Vikings 2023 Schedule Preview: Falcons, Saints, Broncos & Bears (2024)

The Vikings 2023 schedule was announced May 11 and features five prime-time games (as of now), as well as two that remain to be determined (Week 15 at Cincinnati and Week 18 at Detroit).

Now, we'll preview each team in the order the Vikings will face foes.

We're continuing the four-part series with Weeks 9-13 that include visiting Atlanta, hosting the Saints, heading to Denver and hosting Chicago. After facing the Bears on Monday Night Football, Minnesota will have its bye in Week 13.

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Vikings at Falcons | Week 9

Noon (CT) | Nov. 5 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Series Results

Vikings W-L-T: 20-12 (includes 1-1 in postseason)

Home: 12-5 (includes 1-1 postseason); Away: 8-7

Last time in regular season: Falcons won 40-23 on Oct. 18, 2020, at U.S. Bank Stadium

Last time in regular season in Atlanta: Vikings won 14-9 on Dec. 3, 2017

2022 Stats

Atlanta Offense

Yards/Game: 318.6 (24th in NFL) | Points/Game: 21.5 (15th)

Atlanta Defense

Yards Allowed/Game: 362.1 (27th) | Points Allowed/Game: 22.7 (23rd)

2023 Status

Head Coach: Arthur Smith (14-20 in two seasons with Falcons)

Key additions in free agency/via trade: S Jessie Bates III, DL Calais Campbell, TE Jonnu Smith (trade with Patriots) and CB Tre Flowers

Key departure in free agency/via trade: QB Marcus Mariota and CB Isaiah Oliver

First two selections of 2023 NFL Draft: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas (No. 8 overall) and OL Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse (38)

Icebreaking Storyline

Tight end combos and running it back

This matchup looks like it could involve quite a matchup of tight ends. Minnesota is poised to return T.J. Hockenson for his first full season as a Viking, and this game will fall on the anniversary eve of Hockenson's debut in purple when he caught nine passes for 70 yards at Washington. The Vikings also signed Josh Oliver during the opening of free agency. Atlanta will counter with Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith. Bonus storyline: Minnesota will face 2013 first-round pick Cordarrelle Patterson for the sixth time overall and first since 2020.

Vikings vs Saints | Week 10

Noon (CT) | Nov. 12 | U.S. Bank Stadium

Series Results

Vikings W-L-T: 24-13-1 (4-1 in postseason)

Home: 14-4 (3-0 in postseason) | Away: 10-9 (1-1 in postseason)

Last time in regular season: Vikings won 28-25 on Oct. 2, 2022, in London

Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Saints won 30-21 on Oct. 28, 2018

2022 Stats

New Orleans Offense

Yards/Game: 333.8 (19th in NFL) | Points/Game: 19.4 (22nd)

New Orleans Defense

Yards Allowed/Game: 314.8 (5th) | Points Allowed/Game: 20.3 (9th)

2023 Status

Head Coach: Dennis Allen (7-10 in one season with the Saints; 8-28 with Raiders from 2012-14)

Key addition in free agency/via trade: Signed QB Derek Carr, RB Jamaal Williams and S Johnathan Abram

Key departures in free agency/via trade: QB Andy Dalton (Panthers), DE Marcus Davenport (Vikings) and WR/PR Deonte Harty (Bills)

First two selections of 2023 NFL Draft: DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson (No. 29 overall) and DE Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame (40)

Icebreaking Storyline

Derek Carr swapped Raiders silver for Saints "old gold" this spring, and the veteran QB no doubt will prove a unique challenge for a revamped Minnesota defense. Four of the past five Vikings-Saints meetings have taken place in New Orleans, with this game marking the first matchup in Minnesota since October 2018. The Vikings have not defeated the Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium since the Minneapolis Miracle game in January 2018.

Vikings at Broncos | Week 11

7:20 p.m. (CT) | Nov. 19 | Empower Field at Mile High

Series Results

Vikings W-L-T: 8-7

Home: 5-3 | Away: 3-4

Last time in regular season: Vikings won 27-23 on Nov. 17, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium

Last time in regular season in Denver: Broncos won 23-20 on Oct. 4, 2015

2022 Stats

Denver Offense

Yards/Game: 325.1 (21st in NFL) | Points/Game: 16.9 (32nd)

Denver Defense

Yards Allowed/Game: 320.0 (7th in NFL) | Points Allowed/Game: 21.1 (T-13th)

2023 Status

Head Coach: Sean Payton (first year with Denver; 152-89 and 9-8 in playoff games with Saints from 2006-21)

Key addition in free agency/via trade: Signed T Mike McGlinchey, RB Samaje Perine and DE Zach Allen

Key departures in free agency/via trade: RB Latavius Murray (Bills), DT Dre'Mont Jones (Seahawks) and DT DeShawn Williams (Panthers)

First two selections of 2023 NFL Draft: WR Marvin Mims, Jr., Oklahoma (at No. 63 overall) and LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas (67)

Icebreaking Storyline

The Vikings have plenty of history with Russell Wilson, but this will be the first time they see him in orange.

After 10 seasons in Seattle, Wilson joined Denver last season and struggled to find success with the Broncos. He's sure to be champing at the bit for the chance to redeem himself and will try to improve on his 7-1 record as a starter against the Vikings (including playoffs).

Vikings vs. Bears | Week 12

7:15 p.m. (CT) | Nov. 27 | U.S. Bank Stadium

Series Results

Vikings W-L-T: 65-57-2 (includes 0-1 in postseason)

Home: 39-24 (includes 0-1 postseason); Away: 26-33-2

Last time in regular season: Vikings won 29-13 on Jan. 8, 2023, at Soldier Field

Last time in regular season in Minnesota: Vikings won 29-22 on Oct. 9, 2022

2022 Stats

Chicago Offense

Yards/Game: 307.8 (28th in NFL) | Points/Game: 19.2 (23rd)

Chicago Defense

Yards Allowed/Game: 375.9 (29th) | Points Allowed/Game: 27.2 (32nd)

2023 Status

Head Coach: Matt Eberflus (3-14 in one season with Bears)

Key additions in free agency/via trade: WR DJ Moore (trade with Carolina), LB T.J. Edwards, LB Tremaine Edmunds, RB Travis Homer and RB D'Onta Foreman

Key departure in free agency/via trade: RB David Montgomery

First two selections of 2023 NFL Draft: T Darnell Wright, Tennessee (No. 16 overall) and DL Gervon Dexter, Sr., Florida (53)

Icebreaking Storyline

Will it stay in prime time?

New this season, the NFL has introduced flex scheduling for Monday Night Football games beginning in Week 12. That means this game could be moved from its current scheduled time.

The Vikings and Bears have played one game in prime time in five of the past seven seasons, but Chicago has hosted each of those contests.