2015 Minnesota Vikings Schedule: A True Challenge

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The Minnesota Vikings schedule was released on Tuesday night April 21st and with that brought a few pleasant surprises. The draft was recently held and now this weekend rookie minicamp followed by more mini camps then Training Camp in Mankato. The months are going fast and soon we will be enjoying the NFL.

The schedule is composed 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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