The
Minnesota Vikings schedule was released on Tuesday night April 21st
and with that brought a few pleasant surprises.
The schedule
is comprised of a few firsts and a 2 game road trip to Detroit and Chicago
along with 2 out of the last 3 at home in this the final year of TCF Bank
Stadium so the cold elements will be in place.
The Vikes
face 5 of last year’s playoffs and will go head to head against 5 teams with
brand new coaches.
Week 1 is a
Monday night 2nd game of a national TV doubleheader when the Vikes
travel to San Francisco with new coach Jim Tomsula in charge after Jim Harbaugh
left and took the University of Michigan job, 49ers defense took a he hit in
the defense with a couple of unexpected I am truly excited to see Bridgewater in
year 2 on national TV. The 49ers took major hits in the linebacker corps due to
retirements. It will be fun to see Vikes defense take on Colin Kaepernik and
his athleticism.
Week 2 the
Vikes open the home schedule when last year’s playoff team, the Detroit Lions
comes to TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikes had a 5-3 home record last year including
winning the final 3 at home. An NFC North opponent is a great way to start the
home schedule.
Week 3 sees
the San Diego Chargers come to Minnesota. It is the first time Minnesota has
faced the Chargers since the regular season opener in 2011 in San Diego.
Week 4- The
Vikes travel to 2014 Playoff team, Denver and take on new coach, Gary Kubiak,
Peyton Manning and the rest of the Broncos. The game is scheduled for a 3:25
CST time.
Week’s 1-4
summary sees Vikes have 2 home and 2 away, 2 playoff and 2 non-playoff teams
and 2 AFC West opponents in a row giving the Vikes a heck of a way to start the
season.
Week 5 is
the Bye week which I am not a fan of with it being so early in the season.
Week 6 has
the Kansas City Chiefs come to Minnesota. This will be the first meeting of the
2 squads since week 6 in 2003.
Week 7 and
Week 8 are back to back road games against NFC North division Lions and Bears
in respective order. The Vikes will get their first look at new Bears coach,
John Fox. Will Jay Cutler be a different quarterback under a new system?
Week 9 sees
the St. Louis Rams come to Minnesota with a new quarterback. I was so excited
to see the Vikes defense go against Sam Bradford but with Sam going to
Philadelphia we will see Nick Foles in charge. This will be the 3rd
meeting in 4 years with the Rams.
Week 5-9
summary sees a bye week, 2 home and 2 away with the 2 away being back to back
with Lions and Bears.
Week 10 the
Vikings travel to Oakland to take on new head Coach Jack Del Rio and the
Raiders. This will be the first meeting between these 2 teams since 2003.
Week 11 the
Vikes will host the border battle when the Green Bay Packers come to town. The
way the Packers season ended last year in the playoffs was something to never
forget. Packer’s Coach Mike McCarthy gave up the play calling duty so we will
see what the Packers offense will look like.
Week 12 the
Vikes travel to Atlanta and take on new coach, Dan Quinn and the rest of the
Falcons. It is every time I see the Falcons on the schedule I look back at 1998
and always wonder, what if?
Week 13 the
Seattle Seahawks come to Minnesota. This will be a great challenge for the
Zimmer lead defense as they take on Russell Wilson and bruising running back,
Marshawn Lynch.
Week 10-13
sees 2 home and 2 away once again. The Vikes will face Atlanta and Seattle who
are connected by one name. Yes new Falcons coach, Quinn was last year’s Seahawk
defensive coordinator.
Week 14 the
Vikings travel to play the Arizona Cardinals and play on Thursday night
national TV which will be a first time in Vikings franchise history. This game
is the 2nd national TV game of the year for the Vikings with Week 1
also. Mike Zimmer’s team is getting noticed and TV wants to show how this young
team is developing the right way.
Week 15 and
16 are back to back home games when Chicago comes followed by the New York
Giants. How will the weather be on December 20 an 27th? Will cold
records be set? Yes, I am a season ticket holder and will brave the weather on matter
what!!!
Week 17 the
Vikings travel to Lambeau Field and take on the Green Bay Packers. It is the
first time in this long border battle rivalry that these 2 will face off in the
last game of the season. What if the winner of this game goes to the playoffs?
I can only hope the Purple will have this problem.
Weeks 14-17
sees 2 home and 2 away with the 2 home back to back weeks and the season ends
in Green Bay. What a way to end the season.
The schedule
Is tough but I have so much faith in Coach Zimmer and the team I believe this
team can compete and win.
Thanks for
reading
Purplestick
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