The Vikings are back in prime-time. After playing only one regular season night game in 2012 – a mandatory Thursday nighter – the team is again registering as a strong draw for the under-the-lights TV slots. Last season's surprising 10-6 surge into the playoffs and the presence of MVP Adrian Peterson helps. And with the full NFL schedule released Tuesday evening, the Vikings have been slotted to play three night games in a span of 18 days during the middle of the season. They'll have an appearance on Monday Night Football (at the New York Giants in Week 7); a Sunday nighter (home vs. Green Bay in Week 8); and a Thursday night cameo against the Redskins at Mall of America Field in Week 10. So just how does the 2013 campaign set up overall? Here's your quick look at what's ahead … WEEK 1Sunday, Sept. 8at Detroit, Noon (FOX, KFAN)Highlight reel potential. Set the DVR. The NFL's reigning rushing champ (Adrian Peterson) against the league's current receiving king (Calvin Johnson). WEEK 2Sunday, Sept. 15at Chicago, Noon (FOX, KFAN)The quest to halt the Soldier Field slump continues. The Vikings are 1-10 there since 2000 and have lost their past three in the Windy City by a combined 61 points. WEEK 3Sunday, Sept. 22 vs. Cleveland, Noon (CBS, KFAN)A later-than-usual home opener appears favorable against the Browns, who have finished above .500 just twice in the 21st century. WEEK 4Sunday, Sept. 29vs. Pittsburgh (in London), Noon (CBS, KFAN)For fans and the media, this may be the most appealing road getaway of the year. For the Vikings, it's a critical business trip with more attention devoted to Big Ben the quarterback than Big Ben the clock. WEEK 5BYE WEEKIn conjunction with the trip overseas, this will be an early week off just a quarter of the way into the season. Will it mark a good regrouping point or come too soon? WEEK 6Sunday, Oct. 13vs. Carolina, Noon (FOX, KFAN)The Vikings bested Cam Newton during his rookie year but will have to be sharp again defensively to repeat that result. The Panthers, like the Vikings, rallied to win their final four regular season games last year. WEEK 7Monday, Oct. 21at New York Giants, 7:40 p.m. (ESPN, KFAN)Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning will play the role of host on the Vikings' return to Monday Night Football. WEEK 8Sunday, Oct. 27vs. Green Bay, 7:30 p.m. (NBC, KFAN)We can only hope for a game as entertaining as the 2012 season finale when Peterson and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers put on quite the show during the Vikings' 37-34 playoff-clinching win. WEEK 9Sunday, Nov. 3at Dallas, Noon (FOX, KFAN)A field trip to Jerry World should be a fun way to conclude the season's first half. The Vikings have won the last two meetings against the Cowboys, including a 34-3 blowout in the 2009 playoffs. WEEK 10Thursday, Nov. 7vs. Washington, 7:25 p.m. (NFLN, KFAN)The Vikings may still be having nightmares over the game-sealing 76-yard touchdown run Robert Griffin III delivered last October. RG3's recovery from major knee surgery will be worth monitoring in the lead up to this game. WEEK 11Sunday, Nov. 17at Seattle, 3:25 p.m. (FOX, KFAN)Should be a warm and fuzzy reunion with receiver Percy Harvin and cornerback Antoine Winfield, no? The former Vikings have joined a loaded Seahawks team with its eyes on the Super Bowl. WEEK 12Sunday, Nov. 24at Green Bay, Noon (FOX, KFAN)Christian Ponder's Lambeau Field history: two starts, 28-for-59, 309 yards, one TD, three interceptions. In losses by a combined 68-21 count. Then came a DNP in a playoff game due to a severely bruised triceps. WEEK 13Sunday, Dec. 1vs. Chicago, Noon (FOX, KFAN)New Bears coach Marc Trestman (a St. Louis Park native) comes back to the Twin Cities. Trestman's offensive intelligence is supposed to energize an attack led by Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte. By this point, we'll know whether the anticipation was justified. WEEK 14Sunday, Dec. 8at Baltimore, Noon (FOX, KFAN)The Ravens lost a ton of key cogs from last year's Super Bowl run, most notably Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Anquan Boldin, Matt Birk and Paul Kruger. They still, however, have the league's highest paid man in QB Joe Flacco. WEEK 15Sunday, Dec. 15vs. Philadelphia, Noon (FOX, KFAN)No one knows quite what to expect from the union of Eagles coach Chip Kelly and quarterback Michael Vick. If things click, the Philly offense – which also features LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson – could be scary. WEEK 16Sunday, Dec. 22at Cincinnati, Noon (FOX, KFAN)Expect something lopsided. These teams' past three meetings have been decided by an average of 23 points. The Vikings last trip to Cinci was a 37-8 loss in 2005 during which they were torched by Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson. WEEK 17Sunday, Dec. 29vs. Detroit, Noon (FOX, KFAN)In what could be the final game ever at Mall of America Field, the Vikings and Lions reunite 112 days after their first meeting. FINAL THOUGHTS

  • The Vikings hit the skids last November, dropping three of four in a disconcerting slide that raised anxiety levels. This November seems equally imposing with road trips to Dallas, Seattle and Green Bay and the lone home game coming on Thursday night against the Redskins, the reigning champs of the NFC East.
  • The Vikings don't face a team that made the 2012 playoffs until Oct. 27. That should provide an opening for another fast start.
  • The season's tone may be set right out of the gates with back-to-back division games on the road. The Vikings took care of business in the NFC North last season, posting a 4-2 mark. They also regrouped late last season to salvage a 3-5 road record. Finding a way to stand strong against division rivals in Weeks 1 and 2 will be a must for a team looking to replicate last season's superb September.
  • Starting with the return to Monday Night Football in Week 7, the Vikings will have three night games in a span of 18 days. They will also begin a critical stretch there of playing four out of six games on the road.
  • For the third straight year, the regular season finale comes at Mall of America Field. In 2011, that contest was meaningless. Last year, it meant everything. What will the ramifications be this time around, especially for a contest that could well be the Vikings' last ever at the Metrodome?