After taking a look at Minnesota's first and second set of four games on the 2022 NFL schedule, we're now hitting a tough stretch that includes three consecutive teams that made the playoffs last year.
This run opens with a trip to face the Bills in Buffalo and continues with two home games in a span of five days against the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. The Vikings will close their three-game home stand and this section of the schedule by hosting the Jets.
Here's a deeper look at the four opponents the Vikings will face in Weeks 10-13.
Vikings at Bills | Week 10
Noon (CT) | Nov. 13 | Highmark Stadium
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 8-6-0
Home: 4-2 | Away: 4-4
Last time in regular season: Bills won 27-6 in Minnesota on Sept. 23, 2018
Last time in regular season at Buffalo: Bills won 17-16 on Oct. 19, 2014
2021 Stats
Buffalo Offense
Yards/Game: 381.9 (5th in NFL) | Points/Game: 28.4 (3rd)
Buffalo Defense
Yards Allowed/Game: 272.8 (1st) | Points Allowed/Game: 17.0 (1st)
2022 Status
Head Coach: Sean McDermott (49-32 in five seasons with Bills, 3-4 in postseason)
Key addition in free agency/via trade: Signed OLB Von Miller to a six-year deal
Key departures in free agency/via trade: Edge rusher Jerry Hughes and defensive linemen Harrison Phillips, Vernon Butler and Star Lotulelei
First two selections of 2022 NFL Draft: CB Kaiir Elam, Florida (No. 23 overall) and RB James Cook (63)
Icebreaking Storyline
This one will involve the Vikings guarding Stefon Diggs for the first time in a game. In addition to the receiver known for the Minneapolis Miracle, QB Case Keenum has also joined the Bills as a backup to Josh Allen. Equally intriguing is the potential showdown between Vikings RB Dalvin Cook and his younger brother James who also entered the NFL as a second-round pick.
Vikings vs. Cowboys | Week 11
3:25 p.m. (CT) | Nov. 20 | U.S. Bank Stadium
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 15-18-0 (includes 3-4 in postseason)
Home: 7-12 (2-2 in postseason) | Away: 8-6 (1-2 in postseason)
Last time in regular season: Cowboys won 20-16 in Minnesota on Oct. 31, 2021
Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Cowboys won 20-16 on Oct. 31, 2021
2021 Stats
Dallas Offense
Yards/Game: 407.1 (1st in NFL) | Points/Game: 31.2 (1st in NFL)
Dallas Defense
Yards Allowed/Game: 351.0 (19th) | Points Allowed/Game: 21.1 (7th)
2022 Status
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy (33-18 through two seasons with Dallas, 0-1 in postseason; 125-77-2 in 13 seasons with Green Bay, 10-8 in postseason)
Key addition in free agency/via trade: Most of the moves by Dallas centered on re-signings (and franchise tagging TE Dalton Schultz), but they also brought in edge rusher Dante Fowler.
Key departures in free agency/via trade: Traded WR Amari Cooper to Browns; DE Randy Gregory and safeties Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal
First two selections of 2022 NFL Draft: T Tyler Smith, Tulsa (No. 24 overall) and edge rusher Sam Williams (56)
Icebreaking Storyline
This will be the fourth consecutive season in which the Vikings have played the Cowboys. The road team has won in each of the three contests that have been decided by four points (28-24 Minnesota win at Dallas in 2019), three points (31-28 Cowboys in 2020) and four points (20-16 Cowboys in 2021). Minnesota won't miss playing Cooper, who has totaled 30 catches for 429 yards and two scores in four career games against the Vikings. The success included the game-winner with under a minute remaining last season.
Vikings vs. Patriots | Week 12
7:20 p.m. (CT) | Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving) | U.S. Bank Stadium
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 4-9-0 (no postseason meetings)
Home: 2-3 | Away: 2-6
Last time in regular season: Patriots won 24-10 at New England on Dec. 2, 2018
Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Patriots won 30-7 on Sept. 14, 2014
2021 Stats
New England Offense
Yards/Game: 353.4 (15th) | Points/Game: 27.2 (6th)
New England Defense
Yards Allowed/Game: 310.8 (4th) | Points Allowed/Game: 17.8 (2nd)
2022 Status
Head Coach: Bill Belichick (254-99 in 22 regular seasons with New England, 30-12 in postseason; 36-44 in five regular seasons with Cleveland, 1-1 in postseason)
Key addition in free agency/via trade: Signed CB Malcolm Butler, who was with New England from 2014-17, to a two-year deal
Key departure in free agency/via trade: CB J.C. Jackson
First two selections of 2022 NFL Draft: G Cole Strange, Tennessee-Chattanooga (No. 29 overall) and WR Tyquan Thornton, Baylor (50)
Icebreaking Storyline
Having appeared on Thanksgiving eight previous times (and going 6-2), the Vikings will host a game on the holiday for the first time. It will be an opportunity for new Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell to lead his squad against the team and coach who drafted the former QB in the third round in 2018.
Vikings vs. Jets | Week 13
Noon (CT) | Dec. 4 | U.S. Bank Stadium
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 3-8-0
Home: 2-3 | Away: 1-5
Last time in regular season: Vikings won 37-17 in New York on Oct. 21, 2018
Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Vikings won 30-24 on Dec. 7, 2014
2021 Stats
New York Jets Offense
Yards/Game: 306.4 (26th in NFL) | Points/Game: 18.2 (5th)
New York Jets Defense
Yards Allowed/Game: 397.6 (32nd) | Points Allowed/Game: 29.6 (32nd)
2022 Status
Head Coach: Robert Saleh (4-13 through one season with Jets)
Key additions in free agency/via trade: Signed TEs Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah
Key departures in free agency/via trade: WR Jamison Crowder and TE Ryan Griffin
First two selections of 2022 NFL Draft: CB Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, Cincinnati (No. 4 overall) and WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State (10)
Icebreaking Storyline
The Vikings are seeking their third win in a row in the series, which began in 1970 and featured a single victory by Minnesota until Jarius Wright's 87-yard catch-and-run touchdown at the University of Minnesota in December 2014. New York has undergone extensive rebuilding and signed Conklin after he posted career bests of 61 catches, 593 yards and three touchdowns for Minnesota in 2021.
