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GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 13: Will Reichard #16 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts to a field goal against the Los Angeles Rams during the NFL playoff game at State Farm Stadium on January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Vikings 27-9 (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings‘ 2026 regular season schedule dropped on Thursday night, and there’s reason to be excited.
The schedule features 4 primetime spots for the Vikings.
- Week 9 vs. Buffalo Bills (MNF)
- Week 11 @ San Francisco 49ers (SNF)
- Week 14 @ New England Patriots (TNF)
- Week 15 vs. Detroit Lions (SNF)
Not only that, but the Vikings’ season starts off with a bang. Their first 2 games are NFC North matchups, beginning at home against Green Bay and on the road in Chicago. Another main advantage held by Minnesota is the 5 of the final 7 games that take place on home turf.
In even more positive news, it is a very advantageous schedule for kicker Will Reichard.
Vikings’ Schedule is a ‘Dream’ for Will Reichard
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 25: Will Reichard #16 of the Minnesota Vikings is congratulated by Josh Oliver #84 after kicking a field goal against the Detroit Lions during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Adam Fromal of TheVikingAge recently put together a compelling piece regarding the Vikings’ schedule and what it means for Will Reichard.
“…I was able to use the aforementioned factors to give every single game on the NFL calendar a composite weather score, ranging from pristine dome conditions to the brutal Week 15 primetime matchup between the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Minnesota’s report card looks, in a word, incredible:
- Week 1: A conditions vs. Green Bay Packers (dome)
- Week 2: B- conditions @ Chicago Bears
- Week 3: A- conditions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 4: A conditions vs. Miami Dolphins (dome)
- Week 5: A conditions @ New Orleans Saints (dome)
- Week 7: A conditions vs. Indianapolis Colts (dome)
- Week 8: A conditions @ Detroit Lions (dome)
- Week 9: A conditions vs. Buffalo Bills (dome)
- Week 10: C- conditions @ Green Bay Packers
- Week 11: A- conditions @ San Francisco 49ers
- Week 12: A conditions vs. Atlanta Falcons (dome)
- Week 13: A conditions vs. Carolina Panthers (dome)
- Week 14: C- conditions @ New England Patriots
- Week 15: A conditions vs. Detroit Lions (dome)
- Week 16: A conditions vs. Washington Commanders (dome)
- Week 17: C conditions @ New York Jets
- Week 18: A conditions vs. Chicago Bears (dome)“.
2026 could be a major year for “Will The Thrill”.
Minnesota Staying Home for Most of Back-Half of 2026 Season
GettyKyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals throws a pass during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at State Farm Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Like the third-consecutive Week 6 bye-week, Jonathan Harrison of Sports Illustrated pointed out the Vikings’ advantageous final 7-game stretch.
“Minnesota will finish the season with five of their last seven games at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The pair of two-game homestands will be split by the Week 14 Thursday Night Football game against the Patriots. That means Minnesota will have five weeks starting with two home games, followed by a quick trip out to New England, a 10-day mini-bye week, and then another pair of home games that kick off the final four games of the season.
The Vikings will host the Falcons, Panthers, Lions, and Commanders during the four games in that stretch. Those are four games the Vikings, especially since they are hosting, should be competitive and potentially even favored in. Minnesota will then close out the regular season with a final road game at New York, taking on a Jets team likely to already be eliminated from playoff contention, and then a home finale against the Bears.”
This is a very welcome revelation for a Minnesota Vikings team trying to return to the postseason. Minnesota will likely be tested on the road in New England, but all indications towards it being quite advantageous for one the two road games in the final seven weeks to be against the Jets.
You can’t ask for much more help when it comes to home-field advantage during your playoff push.
Brevan Bane Brevan Bane is a sports scribe covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals. Brevan began his writing career by making a platform on Twitter and leveraging his presence into writing and content creation opportunities for outlets like PurplePTSD, Vikings Territory, The Noise, Hockey Wilderness, and the VikesNow YouTube channel. You can follow him on X @brevmanbane. More about Brevan Bane