Followers fill U.S. Financial institution Stadium throughout a matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles in Minneapolis on Oct. 19, 2025. The house crowd reacted emotionally all through a tense first half formed by momentum swings, missed alternatives, and disputed calls as Minnesota tried to regroup towards one of many NFC’s premier opponents in a high-energy ambiance. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures.
Sportsbooks imagine the 2026 Minnesota Vikings will end round 8-9 or 9-8 this season, a well-known win forecast that appears to observe (hang-out?) Minnesota each spring. Now, we all know who Minnesota will play and when, because of the league’s schedule launch on Thursday evening. This text illuminates the nasty parts.
A couple of bother spots jumped off the web page instantly.
Ranked in ascending order, these are these ugly spots (No. 1 = worst schedule side).
The Nasty Stretch Arrives earlier than December
What stands out to you on the Vikings’ schedule?
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts alongside the sideline after a pivotal second-quarter stretch towards the Cleveland Browns throughout NFL Worldwide Sequence motion on Oct. 5, 2025, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Tottenham, United Kingdom. The scene captures O’Connell’s emotional response and urgency as momentum briefly shifted through the abroad matchup in entrance of a global crowd. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Pictures.
4. The Early Bye Week
No person enjoys an early bye week, however some NFL groups simply must abdomen them. Most imagine the perfect byes are down the stretch of the common season, maybe in late November or early December, when a group ramps as much as the ultimate push for the postseason.
As a substitute, the Vikings will get one of many earliest byes potential. They’ll play 5 video games after which reset simply as the primary chapter of the season ended.
Fortunately, the membership has a “mini-bye” after Thursday Evening Soccer on the New England Patriots in December — 10 days of relaxation.
3. Two Evil — and Good — Rivals to Kick the Complete Factor Off
The Vikings have began a season towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers and Chicago Bears in a row (or vice versa) simply as soon as in franchise historical past — 2003 when Minnesota received each contests.
It’s uncommon, however the NFL has outfitted Minnesota’s schedule with two video games towards its foremost foes immediately. In seasons previous — primarily when the Bears weren’t superb — this might be a nothingburger. Now, although, each the Packers and Bears may fairly win the NFC North. They’re decent-to-good squads on paper.
Minnesota may’ve eased into the 2026 common season with a Week 1 or 2 sport towards the Miami Dolphins or New York Jets. Nope — it’s the in-your-face principal enemies for Kyler Murray to acclimate to the franchise instantly.
Inexperienced Bay Packers operating again Josh Jacobs (8) fights for additional yardage earlier than being introduced down by Chicago Bears defensive again Kevin Byard III (31) throughout second-quarter motion on Dec. 7, 2025, at Lambeau Subject in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin. The NFC North rivalry matchup featured bodily trench play and difficult defensive stops as each groups battled in cold-weather circumstances. Obligatory Credit score: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Pictures.
SI.com‘s Jonathan Harrison on Vikings-Packers in Week 1: “The game will be the first chance for the Vikings to likely see former Cardinals QB Kyler Murray man the Vikings’ offense. Murray was signed to a one-year, veteran minimum deal in March following his release from Arizona. The Vikings’ coaching staff and front office have been adamant they see Murray in a “true competition” with J.J. McCarthy for the group’s beginning quarterback position.”
“As for the Packers, they will likely be without star pass rusher Micah Parsons for the first several weeks of the 2026 season. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday, Parsons is a “candidate to be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform List” to start out the season. Parsons tore his ACL in December and is presently recovering from the harm.”
2. All the time Thursday Evening Soccer on the Highway
As soon as once more, the NFL has lined up Minnesota to play on the street for Thursday Evening Soccer. It’ll be the fourth straight incidence.
Within the final three seasons, these have been the outcomes:
TNF: Eagles def. Vikings | 34-28 | Week 2, 2023TNF: Rams def. Vikings | 30-20 | Week 8, 2024TNF: Chargers def. Vikings | 37-10 | Week 8, 2025TNF: Vikings at Patriots | TBD | Week 14, 2026
This wants course correction. Beginning subsequent yr — after which seemingly spanning just a few seasons — Minnesota is overdue for residence primetime Thursday Evening Soccer video games. That’s all there may be to it.
Every day Norseman‘s Christopher Gates noted on TNF and the weather from the schedule, “The Thursday night trip to New England in early December might be a bit tricky, as could the penultimate game of the year against the Jets. Other than that, however, Mother Nature seems like it could be on the Vikings’ aspect this yr.”
1. Weeks 8 through 11
Lastly, the a part of the schedule the place you shut your eyes and pray to Norse Gods:
Week 8 — at Detroit LionsWeek 9 — vs. Buffalo Payments (MNF)Week 10 — at Inexperienced Bay PackersWeek 11 — at San Francisco 49ers (SNF)
Except accidents have decimated 4 groups consecutively, this can be a brutal stretch for Minnesota — or any group. For instance, for those who requested a member of every of these groups’ fan bases if that squad can win a Tremendous Bowl in 2026, they might reply, “Yes.”
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chandon Sullivan (39) wraps up Buffalo Payments quarterback Josh Allen (17) throughout first-half motion on Nov. 13, 2022, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The play highlighted Minnesota’s aggressive defensive method towards Allen’s scrambling means in one of many Vikings’ most memorable street victories of the season. Obligatory Credit score: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports activities.
On prime of that, three of the 4 contests are on the street. Ruthless.
For the Vikings’ season to really feel optimistic, Kevin O’Connell’s group in all probability has to have a 4-2 report getting into Week 8 at Detroit, as a result of a 2-2 break up towards DET, BUF, GB, and SF could be thought of a good end result.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
