The Vikings 2019 schedule, which was announced Wednesday, will**open at home**against the Falcons, include**five prime-time games**and feature**captivating 1-on-1 matchups**.

The Vikings.com crew will break down the 16-game slate into four quarters during this Icebreakers series that is presented byTicketmaster.

First Quarter (Thursday)

Second Quarter (Friday)

Third Quarter (Saturday)

Fourth Quarter (Sunday)

Three of the Vikings final four games are at home and within the NFC North, potentially giving Minnesota plenty of say in its playoff fate. The other game is a rare meeting with the Chargers, who are in their third year in Los Angeles. After playing the Rams last fall, the Vikings will make their second trip to the City of Angles in consecutive years since 1992-93.

Vikings vs. Lions by **@pcraigers**

Noon* | Sunday, Dec. 8 | U.S. Bank Stadium

Series results

Vikings W-L-T: 74-39-2

Home: 40-16-1; Away: 34-23-1

Last time in regular season: Vikings defeated Lions 27-9 in Detroit on Dec. 23, 2018

Last time in regular season in Detroit: Vikings defeated Lions 27-9 in Detroit on Dec. 23, 2018

Detroit's 2018 offensive rankings:

Total yards/game: 327.3 (24th in NFL); Rushing yards/game: 103.8 (23rd); Passing yards/game: 223.5 (20th); Points/game: 20.3 (25th); Sacks allowed/pass attempt: 7.14 percent (19th); Interception rate: 2.09 percent (14th); Average time of possession: 31:24 (5th)

Detroit's 2018 defensive rankings:

Total yards allowed/game: 335.0 (10th); Rushing yards allowed/game: 110.1 (10th); Passing yards allowed/game: 224.9 (8th); Points allowed/game: 22.5 (T-16th); Sacks/pass attempt: 8.67 percent (4th); Interception rate: 1.41 percent (29th)

Icebreakers: The Vikings snapped a two-game home losing streak against the Lions (the first since 1990-91) by sacking Matthew Stafford 10 times to set a single-game franchise record. The dominant defensive performance was led by Danielle Hunter, who recorded a career-best 3.5 sacks and returned a fumble 32 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. … The 10-spot topped the previous record of sacks on Stafford among all teams (seven by Minnesota in Detroit on Oct. 25, 2015) and gives the Vikings 63 in 18 games against the tough quarterback who has been taken down 329 times in 141 career games. … This is the third time in four seasons for Detroit's visit to Minnesota to occur in November.

Vikings at Chargers by **@LindseyMNSports**

7:20 p.m.* | Sunday, Dec. 15 | Dignity Health Sports Park

Series results

Vikings W-L-T: 6-6-0

Home: 5-3-0; Away: 1-3-0

Last time in regular season: Vikings defeated Chargers 31-14 at the University of Minnesota on Sept. 27, 2015

Last time in regular season in California: Chargers defeated Vikings 24-17 at San Diego on Sept. 11, 2011

Chargers 2018 offensive rankings:

Total yards/game: 372.6 (11th in NFL); Rushing yards/game: 117.1 (15th); Passing yards/game: 255.6 (10th); Points/game: 26.8 (T-6th); Sacks allowed/pass attempt: 6.64 percent (14th); Interception rate: 2.34 percent (17th); Average time of possession: 30:43 (T-10th)

Chargers 2018 defensive rankings:

Total yards allowed/game: 333.7 (9th); Rushing yards allowed/game: 105.8 (9th); Passing yards allowed/game: 227.9 (9th); Points allowed/game: 20.6 (8th); Sacks/pass attempt: 6.93 percent (22nd); Interception rate: 2.37 percent (17th)

Icebreakers: This matchup will mark just the 13th game in series history and the first time the Vikings will face the Chargers in Los Angeles. … Dating back to their first matchup in 1971, the Vikings and Chargers have traded wins and losses with each meeting, neither team stringing together consecutive victories. … In 2015, Chargers receiver Keenan Allen caught two touchdowns from Philip Rivers; Allen and Rivers are the only two players involved in scoring plays on either team that are still on the same roster. … Former Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway snagged an interception and ran it back 91 yards for the score to put the game away early in the fourth quarter. … Adrian Peterson scored two touchdowns for Minnesota, including one on a 43-yard run. … The 2018 Chargers defense ranked in the top 10 in yards and points allowed per game. … Chargers Special Teams Coordinator George Stewart coached wide receivers for the Vikings from 2007-16.

Vikings vs. Packers by **@EricLSmith**

7:15 p.m. | Monday, Dec. 23 | U.S. Bank Stadium

Series results

Vikings W-L-T: 54-60-3 (includes 1-1-0 postseason)

Home: 29-28; Away: 25-32-3 (includes 1-1-0 in postseason)

Last time in regular season: Vikings defeated Packers 24-17 on Nov. 25, 2018, in Minneapolis

Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Vikings defeated Packers 24-17 on Nov. 25, 2018, in Minneapolis

Green Bay's 2018 offensive rankings:

Total yards/game: 369.1 (12th in NFL); Rushing yards/game: 104.2 (22nd); Passing yards/game: 264.9 (9th); Points/game: 23.5 (T-14th); Sacks allowed/pass play: 8.28 percent (22nd); Interception rate: 0.63 percent (1st); Average time of possession: 29:38 (T-20th)

Green Bay's 2018 defensive rankings:

Total yards allowed/game: 354.4 (18th); Rushing yards allowed/game: 119.9 (22nd); Passing yards allowed/game: 234.5 (12th); Points allowed/game: 25.0 (22nd); Sacks/pass play: 8.35 percent (7th); Interception rate: 1.33 percent (31st)

Icebreakers (this one will preview whichever the first matchup is): The Vikings have fared well against Green Bay in recent years, especially at U.S. Bank Stadium where Minnesota has won all three home games since the building opened. … The Vikings have allowed 17 points or fewer in three straight home wins against the Packers. … Green Bay's defense recorded just seven interceptions in 2018, tied for the second-fewest in the NFL. … Since the start of the 2016 season, Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs have combined for 79 catches for 1,085 yards and 10 touchdowns against Green Bay. … The Packers focused on defense in free agency as they brought in edge rushers Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith and safety Adrian Amos. … Clay Matthews, Green Bay's franchise leader with 83.5 sacks, is now with the Rams. … Green Bay went 6-9-1 in the 2018 season and has missed the postseason two years in a row. … The Packers currently hold two first-round picks (the 12th and 30th overall selections) in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Vikings vs. Bears by **@LindseyMNSports**

Noon* | Sunday, Dec. 29 | U.S. Bank Stadium

Series results

Vikings W-L-T: 60-54-2 (includes 0-1 in the postseason)

Home: 37-22-0; Away: 23-32-2

Last time in regular season: Vikings fell 24-10 to the Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 30, 2018

Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Vikings fell 24-10 to the Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 30, 2018

Chicago's 2018 offensive rankings:

Total yards/game: 343.9 (21st in NFL); Rushing yards/game: 121.1 (11th); Passing yards/game: 222.8 (21st); Points/game: 26.3 (9th); Sacks allowed/pass attempt: 6.45 percent (10th); Interception rate: 2.73 percent (22nd); Average time of possession: 31:48 (3rd)

Chicago's 2018 defensive rankings:

Total yards allowed/game: 299.7 (3rd); Rushing yards allowed/game: 80.0 (1st); Passing yards allowed/game: 219.7 (7th); Points allowed/game: 17.7 (1st); Sacks/pass attempt: 8.13 percent (9th); Interception rate: 4.39 percent (1st)

Icebreakers: This year's matchup marks the fourth consecutive year for the Vikings to wrap a regular season by hosting the Bears. … Key free agency signings for each team include guard Josh Kline and the retaining of linebacker Anthony Barr (Minnesota) and safety Ha-Ha Clinton Dix and receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (Chicago). … Patterson spent his first four pro seasons with the Vikings before playing for the Raiders and Patriots in 2017 and 2018, respectively; this will be his first time at U.S. Bank Stadium on a visiting team. … In the NFC North rivals' last meeting, running back Jordan Howard (who recently signed with the Eagles) scored the first two touchdowns of the game. … Kicker Dan Bailey kicked a 45-yard field goal to put the Vikings on the board. … Diggs, whom the Vikings drafted in 2015, has more catches (45) and touchdowns (seven) against the Bears than any other team. His 468 receiving yards against Chicago ranks second behind 550 against Green Bay. … Chicago's defense ranked in the top 10 in six major categories during the 2018 season. … The Bears won the NFC North division in 2018, their first time taking the title since 2010.

* Subject to flex scheduling | All times Central

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