London Calling: Vikings Learn European Schedule Fate This Week

London Calling: Vikings Learn European Schedule Fate This Week
Image Courtesy of SportingNews.com

For a couple of weeks, the Minnesota Vikings have been rumored participants in the annual London games for 2022.

The Vikings-Saints in London rumor originated on the Mackey & Judd Podcast, where KSTP’s Darren Wolfson mentioned the idea, “there is some buzz about the Vikings landing a game in London.” The buzz was then picked up by a website covering the New Orleans Saints.

Two weeks ago, after the Mackey & Judd Podcast mention, a columnist for The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com, Jeff Duncan, substantiated the claim.

And last weekend, Ben Goessling from the Star Tribune tweeted about the topic as the NFL approaches the release of the European schedule this Wednesday.

If the Vikings-Saints showdown comes to fruition, London will experience a recent rivalry a bit more heralded than its usual NFL matchups. Minnesota and New Orleans’ enmity began after the 2009 NFC Championship. The Saints conducted a “bounty program,” targeting then-quarterback Brett Favre for injury. New Orleans ex-head coach Sean Payton was suspended for a year due to the investigation.

Adrian Peterson / Dalvin Cook
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.

Ordinarily, the London slate of games each year has a reputation as underwhelming. In 2021, the Atlanta Falcons locked horns with the New York Jets. The Miami Dolphins also played the Jacksonville Jaguars. None of those teams reached the postseason.

Vikings-Saints in London this autumn would have a sweeter feel for Englanders as “The Minneapolis Miracle” game is still fresh in folks’ memories. In January 2018, the Vikings stunned the Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium with a walk-off touchdown from Stefon Diggs. Then, two years later, the Vikings traveled to New Orleans — again in the playoffs — and scored the upset as seven-point underdogs.

Iimage courtesy of Vikings.com

In 2020, New Orleans notched regular-season revenge, disemboweling the Vikings on Christmas Day by a score of 52-33. That was the contest where New Orleans accounted for seven rushing touchdowns.

A trip to London for Minnesota would mark the franchise’s third trip overseas for regular season football. The Vikings beat the Steelers in England in 2013 and the Browns there, too, in 2017.

Since the 2009 NFC Championship, the Saints have defeated the Vikings in five out of eight tries.

The Vikings and Saints are bedfellows for current Super Bowl odds this season. Both teams hover around a +4500 moneyline per sportsbooks.

If the Vikings are tapped for London travels, the game is expected to be a road contest for Minnesota.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

Share: