Schedule

[S197]

I just saw that Vikings are hosting Packers in the season opener for the first time in franchise history, that surprised me

This can't be right, we hosted them to open US Bank stadium.

Edit: Nevermind, that was week 2. That's pretty interesting!

[Dmizzle0]

Thinking about going to the Vikings @ Bears game. Should I try to buy tickets now or should I wait?

[RandyMoss84]

Thinking about going to the Vikings @ Bears game. Should I try to buy tickets now or should I wait?

You can buy them now but just in case they will not allow fans at games, they will give you a refund or give you credit for next year

[J. Kapp 11]

It’s not possible to know all the games because two games each year are based on your standings in your division. We play Seattle because they finished second in the West, and we play Dallas because they finished second in the East. The rest of the games are set ... 2020 is our year to play the NFC South and AFC South, and we of course have six division games.

However, the home-road splits aren’t decided until late, and that’s where we’ve gotten screwed the last several games against Seattle. In 2018, we played the Seahawks because both the Vikings and Seattle finished first in their divisions in 2017 — the game was again in Seattle. In 2019 year, it was our year to play the NFC West — game again in Seattle. This coming season, we play the Seahawks because both they and the Vikings finished second in their division — guess where the game is. That’s right. In Seattle.

Given that Century Link Field is one of the toughest venues in the NFL, it seems a bit unfair to play there three times in a row in consecutive years.

It's still all pre-determined. Next year we'll play the NFC East equivalent at home and the NFC South equivalent away. And Seattle at home.

It just so happened that the Vikings/Seahawks finished in the same position of their respective divisions the last two years and it was the Vikings turn to play that team on the road.

I'm not following how the home-road splits aren't decided until late, you can see the home-road splits all the way through 2022.

OK I see. Even the location of the games against the team that finished in the same position in their division Is predetermined. I didn’t realize that. Thanks for the clarification. It’s a quirk in the way it worked out.

Still sucks, though.

[S197]

It's still all pre-determined. Next year we'll play the NFC East equivalent at home and the NFC South equivalent away. And Seattle at home.

It just so happened that the Vikings/Seahawks finished in the same position of their respective divisions the last two years and it was the Vikings turn to play that team on the road.

I'm not following how the home-road splits aren't decided until late, you can see the home-road splits all the way through 2022.

OK I see. Even the location of the games against the team that finished in the same position in their division Is predetermined. I didn’t realize that. Thanks for the clarification. It’s a quirk in the way it worked out.

Still sucks, though.

Yeah sucks for sure.

The one thing the NFL does control right before the schedule is launched is the time each team plays and the Vikings sorta got screwed with only 2 primetime games and both on the road.

[VikingLord]

The one thing the NFL does control right before the schedule is launched is the time each team plays and the Vikings sorta got screwed with only 2 primetime games and both on the road.

It does suck that both of the prime time games are road games, but generally the number of prime time games reflects the expectations for a given team and it doesn't appear the expectations for the Vikings are very high heading into this season. I can't say I disagree with that assessment either, especially with all the turnover in the defensive secondary. With Diggs, Griffen (seemingly) and Rhodes gone the Vikings lost a lot of their more interesting off-field characters. They look like a pretty vanilla team heading into this season. Doesn't mean they won't be good - just means the expectations are low and with the low expectations the pressure should be off.

Also, if it turns out the Vikings are actually good and/or actually entertaining heading into the final stretch of the season they'll be flexed into some nationally broadcast games.

[RandyMoss84]

The one thing the NFL does control right before the schedule is launched is the time each team plays and the Vikings sorta got screwed with only 2 primetime games and both on the road.

It does suck that both of the prime time games are road games, but generally the number of prime time games reflects the expectations for a given team and it doesn't appear the expectations for the Vikings are very high heading into this season. I can't say I disagree with that assessment either, especially with all the turnover in the defensive secondary. With Diggs, Griffen (seemingly) and Rhodes gone the Vikings lost a lot of their more interesting off-field characters. They look like a pretty vanilla team heading into this season. Doesn't mean they won't be good - just means the expectations are low and with the low expectations the pressure should be off.

Also, if it turns out the Vikings are actually good and/or actually entertaining heading into the final stretch of the season they'll be flexed into some nationally broadcast games.

I am just glad there is only 2 prime time games since Vikings usually stink in prime time games

[S197]

The one thing the NFL does control right before the schedule is launched is the time each team plays and the Vikings sorta got screwed with only 2 primetime games and both on the road.

It does suck that both of the prime time games are road games, but generally the number of prime time games reflects the expectations for a given team and it doesn't appear the expectations for the Vikings are very high heading into this season. I can't say I disagree with that assessment either, especially with all the turnover in the defensive secondary. With Diggs, Griffen (seemingly) and Rhodes gone the Vikings lost a lot of their more interesting off-field characters. They look like a pretty vanilla team heading into this season. Doesn't mean they won't be good - just means the expectations are low and with the low expectations the pressure should be off.

Also, if it turns out the Vikings are actually good and/or actually entertaining heading into the final stretch of the season they'll be flexed into some nationally broadcast games.

I agree, it's about the economics and the league seems to think the Vikings will not be very good next year. It's hard to fault them until the pattern changes which is that this team can't string together consecutive postseasons. It doesn't help that the Vikings were blown out in the last game of the last 3 seasons. Everyone except 1 team will lose their final game but there's a difference between a loss and an embarrassment. You're only going to get so many chances in the spotlight, showing up ill prepared and getting dominated 3 years in a row isn't going to give any confidence.

[RandyMoss84]

It does suck that both of the prime time games are road games, but generally the number of prime time games reflects the expectations for a given team and it doesn't appear the expectations for the Vikings are very high heading into this season. I can't say I disagree with that assessment either, especially with all the turnover in the defensive secondary. With Diggs, Griffen (seemingly) and Rhodes gone the Vikings lost a lot of their more interesting off-field characters. They look like a pretty vanilla team heading into this season. Doesn't mean they won't be good - just means the expectations are low and with the low expectations the pressure should be off.

Also, if it turns out the Vikings are actually good and/or actually entertaining heading into the final stretch of the season they'll be flexed into some nationally broadcast games.

I agree, it's about the economics and the league seems to think the Vikings will not be very good next year. It's hard to fault them until the pattern changes which is that this team can't string together consecutive postseasons. It doesn't help that the Vikings were blown out in the last game of the last 3 seasons. Everyone except 1 team will lose their final game but there's a difference between a loss and an embarrassment. You're only going to get so many chances in the spotlight, showing up ill prepared and getting dominated 3 years in a row isn't going to give any confidence.

Sad but true!

[vikeinmontana]

Given that Century Link Field is one of the toughest venues in the NFL, it seems a bit unfair to play there three times in a row in consecutive years.

Hopefully they do the same thing with us playing the Raiders in the years to come....

[NorthernStar]

Not the best year to get the AFC South IMO.