MINNEAPOLIS — A showdown in London with an old nemesis, the return of Kirk Cousins and a pair of primetime matchups will provide the Minnesota Vikings with plenty of storylines throughout the season.
The NFL released the full schedule Wednesday evening, but not before confirming a few games earlier in the day, including one in London on Oct. 6 featuring the Vikings and the New York Jets. The matchup will feature longtime Green Bay Packers quarterback turned Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers... should he stay healthy. The four-time MVP missed nearly all of 2023 after tearing his Achilles four snaps into the season.
But a meeting with Rodgers won’t be the only opposing quarterback sparking Vikings fans’ interest. Cousins, who spent six seasons with the Vikings, will make his return to Minnesota on Dec. 8 with his new team – the Atlanta Falcons. Cousins signed a massive four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons as a free agent, while the Vikings started a new chapter. Minnesota signed former first-round pick Sam Darnold in the offseason and selected Michigan quarterback A.J. McCarthy to be its long-term solution under center. Regardless of who is starting at quarterback for the Vikings, Cousins’ return will certainly be an anticipated one.
Minnesota two primetime games will be Oct. 24 on the road against the Los Angeles Rams and Dec. 16 at home against the Chicago Bears.
The showdown with the Bears will begin a final stretch that includes three NFC North games in a four-week span. For the second season in a row, Minnesota will close out the year on the road against Detroit. The Vikings will also host the Packers in Week 17 for the second straight season.
Minnesota’s other NFC North games will be Sept. 29 at Green Bay, Oct. 20 at home against the Lions and Nov. 24 in Chicago.
Minnesota kicks off the season on the road against the New York Giants followed by a home game against the reigning NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers.
All-Pro edge rusher Danielle Hunter will return to Minnesota on Sept. 22 with the Houston Texans, before Minnesota opens its division schedule at Lambeau Field. Minnesota’s London game on Oct. 6 will be followed with a bye week.
The Vikings host the Lions out of the bye before their first game under the national spotlight on Oct. 24.
The Vikings will then play three straight AFC opponents – vs. Indianapolis (Nov. 3), at Jacksonville (Nov. 10), at Tennessee (Nov. 17) – before heading to Chicago. The Arizona Cardinals will be in Minnesota on Dec. 1 before Cousins and the Falcons come to town on Dec. 8.
In the final quarter of the season, Minnesota will travel to Seattle on Dec. 22 amid a stretch of three division opponents that could have major playoff implications.
The league also announced the Vikings' preseason opponents – Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles – but dates and times have not been released. The lone home preseason game will be against the Raiders.
2024 Minnesota Vikings schedule
Sept. 8 – @ N.Y. Giants, noon
Sept. 15 – San Francisco 49ers, noon
Sept. 22 – Houston Texans, noon
Sept. 29 -- @ Green Bay Packers, noon
Oct. 6 – N.Y. Jets (London), 8:30 a.m.
BYE
Oct. 20 – Detroit Lions, noon
Oct. 24 – @ L.A. Rams, 7:15 p.m.
Nov. 3 – Indianapolis Colts, noon
Nov. 10 – @ Jacksonville Jaguars, noon
Nov. 17 – @ Tennessee Titans, noon
Nov. 24 – @ Chicago Bears, noon
Dec. 1 – Arizona Cardinals, noon
Dec. 8 – Atlanta Falcons, noon
Dec. 16 – Chicago Bears, 7 p.m.
Dec. 22 – @ Seattle Seahawks, 3:05 p.m.
Dec. 29 – Green Bay Packers, noon
Jan. 7/8 – @ Detroit Lions, TBD
*Home games in bold.
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