NFL schedule released, Vikings to host 49ers in Week 1

Published

Despite rumors of an NFC championship do over in Week 1, the Minnesota Vikings' rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles will have to wait.

Instead, Minnesota should get their first look at Jerick McKinnon since letting the fifth-year running back leave in free agency. The Vikings open the regular season September 9 with a home game against the San Francisco 49ers, the league revealed Thursday.



McKinnon signed a four-year, $30 million contract with the 49ers in March. The Vikings last opened the season against San Francisco in 2015, falling 20-3.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins visits Green Bay for the first time in a Vikings uniform in Week 2, then the Vikings host Buffalo in Week 3. They visit the new-look Los Angeles Rams in for a Thursday game in Week 4.

Then comes the rematch.

The Vikings head to Philadelphia in Week 5, the site of a 28-7 loss to the Eagles in the NFC title game, then return home to host Arizona in Week 6.

A potential meeting with former Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater looms in Week 7, when Minnesota visits the New York Jets. They host the New Orleans Saints in Week 8 and the Detroit Lions in Week 9.

Minnesota gets a bye in Week 10, then heads to Chicago in Week 11, hosts the Packers in Week 12 and visits New England in Week 13.

Next up is a visit to Seattle in Week 14, then a home game against Miami in Week 15. They head to Detroit for another meeting with the Lions in Week 16, and close out the regular season at home against Chicago in Week 17.