (2010)

Bills largest winning margin:6; Bills 45, Vikings 39 (OT) (2002)

Current series streak: Bills 1

Vikings longest win streak: 2 (1989 & 1992)

Bills longest win streak: 2 (2002-2006)

Most Points, Vikings: 39 (2002)

Most Points, Bills: 45 (2002)

Most Points, both teams:84 (2002)

Fewest Points, Vikings:10 (1979, 1988)

Fewest Points, Bills:0 (1971)

Fewest Points, both teams:13; Vikings 10, Bills 3 (1979)