The Vikings ****announced their 2018 schedule*** on Thursday. The Vikings.com crew will break down the 16-game slate into four quarters during this Icebreakers series that is presented by*** Ticketmaster***.*
**First Quarter**| Second Quarter | Third Quarter | Fourth Quarter
The third quarter of the Vikings season includes three division games, two at home (against Detroit in Week 9 and Green Bay in Week 12) and one on the road in Chicago (Week 11).
The games against the Lions and at the Bears will be separated by Minnesota's Week 10 bye, which is the latest of any team in the NFC North.
This tough stretch doesn't appear that it will get any easier, because the four-game span wraps with a rare trip to New England to face the AFC Champion Patriots for a 3:25 p.m. (CT) kickoff that is likely to be shown throughout most of the country.
The games against the Vikings three most-common opponents and one of the rarest will be an important stretch.
Note: all times listed are subject to change because of the NFL's flex scheduling.
Week 9
Vikings vs. Lionsby **@PCraigers**
Noon (CT) | Nov. 4 | U.S. Bank Stadium
Series results
Vikings W-L-T: 72-39-2
Home: 39-16-1; Away: 33-23-1
Last time in regular season:Vikings defeated Lions 30-23 on Nov. 23, 2017 (Thanksgiving Day)
Last time in regular season in Minnesota:Lions defeated Vikings 14-7 on Oct. 1, 2017
Detroit's 2017 offensive rankings:
Total yards: 5,404 (13th in NFL); Rushing yards: 1,221 (32nd); Passing yards: 4,183 (6th); Points/game: 25.6 (7th); Sacks allowed/pass attempt percentage: 8.25 percent (24th); Interception rate: 1.93 percent (9th); Average time of possession: 29:48 (19th)
Detroit's 2017 defensive rankings:
Total yards allowed/game: 355.8 (27th); Rushing yards allowed/game: 112.5 (18th); Passing yards allowed/game: 243.3 (27th); Points allowed/game: 23.5 (21st); Sacks/pass attempt: 6.14 percent (23rd); Interception rate: 3.33 percent (5th)
Icebreakers:The longstanding series has been pivotal in the NFC North standings in recent years. The Lions swept the Vikings in 2014 and 2016 en route to postseason berths, and the Vikings did so in 2015 to win the NFC North. Minnesota suffered its only home loss in 2017 at the hands of Detroit (14-7), but the Vikings spoiled the Lions Thanksgiving home-game tradition on the way to another NFC North title. … The Lions hired Matt Patricia as head coach and Paul Pasqualoni as defensive coordinator this offseason. Detroit retained Jim Bob Cooter as offensive coordinator. … Road teams are 4-12 in two seasons at U.S. Bank Stadium, but the Lions are 2-0. … Former Lions tackle Riley Reiff proved to be a key addition for the Vikings in 2017.
View the Vikings 2018 schedule in photos.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went 5-0 as a starter to close out 2017, completing 120 of 178 passes (67.4 percent) for 1,560 yards. He threw seven touchdowns and five interceptions.
49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He has 9.0 career sacks.
The 49ers also made a splash on defense by signing three-time All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman, who started 99 of the 105 games he played in seven seasons with the Seahawks but suffered an Achilles injury in 2017.
In the Week 16 game, the Vikings defense held Green Bay scoreless for the first time since 1971 and first time ever at Lambeau Field.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers did not play in the teams' past meeting; Rodgers was sidelined for the majority of the season after suffering a broken collarbone at Minnesota in Week 6.
Green Bay defensive tackle Mike Daniels earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2017.
Buffalo wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin was acquired via trade midway through the 2017 season. He had 475 yards and two touchdowns in eight games with the Bills.
Buffalo was active out of the gate when free agency opened, signing quarterback AJ McCarron (pictured), defensive end Trent Murphy and defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, among others.
Bills running back LeSean McCoy put together the sixth 1,000-yard season of his career in 2017 when he rushed for 1,138 yards and six touchdowns.
In 2017, the Rams defensively ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed per play (4.7), but defensive tackle Aaron Donald made was a First-Team All-Pro for the third straight year.
In the teams' most-recent meeting, the Vikings limited Rams quarterback Jared Goff to 225 yards and a passer rating of 79.6.
The Rams added a number of high-caliber free agents to their roster during the 2017 offseason, including DT Ndamukong Suh (pictured) and cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters.
This year's game will be a rematch of the 2017 NFC Championship game, in which the Vikings lost to the eventual Super Bowl LII champs.
Eagles QB Nick Foles stepped up in Week 14 when Carson Wentz suffered a season-ending knee injury; Foles went on to earn Super Bowl MVP honors.
Philadelphia wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey has nine career touchdown catches in 10 total games against the Vikings.
Arizona signed former Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford during free agency. Bradford will be able to target Minneapolis native Larry Fitzgerald, who is back for his 15th season.
Arizona running back David Johnson missed nearly all of the 2017 season after racking up 2,118 scrimmage yards and 20 total touchdowns in 2016.
Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson has 21 career interceptions over the first seven seasons of his career.
Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams has 12 career sacks in three seasons since being the sixth overall pick in 2015.
The Jets signed former Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater in free agency this offseason and also re-signed Josh McCown.
This year's matchup will be the first time for Minnesota to play the Jets since 2014 and the first time on the road since 2010.
![Saints quarterback Drew Brees is likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer who ranks third all-time with 70,445 yards and is tied for third [with Tom Brady] with 488 career touchdown passes.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/f0ux3pazn3rpqyfqvj0e.jpg)
Saints quarterback Drew Brees is likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer who ranks third all-time with 70,445 yards and is tied for third [with Tom Brady] with 488 career touchdown passes.
New Orleans had the 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year in running back Alvin Kamara (pictured) and the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year in cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
Running back Alvin Kamara rushed for 728 yards and had 826 receiving yards in his first NFL season.
Detroit wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr., has 28 career touchdown catches.
Lions kicker Matt Prater has made 20 of 24 career field goal attempts against the Vikings.
Lions cornerback Darius Slay tied for the league lead with eight interceptions in 2017 and garnered his first All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.
Quarterback Mitch Trubisky started 12 games in his rookie season, going 4-8 while completing 196 of 330 passes (59.4 percent) for 2,193 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Minnesota's 2017 victory was the Vikings second win in Chicago in the past 10 seasons, but second in four seasons under Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer.
Chicago's Leonard Floyd has 11.5 sacks in 22 career games.
Packers wide receiver Davante Adams has double-digit receiving touchdowns in each of the past two seasons.
Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb has 39 career touchdown catches over his seven-year career.
Green Bay's Clay Matthews ranks ninth among active players with 80.0 career sacks.
Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick has 250 career regular-season wins, which is tied for fourth all-time with Tom Landry.
Since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002, the Patriots have a record of 108-21 at home.
![New England quarterback Tom Brady has won three NFL MVP awards and is a four-time Super Bowl MVP. Brady is tied for third [with Drew Brees] with 488 career touchdown passes and is fourth in NFL history with 66,159 passing yards.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/v34xdeypxfw1ptlhnraq.jpg)
New England quarterback Tom Brady has won three NFL MVP awards and is a four-time Super Bowl MVP. Brady is tied for third [with Drew Brees] with 488 career touchdown passes and is fourth in NFL history with 66,159 passing yards.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is 65-30-1 in six seasons as a starter. He has thrown for 12,226 yards and 89 touchdowns over the past three seasons.
Seattle wide receiver Doug Baldwin has 29 receiving touchdowns over the past three seasons.
Seattle safety Kam Chancellor has been named to the Pro Bowl four times in the last seven seasons.
Miami went 6-10 in 2017 to finish in third place in the AFC East. The Dolphins defense, led by defensive end Cameron Wake, ranked 29th by allowing 24.6 yards per game.
![The Dolphins signed running back Frank Gore this offseason. Gore is the NFL's active leader [and is fifth all-time] with 14,026 rushing yards.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/kzahaq8be2uyxenbvmen.jpg)
The Dolphins signed running back Frank Gore this offseason. Gore is the NFL's active leader [and is fifth all-time] with 14,026 rushing yards.
Besides Gore, Miami also signed wide receiver Danny Amendola, who has 19 career touchdown catches.
The Vikings won in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day in 2017 by the score of 30-23.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has been more than a mainstay, not missing a start since 2010. He has thrown for at least 4,257 yards in each of the past seven seasons.
The Vikings were able to limit Golden Tate to 36 yards on seven catches in 2017 a season after he totaled 158 yards and a game-winning score on 16 receptions in 2016.
Bears running back Jordan Howard has rushed for more than 1,100 yards in each of his first two NFL seasons.
This will be the third straight meeting in Week 17 at U.S. Bank Stadium between the Vikings and Bears.
![Bears running back Tarik Cohen scored four total touchdowns [including on a punt return] during his rookie season in 2017.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/yc2nug1uodywxrz2sglx.jpg)
Bears running back Tarik Cohen scored four total touchdowns [including on a punt return] during his rookie season in 2017.
Week 10 — Bye
This placement allows the Vikings to rest and recharge amidst a tough run of games.
Week 11
Vikings at Bearsby **@EricLSmith**
Noon (CT) | Nov. 18 | Soldier Field
Series results
Vikings W-L-T: 60-52-2 (including one playoff game)
Home: 37-21; Away: 23-31-2
Last time in regular season:Vikings defeated Bears 23-10 on Dec. 31, 2017, in Minneapolis
Last time in regular season in Chicago:Vikings defeated Bears 20-17 on Oct. 9, 2017
Chicago's 2017 offensive rankings:
Total yards: 4,599 (30th in NFL); Rushing yards: 1,788 (16th); Passing yards: 2,811 (32nd); Points/game: 16.5 (29th); Sacks allowed/pass attempt percentage: 8.25 percent (23rd); Interception rate: 2.54 percent (22nd); Average time of possession: 28:41 (28th)
Chicago's 2017 defensive rankings:
Total yards allowed/game: 319.1 (10th); Rushing yards allowed/game: 108.1 (11th); Passing yards allowed/game: 211.0 (7th); Points allowed/game: 20.0 (9th); Sacks/pass attempt: 7.94 percent (6th); Interception rate: 1.51 percent (29th)
Icebreakers:The Vikings snagged a rare road win at Soldier Field in 2017. Vikings safety Harrison Smith picked off Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky with just over two minutes remaining to set up a 26-yard field goal by Kai Forbath with 12 seconds remaining to secure a 20-17 win. The victory was the Vikings second win in Chicago in the past 10 seasons, but second in four seasons under Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer. … Chicago's defense was a top-10 unit in both points and yards allowed per game in 2017 … Defensive end Akiem Hicks led the Bears with 8.5 sacks while Bryce Callahan, Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson each had a pair of interceptions … Jackson had a pair of defensive touchdowns (one interception and one fumble) in his rookie season.
Week 12
Vikings vs. Packers by**@LindseyMNSports**
7:20 p.m. (CT) | Nov. 25 | U.S. Bank Stadium
Series results
Vikings W-L-T: 53-60-2 (includes 1-1 in the postseason)
Home: 28-28-0; Away: 25-32-2
Last time in regular season:Vikings defeated Packers 16-0 at Green Bay on Dec. 23, 2017
Last time in regular season in Minnesota:Vikings defeated Packers 23-10 at U.S. Bank Stadium on Oct. 15, 2017
Green Bay's 2017 offensive rankings:
Total yards: 4,891 (26th in NFL); Rushing yards: 1,724 (17th); Passing yards: 3,167 (25th); Points/game: 20 (21st); Sacks allowed/pass attempt percentage: 9.07 percent (27th); Interception rate: 3.20 percent (27th); Average time of possession: 28:47 (26th)
Green Bay's 2017 defensive rankings:
Total yards allowed/game: 348.9 (22nd); Rushing yards allowed/game: 112.1 (17th); Passing yards allowed/game: 236.8 (23rd); Points allowed/game: 24 (26th); Sacks/pass attempt: 7.21 percent (10th); Interception rate: 2.14 percent (19th)
Icebreakers:This matchup will be the 117th time the Vikings and Packers face off in a Border Battle and will mark the Packers third trip to U.S. Bank Stadium since its opening in 2016. … The Vikings have won four of the past five matchups against the division rivals, including sweeping the series in 2017. … Packers QB Aaron Rodgers did not play in the teams' last meeting; Rodgers was sidelined for the majority of the season after suffering a broken collarbone at Minnesota in Week 6. … In the Week 16 game, the Vikings defense held Green Bay scoreless for the first time since 1971. … The Packers receivers were limited to fewer than 40 yards apiece. … In 2017, the Packers ranked third in red zone percentage (61.9) and seventh in goal-to-go percentage (78.3); the Vikings ranked ninth in both categories. … Both teams have made significant free agency additions; the Packers signed five-time Pro Bowl TE Jimmy Graham, who has played for the Saints and Seahawks over eight seasons in the NFL.
Week 13
Vikings at Patriotsby **@EricLSmith**
3:25 p.m. | Dec. 2 | Gillette Stadium
Series results
Vikings W-L-T: 4-8
Home: 2-3; Away: 2-5
Last time in regular season:Patriots defeated Vikings 30-7 on Sept. 14, 2014, in Minneapolis
Last time in regular season in New England:Patriots defeated Vikings 28-18 on Oct. 31, 2010
New England's 2017 offensive rankings:
Total yards: 6,307 (1st in NFL); Rushing yards: 1,889 (10th); Passing yards: 4,418 (2nd); Points/game: 28.6 (T-2nd); Sacks allowed/pass attempt percentage: 5.96 percent (12th); Interception rate: 1.36 percent (2nd); Average time of possession: 30:37 (11th)
New England's 2017 defensive rankings:
Total yards allowed/game: 366.0 (29th); Rushing yards allowed/game: 114.8 (20th); Passing yards allowed/game: 251.3 (30th); Points allowed/game: 18.5 (5th); Sacks/pass attempt: 7.12 percent (12th); Interception rate: 2.03 percent (21st)
Icebreakers:The Vikings will go up against the gold standard of the NFL for the past two decades. The Patriots have played in nine Super Bowls (with five victories) over the previous 22 seasons, including Super Bowl LII in Minnesota this past February. … Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick has 250 career regular-season wins, which is tied for fourth all-time with Tom Landry. … New England quarterback Tom Brady has won three NFL MVP awards and is a four-time Super Bowl MVP. Brady is tied for third (with Drew Brees) with 488 career touchdown passes and is fourth in NFL history with 66,159 passing yards. … Since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002, the Patriots have a record of 108-21 at home. … The Vikings have lost four straight games against the Patriots, with Minnesota's most-recent victory coming in a 21-13 road win in 2000. Daunte Culpepper threw for a pair of touchdowns.
