Anticipation is at its peak among Minnesota Vikings fans as they face their biggest rival during the 2020 NFL season opener, the Green Bay Packers.
Most Anticipated Games for Vikings Fans
On Twitter, the Minnesota Vikings asked fans which game they’re looking forward to most in 2020. Nearly 5,000 total votes went toward the Vikings-Packers matchup on Sept. 13 at U.S. Bank Stadium. That’s 51% of the votes.
Minnesota is 56-62-3 all-time against Green Bay, including a 1-1 mark in the playoffs.
Historically, the border rivals met six times to open seasons in 1962, 1974, 1992, 1994, 2003, and 2008. But this will be the first time that Minnesota has ever hosted Green Bay in Week 1.
The Vikings-Packers matchup beat out another highly-anticipated NFC game against the New Orleans Saints, a team that has developed into a Vikings rival.
Minnesota plays New Orleans on Christmas Day on Week 16. The Vikings and Saints have made some unforgettable moments in recent years including Minnesota’s Wild Card win in overtime in January and the ‘Minneapolis Miracle’ in 2018.
Over the past three seasons, Saints have won 37 regular-season games, compared to Minnesota with 31 wins. Both teams have had two playoff victories in that span. Both of the Vikings’ wins were against the Saints.
In the Twitter polls, fans narrowed down the four finalists based on each four-game quarter of the season.
The Dallas Cowboys came in third for the most anticipated game to watch. The Vikings will play Dallas in Week 11. The teams met in 2019 with the Vikings making a 28-24 win that helped Minnesota get into the playoffs.
Finally, the fourth game Vikings fans look most forward to is again the Green Bay Packers, but this time at Lambeau Field.
Additional Interesting Games in 2020 Schedule
Chicago Bears – Week 10 and Week 15
It’s time for redemption. The Vikings lost to the Bears at home and away last season. The Bears managed to sweep the purple and gold with a struggling Mitch Trubisky and the teams’ backup quarterback.
The Bears recently declined their fifth-year option on Trubisky, meaning Nick Foles could be the signal-caller for the Bears.
Carolina Panthers – Week 12
It’ll be interesting to see Teddy Bridgewater going against his former team. Bridgewater will be starting for the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South.
While Bridgewater still has a lot to prove in 2020, we know he’ll have the help of running back Christian McCaffrey, who is the most dynamic weapon in the team.
Seattle Seahawks – Week 5
The Seattle Seahawks have dominated the Vikings in their last six meetings, in fact the last time Minnesota beat Seattle was in 2009 when Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Farve was behind center.
It won’t be an easy game for Minnesota, who hasn’t beaten Seattle in a decade, but winning would give the team and its fans a huge boost.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Week 14
Any team going against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will likely have the Bucs as one of their most anticipated games of 2020. The news of Tom Brady joining the team followed by the un-retired Rob Gronkowski has caught a lot of national attention.
Although the Vikings won the last two games against Tampa Bay, this year the Bucs looks different and won’t resemble anything Minnesota has seen from in the past.
This should be a high-profile game that the purple and gold could use to hurl them into conversations about the leagues best teams.
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