The Vikings' 2012 regular season schedule has been released. Here's your quick look at what's ahead as the team looks to bounce back from last year's 3-13 disaster.

WEEK 1Sunday, Sept. 9Vs. Jacksonville, NoonA measuring stick duel between second-year quarterbacks Christian Ponder and Blaine Gabbert. WEEK 2Sunday, Sept. 16At Indianapolis, NoonThe Vikings' first ever trip to Lucas Oil Stadium will provide an up-close look at prodigious QB Andrew Luck. WEEK 3Sunday, Sept. 23Vs. San Francisco, NoonRandy Moss returns to the Metrodome for the first time ever as a visitor during the regular season. WEEK 4Sunday, Sept. 30At Detroit, NoonMatthew Stafford posted quarterback ratings of 108.8 and 115.2 in two 2011 games against the Vikings. WEEK 5Sunday, Oct. 7Vs. Tennessee, NoonNFL graybeards Steve Hutchinson (now a Titan) and Kevin Williams will grapple in the trenches. WEEK 6Sunday, Oct. 14At Washington, 3:15 p.m.Two of Leslie Frazier's six wins as Vikings head coach have been road triumphs over the 'Skins. WEEK 7Sunday, Oct. 21Vs. ArizonaThe Vikings and Cardinals meet for the sixth time in the past seven seasons. WEEK 8Thursday, Oct. 25Vs. Tampa Bay, 7:20 p.m.The Vikings' last win over the Bucs came on Sept. 30, 2001 – with Cris Carter scoring a TD in an NFC Central clash. WEEK 9Sunday, Nov. 4At Seattle, 3:15 p.m.Which Seahawks QB will Jared Allen try to calf rope: former teammate Tarvaris Jackson or former Packer Matt Flynn? WEEK 10Sunday, Nov. 11Vs. Detroit, NoonThe 2011 downward spiral was accelerated by a home loss to the Lions in which the Vikings blew a 20-0 halftime lead. WEEK 11Sunday, Nov. 18BYE WEEK WEEK 12Sunday, Nov. 25At Chicago, NoonThe Vikings have lost on 10 of their past 11 trips into Soldier Field. WEEK 13Sunday, Dec. 2At Green Bay, NoonLast year's 45-7 loss at Lambeau may have been the most embarrassing of the season. WEEK 14Sunday, Dec. 9Vs. Chicago, NoonWill a refurbished secondary be able to defuse the Jay Cutler-Brandon Marshall fireworks show? WEEK 15Sunday, Dec. 16
At St. Louis, NoonWith only 15 wins the past five seasons, the Rams are hoping to be revived by new coach Jeff Fisher. WEEK 16Sunday, Dec. 23
At Houston, NoonLed by running back Arian Foster and receiver Andre Johnson, the Texans are the new top dogs in the AFC South. WEEK 17Sunday, Dec. 30
Vs. Green Bay, NoonMVP Aaron Rodgers was 47-for-60 for 585 yards and seven TDs in two wins over the Vikings last fall.QUICK SUMMARY

  • The Vikings have six games in 2012 against teams that made the playoffs in 2011 and 10 contests against opponents who finished .500 or better.
  • The Vikings' only prime-time game is a Thursday nighter at home to be played Oct. 25 at 7:20 p.m. against Tampa Bay. Those teams combined for a 7-25 record last season.
  • The Vikings' toughest stretch may come after their Week 11 bye. They face division rivals Chicago and Green Bay twice each over the final six games. A Dec. 23 trip to Houston is mixed in in that stretch.
  • Projected record: 6-10