Minnesota Vikings get a gift from the NFL schedule makers, and it could help them make a playoff run
When it comes to being a successful NFL team, having variables be in your favor can make a huge difference.
The Minnesota Vikings are waiting on the NFL to release the schedule for the 2026 season. Right now, the only part of the schedule that we know is the Week 12 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City.
Last season, one of the variables the Vikings had was playing back-to-back games in Europe. That left the Vikings with a 1-1 record, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland, and beating the Cleveland Browns in London, England. Within that, there is a significant variable of travel that can come into play.
Minnesota Vikings have significant advantage in 2026
During the course of the 2026 season, the Vikings won’t have to travel very far, especially considering their opponents. This year, the Vikings will travel the eighth-least, or 25th-most miles in the NFL at just 14,852.
When you look at the above graphic, they are traveling more than both the Green Bay Packers (12,673) and Chicago Bears (10,676). Where they mainly differ is the place in which they finished during the regular season. The Vikings’ one different road game is because they finished in third place, and that game is now in Mexico City.
In 2025, the Vikings traveled the 13th-most miles (20th-least) at 19,319 miles. The majority of that number was playing in two European countries on the road, but their other two games, which finished second in the NFL North played a major factor in having to travel to Seattle and Los Angeles.
Now, how much does this end up mattering? It’s one of many variables that impact a team, but it didn’t hinder the Seattle Seahawks. They had the third-most miles traveled at 31,302 and won the Super Bowl.
Is this an end-all, be-all stat? No, but it could play a factor during the course of the season.