The Very Best Games on the Vikings Schedule
In living color, the Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 schedule arrived on Wednesday night, and the thing isn’t for the timid.
After a few days of piecing together Vikings schedule rumors, the docket is here, and these are the five best games.
Minnesota has oodles of daunting games, and the schedule features very few “easy” spots.
But after careful deliberation, these are the five best games on the Vikings’ schedule, counted down to No. 1.
5)
vs. Washington Commanders
Week 14
There’s a chance that the Washington Commanders take a step back in 2025; their sprint to the NFC Championship was rather unforeseen in 2024.
Therefore, because the Commanders are suddenly formidable — a force to be reckoned with — this game can be circled as entertaining and pivotal. By Week 14, the masses will know if Minnesota is a playoff contender, and taking on Jayden Daniels for the first time at home will turn heads.
This one edged the Baltimore Ravens on the list because it’s NFC versus NFC. The Ravens should be considered an honorable mention, a Week 10 showdown.
4.)
vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 7
Let’s get it out in the open — this game won’t be easy. However, at this time last year, Vikings fans thought the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans would smoke Minnesota early in the 2024 campaign, while the purple responded by winning both contests.
Perhaps a similar fate could await Eagles at Vikings in October.
This game makes No. 4 on this list because it will teach fans whether Minnesota is a contender about halfway through the season, and it’s at home.
3)
at Seattle Seahawks
Week 13
It was never guaranteed that onlookers would get a matchup between J.J. McCarthy, the new quarterback, and Sam Darnold, the previous quarterback, when free agency began. But Darnold chose the Seahawks as his shiny new employer, a franchise that just so happens to have Minnesota on its 2025 schedule.
There’s a slight chance that rookie passer Jalen Milroe could have the QB1 job for this showdown, but if not, it’s McCarthy against Darnold — also known as must-see Vikings television.
2)
at Chicago Bears
Week 1
The McCarthy era starts with a bang — written with Mike Breen’s voice — on September 8th, 2025, with Minnesota travelling to Soldier Field. The venue is never particularly kind to the Vikings, but McCarthy might as well get familiar with Soldier Field sooner rather than later.
Bears-Vikings in Week 1 lives at No. 2 because folks will ramp up to this battle for the next four months. The anticipation will be palpable.
1)
vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 18
Vikings games in Week 18 seldom mean anything. Minnesota has either clinched a playoff spot, failed to qualify for the playoffs, or the other team satisfies either criterion.
Last year, though, the Week 18 contest at the Detroit Lions was for all the marbles, and the Vikings utterly flopped. This go-round, Kevin O’Connell and Co. will enjoy the friendly confines of U.S. Bank Stadium in a matchup against its most hated foe, the Packers.
This game could determine a playoff spot — in or out, or perhaps seeding.
In fact, it might be strange if this game means nothing.
PurplePTSD’s Kyle Joudry wrote about the schedule on Friday: “The roster, on paper, appears very strong. Yes, some are a bit skittish about the corners and others have concerns about paying such hearty money to those older defensive tackles. It would be hard to conclude, however, that the current iteration of the Vikings doesn’t look more promising than last year’s Vikings at the exact same time.”
“The wild card in it all is J.J. McCarthy, the passer whom the Vikings believe can become a strong QB1. But therein lies the uncertainty, folks: there’s only belief, not ironclad proof.”
The Vikings have +2800 Super Bowl odds in 2025, up from +4000 when the offseason kicked off.
Joudry continued, “The Vikings are proceeding under the assumption that a loaded offense under the guidance of Kevin O’Connell will allow the 22-year-old McCarthy to flourish early. The great paradox, then, is that McCarthy simultaneously looks like the one uniquely capable of sinking the ship (if he flounders) while nevertheless not being entrusted with propelling the ship forward on his own (due to the strong talent around him).”
“Challenges are going to arrive for the Vikings in that schedule. We’ll know early on, though, if the Vikings have been lying with their offseason actions about being legit contenders in a strong NFC.”
The Vikings’ first regular season game is 16 days away.
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