# 2018 Minnesota Vikings season

The 2018 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 58th in the National Football League (NFL), their third playing their home games at U.S. Bank Stadium and their fifth under head coach Mike Zimmer.
Following a Week 8 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the team could no longer improve on their 13–3 record from the 2017 season, in which they won the NFC North division and reached the NFC Championship before losing to the eventual Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles. The Vikings failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second time in three years when they lost to the division rival Chicago Bears coupled with the Philadelphia Eagles defeating the Washington Redskins in the final week of the regular season.

## Roster changes
### 2018 draft

2018 Minnesota Vikings draft :
| Draft order | Draft order | Player name | Position | College | Contract | Notes |
| Round | Selection | Player name | Position | College | Contract | Notes |
| 1 | 30 | Mike Hughes | CB | UCF | 4 years / $9.867 million | |
| 2 | 62 | Brian O'Neill | OT | Pittsburgh | 4 years / $4.407 million | |
| 3 | 94 | Traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |
| 4 | 102 | Jalyn Holmes | DE | Ohio State | | from Buccaneers |
| 4 | 130 | Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles | Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles | Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles | Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles | |
| 5 | 157 | Tyler Conklin | TE | Central Michigan | | from Jets |
| 5 | 167 | Daniel Carlson | K | Auburn | | from Vikings via Jets |
| 6 | 180 | Traded to the New York Jets | Traded to the New York Jets | Traded to the New York Jets | Traded to the New York Jets | from Buccaneers |
| 6 | 204 | Traded to the New York Jets | Traded to the New York Jets | Traded to the New York Jets | Traded to the New York Jets | |
| 6 | 213 | Colby Gossett | G | Appalachian State | | Compensatory pick |
| 6 | 218 | Ade Aruna | DE | Tulane | | Compensatory pick |
| 7 | 225 | Devante Downs | LB | California | | from Broncos via Vikings and Jets |
| 7 | 248 | Traded to the Seattle Seahawks | Traded to the Seattle Seahawks | Traded to the Seattle Seahawks | Traded to the Seattle Seahawks | |
Draft trades
* 1 2 3 The Vikings traded their third-round selection (94th overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for Tampa Bay's fourth- and sixth-round selections (102nd and 180th overall).
* ↑ The Vikings traded their fourth-round selection (130th overall) and 2017 first-round selection (14th overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for quarterback Sam Bradford.
* 1 2 3 The Vikings traded their fifth- and seventh-round selections (167th and 225th overall) to the Jets in exchange for the Jets' fifth-round selection (157th overall).
* 1 2 3 4 The Vikings traded two sixth-round selections (180th and 204th overall) to the Jets in exchange for the Jets' fifth- and seventh-round selection (167th and 204th overall).
* 1 2 The Vikings were awarded two sixth-round compensatory picks (213th and 218th overall).
* ↑ The Vikings traded their 2019 fifth-round selection to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Denver's seventh-round selection (225th overall) and quarterback Trevor Siemian.
* ↑ The Vikings traded their seventh-round selection (248th overall) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for cornerback Tramaine Brock.
2018 Minnesota Vikings undrafted free agents :
| Name | Position | College |
| Jeff Badet | WR | Oklahoma |
| Mike Boone | RB | Cincinnati |
| Curtis Cothran | DT | Penn State |
| Garret Dooley | LB | Wisconsin |
| Armanti Foreman | WR | Texas |
| Chris Gonzalez | G | San José State |
| Holton Hill | CB | Texas |
| Tyler Hoppes | TE | Nebraska |
| Hercules Mata'afa | DE | Washington State |
| Trevon Mathis | CB | Toledo |
| Tray Matthews | DB | Auburn |
| Kamryn Pettway | RB | Auburn |
| Peter Pujals | QB | Holy Cross |
| Korey Robertson | WR | Southern Miss |
| Roc Thomas | RB | Jacksonville State |
| Jake Wieneke | WR | South Dakota State |
| Jonathan Wynn | LB | Vanderbilt |

### Transactions

Re-signings :
| Date | Player name | Position | Contract terms |
| March 12 | Mack Brown | RB | 1 year / $630,000 |
| March 12 | Anthony Harris | SS | 1 year / $705,000 |
| March 16 | Dylan Bradley | DT | 1 year / $480,000 |
| March 20 | Kai Forbath | K | 1 year / $790,000 |
| March 28 | Marcus Sherels | CB | 1 year / $1.4 million |
| April 30 | Terence Newman | CB | 1 year / $1.105 million |
Departures :
| Date | Player name | Position | Note | New team |
| March 14 | Sam Bradford | QB | UFA | Arizona Cardinals |
| March 14 | Tramaine Brock | CB | UFA | Denver Broncos |
| March 14 | Case Keenum | QB | UFA | Denver Broncos |
| March 14 | Jerick McKinnon | RB | UFA | San Francisco 49ers |
| March 16 | Jarius Wright | WR | Released | Carolina Panthers |
| March 18 | Teddy Bridgewater | QB | UFA | New York Jets |
| March 21 | Shaan Washington | LB | Waived | |
| March 21 | Emmanuel Lamur | OLB | UFA | Oakland Raiders |
| March 22 | Joe Berger | G | Retired | |
| March 23 | Tom Johnson | DT | UFA | Seattle Seahawks |
| March 23 | Jeremiah Sirles | G | UFA | Carolina Panthers |
| March 24 | Shamar Stephen | DT | UFA | Seattle Seahawks |
Additions :
| Date | Player name | Position | Previous team | Contract terms |
| February 12 | Josh Andrews | G | Philadelphia Eagles | |
| March 15 | Kirk Cousins | QB | Washington Redskins | 3 years / $84 million |
| March 16 | Sheldon Richardson | DT | Seattle Seahawks | 1 year / $8 million |
| March 19 | Trevor Siemian | QB | Denver Broncos | Trade |
| March 20 | Josiah Price | TE | Minnesota Vikings | |
| March 20 | Nick Dooley | LS | | |
| March 22 | Tom Compton | G | Chicago Bears | 1 year / $900,000 |
| March 29 | Reshard Cliett | LB | Kansas City Chiefs | |
| March 30 | Kendall Wright | WR | Chicago Bears | 1 year / $1 million |
| April 5 | Tavarres King | WR | New York Giants | |
| August 22 | George Iloka | S | Cincinnati Bengals | 1 year / $790,000 |

## Preseason

The Vikings' preliminary preseason schedule was announced on April 11.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | NFL.com recap |
| 1 | August 11 | at Denver Broncos | W 42–28 | 1–0 | Broncos Stadium at Mile High | 75,530 | Recap |
| 2 | August 18 | Jacksonville Jaguars | L 10–14 | 1–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 66,637 | Recap |
| 3 | August 24 | Seattle Seahawks | W 21–20 | 2–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 66,676 | Recap |
| 4 | August 30 | at Tennessee Titans | W 13–3 | 3–1 | Nissan Stadium | 61,455 | Recap |

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: at Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 14 | 10 | 3 | 15 | 42 |
| Broncos | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
* Date: August 11
* Game time: 8:00 p.m. CDT/7:00 p.m. MDT
* Game weather: Clear, 90 °F (32 °C)
* Game attendance: 75,530
* Referee: Pete Morelli (135)
* TV: KMSP
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Stefon Diggs 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Daniel Carlson kick), 8:15. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 5:14.
MIN – Roc Thomas 13-yard pass from Trevor Siemian (Daniel Carlson kick), 1:36. Vikings 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 23 yards, 1:14.
Second quarter
MIN – Daniel Carlson 39-yard field goal, 9:47. Vikings 17–0. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards, 5:20.
DEN – Royce Freeman 23-yard run (Brandon McManus kick), 5:47. Vikings 17–7. Drive: 3 plays, 30 yards, 0:51.
MIN – Roc Thomas 78-yard pass from Trevor Siemian (Daniel Carlson kick), 4:59. Vikings 24–7. Drive: 2 plays, 81 yards, 0:48.
DEN – Isaiah McKenzie 78-yard punt return (Brandon McManus kick), 1:39. Vikings 24–14.
Third quarter
MIN – Daniel Carlson 57-yard field goal, 5:50. Vikings 27–14. Drive: 7 plays, 21 yards, 3:43.
DEN – Matt LaCosse 36-yard pass from Chad Kelly (Brandon McManus kick), 3:26. Vikings 27–21. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:24.
Fourth quarter
DEN – Phillip Lindsay 19-yard pass from Chad Kelly (Brandon McManus kick), 10:00. Broncos 28–27. Drive: 11 plays, 85 yards, 4:43.
MIN – Chad Beebe 9-yard pass from Kyle Sloter (Kyle Sloter–Jeff Badet pass), 6:01. Vikings 35–28. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:59.
MIN – Kyle Sloter 14-yard run (Daniel Carlson kick), 3:06. Vikings 42–28. Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 2:17.
Top passers
MIN – Trevor Siemian – 11/17, 165 yards, 2 TD, INT
DEN – Chad Kelly – 14/21, 177 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Latavius Murray – 4 rushes, 43 yards
DEN – Royce Freeman – 4 rushes, 38 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Roc Thomas – 3 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TD
DEN – Matt LaCosse – 2 receptions, 40 yards, TD :

#### Week 2: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jaguars | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Vikings | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: August 18
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,637
* Referee: Shawn Hochuli (83)
* TV: KMSP
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Kai Forbath 44-yard field goal, 7:18. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 30 yards, 4:33.
Second quarter
JAX – Leonard Fournette 1-yard run (Josh Lambo kick), 14:57. Jaguars 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 70 yards, 6:25.
Third quarter
MIN – Mike Boone 1-yard run (Daniel Carlson kick), 4:23. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 74 yards, 3:33.
Fourth quarter
JAX – Brandon Wilds 1-yard run (Josh Lambo kick), 1:55. Jaguars 14–10. Drive: 2 plays, 4 yards, 0:08.
Top passers
JAX – Blake Bortles – 12/20, 159 yards, INT
MIN – Kyle Sloter – 10/15, 82 yards
Top rushers
JAX – T. J. Yeldon – 10 rushes, 39 yards
MIN – Mike Boone – 13 rushes, 91 yards, TD
Top receivers
JAX – T. J. Yeldon – 5 receptions, 73 yards
MIN – Cayleb Jones – 2 receptions, 23 yards :

#### Week 3: vs. Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Seahawks | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
| Vikings | 0 | 6 | 0 | 15 | 21 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: August 24
* Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,676
* Referee: Brad Allen (122)
* TV: KMSP
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
MIN – Latavius Murray 1-yard run (pass failed), 13:42. Vikings 6–0. Drive: 13 plays, 97 yards, 7:17.
SEA – Chris Carson 6-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 7:36. Seahawks 7–6. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:06.
SEA – Sebastian Janikowski 35-yard field goal, 2:39. Seahawks 10–6. Drive: 8 plays, 36 yards, 3:54.
Third quarter
SEA – Sebastian Janikowski 55-yard field goal, 10:09. Seahawks 13–6. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 2:11.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Jake Wieneke 1-yard pass from Kyle Sloter (Daniel Carlson kick), 9:09. Tied 13–13. Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 4:28.
SEA – David Moore 36-yard pass from Alex McGough (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 4:10. Seahawks 20–13. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:59.
MIN – Chad Beebe 25-yard pass from Kyle Sloter (Kyle Sloter–Jake Wieneke pass), 0:47. Vikings 21–20. Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 1:38.
Top passers
SEA – Alex McGough – 5/14, 140 yards, TD, INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 17/28, 182 yards
Top rushers
SEA – Mike Davis – 8 rushes, 31 yards
MIN – Mike Boone – 9 rushes, 26 yards
Top receivers
SEA – Caleb Scott – 2 receptions, 69 yards
MIN – Chad Beebe – 5 receptions, 59 yards, TD :

#### Week 4: at Tennessee Titans

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
| Titans | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
* Date: August 30
* Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Cloudy, 83 °F (28 °C)
* Game attendance: 61,455
* Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
* TV: KMSP
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
TEN – Ryan Succop 24-yard field goal, 2:00. Titans 3–0. Drive: 16 plays, 69 yards, 9:31.
Second quarter
MIN – Daniel Carlson 39-yard field goal, 1:55. Tied 3–3. Drive: 13 plays, 69 yards, 6:36.
Third quarter
MIN – Daniel Carlson 22-yard field goal, 7:05. Vikings 6–3. Drive: 15 plays, 48 yards, 7:55.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Brandon Zylstra 24-yard pass from Kyle Sloter (Daniel Carlson kick), 7:18. Vikings 13–3. Drive: 4 plays, 55 yards, 1:33.
Top passers
MIN – Kyle Sloter – 11/15, 130 yards, TD
TEN – Luke Falk – 13/24, 114 yards
Top rushers
MIN – Mike Boone – 15 rushes, 56 yards
TEN – Dalyn Dawkins – 17 rushes, 53 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Brandon Zylstra – 4 receptions, 54 yards, TD
TEN – Cameron Batson – 4 receptions, 46 yards :

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | NFL.com recap |
| 1 | September 9 | San Francisco 49ers | W 24–16 | 1–0 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 66,673 | Recap |
| 2 | September 16 | at Green Bay Packers | T 29–29 (OT) | 1–0–1 | Lambeau Field | 78,461 | Recap |
| 3 | September 23 | Buffalo Bills | L 6–27 | 1–1–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 66,800 | Recap |
| 4 | September 27 | at Los Angeles Rams | L 31–38 | 1–2–1 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 72,027 | Recap |
| 5 | October 7 | at Philadelphia Eagles | W 23–21 | 2–2–1 | Lincoln Financial Field | 69,696 | Recap |
| 6 | October 14 | Arizona Cardinals | W 27–17 | 3–2–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 66,801 | Recap |
| 7 | October 21 | at New York Jets | W 37–17 | 4–2–1 | MetLife Stadium | 77,982 | Recap |
| 8 | October 28 | New Orleans Saints | L 20–30 | 4–3–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 66,801 | Recap |
| 9 | November 4 | Detroit Lions | W 24–9 | 5–3–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 66,825 | Recap |
| 10 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 11 | November 18 | at Chicago Bears | L 20–25 | 5–4–1 | Soldier Field | 61,651 | Recap |
| 12 | November 25 | Green Bay Packers | W 24–17 | 6–4–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 66,872 | Recap |
| 13 | December 2 | at New England Patriots | L 10–24 | 6–5–1 | Gillette Stadium | 65,878 | Recap |
| 14 | December 10 | at Seattle Seahawks | L 7–21 | 6–6–1 | CenturyLink Field | 69,007 | Recap |
| 15 | December 16 | Miami Dolphins | W 41–17 | 7–6–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 66,841 | Recap |
| 16 | December 23 | at Detroit Lions | W 27–9 | 8–6–1 | Ford Field | 61,641 | Recap |
| 17 | December 30 | Chicago Bears | L 10–24 | 8–7–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 66,878 | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| 49ers | 0 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 16 |
| Vikings | 3 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: September 9
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,673
* Referee: Clay Martin (19)
* TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Daniel Carlson 48-yard field goal, 3:56. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 3:21.
Second quarter
MIN – Stefon Diggs 22-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Daniel Carlson kick), 13:39. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 2:32.
SF – Robbie Gould 42-yard field goal, 11:42. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 1:57.
Third quarter
MIN – Mike Hughes 28-yard interception return (Daniel Carlson kick), 10:41. Vikings 17–3.
SF – Robbie Gould 33-yard field goal, 9:15. Vikings 17–6. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 1:26.
MIN – Kyle Rudolph 11-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Daniel Carlson kick), 4:22. Vikings 24–6. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:53.
SF – Dante Pettis 22-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo (Robbie Gould kick), 0:31. Vikings 24–13. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:51.
Fourth quarter
SF – Robbie Gould 22-yard field goal, 8:09. Vikings 24–16. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 5:34.
Top passers
SF – Jimmy Garoppolo – 15/33, 261 yards, TD, 3 INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 20/36, 244 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
SF – Matt Breida – 11 rushes, 46 yards
MIN – Latavius Murray – 11 rushes, 42 yards
Top receivers
SF – George Kittle – 5 receptions, 90 yards
MIN – Adam Thielen – 6 receptions, 102 yards :
The Vikings began the 2018 season with a home game against the San Francisco 49ers, their first home game since the Minneapolis Miracle in the divisional round of the 2017–18 NFL playoffs. The game saw quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson make their regular season debuts for the Vikings, as well as the return of second-year running back Dalvin Cook, who had torn his ACL early in the 2017 season. The two teams traded punts to start the game, before the Vikings put a drive together on their second possession, culminating with a 48-yard field goal by rookie kicker Daniel Carlson. The 49ers then failed to pick up a first down on their next possession, giving the Vikings good field position on their own 47-yard line off the ensuing punt as the first quarter drew to a close. Runs by Latavius Murray and a 17-yard pass from Cousins to Cook gave the Vikings a third-and-3 situation on the San Francisco 22-yard-line, from where Cousins threw a 22-yard strike to Stefon Diggs, the 100th touchdown pass of his career. On the ensuing San Francisco possession, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo linked up with tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Trent Taylor to get them into Minnesota territory, before a pass interference penalty against Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes put the 49ers just outside the red zone; however, the Minnesota defense stood firm and allowed just a 42-yard Robbie Gould field goal; however, on the Vikings' next drive, Cook fumbled the ball at the end of a 15-yard run, allowing San Francisco to regain possession. They marched down to the Vikings' 1-yard line, only for defensive tackle Linval Joseph to force a fumble from running back Alfred Morris, which safety Harrison Smith subsequently recovered. The Vikings were able to get out from under the shadow of their own goalposts and closed out the half with a 10–3 lead.
The Vikings defense forced a three-and-out to begin the second half, but only managed one first down on their ensuing possession before having to punt; however, three plays later, with the 49ers at third-and-8 from their own 20-yard line, the Vikings' rookie cornerback Mike Hughes intercepted a pass from Garoppolo and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown to put the Vikings up 17–3. Garoppolo responded immediately, however, completing a 56-yard pass to fullback Kyle Juszczyk to put the 49ers inside the Vikings' 20. As in the first half, though, the Minnesota defense held up and limited the 49ers to a 33-yard field goal. Cousins focused his attention on his wide receivers to begin the next Vikings possession, completing passes of 11 and 34 yards to Adam Thielen, the latter being the Vikings' longest completed pass of the day, to get into 49ers territory. Cook continued to run the ball, while Cousins' attention shifted to his tight ends, first completing a nine-yard pass to David Morgan II before an 11-yard completion to Kyle Rudolph for the Vikings' third touchdown of the day. A 36-yard completion from Garoppolo to Kittle was the highlight of the subsequent San Francisco drive, which culminated in a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Dante Pettis with 30 seconds left in the quarter. The Vikings went three-and-out on their next possession; they soon had the ball back, as cornerback Xavier Rhodes intercepted Garoppolo, only to again have to punt, giving San Francisco the ball back at their own 14-yard line. A 39-yard pass from Garoppolo to Pettis got the 49ers into the Vikings' half, but a tackle for a five-yard loss by Smith led to another third-down situation for San Francisco; Garoppolo's third-down pass was incomplete, which should have meant them having to punt, only for Richardson to be flagged for roughing the passer, giving the 49ers a 15-yard advantage and an automatic first down. They were able to get down to the Vikings' 4-yard line, but were unable to get the ball into the end zone and again had to settle for a field goal, reducing the margin to 8 points. The Vikings again had to punt on their next possession, but a 10-yard sack by Smith on the next series meant San Francisco had to do the same, giving the Vikings the ball back with six minutes left to play. A combination of runs from Murray and Cook allowed the Vikings to take three minutes off the clock, but a scramble run from Cousins came up just short of another first down; however, the Vikings were able to draw the 49ers' defense offside, giving them a free five yards and the first down. They were able to take another minute off the clock before punting, giving the 49ers the ball with 1:49 to play. Needing a touchdown to stand a chance of taking the game to overtime, Garoppolo had to go for it, but was intercepted by Smith on the second play of the drive, allowing the Vikings to run out the clock and claim their first win of the season.

#### Week 2: at Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 29 |
| Packers | 7 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 29 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* Date: September 16
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 80 °F (27 °C)
* Game attendance: 78,461
* Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
* TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
GB – Josh Jackson blocked punt recovery in end zone (Mason Crosby kick), 7:28. Packers 7–0.
MIN – Laquon Treadwell 14-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Daniel Carlson kick), 3:04. Tied 7–7. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 4:24.
Second quarter
GB – Davante Adams 9-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 12:28. Packers 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:36.
GB – Mason Crosby 37-yard field goal, 0:00. Packers 17–7. Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 1:37.
Third quarter
GB – Mason Crosby 40-yard field goal, 6:32. Packers 20–7. Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 5:04.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Stefon Diggs 3-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Daniel Carlson kick), 14:17. Packers 20–14. Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 4:02.
GB – Mason Crosby 31-yard field goal, 7:35. Packers 23–14. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 6:42.
MIN – Stefon Diggs 75-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Daniel Carlson kick), 7:18. Packers 23–21. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:17.
GB – Mason Crosby 48-yard field goal, 2:13. Packers 26–21. Drive: 10 plays, 39 yards, 5:05.
GB – Mason Crosby 36-yard field goal, 1:45. Packers 29–21. Drive: 4 plays, −5 yards, 0:19.
MIN – Adam Thielen 22-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Kirk Cousins–Stefon Diggs pass), 0:31. Tied 29–29. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 1:14.
Overtime
No scoring plays.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 35/48, 425 yards, 4 TD, INT
GB – Aaron Rodgers – 30/42, 281 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 10 rushes, 38 yards
GB – Jamaal Williams – 16 rushes, 59 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Adam Thielen – 12 receptions, 131 yards, TD
GB – Jimmy Graham – 6 receptions, 95 yards :
Week 2 saw the Vikings travel to Lambeau Field to take on their archrivals, the Green Bay Packers, against whom Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr effectively ended Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' 2017 season with a hit that broke Rodgers' collarbone.
The Packers received the ball first and were forced to punt. On the ensuing drive, the Packers forced the Vikings to go three-and-out, but the punt from the Vikings' Matt Wile was blocked by Geronimo Allison and recovered by the Packers' Josh Jackson for a touchdown. On Minnesota's next drive, quarterback Kirk Cousins led the Vikings on an eight-play, 57-yard touchdown drive to tie the game at 7–7, with the scoring pass going to Laquon Treadwell for 14 yards. Green Bay followed that with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Davante Adams early in the second quarter, making the game 14–7. After trading punts and a missed 48-yard field goal for the Vikings by rookie kicker Daniel Carlson, the Packers' Mason Crosby made a 37-yard field goal at the end of the first half to send the Packers to the locker room leading 17–7.
The Vikings received the ball after halftime, but their drive stalled and were forced to punt. Green Bay followed that up with a 40-yard field goal from Crosby with 6:32 left in the third quarter. After trading punts, the Vikings scored another touchdown on a three-yard pass to Stefon Diggs early in the fourth quarter to reduce the Packers' lead to six points. Green Bay followed that up with Crosby's third field goal of the day, this time from 31 yards, but the Vikings responded quickly on their next drive, as Cousins hit Diggs with a 75-yard touchdown pass to make it a 23–21 lead for the Packers. Crosby then made his fourth field goal of the day from 48 yards with 2:13 left in the fourth quarter. Cousins threw an interception on the first play of the Vikings' next drive, leading to a fifth Crosby field goal from 36 yards with 1:45 remaining, putting the Packers up 29–21. Cousins then led the Vikings 75 yards in eight plays, resulting in a 22-yard touchdown pass to Adam Thielen, but the Vikings needed a two-point conversion to tie the game. Cousins then connected with Diggs to tie the game at 29–29, with 31 seconds remaining in regulation. Green Bay was able to move down the field and into field goal range, but Crosby's 52-yard attempt missed left and the game went to overtime.
The Vikings won the overtime coin toss and received the ball. They moved 39 yards in seven plays, but Carlson's 49-yard attempt sailed wide right. Green Bay then was forced to punt after chewing 3:45 off the clock, and the Vikings started their next drive with 3:57 left to play. After moving 63 yards, the Vikings were at the Packers' 17-yard line with four seconds remaining in overtime, but Carlson missed his third field goal attempt of the game, this time from 35 yards, and again wide right. Carlson was waived the next day, replaced by veteran kicker Dan Bailey.

#### Week 3: vs. Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 17 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: September 23
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,800
* Referee: Alex Kemp (55)
* TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
BUF – Josh Allen 10-yard run (Steven Hauschka kick), 10:01. Bills 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:59.
BUF – Steven Hauschka 30-yard field goal, 7:24. Bills 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:57.
BUF – Jason Croom 26-yard pass from Josh Allen (Steven Hauschka kick), 5:09. Bills 17–0. Drive: 2 plays, 25 yards, 0:48.
Second quarter
BUF – Josh Allen 1-yard run (Steven Hauschka kick), 12:14. Bills 24–0. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 5:45.
BUF – Steven Hauschka 50-yard field goal, 6:16. Bills 27–0. Drive: 8 plays, 17 yards, 3:46.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Kyle Rudolph 4-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (pass failed), 2:59. Bills 27–6. Drive: 13 plays, 92 yards, 4:20.
Top passers
BUF – Josh Allen – 15/22, 196 yards, TD
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 40/55, 296 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
BUF – Chris Ivory – 20 rushes, 56 yards
MIN – Mike Boone – 2 rushes, 11 yards
Top receivers
BUF – Chris Ivory – 3 receptions, 70 yards
MIN – Adam Thielen – 14 receptions, 105 yards :

#### Week 4: at Los Angeles Rams

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 31 |
| Rams | 7 | 21 | 10 | 0 | 38 |
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
* Date: September 27
* Game time: 7:20 p.m. CDT/5:20 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: Clear, 75 °F (24 °C)
* Game attendance: 72,027
* Referee: Brad Allen (122)
* TV announcers (Fox/NFLN): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink; (Amazon Prime): Hannah Storm and Andrea Kremer
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Aldrick Robinson 16-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 7:55. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 7:05.
LAR – Todd Gurley 8-yard pass from Jared Goff (Sam Ficken kick), 1:55. Tied 7–7. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:00.
Second quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 37-yard field goal, 10:05. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 6:50.
LAR – Cooper Kupp 70-yard pass from Jared Goff (Sam Ficken kick), 9:28. Rams 14–10. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:37.
MIN – Aldrick Robinson 17-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 8:04. Vikings 17–14. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:24.
LAR – Cooper Kupp 19-yard pass from Jared Goff (Sam Ficken kick), 3:47. Rams 21–17. Drive: 4 plays, 71 yards, 1:50.
LAR – Brandin Cooks 47-yard pass from Jared Goff (Sam Ficken kick), 1:26. Rams 28–17. Drive: 2 plays, 73 yards, 0:15.
MIN – Dan Bailey 39-yard field goal, 0:02. Rams 28–20. Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 1:24.
Third quarter
LAR – Sam Ficken 34-yard field goal, 5:21. Rams 31–20. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 3:01.
MIN – Adam Thielen 45-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Kirk Cousins–Latavius Murray pass), 3:35. Rams 31–28. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:46.
LAR – Robert Woods 31-yard pass from Jared Goff (Sam Ficken kick), 1:09. Rams 38–28. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:26.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 40-yard field goal, 3:46. Rams 38–31. Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 4:35.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 36/50, 422 yards, 3 TD
LAR – Jared Goff – 26/33, 465 yards, 5 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 4 rushes, 28 yards
LAR – Todd Gurley – 17 rushes, 83 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Adam Thielen – 8 receptions, 135 yards, TD
LAR – Cooper Kupp – 9 receptions, 162 yards, 2 TD :
This was the first NFL broadcast in history to have an all-female announcing team (accessible only to Amazon Prime viewers).

#### Week 5: at Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 3 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
| Eagles | 0 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 21 |
at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
* Date: October 7
* Game time: 4:25 p.m. EDT/3:25 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 79 °F (26 °C)
* Game attendance: 69,696
* Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
* TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 37-yard field goal, 5:02. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 31 yards, 2:02.
Second quarter
PHI – Jake Elliott 30-yard field goal, 12:24. Tied 3–3. Drive: 5 plays, 55 yards, 2:11.
MIN – Linval Joseph 64-yard fumble return (Dan Bailey kick), 4:12. Vikings 10–3.
MIN – Adam Thielen 3-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 0:21. Vikings 17–3. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 2:24.
Third quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 22-yard field goal, 7:32. Vikings 20–3. Drive: 6 plays, 91 yards, 2:01.
PHI – Jake Elliott 28-yard field goal, 2:57. Vikings 20–6. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 4:35.
Fourth quarter
PHI – Wendell Smallwood 12-yard pass from Carson Wentz (Wendell Smallwood run), 12:05. Vikings 20–14. Drive: 10 plays, 66 yards, 4:14.
MIN – Dan Bailey 52-yard field goal, 2:47. Vikings 23–14. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards, 6:24.
PHI – Zach Ertz 7-yard pass from Carson Wentz (Jake Elliott kick), 1:09. Vikings 23–21. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 1:38.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 30/37, 301 yards, TD
PHI – Carson Wentz – 24/35, 311 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Latavius Murray – 11 rushes, 42 yards
PHI – Jay Ajayi – 8 rushes, 29 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Adam Thielen – 7 receptions, 116 yards, TD
PHI – Zach Ertz – 10 receptions, 110 yards, TD :

#### Week 6: vs. Arizona Cardinals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 3 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Vikings | 10 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 27 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: October 14
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,801
* Referee: Jerome Boger (23)
* TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Ronde Barber and Shane Bacon
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
ARI – Phil Dawson 26-yard field goal, 8:18. Cardinals 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 2:47.
MIN – Latavius Murray 21-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 5:33. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:45.
MIN – Dan Bailey 37-yard field goal, 2:03. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 3:23.
Second quarter
ARI – Budda Baker 36-yard fumble return (Phil Dawson kick), 4:13. Tied 10–10.
MIN – Dan Bailey 48-yard field goal, 0:07. Vikings 13–10. Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 1:13.
Third quarter
MIN – Adam Thielen 13-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 10:06. Vikings 20–10. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:54.
MIN – Kirk Cousins 7-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 6:37. Vikings 27–10. Drive: 3 plays, 43 yards, 1:11.
Fourth quarter
ARI – David Johnson 1-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 6:57. Vikings 27–17. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 2:48.
Top passers
ARI – Josh Rosen – 21/31, 240 yards, INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 24/34, 233 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – David Johnson – 18 rushes, 55 yards, TD
MIN – Latavius Murray – 24 rushes, 155 yards, TD
Top receivers
ARI – Christian Kirk – 6 receptions, 77 yards
MIN – Adam Thielen – 11 receptions, 123 yards, TD :

#### Week 7: at New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 10 | 17 | 37 |
| Jets | 7 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: October 21
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Cloudy, 46 °F (8 °C)
* Game attendance: 77,982
* Referee: Shawn Smith (14)
* TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Chris Spielman and Shannon Spake
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Adam Thielen 34-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 13:22. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 68 yards, 1:38.
NYJ – Chris Herndon 12-yard pass from Sam Darnold (Jason Myers kick), 1:01. Vikings 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 86 yards, 3:26.
Second quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 26-yard field goal, 10:13. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 27 yards, 2:50.
Third quarter
MIN – Latavius Murray 11-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 8:15. Vikings 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 5:06.
MIN – Dan Bailey 22-yard field goal, 5:49. Vikings 20–7. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 2:06.
NYJ – Jason Myers 55-yard field goal, 2:39. Vikings 20–10. Drive: 7 plays, 9 yards, 3:10.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Latavius Murray 38-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 13:38. Vikings 27–10. Drive: 2 plays, 51 yards, 1:08.
NYJ – Sam Darnold 1-yard run (Jason Myers kick), 10:27. Vikings 27–17. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 3:11.
MIN – Aldrick Robinson 34-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 5:16. Vikings 34–17. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 3:17.
MIN – Dan Bailey 43-yard field goal, 3:22. Vikings 37–17. Drive: 4 plays, −3 yards, 1:07.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 25/40, 241 yards, 2 TD
NYJ – Sam Darnold – 17/42, 206 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
MIN – Latavius Murray – 15 rushes, 69 yards, 2 TD
NYJ – Isaiah Crowell – 11 rushes, 29 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Adam Thielen – 9 receptions, 110 yards, TD
NYJ – Trenton Cannon – 4 receptions, 69 yards :

#### Week 8: vs. New Orleans Saints

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Saints | 7 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 30 |
| Vikings | 7 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: October 28
* Game time: 7:20 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,801
* Referee: Craig Wrolstad (4)
* TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya and Terry McAulay
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NO – Alvin Kamara 3-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 10:33. Saints 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 81 yards, 4:27.
MIN – Stefon Diggs 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 3:16. Tied 7–7. Drive: 13 plays, 91 yards, 7:17.
Second quarter
MIN – Latavius Murray 1-yard run (kick failed, wide left), 11:57. Vikings 13–7. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 4:05.
NO – Wil Lutz 52-yard field goal, 7:27. Vikings 13–10. Drive: 8 plays, 33 yards, 4:30.
NO – Alvin Kamara 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 0:30. Saints 17–13. Drive: 2 plays, 18 yards, 0:27.
Third quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 42-yard field goal, 8:19. Saints 20–13. Drive: 9 plays, 21 yards, 4:09.
NO – P. J. Williams 45-yard interception return (Wil Lutz kick), 5:58. Saints 27–13.
Fourth quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 42-yard field goal, 9:35. Saints 30–13. Drive: 15 plays, 60 yards, 8:15.
MIN – Adam Thielen 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 4:26. Saints 30–20. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 5:09.
Top passers
NO – Drew Brees – 18/23, 120 yards, TD, INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 31/41, 359 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
NO – Mark Ingram II – 13 rushes, 63 yards
MIN – Latavius Murray – 13 rushes, 56 yards, TD
Top receivers
NO – Michael Thomas – 5 receptions, 81 yards
MIN – Stefon Diggs – 10 receptions, 119 yards, TD :
This was a rematch of the Minneapolis Miracle from last year's divisional playoff game. There would be no miracle in this one however, as the Saints won 30–20 as the Vikings fell to 4–3–1.

#### Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Vikings | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: November 4
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,825
* Referee: Pete Morelli (135)
* TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Chris Spielman and Shannon Spake
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Latavius Murray 1-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 9:53. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 5:07.
Second quarter
DET – Matt Prater 35-yard field goal, 13:16. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 14 plays, 48 yards, 8:16.
DET – Matt Prater 35-yard field goal, 4:45. Vikings 7–6. Drive: 10 plays, 28 yards, 5:44.
MIN – Adam Thielen 2-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 3:20. Vikings 14–6. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:25.
MIN – Dan Bailey 39-yard field goal, 0:04. Vikings 17–6. Drive: 5 plays, 31 yards, 0:35.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Danielle Hunter 32-yard fumble return (Dan Bailey kick), 6:57. Vikings 24–6.
DET – Matt Prater 37-yard field goal, 1:11. Vikings 24–9. Drive: 17 plays, 69 yards, 5:46.
Top passers
DET – Matthew Stafford – 25/36, 199 yards
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 18/22, 164 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
DET – Kerryon Johnson – 12 rushes, 37 yards
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 10 rushes, 89 yards
Top receivers
DET – Marvin Jones – 6 receptions, 66 yards
MIN – Laquon Treadwell – 2 receptions, 37 yards :

#### Week 11: at Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 20 |
| Bears | 3 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 25 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Date: November 18
* Game time: 7:20 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 33 °F (1 °C)
* Game attendance: 61,651
* Referee: John Parry (132)
* TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya and Terry McAulay
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
CHI – Cody Parkey 33-yard field goal, 5:58. Bears 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 64 yards, 6:54.
Second quarter
CHI – Anthony Miller 18-yard pass from Mitchell Trubisky (Mitchell Trubisky–Josh Bellamy pass), 6:00. Bears 11–0. Drive: 13 plays, 82 yards, 7:13.
CHI – Cody Parkey 41-yard field goal, 0:50. Bears 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 41 yards, 3:57.
Third quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 36-yard field goal, 0:07. Bears 14–3. Drive: 8 plays, 13 yards, 3:15.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 36-yard field goal, 11:46. Bears 14–6. Drive: 5 plays, 11 yards, 2:33.
CHI – Eddie Jackson 27-yard interception return (Mitchell Trubisky–Adam Shaheen pass), 8:30. Bears 22–6.
MIN – Aldrick Robinson 13-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Kirk Cousins–Adam Thielen pass), 4:51. Bears 22–14. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 3:39.
CHI – Cody Parkey 48-yard field goal, 2:48. Bears 25–14. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 2:03.
MIN – Stefon Diggs 5-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (pass failed), 0:48. Bears 25–20. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 2:00.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 30/46, 262 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
CHI – Mitchell Trubisky – 20/31, 165 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 9 rushes, 12 yards
CHI – Jordan Howard – 18 rushes, 63 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Stefon Diggs – 13 receptions, 126 yards, TD
CHI – Taylor Gabriel – 7 receptions, 52 yards :

#### Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 24 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: November 25
* Game time: 7:20 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,872
* Referee: Bill Vinovich (52)
* TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
GB – Davante Adams 15-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 5:54. Packers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 3:37.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 26-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 2:53. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:01.
Second quarter
GB – Aaron Jones 6-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 14:16. Packers 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:37.
MIN – Stefon Diggs 30-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 11:01. Tied 14–14. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:15.
Third quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 37-yard field goal, 3:27. Vikings 17–14. Drive: 7 plays, 25 yards, 3:54.
MIN – Adam Thielen 14-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 0:27. Vikings 24–14. Drive: 4 plays, 31 yards, 1:19.
Fourth quarter
GB – Mason Crosby 38-yard field goal, 2:20. Vikings 24–17. Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 2:31.
Top passers
GB – Aaron Rodgers – 17/28, 198 yards, TD
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 29/38, 342 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
GB – Aaron Jones – 17 rushes, 72 yards, TD
MIN – Latavius Murray – 11 rushes, 33 yards
Top receivers
GB – Davante Adams – 5 receptions, 69 yards, TD
MIN – Adam Thielen – 8 receptions, 125 yards, TD :

#### Week 13: at New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Patriots | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: December 2
* Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 53 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 65,878
* Referee: Craig Wrolstad (4)
* TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NE – James Develin 1-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 9:33. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 81 yards, 3:52.
Second quarter
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 20-yard field goal, 5:45. Patriots 10–0. Drive: 15 plays, 68 yards, 8:16.
MIN – Adam Thielen 5-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 0:15. Patriots 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 1:37.
Third quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 39-yard field goal, 2:20. Tied 10–10. Drive: 12 plays, 41 yards, 4:01.
NE – Josh Gordon 24-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 0:35. Patriots 17–10. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:45.
Fourth quarter
NE – James Develin 2-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 10:54. Patriots 24–10. Drive: 6 plays, 50 yards, 3:12.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 32/44, 201 yards, TD, 2 INT
NE – Tom Brady – 24/32, 311 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 9 rushes, 84 yards
NE – Sony Michel – 17 rushes, 63 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Stefon Diggs – 5 receptions, 49 yards
NE – James White – 9 receptions, 92 yards :

#### Week 14: at Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Seahawks | 0 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 21 |
at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
* Date: December 10
* Game time: 7:15 p.m. CST/5:15 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 48 °F (9 °C)
* Game attendance: 69,007
* Referee: Brad Allen (122)
* TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore, Jason Witten, Booger McFarland and Lisa Salters
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
SEA – Sebastian Janikowski 37-yard field goal, 14:11. Seahawks 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 6:39.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
SEA – Sebastian Janikowski 35-yard field goal, 13:22. Seahawks 6–0. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:39.
SEA – Chris Carson 2-yard run (Russell Wilson–Tyler Lockett pass), 2:53. Seahawks 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 2:45.
SEA – Justin Coleman 29-yard fumble return (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 2:35. Seahawks 21–0.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 6-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 1:10. Seahawks 21–7. Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 1:25.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 20/33, 208 yards, TD
SEA – Russell Wilson – 10/20, 72 yards, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 13 rushes, 55 yards
SEA – Chris Carson – 22 rushes, 90 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Stefon Diggs – 4 receptions, 76 yards
SEA – Tyler Lockett – 5 receptions, 42 yards :

#### Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Vikings | 21 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 41 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: December 16
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,841
* Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
* TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Stefon Diggs 13-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 11:40. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 3:20.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 13-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 6:21. Vikings 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 2:59.
MIN – Latavius Murray 18-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 1:32. Vikings 21–0. Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 3:38.
Second quarter
MIA – Minkah Fitzpatrick 50-yard interception return (Jason Sanders kick), 7:44. Vikings 21–7.
MIA – Jason Sanders 25-yard field goal, 0:14. Vikings 21–10. Drive: 14 plays, 61 yards, 6:03.
Third quarter
MIA – Kalen Ballage 75-yard run (Jason Sanders kick), 14:49. Vikings 21–17. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:11.
MIN – Dan Bailey 36-yard field goal, 8:40. Vikings 24–17. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:19.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 34-yard field goal, 13:01. Vikings 27–17. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 4:35.
MIN – Aldrick Robinson 40-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 9:54. Vikings 34–17. Drive: 4 plays, 55 yards, 2:04.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 21-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 7:49. Vikings 41–17. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 2:59.
Top passers
MIA – Ryan Tannehill – 11/24, 108 yards
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 14/21, 215 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
MIA – Kalen Ballage – 12 rushes, 123 yards, TD
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 19 rushes, 136 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
MIA – Danny Amendola – 3 receptions, 30 yards
MIN – Tyler Conklin – 2 receptions, 53 yards :

#### Week 16: at Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 27 |
| Lions | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
* Date: December 23
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 61,641
* Referee: Walt Anderson (66)
* TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
DET – Matt Prater 47-yard field goal, 7:30. Lions 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 2:40.
Second quarter
DET – Matt Prater 35-yard field goal, 10:39. Lions 6–0. Drive: 9 plays, 21 yards, 4:11.
DET – Matt Prater 48-yard field goal, 4:05. Lions 9–0. Drive: 8 plays, 36 yards, 4:17.
MIN – Stefon Diggs 8-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 1:32. Lions 9–7. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 2:33.
MIN – Kyle Rudolph 44-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 0:00. Vikings 14–9. Drive: 5 plays, 70 yards, 0:36.
Third quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 24-yard field goal, 8:54. Vikings 17–9. Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 6:06.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Kyle Rudolph 4-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 13:25. Vikings 24–9. Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 5:38.
MIN – Dan Bailey 29-yard field goal, 4:15. Vikings 27–9. Drive: 4 plays, −1 yard, 2:15.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 21/28, 253 yards, 3 TD
DET – Matthew Stafford – 18/32, 116 yards
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 16 rushes, 73 yards
DET – Zach Zenner – 8 rushes, 45 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Kyle Rudolph – 9 receptions, 122 yards, 2 TD
DET – Kenny Golladay – 6 receptions, 58 yards :

#### Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 7 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 24 |
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: December 30
* Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,878
* Referee: Clete Blakeman (34)
* TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
CHI – Jordan Howard 6-yard run (Cody Parkey kick), 10:38. Bears 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 3:46.
Second quarter
CHI – Jordan Howard 1-yard run (kick failed, hit right upright), 7:17. Bears 13–0. Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, 5:39.
MIN – Dan Bailey 45-yard field goal, 0:53. Bears 13–3. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 1:04.
Third quarter
MIN – Stefon Diggs 2-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 1:51. Bears 13–10. Drive: 12 plays, 92 yards, 7:35.
Fourth quarter
CHI – Tarik Cohen 3-yard run (Mitchell Trubisky–Nick Kwiatkoski pass), 7:46. Bears 21–10. Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 9:05.
CHI – Cody Parkey 42-yard field goal, 4:25. Bears 24–10. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 2:29.
Top passers
CHI – Mitchell Trubisky – 18/26, 163 yards
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 20/33, 132 yards, TD
Top rushers
CHI – Jordan Howard – 21 rushes, 109 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 11 rushes, 39 yards
Top receivers
CHI – Taylor Gabriel – 4 receptions, 61 yards
MIN – Stefon Diggs – 8 receptions, 47 yards, TD :

### Standings
#### Division

NFC North :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(3)}$ Chicago Bears | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 10–2 | 421 | 283 | W4 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 8 | 7 | 1 | .531 | 3–2–1 | 6–5–1 | 360 | 341 | L1 |
| Green Bay Packers | 6 | 9 | 1 | .406 | 1–4–1 | 3–8–1 | 376 | 400 | L1 |
| Detroit Lions | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 4–8 | 324 | 360 | W1 |

#### Conference

NFCvte :
| # | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
| Division leaders ||||||||||||
| 1 | New Orleans Saints | South | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 4–2 | 9–3 | .482 | .488 | L1 |
| 2 | Los Angeles Rams | West | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 6–0 | 9–3 | .480 | .428 | W2 |
| 3 | Chicago Bears | North | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .430 | .419 | W4 |
| 4 | Dallas Cowboys | East | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .488 | .444 | W2 |
| Wild Cards ||||||||||||
| 5 | Seattle Seahawks | West | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 8–4 | .484 | .400 | W2 |
| 6 | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .518 | .486 | W3 |
| Did not qualify for the postseason ||||||||||||
| 7 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 8 | 7 | 1 | .531 | 3–2–1 | 6–5–1 | .504 | .355 | L1 |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .482 | .348 | W3 |
| 9 | Washington Redskins | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .486 | .371 | L2 |
| 10 | Carolina Panthers | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .508 | .518 | W1 |
| 11 | Green Bay Packers | North | 6 | 9 | 1 | .406 | 1–4–1 | 3–8–1 | .488 | .417 | L1 |
| 12 | Detroit Lions | North | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .504 | .427 | W1 |
| 13 | New York Giants | East | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .527 | .487 | L3 |
| 14 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .523 | .506 | L4 |
| 15 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 2–10 | .504 | .406 | L2 |
| 16 | Arizona Cardinals | West | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 2–4 | 3–9 | .527 | .302 | L4 |
| Tiebreakers ||||||||||||
| 1 2 New Orleans finished ahead of LA Rams based on head-to-head victory, claiming the No. 1 seed. 1 2 3 Atlanta finished ahead of Washington based on head-to-head victory. Atlanta finished ahead of Carolina based on head-to-head sweep. Washington finished ahead of Carolina based on head-to-head victory. 1 2 NY Giants finished ahead of Tampa Bay based on head-to-head victory. ↑ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division. ||||||||||||

## Pro Bowl

Four Vikings players were elected to the Pro Bowl when the rosters were announced on December 18, 2018, with both outside linebacker Anthony Barr and safety Harrison Smith named to their fourth Pro Bowls. Wide receiver Adam Thielen was named to his second Pro Bowl, having received his first nomination in 2017, while defensive end Danielle Hunter received his first Pro Bowl selection.

## Statistics
### Team leaders

| Category | Player(s) | Total |
| Passing yards | Kirk Cousins | 4,298 |
| Passing touchdowns | Kirk Cousins | 30 |
| Rushing yards | Dalvin Cook | 615 |
| Rushing touchdowns | Latavius Murray | 6 |
| Receptions | Adam Thielen | 113 |
| Receiving yards | Adam Thielen | 1,373 |
| Receiving touchdowns | Stefon Diggs Adam Thielen | 9 |
| Points | Dan Bailey | 93 |
| Kickoff return yards | Ameer Abdullah | 258 |
| Punt return yards | Marcus Sherels | 276 |
| Tackles | Eric Kendricks | 108 |
| Sacks | Danielle Hunter | 14.5 |
| Interceptions | Anthony Harris Harrison Smith | 3 |
| Forced fumbles | Anthony Barr Mike Hughes George Iloka Jaleel Johnson Linval Joseph Eric Kendricks Harrison Smith Stephen Weatherly | 1 |
Source: Minnesota Vikings' official website

### League rankings

| Category | Total yards | Yards per game | NFL rank (out of 32) |
| Passing offense | 3,497 | 269.0 | 8th |
| Rushing offense | 1,110 | 85.4 | 30th |
| Total offense | 4,607 | 354.4 | 17th |
| Passing defense | 2,803 | 215.6 | 5th |
| Rushing defense | 1,404 | 108.0 | 13th |
| Total defense | 4,207 | 323.6 | 5th |
Source: NFL.com