The Vikings’ 2026 Opponents Are Set
The Minnesota Vikings finished in third place ahead of the last-place Detroit Lions in the NFC North, firing up an unforeseen win streak after sinking to 4-8 at the end of November. Indeed, the purple team played itself out of a last-place schedule in 2026. Fans thought Minnesota had that in the bag for weeks. Now, with the regular season over, the Vikings’ opponents are set.
Third place brings a tougher rotation than last year, with the AFC draw and road spots shaping the path for 2026.
Minnesota will have nine home games per the natural rotation next season, with eight on the road.
Minnesota’s 2026 Slate Takes Shape after a Third-Place Finish
Vikings lock in 2026 opponents after third-place division finish.
The Home Opponents
With all opponents solidified, the Vikings will play these teams at U.S. Bank Stadium in 2026, assuming the club doesn’t use a “home” game overseas:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- Miami Dolphins
- Washington Commanders
- Indianapolis Colts
The Bills are sure to attract many eyes, as Buffalo has not visited Minnesota since 2018, when Josh Allen stunned the purple team — back when he was a rookie and a relative “nobody” by quarterback standards.
The Dolphins, too, haven’t been to the Twin Cities since 2018. The Colts will make three straight trips to Minnesota, notably suffering the largest collapse in NFL history during the 2022 season.
The Road Opponents
And here’s the road docket, now set in stone, though not in order until May:
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- New England Patriots
- New Orleans Saints
- New York Jets
- San Francisco 49ers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Minnesota will get its first look at Drake Maye, one of its alleged 2024 draft darlings. The Vikings haven’t played a game at San Francisco (Santa Clara) since 2021, a showdown that is virtually assured to be rough. And the purple team will get a swing at the Saints on their turf, one of the most hated franchises by Vikings fans, based on a grudge dating back 17 years.
The Difference between 3rd and 4th Place Schedule
Back when Minnesota looked like a Bottom 10 team in the league, a last-place schedule was conceivable. In fact, it looked probable.
Yet, with the five-game win streak to close out 2025, the Vikings changed three opponents:
- Instead of playing at the Arizona Cardinals, who will be led by a new head coach, Minnesota will travel to San Francisco.
- The Vikings were slated to play at the Tennessee Titans with a last-place finish; that’s switched to the Indianapolis Colts.
- And instead of getting Jaxson Dart and the Giants once again, it’s Jayden Daniels and the Commanders.
If you wondered why many wanted a last-place menu of opponents, that is your evidence.
A Busy Offseason Afoot
The Vikings are staring at a fork in the road. Perhaps multiple forks. This offseason may not be about tweaks or patience, and the evidence will arrive in the next couple of months. Brian Flores could be gone within a couple of weeks, lured by head coaching interest, and if that happens, Minnesota will need a new defensive thinker. Candidates like Daronte Jones, Raheem Morris, and Patrick Graham could fetch interviews if Flores departs.
At quarterback, the decision is even meatier, with J.J. McCarthy’s injuries, development curve, and timeline colliding with a leadership group that needs to win in 2026. If the Vikings don’t believe he’s the guy, they can’t pretend and forge half-measured fixes. The Vikings could pursue a McCarthy replacement or a high-end backup. That’s totally up in the air to start the offseason.
Our Janik Eckardt noted this week on the impending quarterback question, “Decision-makers in a comparable situation often fight for their jobs in the year after missing the playoffs, so an increased focus on the QB room is advised. Leaguewide reports suggest that the plan is to continue with McCarthy, but add competition or at least a high-end backup.”
“In 2025, the backup situation was not good enough to pick up when McCarthy’s performance dipped or when he was out with an injury. Carson Wentz isn’t under contract and Max Brosmer has rarely shown NFL play to be confident in him as the QB2. Expect the Vikings to dive into the free agency pool in March.”
And let’s not sugarcoat how 2025 went down. The season collapsed early, the playoffs vanished by mid-December, and the current leadership regime has not won a playoff game. Minnesota, as a whole, hasn’t won a postseason contest since 2019.
Facing a third-place schedule, not a last-place variety as was once envisioned, the Vikings will embark on yet another momentous offseason.
You must be logged in to post a comment.