The Minnesota Vikings just wrapped up a 2025 campaign that felt like a fever dream. If you’re asking "who will the Vikings play next week," I’ve got some news that might sting a bit: nobody. Minnesota’s season officially hit the wall on January 4, 2026. While they took down the Green Bay Packers 16-3 at U.S. Bank Stadium to end on a high note, it wasn't enough to punch a ticket to the dance. Kevin O'Connell’s squad finished with a 9-8 record. Respectable? Sure. Playoff-bound? Unfortunately, no. While the Chicago Bears and the Packers are moving into the Divisional Round this weekend, the Vikings are currently cleaning out their lockers and looking toward the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Vikings are Out: Why There is No Game Next Week
It’s the question every fan hates to ask when the calendar turns to mid-January. If you check the NFL schedule for "next week"—the Divisional Round starting January 17, 2026—you’ll see the Bears hosting the Rams and the 49ers traveling to Seattle. You won’t see the Purple and Gold.
Minnesota finished third in the NFC North. They actually ended the year on a blistering five-game winning streak. They beat the Commanders, Cowboys, Giants, Lions, and Packers in succession. It was a classic "too little, too late" scenario. Because they were eliminated from postseason contention before that final Week 18 win, there is no "next week" for the 2025-2026 season. The pads are off.
Honestly, it's a bit of a bittersweet spot. By winning those last five games, the Vikings actually "hurt" their draft stock, moving down to the 18th overall pick in the 2026 Draft. But try telling a locker room to tank against Green Bay. It just doesn't happen.
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Who Will the Vikings Play in 2026?
Since we know they aren't playing next week, the real focus shifts to the 2026 regular season. The NFL's scheduling formula is basically a math equation, and since the dust has settled on the 2025 standings, we already know exactly who Minnesota will face.
The Vikings are slated for nine home games and eight road games in 2026. Because they finished third in their division, they draw a "third-place schedule." This means they'll face the third-place finishers from the NFC East, AFC South, and NFC West.
2026 Home Opponents at U.S. Bank Stadium
The home slate looks pretty spicy for next year. You’ve got the usual suspects from the North, but some AFC East heavy hitters are coming to town too.
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- Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers: The standard divisional gauntlet.
- Atlanta Falcons & Carolina Panthers: Part of the NFC South rotation.
- Buffalo Bills & Miami Dolphins: Two high-powered AFC East offenses visiting Minneapolis.
- Washington Commanders: The third-place finisher from the NFC East.
- Indianapolis Colts: The third-place finisher from the AFC South.
2026 Road Opponents
Pack your bags. The road schedule for 2026 involves some storied franchises and a trip to the West Coast.
- Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers: The return legs of the division rivalry.
- New Orleans Saints & Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Two tough environments in the South.
- New England Patriots & New York Jets: A swing through the Northeast.
- San Francisco 49ers: This is the big one. Since the 49ers finished third in the NFC West, the Vikings have to head to Levi’s Stadium.
Breaking Down the 3rd Place Finish
A lot of fans were actually hoping the Vikings would lose that final game against the Packers to secure a better draft pick and an "easier" 4th-place schedule. By winning, they leapfrogged the Detroit Lions in the standings.
The Lions, finishing 4th, now get to play the New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans. Meanwhile, the Vikings get the Commanders and the Colts. Is there a massive talent gap there? Maybe not, but in the NFL, every marginal gain matters. The biggest "penalty" for finishing 3rd instead of 4th is that road trip to San Francisco. Facing Kyle Shanahan's offense on the road is never a "get well" game.
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The Quarterback Crossroads
While there's no game next week, the "game" in the front office is just beginning. Kevin O'Connell is entering his fifth year as head coach with a 43-25 career record. That's solid. But 2026 is being viewed by many league insiders as a "crossroads" year for the franchise's leadership.
The biggest question mark involves the quarterback position. Whether the Vikings stick with their current room or use that 18th overall pick on a fresh arm is the only topic anyone in the Twin Cities is talking about at the local Caribou Coffee. The 2026 Draft, held in Pittsburgh from April 23-25, is the next "must-watch" event for the fan base.
What You Should Do Now
Since you won't be tailgating next week, here is how you can stay locked in for the 2026 cycle.
- Circle the Draft: April 23, 2026. That 18th pick is higher than most winning-streak teams get, but lower than the elite QB-prospect range. Watch for trade-up rumors.
- Monitor the NFC North: Keep an eye on the Bears and Packers in the playoffs. If the Bears make a deep run, the North becomes even more of a powerhouse next year, making the Vikings' 2026 path much harder.
- Schedule Release: The actual dates and times for the 2026 opponents won't be released until May 2026. That's when you can start booking those road trips to New Orleans or New York.
The 2025 season is in the books. It was a wild ride that ended with a defensive clinic against Green Bay, but the playoff bracket is moving on without Minnesota. For now, the "next week" for the Vikings is all about scouting, salary cap management, and figuring out how to get back to the postseason in 2026.