Single-game tickets for the 2015 season are now on sale and those who have already reserved a seat at the University of Minnesota are in position to see exciting matchups, including the defending division champion Green Bay Packers visiting on November 22 and the two-time NFC defending champion Seattle Seahawks set to appear on December 6.
But what about the matchups within the matchups? We've taken each of the Vikings eight regular season games and identified the most intriguing player matchup within that contest. Check them out below and then vote on which one intrigues you the most with the poll at the bottom of the page.
And don't forget to secure your spot for 2015 right now. 2015 Vikings single-game tickets are on sale. For more info, or to buy, click here or call 612.338.4537.
Week 2 vs. Detroit: CB Xavier Rhodes vs. WR Calvin JohnsonOn the first snap of his career in 2013, Rhodes lined up against Johnson and was promptly placed on his keister before Matthew Stafford threw an incomplete pass in Johnson's direction. Rhodes has come a long ways since then and is thought by many to be on the cusp of a huge season. The third-year CB's first big test of 2015 comes in the home opener.
Week 3 vs. San Diego: Interior OL vs. DT Corey LiugetBrandon Fusco and John Sullivan must get the Vikings new starting OG up to speed quickly because in Week 3 they will get a serious test with Liuget coming to town. He can slide around the line of scrimmage and challenge either guard and/or the center on a play-by-play basis. He's equally disruptive versus the pass and the run. To move the ball down the field, the Vikings interior OL must neutralize one of the best DTs in the game.
Week 6 vs. Kansas City: RT Phil Loadholt vs. LB Justin Houston
With 33.0 sacks over the last two seasons, Houston has been one of the best pass rushers in the League of late and he does most of his damage while challenging the right side of the offensive formation. This means Loadholt will draw the primary responsibility of slowing down Houston, although backs and TEs will likely be asked to chip in from time-to-time. One way to neutralize Houston may be to run Adrian Peterson directly behind Loadholt.
Week 9 vs. St. Louis: LT Matt Kalil vs. DE Robert Quinn
An uneven first six games followed by a solid final six games in 2014 will have everyone analyzing Matt Kalil's season on a game-by-game basis in 2015. There are a lot of great pass rushers coming to town this season, but none better than Quinn, who has 45.0 sacks in four seasons.
Week 11 vs. Green Bay: S Harrison Smith vs. QB Aaron Rodgers
There are a lot of options in the border battle but let's put Rodgers in the spotlight and point to Smith as the leader of the Vikings efforts to slow him down. It will take a team effort on defense to handle the Packers offense, but Smith's versatility will be key for the Vikings as they try to stop the rushing attack on the early downs and Rodgers and Co. in the air on later downs.
Week 13 vs. Seattle: WR Mike Wallace vs. CB Richard Sherman
It's always tough to identify CB-WR matchups because both teams can maneuver players to avoid or create those matchups. But the Vikings invested in Wallace to enhance the passing game and support young QB Teddy Bridgewater and there are few (if any) better at the position than Sherman, so hopefully we'll see plenty of one-on-one matchups between the two in Week 13.
Week 15 vs. Chicago: LB Anthony Barr vs. RB Matt Forte
Forte is one of the most versatile RBs in the League, but the Vikings can counter with one of the most versatile LBs in the League in Barr. Whether Forte has the football or Barr is rushing the passer, expect these two to go head-to-head often and the guy who wins more often will help lead his team to victory.
Week 16 vs. NY Giants: DE Everson Griffen vs. LT Ereck Flowers
Who will be playing LT for the Giants by the time Week 16 rolls around? It's hard to tell right now, but Flowers is a good guess given the fact that New York selected him ninth overall in April. Whoever it is, they have a huge responsibility in trying to slow down Griffen, who had a team-high and career best 12.0 sacks in 2014 and will be looking to increase that total in '15.
