Minnesota’s schedule will be released on Thursday at 7 p.m. C.T., but Vikings fans already know who the team will be playing.
There are the usual rivals from the NFC North, but there are also four games each from the AFC South and NFC South on the slate. The Vikings also have two games against the NFC East and NFC West.
Last season, Minnesota had five prime time games. Those games were against the Redskins, Cowboys, Seahawks, Chargers and Packers. So, that got me thinking, which five games on the Vikings schedule are the most likely to be prime time this season?
Here’s a guess:
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers
The Vikings will travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Packers, a matchup between two teams who made it to the playoffs last season. Both Green Bay and Minnesota are in the top 10 of ESPN’s power rankings. The Packers have Aaron Rodgers and a menacing front seven, so it should be a good matchup.
Minnesota Vikings @ Seattle Seahawks
Similar to the Packers game, this game is also an easy choice for prime time.
The Vikings and Seahawks were a prime time matchup last season, and I expect this year to be no different. The Seahawks’ Russell Wilson is still a very good quarterback, and the team is coming off an 11-5 season where it didn’t win the division.
The NFC West is good, same with the NFC North, so these nonconference games are important for both teams if the two want another playoff berth.
Minnesota Vikings @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Another road game, but this one is not between a team coming off a playoff appearance.
Buccaneers will be an interesting team to watch in 2020. Tampa Bay added Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. The team has a great pass rush, so the Vikings will have to be prepared to take on pressure. Not only that, but the Buccaneers drafted former Gophers football players Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tyler Johnson. Should be an interesting game.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Vikings took care of the Cowboys in prime time 2019, but Dallas added CeeDee Lamb in the NFL Draft. Lamb was one of the better receivers in this draft class, and should add an interesting dimension to the Cowboys’ offense. The Vikings’ young cornerback core will have to step up and stop him and other weapons on Dallas’ offense.
Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints
In 2017 season, the Vikings beat the Saints in last-minute fashion on a play dubbed the Minneapolis Miracle. In 2019, the team got the Saints again, this time in overtime on a Kyle Rudolph catch.
The Saints will be hungry for revenge as the Vikings go on the road to play them in the regular season. Drew Brees had a 2019 marred by injury and he will be eager for a resurgent year. Should be an intense game.
