2016 Vikings schedule: An inside look

It's early, like way early, but the 2016 season figures to be another exciting one for the Vikings, perhaps even more eventful than the 2015 season that saw them win their first NFC North title since 2009 and make the playoffs.

Their schedule, which was released Thursday night, includes the national unveiling of shiny, new U.S. Bank Stadium, four appearances in prime time and games on Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.

Right now the schedule doesn't appear to be too daunting. The Vikings have back-to-back road games just once, and their 16-game slate is the NFL's 18th-toughest based on the 2015 records of their 13 opponents.

There still appear to be a few particularly challenging games on their schedule, but here in the middle of April, before the draft and training camp and the preseason, the Vikings have a manageable path back to the playoffs.

Here is an early look at each of the encounters on their schedule.

Week 1: at Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 11, noon

The Titans are in the midst of a rebuild, one that will be getting a big boost after their blockbuster trade that sent the top pick in this month's draft to the Los Angeles Rams. Starting with young QB Marcus Mariota, the Titans might have a bright future. But the Vikings are rightly favored in their opener.

In the first real game at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Vikings host the rival Packers in prime time in a game that should have postseason ramifications. They must avoid getting overhyped for this one like they did in some showcase games last season, including the Bay Area beatdown in their season opener.

Week 3: at Carolina Panthers Sunday, Sept. 25, noon

This figures to be one of the toughest games on the schedule. Panthers QB Cam Newton, the reigning league MVP, can be a game-wrecker with his rocket right arm and bulldozing option runs. And led by star LB Luke Kuechly, Carolina's attacking 4-3 defense will test Minnesota's new-look O-line.

Week 4: vs. New York Giants Monday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.

The G-Men have undergone drastic changes since we saw them last, when they sleepwalked through a meaningless late December game at TCF. They replaced coach Tom Coughlin with OC Ben McAdoo and threw crazy cash at three free agents, DE Olivier Vernon, DT Damon Harrison and CB Janoris Jenkins.

The Texans won the AFC South last year, mostly by default, at 9-7, then got exposed by the Chiefs in the wild-card round. Led by All-Universe DE J.J. Watt, their defense is formidable. They hope Brock Osweiler, who followed the dollar signs from Denver to Houston, can be the quality QB they've lacked.

Week 6: Bye

Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Oct. 23, noon

After canning coach Chip Kelly, the Eagles moved quickly to erase any record of his existence. They dealt RB DeMarco Murray, CB Byron Maxwell and LB Kiko Alonso, three players whom Kelly acquired last spring. Doug Pederson is the new coach, by the way. Good luck, buddy.

Week 8: at Chicago Bears monday, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m.

Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions Sunday, Nov. 6, noon

It will be weird watching the Lions without star Calvin Johnson, who often tormented the Vikings before calling it a career this offseason. Now QB Matthew Stafford will instead force footballs to free-agent addition Marvin Jones, along with WR Golden Tate and perhaps a high draft pick.

Week 10: at Washington Redskins Sunday, Nov. 13, noon

RB Adrian Peterson again returns to the scene of the crime, FedEx Field, where he shredded his knee late in 2011. If the Redskins' run defense is anything like it was last season, when it ranked 26th, he could be in for a big afternoon, assuming the Vikings don't trade him during the draft (kidding!).

Week 11: vs. Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Nov. 20, noon

Week 12: at Detroit Lions thursday, Nov. 24, 11:30 a.m.

The Vikings, who are 5-1 all-time on Thanksgiving, will play on Turkey Day for the first time since 2000, and most of America might get to watch coach Mike Zimmer's defense feast on Matthew Stafford. In their win in Detroit last season, the Vikings flummoxed the Lions with blitzes and sacked Stafford seven times.

Week 13: vs. Dallas Cowboys thursday, Dec. 1, 7:25 p.m.

In the Vikings' second straight Thursday game, the Cowboys come to town. Will America's Team still be relevant in early December? Last year, often without QB Tony Romo, the Cowboys were a bottom-five team and desperate enough to start QB Matt Cassel. But as always, they will have star power.

Week 14: at Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 11, noon

Week 15: vs. Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 18, noon

A popular preseason Super Bowl pick in 2015, the Colts lost their first two games and then franchise QB Andrew Luck to a season-ending injury. Despite all that, and their perennially underwhelming defense, the Colts still somehow went 8-8. Luck and luck should have them back in the playoff mix in 2016.

Week 16: at Green Bay Packers Saturday, Dec. 24, noon

For the second straight season the Vikings will travel to Lambeau Field for what should be a critical NFC North clash. In the 2015 finale, they stifled QB Aaron Rodgers and stunned the Packers to steal the division. In doing so, the mystique of Lambeau was shattered for this young Vikings team.

Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears Sunday, Jan. 1, noon