The Vikings 2024 schedule launched Wednesday.

Minnesota will face three playoff teams from last season in its first five games before going on a bye in Week 6.

The Vikings will return to action by hosting the Lions before a quick turnaround to visit the Rams on Thursday Night Football. A Week 9 home game against the Colts will be followed by a Week 10 trip to Jacksonville.

This continues our four-part preview installment that looks at the foes the Vikings will face in 2024.

Vikings vs. Lions | Week 7

Noon (CT) | Oct. 20 | U.S. Bank Stadium

Series Results

Vikings W-L-T: 80-43-2

Home: 44-17-1 | Away: 36-26-1

Last time in regular season: Lions won 30-20 on Jan. 7, 2024, in Detroit

Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Lions won 30-24 on Dec. 24, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium

2023 Stats

Detroit Offense

Yards/Game: 394.8 (3^rd in NFL) | Points/Game: 27.1 (5^th)

Detroit Defense

Yards Allowed/Game: 336.1 (19^th in NFL) | Points Allowed/Game: 23.2 (23^rd)

2024 Status

Head Coach: Dan Campbell (24-26-1 in three seasons with Lions and 2-1 in postseason; 5-7 as interim coach with Dolphins in 2015)

Key additions in free agency/via trade: EDGE Marcus Davenport, CB Carlton Davis III, CB Amik Robertson, DT D.J. Reader, G Kevin Zeitler

Key departures in free agency/via trade: G Jonah Jackson, WR Josh Reynolds (Broncos), S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Eagles), S Tracy Walker, DT Benito Jones, QB Teddy Bridgewater (retired)

First two selections of 2024 NFL Draft: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama (No. 24 overall), CB Ennis Rakestraw, Jr., Missouri (61)

Icebreaking Storyline

The Lions spent much of their offseason solidifying their offense at three key positions for years to come, reaching extensions with quarterback Jared Goff, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell.

Vikings at Rams | Week 8

7:15 p.m. | Oct. 24 | SoFi Stadium

Series Results

Vikings W-L-T: 27-18-2 (includes 5-2 in the postseason)

Home: 16-4-2 (includes 4-0 in the postseason) | Away: 11-14 (includes 1-2 in the postseason)

Last time in regular season: Rams won 30-23 on Dec. 26, 2021, at U.S. Bank Stadium

Last time in regular season in Los Angeles: Rams won 38-31 on Sept. 27, 2018, at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum

2023 Stats

Los Angeles Offense

Yards/Game: 359.3 (7^th in NFL) | Points/Game: 23.8 (8^th)

Los Angeles Defense

Yards Allowed/Game: 337.9 (20^th in NFL) | Points Allowed/Game: 22.2 (19^th)

2024 Status

Head Coach: Sean McVay (70-45 in seven seasons with the Rams and 7-4 in postseason)

Key additions in free agency/via trade: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, DB Tre'Davious White, RB Boston Scott, G Jonah Jackson, CB Darious Williams, S Kamren Curl

Key departures in free agency/via trade: DT Aaron Donald (retired), QB Carson Wentz (Chiefs), DL Jonah Williams (Vikings), C Coleman Shelton, S Jordan Fuller

First two selections of 2024 NFL Draft: EDGE Jared Verse, Florida State (No. 19 overall), DT Braden Fiske, Florida State (39)

Icebreaking Storyline

This will mark the first time Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell coaches against his former team since serving as the Rams offensive coordinator (2020-21).

The last time O'Connell coached in SoFi Stadium was for Super Bowl LVI, where he helped lead the Rams to a 23-20 win over the Bengals.

Vikings vs. Colts | Week 9

Noon (CT) | Nov. 3 | U.S. Bank Stadium

Series Results

Vikings W-L-T: 8-18-1 (includes 0-1 in the postseason)

Home: 8-6-1 | Away: 0-12 (includes 0-1 in the postseason)

Last time in regular season: Vikings won 39-36 on Dec. 17, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium

Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Vikings won 39-36 on Dec. 17, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium

2023 Stats

Indianapolis Offense

Yards/Game: 336.8 (15^th in NFL) | Points/Game: 23.3 (T-10^th)

Indianapolis Defense

Yards Allowed/Game: 349.8 (24^th in NFL) | Points Allowed/Game: 24.4 (28^th)

2024 Status

Head Coach: Shane Steichen (9-8 in one season with the Colts)

Key additions in free agency/via trade: QB Joe Flacco, DT Raekwon Davis

Key departures in free agency/via trade: QB Gardner Minshew (Raiders), RB Zack Moss (Bengals), DE Jake Martin (Bears)

First two selections of 2024 NFL Draft: DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA (No. 15 overall), WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas (52)

Icebreaking Storyline

The Colts are entering their second season under Steichen, who in his first-ever season as head coach improved Indianapolis' offense across many metrics – including points per game, yards per game and total offensive touchdowns. Those improvements happened despite key injuries to QB Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor.

Indy also is in its second season with Richardson, the fourth overall draft selection in 2023. As a rookie, Richardson was 50-of-84 passing (59.5 percent) for 577 yards, three touchdowns and an interception before suffering an AC joint sprain that sidelined him for the season's remainder.

Vikings at Jaguars | Week 10

Noon (CT) | Nov. 10 | EverBank Stadium

Series Results

Vikings W-L-T: 6-1

Home: 4-1 | Away: 2-0

Last time in regular season: Vikings won 27-24 on Dec. 6, 2020, at U.S. Bank Stadium

Last time in regular season in Jacksonville: Vikings won 25-16 on Dec. 11, 2016

2023 Stats

Jacksonville Offense

Yards/Game: 339.5 (13^th in NFL) | Points/Game: 22.2 (T-13^th)

Jacksonville Defense

Yards Allowed/Game: 342.8 (22^nd in NFL) | Points Allowed/Game: 21.8 (17^th)

2024 Status

Head Coach: Doug Pederson (18-16 in two seasons and 1-1 in postseason with the Jaguars; 42-37-1 and 4-2 in postseason with the Eagles from 2016-20)

Key additions in free agency/via trade: DL Arik Armstead, WR Gabe Davis, WR Devin Duvernay, C Mitch Morse, S Darnell Savage, QB Mac Jones (via trade with New England)

Key departures in free agency/via trade: WR Calvin Ridley (Titans), K Brandon McManus (Commanders), DT Foley Fatukasi (Texans), CB Darious Williams (Rams), OLB K'Lavon Chaisson (Panthers)

First two selections of 2024 NFL Draft: WR Brian Thomas, Jr., LSU (No. 23 overall), DT Maason Smith, LSU (48)

Icebreaking Storyline

The Jaguars made some significant free agent signings this spring, most notably adding Armstead, a 2015 first-round draft pick.

Armstead played the first nine seasons of his pro career with San Francisco and made things difficult for opposing offenses in each game he played. In 2023, he played in (and started) 12 regular-season games and logged 27 total tackles, 5.0 sacks and 13 quarterback hits. Armstead recorded a sack and six tackles in Super Bowl LVIII, an overtime loss to the Chiefs.

Jacksonville also added Savage to its defense. Vikings fans will be familiar with the safety who spent the past five seasons with the division-rival Packers. The 2019 first-round pick totaled nine career interceptions and 32 passes defensed.