By now, you've seen the entire Vikings 2020 NFL schedule, which was released last Thursday, and know that the 60th season in franchise history is scheduled to open against the Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
After Green Bay's first-ever trip to Minnesota in a Week 1 game between NFC North rivals, the Vikings will then play AFC South members in three consecutive games, visiting the Indianapolis Colts, hosting the Tennessee Titans and visiting the Houston Texans.
That's three playoff teams from a year ago right out of the gate.
Become a Vikings Ticket Insider
Learn more about Vikings ticket availability, including single game tickets, season tickets, premium seating and more, by becoming a Vikings Ticket Insider.
Here's a look at the series history, 2019 stats, roster changes and some 2020 icebreakers for the first quarter of the Vikings season:
Week 1
Vikings vs Packers | by @LindseyMNSports
Noon (CT) | Sunday, Sept. 13 | U.S. Bank Stadium
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 54-62-3 (including 1-1 in the playoffs)
Home: 29-29-0; Away: 25-33-3
Last time in regular season: Packers defeated Vikings 23-10 in Minnesota on Dec. 23, 2019
Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Packers defeated Vikings 23-10 on Dec. 23, 2019
2019 Stats
Green Bay offense
RB Aaron Jones tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns.
Green Bay improved its time of possession from 29:38 (tied for 20th) in 2018 to 31:28 (fifth) last season.
Green Bay defense
Green Bay boosted its season-long interceptions total from seven in 2018 to 17 last season thanks to five picks by Kevin King.
The Packers improved situationally in 2019 over the previous season by allowing a goal-to-go touchdown percentage of 59.3 percent (fourth stingiest in NFL), compared to 78.6 percent (21st in NFL) in 2018.
Roster Refresher
Added: WR Devin Funchess, T Rick Wagner and LB Christian Kirksey
First two picks of 2020 NFL Draft: Utah State QB Jordan Love at No. 26 overall and Boston College RB A.J. Dillon at 62
Departed (new team if player has signed)/contract expired: T Bryan Bulaga (Chargers), T Jared Veldheer, LB Blake Martinez (Giants), LB Kyler Fackrell (Giants), TE Jimmy Graham (Bears), WR Geronimo Allison (Lions) and Tramon Williams
Icebreakers
The Packers are entering their second season under Head Coach Matt LaFleur, who in 2019 helped lead the team to the NFC Championship game. … QB Aaron Rodgers notched his eighth career 4,000-yard season, eclipsing the benchmark by two yards. … CB Kevin King led the Packers in interceptions with five. … OLB Za'Darius Smith led the team with 13.5 sacks and was followed by fellow OLB Preston Smith's 12. … Green Bay ranked 31st in the league in punt returns, averaging just 4.9 yards per attempt, but the Packers ranked fifth in the NFL in field goal percentage at 91.7.
Week 2
Vikings at Colts | by @LindseyMNSports
Noon (CT) | Sunday, Sept. 20 | Lucas Oil Stadium
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 7-17-1 (including 0-1 in the playoffs)
Home: 7-6-1; Away: 0-11-0
Last time in regular season: Colts defeated Vikings 34-6 in Minnesota on Dec. 18, 2016
Last time in regular season at Indianapolis: Colts defeated Vikings 23-20 on Sept. 16, 2012
2019 Stats
Indianapolis offense
The Colts improved their ground game total by 412 yards in 2019 from the previous season. Indianapolis went from ranking 20th in the NFL with 107.4 rushing yards per game to 7th with 133.1 per game.
Indianapolis ranked 29th in the NFL with a field-goal percentage of 70.97 in 2019.
Indianapolis defense
LB Darius Leonard led Indianapolis in interceptions with five and earned a Pro Bowl selection, despite only playing in 13 games last season.
The Colts defense led the NFL in goal-to-go percentage, allowing opponents to score touchdowns on just 51.9 percent of trips inside the 10.
Roster Refresher
Added: Former Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes, QB Philip Rivers, DT DeForest Buckner, DT Sheldon Day, CB T.J. Carrie, TE Trey Burton
First two picks of 2020 NFL Draft: Southern California WR Michael Pittman, Jr., at No. 34 overall and Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor at 41
Departed (new team if player has signed)/contract expired: CB Pierre Desir (Jets), T Joe Haeg (Buccaneers), QB Brian Hoyer (Patriots), WR Devin Funchess (Packers), TE Eric Ebron (Steelers), DE Margus Hunt (Saints), WR Dontrell Inman, WR Chester Rogers, S Clayton Geathers, K Adam Vinatieri
Icebreakers
The Vikings have never defeated the Colts on the road, including when the team was in Baltimore. Minnesota and Indianapolis have faced each other just five times since the turn of the century, and Indy has won each matchup. … Colts QB Andrew Luck announced his retirement during the 2019 preseason and was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett, who finished the season 272-of-447 passing for 2,942 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. … RB Marlon Mack racked up 1,091 yards and eight touchdowns on 247 carries. … The Colts were 0-7 in 2019 when opponents scored 26 or more points.
View photos of the Vikings 2020 schedule in photos including all opponents for the regular season.
Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 13 | 09.13 | NOON | Home vs. Green Bay Packers | U.S. Bank Stadium
Aaron Rodgers - Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers finished 2019, his 15th NFL season, with 4,002 yards, 26 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
The Vikings have played the Packers to open a season six previous times but have never kicked off a campaign by hosting a Border Battle. Green Bay's only appearance in a Minnesota home opener was during Week 2 in 2016 when the Vikings prevailed 17-14 in U.S. Bank Stadium's inaugural game.
Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 20 | 09.20 | NOON | Away @ Indianapolis Colts | Lucas Oil Stadium
Darius Leonard - Linebacker Darius Leonard hauled in an impressive five interceptions for the Colts in 2019 en route to his first career Pro Bowl.
Marlon Mack - Marlon Mack led the Colts ground attack in 2019, totaling 1,091 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 247 carries.
![Joe Kapp (Sept. 28, 1969) [7 passing touchdowns against Baltimore Colts] = Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp tied an NFL record in 1969 when he threw for an incredible seven touchdowns against the Baltimore Colts, who moved to Indianapolis in 1984.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/vikings/lupn6gwpo05hnkvylukp.jpg)
Joe Kapp (Sept. 28, 1969) [7 passing touchdowns against Baltimore Colts] = Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp tied an NFL record in 1969 when he threw for an incredible seven touchdowns against the Baltimore Colts, who moved to Indianapolis in 1984.
Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 27 | 09.27 | NOON | Home vs. Tennessee Titans | U.S. Bank Stadium
Derrick Henry - Derrick Henry won the 2019 rushing title with 1,540 yards and tied for the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns
Kevin Byard - Safety Kevin Byard recorded five interceptions in 2019, which tied for fourth in the league. He has picked off at least four passes in each of the past four seasons.
Eric Kendricks (Sept. 11, 2016) - Eric Kendricks had a 77-yard interception return for a score — his first NFL touchdown — in the most-recent meeting between the teams, back in Week 1 of the 2016 season.
Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 4 | 10.04 | NOON | Away @ Houston Texans | NRG Stadium
Deshaun Watson - Deshaun Watson set a career-high with 33 total touchdowns in 15 games in 2019. He threw for 26 scores for the second straight season and added seven rushing touchdowns, which tied for second among quarterbacks.
J.J. Watt - J.J. Watt is tied for fourth among active players with 96 career sacks.
Marcus Sherels (Oct. 9, 2016) - Marcus Sherels returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown in the most-recent meeting between the teams. It was his fifth career punt return for a score and first in a home game.
Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 11 | 10.11 | 7:20 PM | Away @ Seattle Seahawks | CenturyLink Field
Russell Wilson - Russell Wilson threw a career-low five interceptions in 516 attempts in 2019. Wilson also passed for 4,110 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Bobby Wagner - Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner led the NFL with 159 total tackles (league stats) in 2019.
Anthony Harris (Dec. 2, 2019) - Safety Anthony Harris had a 20-yard interception return for a score against the Seahawks in 2019. It was his first career touchdown.
Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 18 | 10.18 | NOON | Home vs. Atlanta Falcons | U.S. Bank Stadium
Matt Ryan - Ryan, who is 109-80 as a starter, has recorded 38 game-winning drives and 30 come-from-behind victories.
Julio Jones - Julio Jones has seven Pro Bowls to his credit and a career average of 96.2 yards per game. In four games against Minnesota since 2014, however, Jones has averaged just 48.3 yards per game.
Kevin Williams (Sept. 9, 2007) - Defensive tackle Kevin Williams returned an interception 54 yards for a touchdown to put the Vikings up by seven early in what became a 24-3 victory.
Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 25 | 10.25 | BYE WEEK
Week 8 | Sunday, Nov. 1 | 11.01 | NOON | Away @ Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field
Za'Darius Smith - OLB Za'Darius Smith started all 16 games for the first time in his career and totaled 13.5 sacks in his first season with Green Bay.
Taking NFC North title in 2015 - The Vikings closed the 2015 season by defeating the Packers 20-13 at Lambeau Field to win the NFC North.
Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 8 | 11.08 | NOON | Home vs. Detroit Lions | U.S. Bank Stadium
Matthew Stafford - Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford started 136 straight regular-season games from 2011 to Nov 3, 2019. He missed the final eight games of last season.
Cris Carter's 1,000*th* catch - Receiver Cris Carter hauled in his 1,000th career catch, a four-yard TD pass from Daunte Culpepper, in the first quarter against the Lions on Nov. 30, 2000.
Week 10 | Monday, Nov. 16 | 11.16 | 7:15 PM | Away @ Chicago Bears | Soldier Field
Khalil Mack - Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack led Chicago with five forced fumbles in 2019.
Adrian Peterson (Oct. 14, 2007) - Adrian Peterson racked up 224 rushing yards and three touchdowns (67, 73 and 35 yards) in a 34-31 comeback victory at Soldier Field on Oct. 14, 2007.
Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 22 | 11.22 | 3:25 PM | Home vs. Dallas Cowboys | U.S. Bank Stadium
Ezekiel Elliott - Ezekiel Elliott ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards last season, racking up 1,357 yards and 12 touchdowns on 301 carries.
Jaylon Smith - Linebacker Jaylon Smith started all 16 games for the Cowboys in 2019 and led the team with 142 tackles (league stats) en route to his first career Pro Bowl nod.
Eric Kendricks (Nov. 10, 2019) - Linebacker Eric Kendricks helped the Vikings wrangle the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 10 last season. Kendricks broke up a fourth-down pass that Dak Prescott intended for running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Week 12 | Sunday, Nov. 29 | 11.29 | NOON | Home vs. Carolina Panthers | U.S. Bank Stadium
Christian McCaffrey - Running back Christian McCaffrey led the NFL with 2,392 combined yards in 2019, joining Roger Craig and Marshall Faulk as the only three players in league history to have more than 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in one season.
Teddy Bridgewater - Former Viking Teddy Bridgewater is poised to make his first start against the Minnesota team that drafted him with the 32nd overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Adam Thielen (Nov. 30, 2014) - Adam Thielen blocked a punt and returned it 30 yards for his first career touchdown to help the Vikings defeat the Panthers 31-13 on Nov. 30, 2014, a 12-degree day (Wind Chill of minus-7) at the University of Minnesota.
Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 6 | 12.06 | NOON | Home vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | U.S. Bank Stadium
Gardner Minshew II - Gardner Minshew II threw for 21 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 12 starts as a rookie last season.
Josh Allen - Jaguars edge rusher Josh Allen, the seventh overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, led Jacksonville with 10.5 sacks.
Randall Cunningham (Dec. 20, 1998) - Randall Cunningham threw three touchdowns (13, 43 and 14 yards) to build a 23-point lead at the end of the third quarter in an eventual 50-10 Vikings victory, a big boost for Minnesota's season points total of 556.
Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 13 | 12.13 | NOON | Away @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Raymond James Stadium
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski - Tampa Bay added Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski this offseason. Brady is a six-time Super Bowl champion who ranks second all-time in passing yards (74,571) and passing touchdowns (541). Gronkowski has caught 78 career scores from Brady.
Shaquil Barrett - Shaquil Barrett set a Buccaneers franchise record — and led the NFL — with 19.5 sacks in 2019.
Anthony Barr (Oct. 26, 2014) - This will be Minnesota's first trip to Tampa Bay since 2014, when Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr forced and recovered a fumble before racing 27 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
Week 15 | Sunday, Dec. 20 | 12.20 | NOON | Home vs. Chicago Bears | U.S. Bank Stadium A
Cordarrelle Patterson - Cordarrelle Patterson led the NFL with 825 kickoff return yards in 2019, including a 102-yard touchdown.
Danielle Hunter (Dec. 20, 2015) - This game is scheduled to occur five years to the date of Minnesota's 38-17 win over Chicago at the University of Minnesota. Danielle Hunter recorded 1.5 sacks that night for the first multi-sack game of his career.
Week 16 | Friday, Dec. 25 | 12.25 | 3:30 PM | Away @ New Orleans Saints | Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Cam Jordan - The son of Vikings Ring of Honor member Steve Jordan, Saints defensive end Cam Jordan racked up 15.5 sacks in 2019, which ranked third in the NFL behind Shaquil Barrett (19.5) and Chandler Jones (19.0).
Drew Brees - Entering his 20th NFL season (15th) with the Saints, quarterback Drew Brees has been named to 13 Pro Bowls.
Kyle Rudolph (Jan. 5, 2020) - Kyle Rudolph caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins for a 26-20 walk-off Vikings victory that stunned the Saints in overtime of the NFC Wild Card game in January.
Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 3 | 01.03 | NOON | Away @ Detroit Lions | Ford Field D
Kenny Golladay - Lions receiver Kenny Golladay started all 16 games in 2019, recording 65 catches for a career-high 1,190 yards and a league-best 11 touchdowns.
Kirk Cousins (Oct. 20, 2019) - Kirk Cousins threw for a season-high 338 yards and four touchdowns to help Minnesota notch a 42-30 road win in Detroit last season.
Week 3
Vikings vs. Titans | by @EricLSmith
Noon (CT) | Sunday, Sept. 27 | U.S. Bank Stadium
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 9-4 (includes Titans time as Oilers)
Home: 7-1; Away: 2-3
Last time in regular season: Vikings defeated Titans 25-16 at Nashville on Sept. 11, 2016
Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Vikings defeated Titans 30-7 on Oct. 7, 2012
2019 Stats
Tennessee offense
Titans running back Derrick Henry won the 2019 rushing title with 1,540 yards and tied for the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill set a career high — and led the league — with a passer rating of 117.5.
Tennessee defense
The Titans allowed 20 or fewer points in 10 games and ranked 12th in the league at 20.7 points allowed per game.
Safety Kevin Byard recorded five interceptions in 2019, which tied for fourth in the league. He has picked off at least four passes in each of the past four seasons.
Roster Refresher
Added: Edge rusher Vic Beasley, CB Johnathan Joseph, T Ty Sambrailo, DB Ibraheim Campbell, G Zac Kerin, RB Senorise Perry, CB Tye Smith, OL Avery Gennesy and DL Jack Crawford
First two picks of 2020 NFL Draft: Georgia T Isaiah Wilson at No. 29 overall and LSU CB Kristian Fulton at 61
Departed (new team if player has signed)/contract expired: QB Marcus Mariota (Raiders), RB Dion Lewis (Giants), WR Tajae Sharpe (Vikings), TE Delanie Walker, T Jack Conklin (Browns), DT Jurrell Casey (Broncos), LB Wesley Woodyard, Edge Cameron Wake and CB Logan Ryan
Icebreakers
Tennessee is led by Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel, who is entering his third season with the team. He went 9-7 in each of his first two years in Nashville. … The Titans were the No. 6 seed in the AFC last season, but they advanced to the AFC title game by upsetting third-seeded New England and top-seeded Baltimore before falling to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Chiefs in Kansas City. … The Titans are looking to make back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Tennessee's most-recent division title was claimed in 2008. … Minnesota scored a pair of defensive touchdowns in the previous meeting between the teams, back in Week 1 of the 2016 season. Eric Kendricks returned an interception 77 yards for a touchdown, and Danielle Hunter scored from 24 yards out on return of a fumble recovery. … The Vikings are 3-0 at home against the Titans/Oilers since the franchise moved from Houston to Nashville.
Week 4
Vikings at Texans | by @EricLSmith
Noon (CT) | Sunday, Oct. 4 | NRG Stadium
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 4-0
Home: 2-0; Away: 2-0
Last time in regular season: Vikings defeated Texans 31-13 in Minnesota on Oct. 9, 2016
Last time in regular season at Houston: Vikings defeated Texans 23-6 on Dec. 23, 2012
2019 Stats
Houston offense
Quarterback Deshaun Watson set a career-high with 33 total touchdowns in 15 games in 2019. He threw for 26 scores for the second straight season and added seven rushing touchdowns, which tied for second among quarterbacks.
DeAndre Hopkins, who was traded to Arizona in March, led the Texans with 1,165 yards in 2019, marking the seventh time in eight seasons that Houston has had a 1,000-yard receiver.
Houston defense
The Texans forced 22 turnovers in 2019, which tied for 15th in the NFL, and Houston's turnover differential also ranked 15th at an even zero.
Houston's defense ranked 19th in the league after allowing 24.1 points per game in a roller-coaster season. The Texans had six games where they held an opponent to 20 or fewer points and six games in which opponents scored 30 or more points.
Roster Refresher
Added: WR Randall Cobb, WR Brandin Cooks, DT Timmy Jernigan, RB David Johnson, S Eric Murray, T Brent Qvale and DB Jaylen Watkins
First two picks of 2020 NFL Draft: TCU DT Ross Blacklock at No. 40 overall and Florida LB Jonathan Greenard at 90
Departed (new team if player has signed)/contract expired: WR DeAndre Hopkins (Cardinals), RB Carlos Hyde, RB Lamar Miller, DT D.J. Reader (Bengals), LB Barkevious Mingo (Bears), CB Johnathan Joseph (Titans), S Jahleel Addae, S Mike Adams (Retired) and S Tashaun Gipson (Bears)
Icebreakers
This will be the Vikings third trip to play the Texans in franchise history, as Minnesota looks to stay perfect in the series history. … Texans Head Coach Bill O'Brien is entering his seventh season in Houston. He was hired in the same offseason that Minnesota hired Mike Zimmer. O'Brien is 52-44 in regular-season games and has won back-to-back AFC South titles. … All four AFC division winners, including the Texans, repeated as division champions in 2019. … Houston recently traded for Cooks, who has 34 total touchdown catches in 88 career games. … Defensive end J.J. Watt played in just eight games due to injuries in 2019. He is a five-time All-Pro and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
