The Vikings 2023 schedule was announced May 11 and features five prime-time games (as of now), as well as two that remain to be determined (Week 15 at Cincinnati and Week 18 at Detroit).
We've taken a look at intriguing player matchups in non-division matchups and 10 takeaways from a broader prospective.
Now, we'll preview each team in the order the Vikings will face foes, beginning with a home opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that will be followed by a trip to Philadelphia to face the Eagles on Thursday Night Football. The Chargers will bring a familiar face in their first trip to U.S. Bank Stadium for a regular-season game, and another former Viking will be waiting in Carolina in Week 4.
Vikings vs Buccaneers | Week 1
Noon (CT) | Sept. 10 | U.S. Bank Stadium
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 33-23
Home: 19-9 | Away: 14-14
Last time in regular season: Bucs won 26-14 at Tampa Bay on Dec. 13, 2020
Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Vikings won 34-17 on Sept. 24, 2017
2022 Stats
Tampa Bay Offense
Yards/Game: 346.7 (15th in NFL) | Points/Game: 18.4 (25th)
Tampa Bay Defense
Yards Allowed/Game: 324.3 (T-9th in NFL) | Points Allowed/Game: 21.1 (T-13th)
2023 Status
Head Coach: Todd Bowles (8-9 in one season and 0-1 in postseason with the Bucs; 2-1 as interim with Dolphins in 2011; 24-40 with Jets from 2015-18)
Key addition in free agency/via trade: QB Baker Mayfield, RB Chase Edmonds, DT Greg Gaines and K Chase McLaughlin
Key departures in free agency/via trade: QB Tom Brady (retired); G Shaq Mason (traded to Houston); S Keanu Neal (Steelers), TE Cameron Brate (released; free agent) and QB Blaine Gabbert (Chiefs)
First two selections of 2023 NFL Draft: DT Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh (at No. 19 overall); T Cody Mauch, North Dakota State (48)
Icebreaking Storyline
The Vikings will look to start strong in kicking off Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell's second season at the helm. The first thing they'll have to do is contain Mayfield in his first game with the Bucs. Minnesota is 6-1 in home openers since U.S. Bank Stadium opened in 2016.
Vikings at Eagles | Week 2
7:15 p.m. (CT) | Sept. 14 | Lincoln Financial Field
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 15-11-0 (includes 0-4 in postseason)
Home: 8-4 | Away: 7-11 (includes 0-4 in postseason)
Last time in regular season: Eagles won 24-7 in Philadelphia on Sept. 19, 2022
Last time in regular season at Philadelphia: Eagles won 24-7 on Sept. 19, 2022
2022 Stats
Philadelphia Offense
Yards/Game: 389.1 (3rd in NFL) | Points/Game: 28.1 (3rd)
Philadelphia Defense
Yards Allowed/Game: 301.5 (2nd) | Points Allowed/Game: 20.2 (T-7th)
2023 Status
Head Coach: Nick Sirianni (23-11 in two seasons and 4-2 in postseason with Eagles)
Key addition in free agency/via trade: RB Rashaad Penny, CB Greedy Williams and S Terrell Edmunds
Key departures in free agency/via trade: Safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Lions) and Marcus Epps (Raiders), DT Javon Hargrave (49ers), RB Miles Sanders (Panthers) and LBs T.J. Edwards (Bears) and Kyzir White (Cardinals)
First two selections of 2023 NFL Draft: DT Jalen Carter, Georgia (at No. 9 overall) and LB Nolan Smith, Georgia (30)
Icebreaking Storyline
In each of the Vikings two most recent prime-time visits to Lincoln Financial Field, they've only been able to score one touchdown. One such instance occurred in January 2018 for the NFC Championship Game, and the second was Week 2 of last season, when the Eagles hosted the Vikings for Monday Night Football. With a revamped defense and a season-plus experience in O'Connell's offense, Minnesota will look to bounce back and take a prime-time win in Philly.
Vikings vs Chargers | Week 3
Noon (CT) | Sept. 24 | U.S. Bank Stadium
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 8-6-0
Home: 5-3 | Away: 3-3
Last time in regular season: Vikings won 27-20 on Nov. 14, 2021, at Los Angeles
Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Vikings won 31-14 on Sept. 27, 2015, at the University of Minnesota
2022 Stats
Chargers Offense
Yards/Game: 359.3 (9th in NFL) | Points/Game: 23.0 (13th)
Chargers Defense
Yards Allowed/Game: 346.1 (20th) | Points Allowed/Game: 22.6 (T-21st)
View home and away photos of the Vikings 2023 regular season schedule.
Week 1 | Vikings vs. Buccaneers
Sept. 10 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 1 | Vikings vs. Buccaneers
Sept. 10 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 2 | Vikings at Eagles (Thursday)
Sept. 14 - 7:15 p.m. CT
Lincoln Financial Field
Week 2 | Vikings at Eagles (Thursday)
Sept. 14 - 7:15 p.m. CT
Lincoln Financial Field
Week 3 | Vikings vs. Chargers
Sept. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 3 | Vikings vs. Chargers
Sept. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 4 | Vikings at Panthers
Oct. 1 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Bank of America Stadium
Week 4 | Vikings at Panthers
Oct. 1 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Bank of America Stadium
Week 5 | Vikings vs. Chiefs
Oct. 8 - 3:25 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 5 | Vikings vs. Chiefs
Oct. 8 - 3:25 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 6 | Vikings at Bears
Oct. 15 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Soldier Field
Week 6 | Vikings at Bears
Oct. 15 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Soldier Field
Week 7 | Vikings vs. 49ers (Monday)
Oct. 23 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 7 | Vikings vs. 49ers (Monday)
Oct. 23 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 8 | Vikings at Packers
Oct. 29 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Lambeau Field
Week 8 | Vikings at Packers
Oct. 29 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Lambeau Field
Week 9 | Vikings at Falcons
Nov. 5 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Week 9 | Vikings at Falcons
Nov. 5 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Week 10 | Vikings vs. Saints
Nov. 12 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 10 | Vikings vs. Saints
Nov. 12 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 11 | Vikings at Broncos
Nov. 19 - 7:20 p.m. CT
Empower Field at Mile High
Week 11 | Vikings at Broncos
Nov. 19 - 7:20 p.m. CT
Empower Field at Mile High
Week 12 | Vikings vs. Bears (Monday)
Nov. 27 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 12 | Vikings vs. Bears (Monday)
Nov. 27 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 13 | BYE
Week 14 | Vikings at Raiders
Dec. 10 - 3:05 p.m. CT
Allegiant Stadium
Week 14 | Vikings at Raiders
Dec. 10 - 3:05 p.m. CT
Allegiant Stadium
Week 15 | Vikings at Bengals
Date & time TBD
Paycor Stadium
Week 15 | Vikings at Bengals
Date & time TBD
Paycor Stadium
Week 16 | Vikings vs. Lions
Dec. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 16 | Vikings vs. Lions
Dec. 24 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 17 | Vikings vs. Packers
Dec. 31 - 7:20 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 17 | Vikings vs. Packers
Dec. 31 - 7:20 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 18 | Vikings at Detroit
Date & time TBD
Ford Field
Week 18 | Vikings at Detroit
Date & time TBD
Ford Field
2023 Status
Head Coach: Brandon Staley (19-15 in two seasons with the Chargers; 0-1 in postseason)
Key addition in free agency/via trade: LB Eric Kendricks
Key departures in free agency/via trade: LB Troy Reeder (Vikings) and LB Drue Tranquill (Chiefs)
First two selections of 2023 NFL Draft: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU (21) and edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu, USC (54)
Icebreaking Storyline
This may be an NFC-AFC matchup, but it still promises to have plenty of juice. The Vikings and Chargers each suffered early postseason exits in the Wild Card Round last season and will be looking to make an early impact. Kendricks' first return to U.S. Bank Stadium as a non-Viking will likely churn up some emotions for the linebacker, as well.
Vikings at Panthers | Week 4
Noon (CT) | Oct. 1 | Bank of America Stadium
Series Results
Vikings W-L: 10-6
Home: 7-3; Away: 3-3
Last time in regular season: Vikings won 34-28 in OT at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 17, 2021
Last time in regular season at Carolina: Vikings won 34-31 in OT on Oct. 17, 2021
2022 Stats
Carolina Offense
Yards/Game: 306.2 (29th in NFL) | Points/Game: 20.4 (20th)
Carolina Defense
Yards Allowed/Game: 350.2 (22nd) | Points Allowed/Game: 22.0 (19th)
View behind-the-scene photos from the Vikings 2023 schedule release video that was shot with a drone throughout the TCO Performance Center.
2023 Status
Head Coach: Frank Reich (first season with Panthers; 40-33-1 from 2018-22 with Colts)
Key addition in free agency/via trade: QB Andy Dalton, WR Adam Thielen, WR DJ Chark, RB Miles Sanders and S Vonn Bell
Key departure in free agency/via trade: WR DJ Moore (trade with Bears), QB Sam Darnold and RB D'Onta Foreman
First two selections of 2023 NFL Draft: QB Bryce Young, Alabama (No. 1 overall) and WR Jonathan Mingo, Mississippi (39)
Icebreaking Storyline
Facing Thielen for first time
The Vikings are scheduled to face a beloved former player for the second week in a row when Minnesota visits Carolina. Adam Thielen ranks third all-time in franchise history with 534 receptions and 55 touchdown catches and will face the team with which he became a folk hero for the first time. Will his QB be Andy Dalton or No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young?
