The Holiday Season Is Rivalry Season for the Vikings in 2023
A little over a month ago, the NFL released their full 2023 schedule, including when and where all 17 regular season games will take place for the Minnesota Vikings. One big takeaway from that schedule release for the Vikings is that their early stretch of the season looks like the toughest portion, with games against the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, and San Francisco 49ers in a six-week stretch from Weeks 2-7.
Another takeaway, though, should be that this year, the holiday season looks like rivalry season for the Vikings. On the weekends of some major holidays, the Vikings are set to take on their division rivals in games that could determine the final standings of the NFC North this year. Take a look below to see what we mean.
Halloween Weekend vs. Packers
Two days before Halloween, October 29th, the Vikings are set to get their first chance at beating the new-look Green Bay Packers following their trade to move four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets.
Last year, the two teams split their matchups, with the Vikings winning Kevin O’Connell’s head coaching debut in commanding fashion by a score of 24-7. Then, in Week 17, the wheels fell off a bit as injuries piled up on the offensive line, and Green Bay cruised to a 41-17 victory. Honestly, the game felt even worse than the final score indicated as Minnesota scored a pair of garbage time touchdowns in the final eight minutes of the game.
Thanksgiving Weekend vs. Bears
The Vikings found great success against the Chicago Bears in 2022, sweeping the matchup with their division rivals for the second consecutive season. The Vikings are on a four-game winning streak against Chicago for the first time since they swept the season series in both 1997 and 1998.
This year, the Bears head into 2023 as one of the big spenders in free agency adding LBs Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards to the defense while also signing G Nate Davis and trading to acquire WR D.J. Moore from the Carolina Panthers.
Questions remain regarding Justin Fields’ status as a franchise QB, though, so while it may not be as easy this time around, the Vikings can certainly continue their winning ways against the franchise from the Windy City. Thanksgiving weekend will bring the second matchup of the season between the two teams.
Christmas Eve vs. Lions
Every time the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings have met up over the past few years, chaos has seemed to follow. Four of the last five games have been decided by a single possession, with clutch play being seen on both sides. The only game that wasn’t decided by a single possession was the most recent matchup where the Detroit Lions ran circles around the Vikings defense en route to a 34-23 victory in Week 14.
This year, the two teams will have to wait until much of the regular season has passed before getting to face off with each other. The first of these games occurs on Christmas Eve as the Vikings play host to Detroit in what should be another thrilling game. They will then wait just one week before playing again to close the regular season in what could be a head-to-head showdown for the NFC North crown.
New Year’s Eve vs. Packers
The final day of 2023 will also be the second matchup between the Packers and Vikings. If Green Bay is able to remain competitive with Jordan Love at QB, this could be a pivotal game as the two franchises jostle for playoff positioning.
Folks will remember that in the final game of the regular season last year, the Packers fell at home to the Detroit Lions, thus missing out on a playoff spot in 2022. They will likely head into this second matchup against the Vikings with a chip on their shoulder, hoping to avoid a similar fate.
All in all, Vikings fans not only get to enjoy all the perks that come with these holidays, but they will also have to stress through what should be some pretty intense football. Things kick off for Minnesota on September 10th when the team plays host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.