Here is the first look at the full Vikings 2016 schedule:
Week 1: at Titans
Full 2016 Vikings schedule
Noon, Ch. 9
Vikings lead the series 8-4 dating to the Houston Oilers days but are 1-3 all-time on the road. Their only win was Dec. 26, 1998.
Week 2: vs. Packers (Sunday night)
7:30 p.m., Ch. 11
What a way to christen the $1.1 billion U.S. Bank Stadium than with the rival Packers. Green Bay handed the Vikings their only NFC North loss last season
Week 3: at Panthers
Noon, Ch. 9
The Vikings make their first trip to Carolina since 2011. When the teams last met, in 2014, the Vikings blocked two punts en route to a 31-13 victory.
Week 4: vs. Giants (Monday night)
7:30 p.m., ESPN
It's the second year in the row these teams meet in Minneapolis for a prime-time showdown. The Vikings crushed the Giants 49-17 in a Sunday Night Football matchup last December.
Week 5: vs. Texans
Noon, Ch. 4
The Vikings have never lost to Houston, holding a 3-0 all-time record. In the only other home game against the Texans, the Vikings won by a touchdown in 2008.
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: at Eagles
Noon, Ch. 9
The last time Minnesota played in Philly was in 2010, when a forecast winter storm postponed the scheduled game, eventually resulting in the NFL's first Tuesday start since 1943
Week 8: at Bears (Monday night)
7:30 p.m., ESPN
The Vikings haven't won back-to-back games at Soldier Field since 1999-2000. The won last season 23-20 on a 36-yard field goal by Blair Walsh as time expired.
Week 9: vs. Lions
Noon, Ch. 9
The Vikings have a chance to improve on an impressive record against the Lions in a new stadium. All-time, Minnesota is 39-14-1 at home against Detroit.
Week 10: at Redskins
Noon, Ch. 9
Something must break: The Vikings and Redskins are 12-12 all-time. This marks the sixth time in seven seasons these teams square off.
Week 11: vs. Cardinals
Noon, Ch. 9
Teddy Bridgewater threw for a career-high 336 yards in last year's Week 14 Thursday Night Football game, but the Vikings lost by a field goal. It was their last regular season defeat.
Week 12: at Lions (Thanksgiving Day)
11:30 a.m., Ch. 4
The Vikings are 5-1 all-time on Turkey Day, but haven't played since 2000 when they beat the Cowboys 27-15. They last played the Lions in 1995, a 44-38 loss.
Week 13: vs. Cowboys (Thursday night)
7:25 p.m., Ch. 11 and NFL Network
Speaking of the Cowboys, they take on the Vikings during the regular season for the first time since 2013, when Dallas won 27-23 on their home turf. This is the Cowboys' first visit to Minneapolis since 2010.
Week 14: at Jaguars
Noon, Ch. 11
This is just the Vikings second ever trip to Jacksonville and sixth meeting overall.
Week 15: vs. Colts
Noon, Ch. 4
At least this one's at home. The Vikings are 0-11 against the Colts all-time on the road and haven't defeated Indianapolis in the last four meetings overall.
Week 16: at Packers
Noon, Ch. 9
Last season, the Vikings marched into Lambeau Field and came back home with a playoff berth and the NFC North championship after a 20-13 victory. It ended a four-year run at the top by the Packers.
Week 17: vs. Bears
Noon, Ch. 9
Add Teddy Bridgewater to the list of Vikings players who play well at home against the Bears. He accounted for five TDs (four passing, one rushing) in last season's 38-17 home rout.
about the writer
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.