Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings schedule dropped Wednesday night, and here’s a peek:
Week 1 — at New York Giants
Week 2 — vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 3 — vs. Houston Texans
Week 4 — at Green Bay Packers
Week 5 — vs. New York Jets (London)
Week 6 — Bye
Week 7 — vs. Detroit Lions
Week 8 — at Los Angeles Rams (TNF)
Week 9 — vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 10 — at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 11 — at Tennessee Titans
Week 12 — at Chicago Bears
Week 13 — vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 14 — vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 15 — vs. Chicago Bears (MNF)
Week 16 — at Seattle Seahawks
Week 17 — vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 18 — at Detroit Lions
Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings hope to kickstart the J.J. McCarthy era sometime in 2024, although Sam Darnold may start out of the gate.
Along the way, these are four facts to know about the Vikings’ 2024 schedule.
Want to know how long it’s been since the Vikings opened a season versus the New York Giants? The year was 1969, and Fran Tarkenton quarterbacked the Giants while Gary Cuozzo manned QB duties in Minnesota. New York won 24-23 that season.
The cool part? Minnesota reached its first Super Bowl four months later.
Minnesota has dropped five straight contests at Seattle, a venue now called Lumen Field. This is mainly a Russell Wilson stat, back when he was a Top 5 quarterback. The Seahawks had the Vikings’ number — it felt like every year — but it may be a different story with Wilson on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster and Pete Carroll no longer Seattle’s skipper.
Overwhelmingly, Minnesota is due for a win in the Emerald City.
The Texans were founded 22 years ago, and in five tries, they have not conquered the Vikings. Think of it this way: these two franchises meet every four years, and every four years, Minnesota wins.
This time, however, Houston will be favored — barring a weird quarterback injury — and Brian Flores’ defense must put on a game face to defend Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Stefon Diggs, and C.J. Stroud.
Almost quietly, Minnesota produced its third-worst home record in franchise history last season. When it was all said and done, the purple team fetched a 2-6 mark at U.S. Bank Stadium, a steep departure from normally prosperous football inside that stadium.
Of course, Minnesota was 5-4 on the road, which was promising, but the Vikings rarely transform into bottom-feeders at their building. And that’s what happened in 2023.
Eventually, O’Connell must reestablish winning ways at home. Preferably in a hurry.
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 Sal Spice. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.