If you're anything like us, you're still hungry for Vikings schedule content after the NFL unveiled its menu of games Thursday evening and the Vikings provided opponent-focused bites — blame it on our big football appetite.
Already, we've intro'd intriguing player matchups in non-division contests and summarized the team's 2026 slate through 10 takeaways. Now, we'll inspect each game via a four-part series in the order of Minnesota's schedule, starting with action in Weeks 1-5 before a Week 6 bye for the third year in a row.
The second installment, which drops Monday, will focus on Weeks 7-10, followed by 11-14 on Tuesday and 15-18 on Wednesday.
Some tidbits to know — plenty more to learn below — in this initial chain of plates includes the Vikings beginning their campaign with back-to-back divisional games for the first time since 2013; visiting Tampa Bay in kickoff month for the first time since 1986; hosting Miami for the eighth time ever and first since 2018; and Justin Jefferson returning to his Louisiana roots for the first time since he totaled six catches and 85 yards in a distasteful loss at New Orleans during his rookie season. Now, let's tuck in our bibs and chow on a five-course meal.
View photos of the Vikings schedule for the 2026 season.
Week 1 | Vikings vs. Packers
Sept. 13 - 3:25 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 1 | Vikings vs. Packers
Sept. 13 - 3:25 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 2 | Vikings at Bears
Sept. 20 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Soldier Field
Week 2 | Vikings at Bears
Sept. 20 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Soldier Field
Week 3 | Vikings at Buccaneers
Sept. 27 - 3:05 p.m. CT
Raymond James Stadium
Week 3 | Vikings at Buccaneers
Sept. 27 - 3:05 p.m. CT
Raymond James Stadium
Week 4 | Vikings vs. Dolphins
Oct. 4 - 3:05 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 4 | Vikings vs. Dolphins
Oct. 4 - 3:05 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 5 | Vikings at Saints
Oct. 11 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Caesars Superdome
Week 5 | Vikings at Saints
Oct. 11 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Caesars Superdome
Week 7 | Vikings vs. Colts
Oct. 25 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 7 | Vikings vs. Colts
Oct. 25 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 8 | Vikings at Lions
Nov. 1 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Ford Field
Week 8 | Vikings at Lions
Nov. 1 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Ford Field
Week 9 | Vikings vs. Bills
Nov. 9 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 9 | Vikings vs. Bills
Nov. 9 - 7:15 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 10 | Vikings at Packers
Nov. 15 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Lambeau Field
Week 10 | Vikings at Packers
Nov. 15 - 12:00 p.m. CT
Lambeau Field
Week 11 | Vikings at 49ers
Nov. 22 - 7:20 p.m. CT
Estadio Banorte
Week 11 | Vikings at 49ers
Nov. 22 - 7:20 p.m. CT
Estadio Banorte
Week 12 | Vikings vs. Falcons
Nov. 29 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 12 | Vikings vs. Falcons
Nov. 29 - 12:00 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 13 | Vikings vs. Panthers
Dec. 6 - 3:25 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 14 | Vikings at Patriots
Dec. 10 - 7:15 p.m. CT
Gillette Stadium
Fireworks explode above Gillette Stadium prior to an NFL wild card playoff football game between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Week 15 | Vikings vs. Lions
Dec. 20 - 7:20 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 15 | Vikings vs. Lions
Dec. 20 - 7:20 p.m. CT
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 16 | Vikings vs. Commanders
TBD
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 16 | Vikings vs. Commanders
TBD
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 17 | Vikings at Jets
Jan. 3 - 12:00 p.m. CT
MetLife Stadium
Week 17 | Vikings at Jets
Jan. 3 - 12:00 p.m. CT
MetLife Stadium
Week 18 | Vikings vs. Bears
TBD
U.S. Bank Stadium
Week 18 | Vikings vs. Bears
TBD
U.S. Bank Stadium
Vikings vs. Packers | Week 1
3:25 p.m. | Sept. 13 | U.S. Bank Stadium | CBS
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 61-67-3 (includes 1-1 in the postseason)
Home record: 33-31-0
Last regular-season meeting: Minnesota defeated Green Bay 16-3 at U.S. Bank Stadium (Week 18 of 2025)
2025 Stats
Green Bay offense
Yards/game: 332.6 (15th) | Points/game: 23 (16th)
Green Bay defense
Yards/game: 311.8 (12th) | Points/game: 21.2 (11th)
2026 Status
Head Coach: Matt LaFleur (8th season; 76-40-1, and 3-6 in the postseason)
Key acquisitions (alphabetical listing): LB Zaire Franklin, DL Javon Hargrave, WR Skyy Moore, CB Benjamin St-Juste, QB Tyrod Taylor
Notable departures (alphabetical listing): WR Romeo Doubs, Edge Kingsley Enagbare, Edge Rashan Gary, CB Nate Hobbs, OL Elgton Jenkins, LB Quay Walker, T Rasheed Walker, WR Dontayvion Wicks, QB Malik Willis, RB Emanuel Wilson, DL Colby Wooden
Top 2 draft picks: CB Brandon Cisse (Round 2, Pick 52) & DL Chris McClellan (Round 3, Pick 77)
The More You Know
Green Bay replaced former Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley, who captains the Dolphins dinghy now, with Jonathan Gannon. If that name rings a bell, it's likely because Gannon was the assistant defensive backs coach for the Vikings under Mike Zimmer in 2014-17, and he rose from Colts cornerbacks coach (2018-20) to Eagles defensive coordinator (2021-22) to Cardinals head coach (2023-25). After struggling to a 15-36 record (.294) in the desert, Gannon will work to reset and re-establish himself as a premier DC; his 2022 group in Philly ranked second in yards allowed and fifth in takeaways. The more you know!
Vikings at Bears | Week 2
Noon | Sept. 20 | Soldier Field | FOX
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 69-59-2 (includes 0-1 in postseason)
Away record: 29-33-2
Last regular-season meeting: Chicago defeated Minnesota 19-17 at U.S. Bank Stadium (Week 11 of 2025)
Last regular-season meeting on the road: Vikings defeated Bears 27-24 at Soldier Field (Week 1 of 2025)
2025 Stats
Chicago offense
Yards/game: 369.5 (6th) | Points/game: 25.9 (9th)
Chicago defense
Yards/game: 361.8 (29th) | Points/game: 24.4 (23rd)
2026 Status
Head Coach: Ben Johnson (2nd season; 11-6, and 1-1 in the postseason)
Key acquisitions (alphabetical listing): C Garrett Bradbury, S Coby Bryant, LB Devin Bush, DL Neville Gallimore, WR Kalif Raymond, LB Jack Sanborn
Notable departures (alphabetical listing): DL Andrew Billings, S Jaquan Brisker, S Kevin Byard III, C Drew Dalman (retired), WR Devin Duvernay, LB Tremaine Edmunds, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Jr., WR D.J. Moore, S Jonathan Owens, CB Nahshon Wright, WR Olamide Zaccheaus
Top 2 draft picks: S Dillon Thieneman (Round 1, Pick 25) & C Logan Jones (Round 2, Pick 57)
The More You Know
Minnesota has won six straight games at Soldier Field dating to 2020, which marks its longest road win streak versus the Bears, trumping the five-game spree it savored from 1996-2000. The active streak, for what it's worth, features an average margin of victory of seven points; the latest two wins have been decided by three; and the streak-starter included a couple of then-Bears who we don't identify as Bears handling bear-y important roles: Eagles Super Bowl hero Nick Foles started at QB for Chicago and passed for 106 yards, and former Viking Cordarrelle Patterson rushed 12 times for 30 yards. The more you know!
Vikings at Buccaneers | Week 3
3:05 p.m. | Sept. 27 | Raymond James Stadium | FOX
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 33-24-0
Away record: 14-14
Last regular-season meeting: Tampa Bay defeated Minnesota 20-17 at U.S. Bank Stadium (Week 1 of 2023)
Last regular-season meeting on the road: Buccaneers defeated Vikings 26-14 at Raymond James Stadium (Week 14 of 2020)
2025 Stats
Tampa Bay offense
Yards/game: 320.4 (21st) | Points/game: 22.4 (T-17th)
Tampa Bay defense
Yards/game: 337.2 (19th) | Points/game: 24.2 (T-20th)
2026 Status
Head Coach: Todd Bowles (5th season; 35-33, and 1-3 in the postseason; 24-40 across four seasons with the Jets from 2015-18; 2-1 as Dolphins interim HC in 2011)
Key acquisitions (alphabetical listing): LB Alex Anzalone, QB Jake Browning, RB Kenneth Gainwell, S Miles Killebrew, Edge Al-Quadin Muhammad, DL A'Shawn Robinson, LB Christian Rozeboom, T Justin Skule
Notable departures (alphabetical listing): QB Teddy Bridgewater, LB Lavonte David (retired), CB Jamel Dean, WR Mike Evans, DB J.T. Gray, DL Logan Hall, RB Rachaad White
Top 2 draft picks: OLB Rueben Bain, Jr. (Round 1, Pick 15) & LB Josiah Trotter (Round 2, Pick 46)
The More You Know
Tampa Bay saluted two franchise cornerstones in March, with David retiring after 14 seasons that may have lacked surefire Hall of Fame credentials — i.e. multiple All-Pros/Pro Bowls — but never impact, and Evans swapping red for scarlet and signing with San Francisco following 1,000-plus yards receiving in his first 11 seasons and then an injury-shortened 12th that robbed him of the opportunity to break a tie with Jerry Rice for the all-time record of most 1,000-yard efforts in a row, regardless of when they happened. David, by the way, is fourth and right behind fellow Bucs legend Derrick Brooks on the NFL's career tackles chart with 1,172 (official since 1994), and Evans is 10th with 108 TD catches. The more you know!
Vikings vs. Dolphins | Week 4
3:05 p.m. | Oct. 4 | U.S. Bank Stadium | FOX
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 6-8-0 (includes 0-1 in the postseason)
Home record: 4-3
Last regular-season meeting: Vikings defeated Dolphins 24-16 at Miami (Week 6 of 2022)
Last regular-season meeting at home: Minnesota defeated Miami 41-17 at U.S. Bank Stadium (Week 15 of 2018)
2025 Stats
Miami offense
Yards/game: 300.7 (26th) | Points/game: 20.4 (25th)
Miami defense
Yards/game: 348.8 (22nd) | Points/game: 24.9 (24th)
2026 Status
Head Coach: Jeff Hafley (1st season; served as Packers defensive coordinator from 2024-25)
Key acquisitions (alphabetical listing): WR Tutu Atwell, CB Darrell Baker, Jr., K Zane Gonzalez, P Bradley Pinion, OL Jamaree Salyer, TE Ben Sims, WR Jalen Tolbert, Edge Joshua Uche, QB Malik Willis
Notable departures (alphabetical listing): P Jake Bailey, OL Larry Borom, LB K.J. Britt, LS Joe Cardona, LB Bradley Chubb, S Minkah Fitzpatrick, WR Tyreek Hill, FB Alec Ingold, CB Kader Kohou, K Jason Sanders, G Cole Strange, QB Tua Tagovailoa, WR Jaylen Waddle, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, QB Zach Wilson
Top 2 draft picks: OL Kadyn Proctor (Round 1, Pick 12) & CB Chris Johnson (Round 1, Pick 27)
The More You Know
Willis was a third-round draft choice of the Titans in 2022 but quickly — not our place to say rightly or wrongly — lost steam in that building. He spent the past two seasons rehabilitating his quarterback journey as QB2 on the Packers and followed Hafley and Dolphins new General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan to the 305 from Titletown. Willis, by and large, remains a toolsy player with loads of potential to realize; his exciting, albeit small, sample since 2024 includes an NFL-best 134.6 passer rating (min. 50 attempts), while hitting 78.7 percent of his throws for 972 yards, six touchdowns and no picks, and rushing for 261 and three touchdowns at 6.2 yards a pop in 11 games and three starts (2-1 record). The more you know!
Vikings at Saints | Week 5
Noon | Oct. 11 | Caesars Superdome | FOX
Series Results
Vikings W-L-T: 25-13-0 (includes 4-1 in the postseason)
Away record: 10-9 (includes 1-0 in the postseason)
Last regular-season meeting: Minnesota defeated New Orleans 27-19 at U.S. Bank Stadium (Week 10 of 2023)
Last regular-season meeting on the road: Vikings defeated Saints 28-25 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England (Week 4 of 2022)
Last regular-season meeting at New Orleans: Vikings lost 52-33 (Week 16 of 2020)
2025 Stats
New Orleans offense
Yards/game: 313.6 (23rd) | Points/game: 18.0 (28th)
New Orleans defense
Yards/game: 299.8 (9th) | Points/game: 22.5 (17th)
2026 Status
Head Coach: Kellen Moore (2nd season; 6-11)
Key acquisitions (alphabetical listing): RB Ty Chandler, G David Edwards, LB Kaden Elliss, RB Travis Etienne, Jr., TE Noah Fant, QB Zach Wilson, P Ryan Wright
Notable departures (alphabetical listing): DE Jonathan Bullard, LB Demario Davis, OL Luke Fortner, P Kai Kroeger, TE Foster Moreau, CB Alontae Taylor
Top 2 draft picks: WR Jordyn Tyson (Round 1, Pick 8) & DL Christen Miller (Round 2, Pick 42)
The More You Know
Tyler Shough inserted as the Saints starting quarterback in Week 9 last season and never looked back, winning four of his final five starts and gaining enough respect to finish second in Offensive Rookie of the Year balloting. Overall, he clipped 67.6 percent of his passes for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions, in addition to rushing for 186 yards and three scores. Now, the soon-to-be 27-year-old Shough is afforded a weapons expansion in Tyson and 2026 fourth-rounder Bryce Lance; by the way, the former receiver's big brother is Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson, and the latter's is Chargers backup QB Trey Lance. Shough is older than both siblings, which is very left-field — but interesting. The more you know!
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