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Minnesota Vikings 2017 schedule release: Games, dates and times

By Russell S. Baxter

Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison (96) and defensive end Everson Griffen (97) against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Bears 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison (96) and defensive end Everson Griffen (97) against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Bears 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Vikings were the last team to lose a game in 2016. But they slumped badly after a 5-0 start. What does this year’s schedule look like?

Once upon a time in the NFL galaxy, the Minnesota Vikings were the last team to lose a game in 2016. The club jumped out to a 5-0 start and knocked off eventual division champions such as the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans and the playoff-bound New York Giants.

But all did not end well for Mike Zimmer’s team, which entered the season with a new starting quarterback in Sam Bradford due to a late-summer injury to Teddy Bridgewater. The promising beginning didn’t prove to be a sign of things to come as the club dropped eight of its final 11 games. But it’s about to be a new year for this club and the team hopes to avoid another epic collapse. Of course, that may also depend on who they play and when.

These are the home and away opponents this season:

Home: Detroit, Green Bay, Chicago, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Los Angeles Rams

Away: Detroit, Green Bay, Chicago, Atlanta, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Washington

Here is how the complete schedule, week-by-week, lays out (updated upon release):

Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints(Monday, September 11th at 7:25 p.m. CT on ESPN)

Week 2: at Pittsburgh Steelers(Sunday, September 17th at noon central on FOX)

Week 3: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers(Sunday, September 24th at noon central on FOX)

Week 4: vs. Detroit Lions(Sunday, October 1st at noon central on FOX)

Week 5: at Chicago Bears(Monday, October 9th at 7:25 p.m. CT on ESPN)

Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers(Sunday, October 15th at noon central on FOX)

Week 7: at Baltimore Ravens(Sunday, October 22nd at noon central on CBS)

Week 8: at Cleveland Browns in London(Twickenham Stadium at 8:30 a.m. CT on NFL Network)

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: at Washington Redskins(Sunday, November 12th at noon central on FOX)

Week 11: vs. Los Angeles Rams(Sunday, November 19th at noon central on FOX)

Week 12: at Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day(Thursday, November 23rd at 11:30 a.m. CT on TBD)

Week 13: at Atlanta Falcons(Sunday, December 3rd at noon central on FOX)

Week 14: at Carolina Panthes(Sunday, December 10th at noon central on CBS)

Week 15: vs. Cincinnati Bengals(Sunday, December 17th at noon central on FOX)

Week 16: at Green Bay Packers(Saturday, December 23rd at 7:30 p.m. CT on NBC)

It’s been a very fascinating offseason for Zimmer and company. General manager Rick Spielman has been busier than usual during free agency and the club has seen its share of new arrivals and key departures. A pair of former first-round picks in tackle Matt Kalil and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson have moved on. The Vikings have brought in bookends Mike Remmers and Riley Reiff to block for running back Latavius Murray, the heir apparent to Adrian Peterson.

More fansided.com: NFL Primetime: Rise of a Football Empire

One thing is for sure. If the Minnesota Vikings get off to another fast start in 2017, don’t assume they will fall apart was the case this past year. On the other hand, don’t be so quick to hand the Purple Gang a division title or playoff berth as well.

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