The Vikings (4-2) will host the Ravens (3-3) at noon (CT) Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
This will be just the sixth meeting between the franchises and second ever in Minnesota. The Ravens have a 3-2 edge in five previous meetings but lost their only previous trip to the Twin Cities 33-31 in October 2009.
The game also has been designated as the Vikings "Crucial Catch" game. The Crucial Catch initiative between the NFL and American Cancer Society began with a focus on breast cancer. It has been expanded to raise awareness for early detection and risk reduction of multiple cancers this year.
Fans will have the opportunity to customize placards to honor cancer patients, survivors and lost loved ones. Posters will be available at two tables near the Legacy Gate, one table near the Verizon Gate, the landings of the east and west escalators, the Gold Lobby and the Purple Lobby.
Here's a look at logistics, events and activities inside and outside of U.S. Bank Stadium:
Delta Vikings Village opens:9 a.m.
Stadium gates open: 9:30 a.m.
Kickoff: Noon
A dedicated core Skyway route will be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
On the airwaves
National Television: CBS (Channel 4 in the Twin Cities)
Play-by-play: Greg Gumble; Analyst: Trent Green; Sideline: Jamie Erdahl
Local Radio: KFAN 100.3-FM in the Twin Cities and across the five-state Vikings Radio Network will carry the game. A pre-game show with Mike Mussman will start at 10 a.m.
Play-by-play: Paul Allen; Analyst: Pete Bercich; Sideline: Greg Coleman & Ben Leber
In-stadium elements
Pre-game festivities
Pre-game DJ:DJ Skee, a Saint Paul native and founder of Dash Radio, will have a set list of players' favorite songs.
Color Guard: A Joint Services Honor Guard from the Minnesota National Guard will feature soldiers who have overcome battles with cancer.
National Anthem: Caitlyn Smith, a singer-songwriter and musician who is from Cannon Falls, will perform the National Anthem.
Gjallarhorn:WWE Star and Minnesota native Curtis Axel
Vikings players took part Tuesday in the Vikings annual âCrucial Catchâ Luncheon in partnership with the American Cancer Society.
Halftime:A special presentation honoring more than 120 cancer survivors and family members affected by cancer will feature former Vikings defensive tackle Esera Tuaolo, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor.
Tuaolo, who is a contestant on Season 13 of NBC's The Voice, will perform Andra Day's "Rise Up" as 11 banners representing different types of cancer are displayed.
The colors are navy (colon), pink (breast), teal (cervical), blue (prostate), gold (pediatric), emerald green (liver), white (lung), brain (gray), kidney (orange), purple (pancreatic) and black (melanoma).
U.S. Bank Hometown Hero:During each home game, U.S. Bank and the Minnesota Vikings will recognize one individual who has helped make our community a better place. We will honor a Minnesotan who has gone to extraordinary measures.
Sunday's Hometown Hero will be Lucas Hobbs, a 14-year-old Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer survivor. Lucas has created a non-profit, **Chef Lucas Food**, which hosts charitable food truck events to benefit service organizations and provide meals to families battling pediatric cancer.
Skyway Operations Report for Sunday, October 15th
Skyway Operations Route Map for this Sunday's game (10/22 - skyways requested to be open starting at 9:00AM until 6:00PM). This route map will be distributed to building managers tomorrow. You may distribute this map internally and externally as desired.
Autographs:
Vikings Legends will sign autographs from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at multiple locations inside U.S. Bank Stadium and in the Delta Vikings Village. Autographs are subject to change at any time and without notice.
Locations inside U.S. Bank Stadium (game ticket required):
Delta Sky360 Club: Dave Osborn
Medtronic Club: Mark Mullaney
FMP Club: Rufus Bess
Hyundai Club: Bob Lurtsema
Buffalo Wild Wings Club: Stu Voigt
Mystic Lake Club Purple: Carl Eller
Locations outside U.S. Bank Stadium
Delta Vikings Village (no game ticket required):
Benny Sapp
Willie Howard
Medtronic Plaza (game ticket required):
Tyrone Carter
Out-of-stadium elements
Delta Vikings Village Activities:
The Delta Vikings Village will open at 9 a.m. Sunday to fans with and without game tickets.
Partner activation:
American Cancer Society, Bite Squad, CenturyLink, Diageo, Hyundai, Hy-Vee, KFAN, Mills Fleet Farm, Medtronic, Minnesota Lottery, Mystic Lake, North Dakota Tourism, Sleep Number, Twin Cities Orthopedics and U.S. Bank are scheduled to have fan-engagement areas.
Pepsi Sound the North Stage:
Good for Gary will perform from 9:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
Delta Vikings Village Stage timeline:
Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders & SKOL Line performance: 10:30 a.m.
Prime Sport Longhouse:
The Prime Sport Longhouse will be open before, during and after Sunday's game to fans with or without game tickets.
Food Information:
Aramark will be serving tailgate fare from inside and outside the Prime Sport Longhouse and the permanent building on Delta Vikings Village.
Beer, wine and the "Purple Passion" drink will be available for purchase in multiple locations. A Bloody Mary bar also will be open.
Merchandise:
The Vikings Locker Room Store will have two merchandise trucks located in the Delta Vikings Village.
Activities on The Commons:
The Commons Stage:
A DJ will play music from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
SKOL Line performance: 10:15 a.m.
Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders: 10:30 a.m.
Game Truck and Crucial Catch Photo Booth: A game truck will be on site for fans to play EA Sports' Madden 18. The American Cancer Society will have a photo booth set up for fans to take a picture and share to show their support.
Social Impact Partner of the Game:The American Cancer Society will be distributing ribbons to fans on The Commons.
Entertainment and activities:
Face Painters – Unique and classic face painting; opportunities provided for fans of all ages
QB Challenge – Throw to your favorite targets, Kyle Rudolph, Jerick McKinnon and Stefon Diggs
Inflatable Obstacle Course – Climb walls, dodge defenders and finish by going down the slide
Play 60 Zone
Giant Inflatable Bag Toss
Chuck for Charity – The Vikings new social impact department will be raising money for the Minnesota Vikings Foundation by challenging fans to make a 30-yard throw to an inflatable target. Winners will receive prizes of varying types each game. The Minnesota Vikings Foundation also will be selling limited edition T-shirts specially designed for the Vikings-Ravens game. The T-shirt costs are being covered by U.S. Bank so that all sales can go to the Minnesota Vikings Foundation.
Food Vendors:
There will be three food trucks on The Commons, offering a variety of options from the southern part of the eastern block of The Commons during pre-game activities.
Bag Check:
Check your bag for $10 per item (cash only) at our secure bag check located in The Commons.
