The Minnesota Vikings just got an early Christmas present from the NFL schedule makers, and it's a gift that keeps giving from their 2025 season success. Playing indoors at U.S. Bank Stadium already gives them a cozy advantage in December, but this year's schedule is shaping up to be even more favorable.
Last season, the Vikings had a schedule built for a deep playoff run, with two of their nine road games played at neutral sites—a massive perk they unfortunately couldn't fully capitalize on, dropping one of those contests. However, they did make the most of another scheduling gift: a lack of cold-weather games. That paid off big time as they rattled off five straight wins to close the season, with their only real chilly outing coming against the New York Giants in Week 16.
Now, here's where it gets interesting for the purple and gold. The NFL tradition of ending the regular season against a divisional rival is back, but with a fresh twist. After topping the Green Bay Packers in last year's finale, the Vikings will host the Chicago Bears in the season's final week for the first time since Mike Zimmer's last game as head coach. That's a five-year gap, and it's a reunion that's been a long time coming—they closed against the Bears five times between 2016 and 2021.
This matchup has all the makings of a prime-time thriller. It could easily land on Sunday Night Football, with potential stakes like the division title or a playoff spot on the line. The Vikings have been in that spotlight twice in the last 11 seasons: a memorable 20-13 win over the Packers in 2015 and a tough 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions in 2024. Since the NFL started scheduling divisional finales in 2011, Minnesota has faced the Bears a whopping seven times in the season's last game, posting a solid 4-3 record.
For both teams eyeing that next step toward a Super Bowl, this December showdown in the cozy confines of U.S. Bank Stadium promises to be a can't-miss battle. Whether you're gearing up in your favorite Vikings gear or just love a good cold-weather (or in this case, warm-weather) football story, this is a gift that keeps on giving.