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Vikings To Open 2016 Season In Music City

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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings will open the 2016 NFL season on the road against the Tennessee Titans.

Minnesota will travel to Nashville for its Week 1 matchup against the Titans, who finished 3-13 last season.

The Vikings went 11-5 in 2015 to capture their first NFC North title since 2009.

The Vikings are 8-4 in their series history against the Titans, which includes Tennessee's time as the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Oilers.

The Vikings defeated the Titans 30-7 at the Metrodome on Oct. 7, 2012, in the most recent matchup between the teams. Tight end Kyle Rudolph caught a touchdown pass, and Blair Walsh kicked three field goals in the win.

Minnesota's last trip to Tennessee ended with a 30-17 loss in 2008. Vikings running back Adrian Peterson rushed for 80 yards and two touchdowns.

The Vikings will open the season away from home for the fourth straight year and have been on the road for seven of their previous eight season openers.

The Vikings have alternated wins and losses in their past three season openers, winning in St. Louis in 2014 but losing at Detroit in 2013 and at San Francisco last season.

Minnesota has split its previous two season openers under Head Coach Mike Zimmer.

"The last two years we've opened on the road and we're 1-1," Zimmer said. "Opening day is such an exciting day anyway with all of the fanfare that they have around the NFL."

The Vikings are 30-24-1 all-time in season openers as they prepare for their 56th season in franchise history. Minnesota has made the playoffs 28 times in its history.

Tennessee hired former Vikings tight end Mike Mularkey (1983-88) as head coach this offseason after he finished 2015 as the interim leader.

The Titans will be led by quarterback Marcus Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Mariota threw for 2,818 yards and 19 touchdowns as a rookie, compiling a 91.5 passer rating.

Tennessee made headlines Thursday when it traded the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft to the Los Angeles Rams.

"Tennessee had a good, young football team," Zimmer said. "They just made a great trade and got a lot of picks.

"They have a great, young quarterback so that'll be an exciting ballgame for us."

View images of the Vikings opponents after the 2016 schedule was released on Thursday.

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