Minnesota finished 9-8 in 2025, which meant a tie for last place with the Lions in the NFC North division. The Vikings get the third-place schedule as a result. 

That speaks to the level of strength within the division and the challenge fifth-year coach Kevin O'Connell faces heading into 2026. Minnesota fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah this offseason and signed quarterback Kyler Murray to a one-year contract to push 2024 first-round pick JJ McCarthy. 

Minnesota has made the playoffs two of the last four seasons under O'Connell, and a solid core remains that includes receiver Justin Jefferson, who has 1,000-plus receiving yards in six consecutive seasons. The Vikings also traded edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2026 NFL Draft. 

The schedule includes matchups against the NFC South and AFC East this season and those pivotal matchups in the NFC North against the Bears, Packers and Lions. 

Here is a complete breakdown of the Vikings' 2026 schedule, including dates, start times, and analysis for all 17 games.

Minnesota Vikings schedule 2026

• Home opponents: Bears, Lions, Packers, Falcons, Panthers, Bills, Dolphins, Commanders, Colts 
• Away opponents: Bears, Lions, Packers, Saints, Buccaneers, Patriots, Jets, 49ers 

Every NFL team's 2026 opponents are predetermined. The Vikings' full 2025 NFL schedule with dates, times, and TV networks will be updated below when the NFL schedule is announced at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 14. 

Week	Date	Opponent	Kickoff time (ET)	TV channel
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Minnesota Vikings strength of schedule

The Vikings have the 16th hardest regular-season schedule based on opponents' records from last season – and it is the second-most difficult schedule among the NFC North teams. 

How did that happen? The Vikings have a total of eight games against teams that made the NFL playoffs last season, including two against the rival Packers and Bears. The third-place schedule includes matchups against the Commanders and 49ers. A cross-over game against the Colts is the ninth home game on the schedule. 

Toughest tests: All three NFC North opponents had a winning record at home last season. Minnesota won at Detroit and Chicago last season – but that task will be more difficult in 2026. New England had a 8-3 record (including playoffs) last season, and the 49ers had a 5-3 record at home despite several injuries. That's four road games against playoff teams – with the Lions being the lone exception. Minnesota had a 4-3 record on the road last season. 

Buffalo had a 6-4 record last season, and that is the toughest home opponent outside the division. 

Biggest breaks: The AFC East schedule also creates opportunities against the Dolphins, which are rebuilding under first-year coach Jeff Hafley, and the Jets, who were 2-6 at home last season. Atlanta was the only NFC South team that had a winning record in conference games last season, so the Vikings also must take advantage of that portion of the schedule – especially with the Falcons and Panthers visiting U.S. Bank Stadium this season. 

Minnesota is 6-9 in prime-time games under O'Connell, so keep an eye on that portion of the schedule. 

Minnesota Vikings record prediction

• Over/under win total: 8.5 (per Caesars)

Bottom line: Will Murray win the starting job? If so, then it will be interesting to see how he reacts to a schedule that includes six outdoor games on the road. Murray is 15-14 as a starter in outdoor games, but he also has a 95.1 passer rating, which is better than his numbers in indoor games or games with retractable roofs. The games at Soldier Field and Lambeau Field are worth watching. 

That quarterback question will be huge. Nine NFL quarterbacks had a passer rating of better than 100 in 2025, and the Vikings will play against six of those QBs in eight games this season. That list includes Drake Maye (113.5), Jared Goff (109.2), Josh Allen (103.8), Jordan Love (101.2), Brock Purdy (100.5) and Daniel Jones (100.2). 

Minnesota had a 4-2 record within the division last season, and they also played in Dublin and London as part of the International Series. The Vikings also were 6-3 in games decided by eight points or less, and if that one-score luck continues under O'Connell, there will be a chance to stay in the hunt and surprise in a super-competitive NFC North division. 

The Vikings have a look that will hover between that eight- or nine-win mark, which is what the early win total projects. 

Record prediction: 8-9