Minnesota Vikings 2015 Schedule: 5 Games To Watch
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Vikings released their 2015 regular season schedule Tuesday night. It includes at least two appearances on national television, including their season opener.
It also includes a regular season finale against an NFC North division rival where both teams hope a playoff spot is on the line. For the sixth time in seven years, the Vikings will open the regular season on the road. It also marks the second and final season of home games being played at TCF Bank Stadium as the Vikings new stadium will be ready for football by the start of the 2016 regular season.
Here are five games to watch as Minnesota gets ready for the 2015-16 season with the NFL Draft approaching and star running back Adrian Peterson's status unknown.
Week 1: Minnesota at San Francisco (Monday Night Football)
The Vikings open the regular season on national television, and it'll be a late night for fans as they travel to face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. Kickoff is slated for 9:20 p.m. local time. The Vikings will be looking to beat a team with several departures on its defense, in inconsistent quarterback in Colin Kaepernick and a new head coach after the departure of Jim Harbaugh. The 49ers also lost running back Frank Gore and wide receiver Michael Crabtree in free agency, though they did replace him with Reggie Bush.
Week 2: Minnesota vs. Detroit (Home Opener)
The Vikings return to TCF Bank Stadium to host the Detroit Lions in their home opener, and they'll be looking for revenge against Detroit after going 0-2 against the Lions last year. The Lions lost both of their dominant defensive ends in free agency and Reggie Bush to the 49ers, but they still have plenty of talent to make it a tough victory to get. The Vikings defense will have a big test to contain Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and others. It will also be key for Minnesota to get off to a good start in the division after losing its first five divisional games last year.
Week 4: Minnesota at Denver
The Vikings will have a tall task in Week 4 as they head to Denver to take on Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Denver was a playoff team last year and had its season end in a disappointing loss to the Colts in the divisional round. Manning has plenty of weapons back, including Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and new tight end Owen Daniels. Mike Zimmer's defense will face a huge test against this dynamic offense.
Week 14: Minnesota at Arizona (Thursday Night Football)
Arguably the Vikings' most difficult road game comes in Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals. That's largely because it's just four days after what should be a tough home game on Dec. 6 against the Seattle Seahawks. The Cardinals always have a tough defense, and if Carson Palmer is healthy, the Vikings could get a healthy dose of Larry Fitzgerald. The game will be televised nationally on NFL Network, and it will be a very tough game to win with limited preparation.
Week 17: Minnesota at Green Bay
It doesn't get much better than facing a division rival to end the regular season, especially if a playoff spot is on the line. Both teams are hoping that's the case as the Vikings face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field to end the regular season. Their defense will be tested against one of the best passing duos in the NFL in Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson. They also have Randall Cobb and Eddie Lacy back. It could make for a huge game with postseason implications, let alone a big rivalry.
The Vikings could be poised to have a big season, hinging on a few big things: An improved defense under Zimmer, the development of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in his second NFL season and the potential return of Adrian Peterson. The Vikings went 7-9 without Peterson last year and could contend for a playoff spot if he's back in purple.
