Favorite Vikings Openers of the 2000s

Minnesota’s 23-7 win over Green Bay was one of the great Vikings season opener’s in recent memory. With a new coaching staff, new front office, new everything, there were a lot of questions entering the season. The great win doesn’t answer every question. How could it? It’s only one game. It was still so satisfying. A win over the Packers is always satisfying. It would’ve been better if those two trips to the Packers 10-yard line had produced touchdowns rather than field goals. I hate short field goals. It was still a dominant win. The Vikings had control of the game from start to finish. It was fun. The great, fun win got me thinking about the great, fun Vikings openers in recent memory. Here’s a look at my favorite Vikings Openers of the 2000s.

1. 2021

Minnesota Vikings 23 

Green Bay Packers 7

Kevin O’Connell wins his debut. Justin Jefferson runs wild. Maybe there’s some recency bias but this game was so damn satisfying. Fun too. 

2. 2017

Minnesota Vikings 29

New Orleans Saints 19

Sam Bradford was brilliant. The Vikings dominated this opener against a title contender. Despite the fun win, it was strange, even a little painful, to see Adrian Peterson on the wrong sideline. 

3. 2009

Minnesota Vikings 34

Cleveland Browns 20

Brett Favre’s Vikings debut. Adrian Peterson’s ridiculous run to ice the win. This game was fun.

4. 2007

Minnesota Vikings 24

Atlanta Falcons 3

Adrian Peterson’s debut. 100 yards rushing. A 60-yard touchdown on a short screen, long run. The Vikings defense was the difference. Kevin Williams and Antoine Winfield each with a pick-6.

5. 2003

Minnesota Vikings 30

Green Bay Packers 25

This game gets it’s ranking mostly for it being a win over the Packers. Touchdown catches from franchise stalwarts John Avery and D’Wayne Bates. I remember this game best for the Vikings withstanding a furious Brett Favre-led comeback. 

6. 2014

Minnesota Vikings 34

St. Louis Rams 6

Mike Zimmer wins his debut with a blowout. It’s always nice to have a stress-free win over a team the Vikings should beat. Matt Cassel at quarterback. Harrison Smith had an 81-yard pick-6. Cordarrelle Patterson had a long touchdown run. 

7. 2006

Minnesota Vikings 19

Washington Redskins 16

Brad Childress wins his debut. Chester Taylor was great. Steve Hutchinson was great. When a guard is a star of a game it probably isn’t a scintillating game. This game might actually be best remembered for Sean Taylor’s meltdown. 

8. 2019

Minnesota Vikings 28

Atlanta Falcons 12

I remember this game best for the fast defensive and special teams start. Anthony Barr with a sack on play #1. Eric Wilson with the punt block on play #4. Dalvin Cook was great. Anthony Harris intercepted Matt Ryan twice. This game was 28-0 after three quarters. This game probably should be a couple spots higher.

9. 2018

Minnesota Vikings 24

San Francisco 49ers 16

Living in Northern California, a win over the 49ers is always satisfying. Harrison Smith was brilliant. Rookie Mike Hughes had a pick-6.

10. 2016

Minnesota Vikings 25

Tennessee Titans 16

This game came days after Teddy Bridgewater went down with that brutal knee injury. In the time between, the Vikings traded for Sam Bradford. He wasn’t ready and Shaun Hill started. All of the Vikings scoring was field goals and defensive scores. Eric Kendricks returned an interception for a touchdown. Danielle Hunter returned a fumble for a touchdown. Opening with a win was so important after Bridgewater’s injury.