EAGAN, Minn. — You can put the 2025 Minnesota Vikings schedule in ink.

Unless NFL Flex Scheduling comes into play after Week 5, that is.

But what we do know is that the slate is full of historical significances, including rarities of opening with back-to-back prime-time games and hosting a Christmas Day game, as well as the first international double dip in NFL history.

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Here are 10 takeaways from the Vikings 2025 schedule.

1. Historic double dips before bye

The Vikings will open on the road at the Chicago Bears for a Monday Night Football contest and follow by hosting the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2 on Sunday Night Football.

It's not unusual for teams that were successful in the previous season to make multiple appearances in prime time, but a team opening with back-to-back night games doesn't happen often.

In fact, Minnesota has only opened one season (1981) with back-to-back games in prime time with a Saturday night game at Tampa Bay and a Monday night game against the Raiders. Both resulted in losses by the Vikings who played their final season at Metropolitan Stadium.

That's not the only double dip. By now you've heard the Vikings will become the first team in NFL history to play consecutive international games as the road team and the first to appear in two countries other than the United States in one season.

Minnesota has traveled well, going 4-0 in regular-season games played in London and will try to chalk a victory over Pittsburgh in Ireland in Week 4 before returning to the UK to face the Cleveland Browns. Interestingly, Minnesota is the only team Pittsburgh and Cleveland have played in a regular-season game on international soil.

The groupings mean Minnesota will have only one noon (CT) kickoff in its first five games.

Handling the travel and adjustments is something the Vikings have done well and accomplished in two London Games since 2022. They'll need to do so again for a good start to 2025.

2. McCarthy & young QBs take center stage early

The Vikings era with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback will launch in the second-year pro's hometown.

The No. 10 overall pick of 2024 is poised to face that year's top selection, Caleb Williams, in the first of what could be many division battles.

The young QB comparisons will flow into Week 2 including the anticipated matchup with 2024 No. 8 overall pick Michael Penix, Jr., who started three games last season after Atlanta pivoted from former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins.

Cleveland has some decisions to make at QB but drafted two quarterbacks this year. Washington's visit (Week 14) will provide an opportunity to face 2024 No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels.

3. Rolling 7: Exclusive-window games

Consider it a sign of respect.

The Vikings are scheduled to participate in seven "exclusive-window games" meaning they'll be involved in the only NFL game in a particular time slot.

In addition to Weeks 1-2 and 4-5, the Vikings also are scheduled for a Thursday night game at the Los Angeles Chargers on Prime Video, a Sunday night game at Dallas on NBC and the Christmas Day game, which will be streamed by Netflix at 3:30 p.m. (CT).

4. Déjà vu all over again

Stop us if you've heard this before.

The Vikings play in London in Week 5, have a Week 6 bye, a really tough home game in Week 7 and a trip to Los Angeles for a Thursday game in Week 8.

The late, great Yogi Berra would sum that up as "déjà vu all over again" and wouldn't have to dip too far into the past for a reference.

2024: Week 5 vs. Jets in London, Week 6 Bye, Week 7 vs. Lions, Week 8 at L.A. Rams on Thursday

2025: Week 5 vs. Browns in London, Week 6 Bye, Week 7 vs. Eagles, Week 8 at L.A. Chargers on Thursday

Having a mini bye just two weeks after the full bye didn't seem great a year ago, but Minnesota followed opening 5-2 with a nine-game winning streak, so we'll see how this year goes.

5. A fearsome foursome

No, the Rams aren't on the schedule. No need to worry about the legacy of Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier or Lamar Lundy reincarnate.

But the stretch against the Eagles, Chargers, Lions and Ravens is a four-game run against teams that were a combined 52-16 during the 2024 regular season.

6. Finding some normalcy in November

That tough combo does at least come with a degree of normalcy. The Week 9 game at Detroit will open November as the first of four consecutive noon (CT) kickoffs, and three that won't even involve changing time zones.

7. Border Battle status check

We've done a takeaways-style story for several schedule releases, and it seems pretty late in the article to bring up the Border Battle. That's not a sign of disrespect toward Green Bay. Instead, it indicates how late in the year it will be for the first of two Vikings-Packers games.

Minnesota will visit Green Bay in November for the first time since 2020. The teams will not meet again until Week 18 to conclude the regular season. It will be the first time since 2015 the teams have met to wrap a season and the first occurrence of Minnesota being the host since 2012.

8. Double droughts of home games

It doesn't really set in until you take a look at the graphics the Vikings True North department made for computer, tablet and phone wallpapers, but Minnesota has double droughts when it comes to home games.

It has been common in each of the past six seasons for the Vikings to be away from U.S. Bank Stadium for the middle part of the season. This year, there will be two such instances.

2019: One home game between Oct. 14 and Nov. 17

2020: One home game between Oct. 19 and Nov. 22

2021: One home game between Oct. 11 and Nov. 21

2022: One home game between Oct. 10 and Nov. 20

2023: One home game between Oct. 24 and Nov. 27

2024: One home game between Oct. 21 and Dec. 1

2025: One home game between Sept. 22 and Nov. 9 AND

2025: One home game between Nov. 17 and Dec. 25

9. Ho, ho, home for the holidays

The Vikings will play on Christmas Day for just the fifth time in franchise history and be the holiday host for just the third time.

That game will be followed by hosting Green Bay. The day and time for that game won't be decided until Week 17 because of the playoff ramifications that could exist across the NFL heading into Week 18.

10. Might hit a bit of weather late in the season

The Vikings will have a trio of outdoor games in the back half of the season, beginning with that trip to Green Bay on Nov. 23 and a jaunt to the Pacific Northwest the following week, where it was rainy and sub-50 last December in Minnesota's Week 16 win at Seattle.

Throw in Week 16 at the New York Giants, and things could look a little different than they did when Minnesota opened 2024 there on a 64-degree day last September.

View the 2025 Vikings Schedule.

See the full 2025 Schedule Release.

Check out the 2025 International games.

View more future opponents for the Vikings.

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