10 Observations on Vikings 2021 NFL Schedule

[Viktor]

3. Prep for the post-bye stretch


The Vikings play six games before their Week 7 bye (Oct. 24).


And looking at the schedule and the games they face following the break, winning early will be key – particularly if they can take advantage of a three-home-game stretch against the Seahawks, Browns and Lions.


Minnesota will play 10 of its 17 games against teams that had records of .500 or better last season, and seven of those matchups fall after the bye. The Vikings also play five of six divisional games following the bye, with only the Week 5 meeting with Detroit happening before.


The Vikings final five regular-season games – against the Steelers, Bears, Rams, Packers and Bears – are against stout defenses, as well, so keeping a healthy offense will be important.


4. Prime-time games galore


Minnesota is slated to play on a national stage a number of times during the 2021 season.


The Vikings will host the Cowboys on Halloween night, the first of two Sunday Night Football contests on the season. The second occurs in Week 17 when they're scheduled to visit Green Bay.


Minnesota also will play yet another Monday Night Football game at Chicago (Week 15), and the Steelers will visit the Twin Cities on Dec. 9 for a Thursday Night Football contest.


Additionally, the Vikings are scheduled to play four late afternoon games this season, which is the most they've played in that 3 o'clock Central hour of a regular season since 2012, when Minnesota's Week 17 game against Green Bay was flexed to 3:25 p.m.


Worth noting is that games are subject to flex scheduling starting Week 5, and the league announced that Monday Night Football matchups will be flex options for the first time, beginning in Week 12.


5. Cold-weather games


Speaking of prime time, two of them will likely be quite chilly.


Minnesota will play in Chicago in December for the first time since 2009, and the Vikings will visit Lambeau Field in January for the first time since wrapping the 2015 slate with an NFC North-clinching victory (Jan. 3, 2016).