Which games could be played in primetime for the Vikings in 2026?

Vikings Wire / Andrew Harbaugh

With the NFL Schedule Release just over 24 hours away, we wanted to make some guesses as to which games could get the primetime treatment. In 2026, the Vikings played four games in primetime, and a fifth if you consider playing on Christmas Day such an honor.

Now, while we do not know the full slate for the team, we do know they will play at least one primetime game when they face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11. That game will be played as the Sunday night headliner in Week 11, with it being conducted in Mexico City.

We have some ideas of what other games could be worth putting in primetime and why, and we would like to share them now.

DETROIT LIONS - Reason for Primetime: Division Rivalry

The Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions have become one of the premier rivalries in the NFL in recent years. Their Week 18 matchup in 2024 decided the division, with the Lions winning, and last year on Christmas, the Vikings got their revenge. Fast forward to the present, both teams are transitioning to different stages of their development. Seeing them play one of their next chapters in primetime only makes sense.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - Reason for Primetime: Brian Flores Connection

Brian Flores won several Super Bowls as an assistant with the New England Patriots, so it is a connection that could help a pregame show fill time before kickoff. On top of that, anytime you play a defending conference champion, it becomes a candidate for primetime. Not to mention, if J.J. McCarthy starts at quarterback, this could be a matchup of 2024 draft quarterbacks.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - Reason for Primetime: Oklahoma Heisman Connection

While we explored a situation in which J.J. McCarthy is the starter, if Kyler Murray is the starter, that would allow for several talking points to emerge. The biggest being, of course, that these are former college teammates, former Heisman Trophy Winners, and former top overall picks. between him and Baker Mayfield of the Bucs. Lots to talk about while you have two explosive offenses going against tough defenses as the final selling point.