# 2013 Minnesota Vikings season

The 2013 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 53rd in the National Football League (NFL). It also marked the Vikings' final season playing their home games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome; the team played their home games at TCF Bank Stadium for the 2014 and 2015 seasons while construction of U.S. Bank Stadium, which opened in 2016, took place on the site of the Metrodome. Following a Week 9 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Vikings were no longer able to match their 10–6 record from 2012, and their loss to the Baltimore Ravens five weeks later sealed their elimination from playoff contention.
The Vikings failed to win a road game (0–7–1) for the first time since 2001. Much like in 2001, the Vikings did moderately well (13th) on offensive yardage (344.2 yards per game) despite a quarterback carousel not present in 2001, but ranked among the worst in defensive yardage (397.6 yards per game); only the Dallas Cowboys gave up more yards on defense with 415.3 per game. The Vikings' defense also allowed the most points in the NFL in 2013 at 480 (30.0 points per game), four points shy of matching the most points the team ever allowed in a single season.
It took until Week 10 for the Vikings to record their first win on American soil, their only other victory up to that point having come in the NFL International Series game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at London's Wembley Stadium in Week 4. Despite winning their last four home games to finish with an overall record of 5–10–1, the Vikings fired head coach Leslie Frazier after just over three seasons with the team.

## Offseason
### 2013 draft

* Pro Bowler
2013 Minnesota Vikings Draft :
| Draft order | Draft order | Player name | Position | College | Contract | Notes |
| Round | Overall | Player name | Position | College | Contract | Notes |
| 1 | 23 | Sharrif Floyd | Defensive tackle | Florida | 4 years / $8 million | |
| 1 | 25 | Xavier Rhodes | Cornerback | Florida State | 4 years / $7.8 million | From Seahawks |
| 1 | 29 | Cordarrelle Patterson | Wide receiver | Tennessee | 4 years / $7.2 million | From Patriots |
| 2 | 52 | Traded to the New England Patriots | Traded to the New England Patriots | Traded to the New England Patriots | Traded to the New England Patriots | |
| 3 | 83 | Traded to the New England Patriots | Traded to the New England Patriots | Traded to the New England Patriots | Traded to the New England Patriots | |
| 4 | 102 | Traded to the New England Patriots | Traded to the New England Patriots | Traded to the New England Patriots | Traded to the New England Patriots | From Lions |
| 4 | 120 | Gerald Hodges | Linebacker | Penn State | 4 years / $2.58 million | |
| 5 | 155 | Jeff Locke | Punter | UCLA | 4 years / $2.344 million | |
| 6 | 176 | Traded to the Arizona Cardinals | Traded to the Arizona Cardinals | Traded to the Arizona Cardinals | Traded to the Arizona Cardinals | From Titans |
| 6 | 189 | Traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |
| 6 | 196 | Jeff Baca | Guard | UCLA | 4 years / $2.256 million | From Broncos, via Eagles and Buccaneers |
| 7 | 213 | Michael Mauti | Linebacker | Penn State | 4 years / $2.2 million | From Cardinals |
| 7 | 214 | Travis Bond | Guard | North Carolina | 4 years / $2.22 million | From Bills via Seahawks |
| 7 | 229 | Everett Dawkins | Defensive tackle | Florida State | 4 years / $2.2 million | From Vikings, via Patriots and Buccaneers |
Notes:
* 1 2 The Vikings traded WR Percy Harvin to the Seahawks in exchange for first- and seventh-round selections (25th and 214th overall), and a 2014 third-round selection (96th overall).
* 1 2 The Vikings traded their 2012 fifth- and seventh-round selections (138th and 223rd overall) to the Lions in exchange for a fourth-round selection (102nd overall) and a 2012 seventh-round selection (219th overall).
* 1 2 3 4 5 The Vikings traded their second-, third- and seventh-round selections (52nd, 83rd and 229th overall), as well as the fourth-round pick they received from the Lions (102nd overall), to the Patriots in exchange for a first-round selection (29th overall).
* 1 2 The Vikings traded their sixth-round selection to the Cardinals in exchange for CB A. J. Jefferson and a seventh-round selection (213th overall).
* ↑ The Vikings traded their 2012 seventh-round selection (211th overall) to the Titans in exchange for a sixth-round selection (176th overall).
* 1 2 3 The Vikings traded their sixth-round selection (189th overall) to the Buccaneers in exchange for sixth- and seventh-round selections (196th and 229th overall).

### Roster changes

Re-signings :
| Date | Player name | Position | Contract terms |
| January 7, 2013 | Chase Baker | DT | 2 years / $900,000 |
| March 12, 2013 | Joe Berger | C/G | 1 year / $945,000 |
| March 12, 2013 | Jerome Felton | FB | 3 years / $7.5 million |
| March 12, 2013 | Erin Henderson | OLB | 2 years / $4 million |
| March 12, 2013 | Phil Loadholt | OT | 4 years / $25 million |
| March 12, 2013 | Jamarca Sanford | FS | 2 years / $5 million |
| March 12, 2013 | Jerome Simpson | WR | 1 year / $2.1 million |
| March 21, 2013 | Andrew Sendejo | FS | 1 year / $630,000 |
| March 26, 2013 | Marvin Mitchell | OLB | 1 year / $765,000 |
| April 12, 2013 | A. J. Jefferson | CB | 1 year / $1.323 million |
| April 15, 2013 | Troy Kropog | OT | 1 year / $630,000 |
| April 22, 2013 | Marcus Sherels | CB | 1 year / $555,000 |
| October 17, 2013 | Brandan Bishop | S | |
| October 22, 2013 | Shaun Prater | CB | 4 years / $2.285 million |
| October 31, 2013 | Chase Ford | TE | 2 years / $900,000 |
| November 4, 2013 | Justin Trattou | DE | 2 years / $1.05 million |
| November 9, 2013 | Audie Cole | LB | 3 years / $1.71 million |
| November 11, 2013 | Kevin Murphy | T | |
| December 11, 2013 | Bradley Randle | RB | |
| December 16, 2013 | Mike Remmers | OT | 2 years / $900,000 |
| December 18, 2013 | Joe Banyard | RB | 2 years / $900,000 |
| December 18, 2013 | Spencer Nealy | DE | 2 years / $930,000 |
| December 24, 2013 | Robert Steeples | CB | 3 years / $1.49 million |
    Denotes this is a reserve/future contract.
    Denotes a signing to the Practice Squad.
Departures :
| Date | Player name | Position | Note | New team |
| March 4, 2013 | Michael Jenkins | WR | Released | New England Patriots |
| March 11, 2013 | Percy Harvin | WR | Traded | Seattle Seahawks |
| March 12, 2013 | Antoine Winfield | CB | Released | Seattle Seahawks |
| March 14, 2013 | Jasper Brinkley | MLB | UFA | Arizona Cardinals |
| March 15, 2013 | Geoff Schwartz | G/T | UFA | Kansas City Chiefs |
| April 30, 2013 | Nicholas Taylor | CB | Released | |
| May 6, 2013 | Chris Kluwe | P | Released | Oakland Raiders |
| June 10, 2013 | Devin Aromashodu | WR | UFA | Chicago Bears |
| August 31, 2013 | Brandon Burton | CB | Released | Buffalo Bills |
| August 31, 2013 | Stephen Burton | WR | Released | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| August 31, 2013 | Tyrone McKenzie | LB | Released | |
| September 9, 2013 | D'Aundre Reed | DE | Injury settlement | San Francisco 49ers |
| October 1, 2013 | DeMarcus Love | OT | Released | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| October 8, 2013 | McLeod Bethel-Thompson | QB | Released | San Francisco 49ers |
| October 9, 2013 | George Johnson | DE | Released | |
| November 6, 2013 | Everett Dawkins | DT | Claimed off practice squad | Dallas Cowboys |
| November 13, 2013 | Travis Bond | G | Claimed off practice squad | Carolina Panthers |
| November 25, 2013 | A. J. Jefferson | CB | Released | |
Additions :
| Date | Player name | Position | Previous team | Contract terms |
| March 14, 2013 | Matt Cassel | QB | Kansas City Chiefs | 2 years / $7.4 million |
| March 15, 2013 | Greg Jennings | WR | Green Bay Packers | 5 years / $45 million |
| April 30, 2013 | Zach Line | FB | Southern Methodist Undrafted FA | 3 years / $1.49 million |
| June 24, 2013 | Desmond Bishop | LB | Green Bay Packers | 1 year / $1.5 million |
| October 6, 2013 | Josh Freeman | QB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 year / $3.0 million |
| November 26, 2013 | Kip Edwards | CB | Buffalo Bills | |
Signed and released players :
| Date signed | Player name | Position | Previous team | Contract terms | Date released |
| January 7, 2013 | Joe Banyard | RB | Minnesota Vikings (re-signed) | 2 years / $900,000 | August 31, 2013 |
| January 7, 2013 | LaMark Brown | TE | Minnesota Vikings (re-signed) | 2 years / $900,000 | August 26, 2013 |
| January 7, 2013 | Bobby Felder | DB | Minnesota Vikings (re-signed) | 2 years / $900,000 | October 28, 2013 |
| January 7, 2013 | Chase Ford | TE | Minnesota Vikings (re-signed) | 2 years / $900,000 | October 29, 2013 |
| January 7, 2013 | Tyler Holmes | G | Minnesota Vikings (re-signed) | 2 years / $900,000 | August 26, 2013 |
| January 7, 2013 | Kevin Murphy | T | Minnesota Vikings (re-signed) | 2 years / $900,000 | November 9, 2013 |
| January 7, 2013 | Chris Summers | WR | Minnesota Vikings (re-signed) | 2 years / $900,000 | August 26, 2013 |
| January 9, 2013 | T. J. Conley | P | New York Jets (2011) | 2 years / $1.05 million | April 29, 2013 |
| January 9, 2013 | Greg McCoy | CB | Arizona Cardinals | 2 years / $900,000 | August 26, 2013 |
| February 11, 2013 | Roderick Williams | CB | Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) | 3 years / $1.485 million | August 26, 2013 |
| March 19, 2013 | Seth Olsen | G/T | Indianapolis Colts | 1 year / $650,000 | September 9, 2013 |
| April 26, 2013 | Lawrence Jackson | DE | Detroit Lions | 1 year / $780,000 | August 26, 2013 |
| April 29, 2013 | Jacob Lacey | CB | Detroit Lions | 1 year / $780,000 | August 19, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | Colin Anderson | TE | Furman | 3 years / $1.49 million | August 31, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | Brandan Bishop | S | NC State | 3 years / $1.49 million | August 31, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | Nicholas Edwards | WR | Eastern Washington | 3 years / $1.49 million | May 6, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | Darius Eubanks | S | Georgia Southern | 3 years / $1.49 million | August 31, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | Erik Highsmith | WR | North Carolina | 3 years / $1.49 million | August 26, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | Mark Jackson | OT | Glenville State | 3 years / $1.49 million | May 21, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | Marquis Jackson | DE | Portland State | 3 years / $1.49 million | August 26, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | Anthony McCloud | DT | Florida State | 3 years / $1.49 million | August 31, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | Bradley Randle | RB | UNLV | 3 years / $1.49 million | August 26, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | Rodney Smith | WR | Florida State | 3 years / $1.49 million | August 31, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | Collins Ukwu | DE | Kentucky | 3 years / $1.49 million | August 31, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | James Vandenberg | QB | Iowa | 3 years / $1.49 million | August 26, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | Camden Wentz | C | N.C. State | 3 years / $1.49 million | August 26, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | Jerodis Williams | RB | Furman | 3 years / $1.49 million | August 26, 2013 |
| April 30, 2013 | Nathan Williams | LB | Ohio State | 3 years / $1.49 million | August 6, 2013 |
| May 6, 2013 | Adam Thielen | WR | Minnesota State-Mankato | 3 years / $1.49 million | August 31, 2013 |
| May 6, 2013 | Brandon Keith | OT | Arizona Cardinals (2011) | 1 year / $715,000 | August 31, 2013 |
| May 29, 2013 | Stanford Keglar | LB | Las Vegas Locomotives (UFL) | 1 year / $630,000 | June 27, 2013 |
| August 6, 2013 | Stanford Keglar | LB | Las Vegas Locomotives (UFL) | | August 26, 2013 |
| August 20, 2013 | Spencer Nealy | DE | Detroit Lions | | August 31, 2013 |
| September 2, 2013 | Tristan Okpalaugo | DE | Miami Dolphins | | September 10, 2013 |
| September 4, 2013 | Bradley Randle | RB | Minnesota Vikings (re-signed) | | September 10, 2013 |
| September 10, 2013 | Joe Banyard | RB | Minnesota Vikings (re-signed) | | December 16, 2013 |
| September 11, 2013 | Robert Steeples | CB | Miami Dolphins | | December 21, 2013 |
| October 9, 2013 | Justin Trattou | DE | New York Giants | | October 26, 2013 |
| October 18, 2013 | Jacob Lacey | CB | Minnesota Vikings (re-signed) | | October 22, 2013 |
| October 29, 2013 | Justin Trattou | DE | Minnesota Vikings (re-signed) | | November 2, 2013 |
| November 12, 2013 | Spencer Nealy | DE | Minnesota Vikings (re-signed) | | December 10, 2013 |
| November 13, 2013 | Jamaal Johnson-Webb | OT | Chicago Bears | | November 26, 2013 |
| November 25, 2013 | Mike Remmers | OT | San Diego Chargers | | December 14, 2013 |

## Preseason
### Schedule

The Vikings' preseason opponents and schedule were announced on April 4, 2013. Their preseason began with a loss to the Houston Texans at Mall of America Field on August 9, followed by road defeats against the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers; the game against the 49ers was the Vikings' second preseason matchup against the same opposition in two years. The preseason program concluded on a positive note – a home victory against the Tennessee Titans on August 29.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | NFL.com recap |
| 1 | August 9 | Houston Texans | L 13–27 | 0–1 | Mall of America Field | 62,306 | Recap |
| 2 | August 16 | at Buffalo Bills | L 16–20 | 0–2 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | 60,164 | Recap |
| 3 | August 25 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 14–34 | 0–3 | Candlestick Park | 69,732 | Recap |
| 4 | August 29 | Tennessee Titans | W 24–23 | 1–3 | Mall of America Field | 62,603 | Recap |

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. Houston Texans

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Texans | 3 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 27 |
| Vikings | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: August 9
* Game time: 7:00 p.m.
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 62,306
* Referee: Pete Morelli (135)
* TV announcers (KARE-11): Paul Allen, Pete Bercich, Greg Coleman and Ben Leber
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
HOU – Randy Bullock 48-yard field goal, 10:56. Texans 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 3:15.
MIN – Blair Walsh 22-yard field goal, 5:50. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 2:26.
Second quarter
MIN – Zach Line 61-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 12:26. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 5 plays, 94 yards, 2:34.
HOU – DeAndre Hopkins 34-yard pass from T. J. Yates (Randy Bullock kick), 6:24. Tied 10–10. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 6:02.
MIN – Blair Walsh 33-yard field goal, 1:19. Vikings 13–10. Drive: 5 plays, 32 yards, 0:53.
Third quarter
HOU – Randy Bullock 21-yard field goal, 4:28. Tied 13–13. Drive: 15 plays, 90 yards, 6:33.
Fourth quarter
HOU – Lestar Jean 2-yard pass from Case Keenum (Randy Bullock kick), 10:26. Texans 20–13. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 5:18.
HOU – Ray Graham 5-yard run (Randy Bullock kick), 4:31. Texans 27–13. Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 3:59.
Top passers
HOU – T. J. Yates – 13/21, 151 yards, TD
MIN – Matt Cassel – 12/19, 212 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
HOU – Cierre Wood – 10 rushes, 59 yards
MIN – Bradley Randle – 3 rushes, 16 yards
Top receivers
HOU – DeAndre Hopkins – 4 receptions, 52 yards, TD
MIN – Stephen Burton – 3 receptions, 67 yards :

#### Week 2: at Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 16 |
| Bills | 0 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: August 16
* Game time: 6:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny, 73 °F (23 °C)
* Game attendance: 60,164
* Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
* TV announcers (KARE-11): Paul Allen, Pete Bercich, Greg Coleman and Ben Leber
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 36-yard field goal, 0:05. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 5:51.
Second quarter
BUF – Jamie Blatnick fumble recovery in end zone (Dustin Hopkins kick), 8:45. Bills 7–3.
BUF – Dustin Hopkins 39-yard field goal, 1:12. Bills 10–3. Drive: 15 plays, 59 yards, 5:19.
BUF – Dustin Hopkins 35-yard field goal, 0:00. Bills 13–3. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 0:38.
Third quarter
BUF – Brad Smith 4-yard pass from EJ Manuel (Rian Lindell kick), 9:58. Bills 20–3. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 5:02.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Joe Banyard 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 9:18. Bills 20–10. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 5:30.
MIN – Rodney Smith 35-yard pass from McLeod Bethel-Thompson (pass failed), 4:36. Bills 20–16. Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:11.
Top passers
MIN – McLeod Bethel-Thompson – 10/17, 107 yards, TD
BUF – Kevin Kolb – 13/21, 111 yards, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Joe Banyard – 7 rushes, 47 yards, TD
BUF – Tashard Choice – 12 rushes, 54 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Kyle Rudolph – 3 receptions, 39 yards
BUF – Marcus Easley – 3 receptions, 46 yards :

#### Week 3: at San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| 49ers | 10 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 34 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
* Date: August 25
* Game time: 7:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Cloudy, 70 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 69,732
* Referee: Carl Cheffers (51)
* TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
SF – Phil Dawson 30-yard field goal, 12:56. 49ers 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, −1 yard, 1:01.
SF – Quinton Patton 5-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson kick), 2:39. 49ers 10–0. Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 5:38.
Second quarter
MIN – Zach Line 1-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 3:00. 49ers 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 2:18.
SF – Lavelle Hawkins 105-yard kickoff return (Phil Dawson kick), 2:45. 49ers 17–7. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:15.
SF – Phil Dawson 50-yard field goal, 0:27. 49ers 20–7. Drive: 7 plays, 12 yards, 1:41.
Third quarter
MIN – Joe Webb 3-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 4:05. 49ers 20–14. Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 5:35.
Fourth quarter
SF – Jewel Hampton 4-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 14:55. 49ers 27–14. Drive: 9 plays, 91 yards, 4:10.
SF – Anthony Dixon 1-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 4:12. 49ers 34–14. Drive: 15 plays, 63 yards, 8:09.
Top passers
MIN – Christian Ponder – 17/23, 116 yards, 2 TD, INT
SF – Colt McCoy – 11/15, 109 yards, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Toby Gerhart – 7 rushes, 20 yards
SF – Jewel Hampton – 8 rushes, 45 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Stephen Burton – 3 receptions, 31 yards
SF – Quinton Patton – 4 receptions, 35 yards, TD :

#### Week 4: vs. Tennessee Titans

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Titans | 3 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
| Vikings | 0 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: August 29
* Game time: 7:00 p.m.
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 62,603
* Referee: Clete Blakeman (34)
* TV announcers (KARE-11): Paul Allen, Pete Bercich, Greg Coleman and Ben Leber
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
TEN – Rob Bironas 28-yard field goal, 6:01. Titans 3–0. Drive: 18 plays, 70 yards, 8:59.
Second quarter
MIN – Matt Asiata 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 14:57. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:04.
TEN – Justin Hunter 17-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rob Bironas kick), 7:35. Titans 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 7:22.
MIN – Joe Banyard 11-yard pass from McLeod Bethel-Thompson (Blair Walsh kick), 2:29. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 5:06.
TEN – Jack Doyle 2-yard pass from Rusty Smith (Rob Bironas kick), 0:26. Titans 17–14. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 2:03.
Third quarter
MIN – Marcus Sherels 109-yard kickoff return (Blair Walsh kick), 14:48. Vikings 21–17. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:12.
TEN – Rob Bironas 29-yard field goal, 3:20. Vikings 21–20. Drive: 10 plays, 50 yards, 4:59.
Fourth quarter
TEN – Rob Bironas 24-yard field goal, 12:53. Titans 23–21. Drive: 10 plays, 83 yards, 3:49.
MIN – Blair Walsh 25-yard field goal, 1:38. Vikings 24–23. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 2:17.
Top passers
TEN – Rusty Smith – 13/21, 178 yards, TD, INT
MIN – McLeod Bethel-Thompson – 19/26, 187 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
TEN – Darius Reynaud – 11 rushes, 56 yards
MIN – Joe Banyard – 13 rushes, 62 yards
Top receivers
TEN – Rashad Ross – 2 receptions, 64 yards
MIN – Joe Banyard – 7 receptions, 54 yards, TD :

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | NFL.com recap |
| 1 | September 8 | at Detroit Lions | L 24–34 | 0–1 | Ford Field | 62,461 | Recap |
| 2 | September 15 | at Chicago Bears | L 30–31 | 0–2 | Soldier Field | 62,181 | Recap |
| 3 | September 22 | Cleveland Browns | L 27–31 | 0–3 | Mall of America Field | 63,672 | Recap |
| 4 | September 29 | Pittsburgh Steelers | W 34–27 | 1–3 | Wembley Stadium (London, UK) | 83,518 | Recap |
| 5 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 6 | October 13 | Carolina Panthers | L 10–35 | 1–4 | Mall of America Field | 63,963 | Recap |
| 7 | October 21 | at New York Giants | L 7–23 | 1–5 | MetLife Stadium | 79,314 | Recap |
| 8 | October 27 | Green Bay Packers | L 31–44 | 1–6 | Mall of America Field | 64,134 | Recap |
| 9 | November 3 | at Dallas Cowboys | L 23–27 | 1–7 | AT&T Stadium | 85,360 | Recap |
| 10 | November 7 | Washington Redskins | W 34–27 | 2–7 | Mall of America Field | 64,011 | Recap |
| 11 | November 17 | at Seattle Seahawks | L 20–41 | 2–8 | CenturyLink Field | 68,235 | Recap |
| 12 | November 24 | at Green Bay Packers | T 26–26 (OT) | 2–8–1 | Lambeau Field | 77,871 | Recap |
| 13 | December 1 | Chicago Bears | W 23–20 (OT) | 3–8–1 | Mall of America Field | 64,134 | Recap |
| 14 | December 8 | at Baltimore Ravens | L 26–29 | 3–9–1 | M&T Bank Stadium | 70,921 | Recap |
| 15 | December 15 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 48–30 | 4–9–1 | Mall of America Field | 64,087 | Recap |
| 16 | December 22 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 14–42 | 4–10–1 | Paul Brown Stadium | 61,555 | Recap |
| 17 | December 29 | Detroit Lions | W 14–13 | 5–10–1 | Mall of America Field | 64,134 | Recap |
    Team names in bold indicate the Vikings' divisional opponents.
    # Blue/red indicates the International Series game in London.

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: at Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 24 |
| Lions | 3 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 34 |
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
* Date: September 8
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 62,461
* Referee: John Parry (132)
* TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Adrian Peterson 78-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 10:39. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 78 yards, 0:13.
DET – David Akers 33-yard field goal, 4:55. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 5:44.
Second quarter
DET – David Akers 42-yard field goal, 14:47. Vikings 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 25 yards, 3:08.
MIN – Adrian Peterson 4-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 12:17. Vikings 14–6. Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:36.
DET – Joique Bell 2-yard run (David Akers kick), 0:10. Vikings 14–13. Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 2:04.
Third quarter
DET – Joique Bell 1-yard run (David Akers kick), 10:19. Lions 20–14. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:44.
MIN – Blair Walsh 52-yard field goal, 6:42. Lions 20–17. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:37.
DET – Reggie Bush 77-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (David Akers kick), 5:45. Lions 27–17. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 0:57.
MIN – Adrian Peterson 4-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 1:37. Lions 27–24. Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, 4:08.
Fourth quarter
DET – Joseph Fauria 1-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (David Akers kick), 6:47. Lions 34–24. Drive: 8 plays, 39 yards, 4:36.
Top passers
MIN – Christian Ponder – 18/28, 236 yards, TD, 3 INT
DET – Matthew Stafford – 28/43, 357 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Adrian Peterson – 18 rushes, 93 yards, 2 TD
DET – Reggie Bush – 21 rushes, 90 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Jerome Simpson – 7 receptions, 140 yards
DET – Reggie Bush – 4 receptions, 101 yards, TD :

#### Week 2: at Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 14 | 3 | 6 | 30 |
| Bears | 14 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 31 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Date: September 15
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Rain, 60 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 62,181
* Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
* TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 105-yard kickoff return (Blair Walsh kick), 14:47. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:13.
CHI – Martellus Bennett 1-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), 12:12. Tied 7–7. Drive: 5 plays, 32 yards, 2:35.
CHI – Brandon Marshall 34-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), 1:04. Bears 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 86 yards, 1:06.
Second quarter
MIN – Brian Robison 61-yard fumble return (Blair Walsh kick), 7:34. Tied 14–14.
CHI – Tim Jennings 44-yard interception return (Robbie Gould kick), 2:51. Bears 21–14.
MIN – Kyle Rudolph 20-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 1:11. Tied 21–21. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:40.
CHI – Robbie Gould 20-yard field goal, 0:00. Bears 24–21. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 1:11.
Third quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 28-yard field goal, 2:32. Tied 24–24. Drive: 13 plays, 81 yards, 5:45.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 28-yard field goal, 8:05. Vikings 27–24. Drive: 13 plays, 79 yards, 6:49.
MIN – Blair Walsh 22-yard field goal, 3:15. Vikings 30–24. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:13.
CHI – Martellus Bennett 16-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), 0:10. Bears 31–30. Drive: 10 plays, 66 yards, 3:05.
Top passers
MIN – Christian Ponder – 16/30, 227 yards, TD, INT
CHI – Jay Cutler – 28/39, 290 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
MIN – Adrian Peterson – 26 rushes, 100 yards
CHI – Matt Forté – 19 rushes, 90 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Greg Jennings – 5 receptions, 84 yards
CHI – Brandon Marshall – 7 receptions, 113 yards, TD :

#### Week 3: vs. Cleveland Browns

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Browns | 7 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 31 |
| Vikings | 7 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: September 22
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 63,672
* Referee: Bill Leavy (127)
* TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Adrian Peterson 2-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 9:13. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:47.
CLE – Josh Gordon 47-yard pass from Brian Hoyer (Billy Cundiff kick), 4:42. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 2:13.
Second quarter
CLE – Jordan Cameron 19-yard pass from Brian Hoyer (Billy Cundiff kick), 14:55. Browns 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:26.
MIN – Christian Ponder 6-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 4:43. Tied 14–14. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:43.
CLE – Billy Cundiff 38-yard field goal, 6:07. Browns 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 4:05.
CLE – Jordan Cameron 11-yard pass from Spencer Lanning (Billy Cundiff kick), 3:39. Browns 24–14. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 1:33.
MIN – Blair Walsh 43-yard field goal, 1:08. Browns 24–17. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:20.
Third quarter
MIN – Christian Ponder 8-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 2:36. Tied 24–24. Drive: 3 plays, 9 yards, 0:49.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 30-yard field goal, 10:47. Vikings 27–24. Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 5:14.
CLE – Jordan Cameron 7-yard pass from Brian Hoyer (Spencer Lanning kick), 0:51. Browns 31–27. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards, 2:30.
Top passers
CLE – Brian Hoyer – 30/54, 321 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
MIN – Christian Ponder – 25/42, 228 yards, INT
Top rushers
CLE – Josh Aubrey – 1 rush, 34 yards
MIN – Adrian Peterson – 25 rushes, 88 yards, TD
Top receivers
CLE – Josh Gordon – 10 receptions, 146 yards, TD
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson – 2 receptions, 49 yards :

#### Week 4: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL International Series
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers | 7 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 27 |
| Vikings | 10 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 34 |
at Wembley Stadium, London, United Kingdom
* Date: September 29
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. BST/12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 54 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 83,518
* Referee: Clete Blakeman (34)
* TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 54-yard field goal, 12:08. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 2:52.
MIN – Greg Jennings 70-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 8:06. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 3 plays, 76 yards, 0:56.
PIT – Le'Veon Bell 8-yard run (Shaun Suisham kick), 4:02. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:04.
Second quarter
MIN – Adrian Peterson 60-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 12:42. Vikings 17–7. Drive: 1 play, 60 yards, 0:10.
PIT – Shaun Suisham 26-yard field goal, 3:39. Vikings 17–10. Drive: 15 plays, 78 yards, 9:03.
MIN – Blair Walsh 37-yard field goal, 0:39. Vikings 20–10. Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 3:00.
Third quarter
PIT – Le'Veon Bell 1-yard run (Shaun Suisham kick), 11:28. Vikings 20–17. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:32.
MIN – Adrian Peterson 7-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 7:52. Vikings 27–17. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:36.
MIN – Greg Jennings 16-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 5:11. Vikings 34–17. Drive: 2 plays, 37 yards, 0:27.
Fourth quarter
PIT – Jerricho Cotchery 15-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Shaun Suisham kick), 12:42. Vikings 34–24. Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 3:13.
PIT – Shaun Suisham 28-yard field goal, 3:37. Vikings 34–27. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 3:12.
Top passers
PIT – Ben Roethlisberger – 36/51, 383 yards, TD, INT
MIN – Matt Cassel – 16/25, 248 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
PIT – Le'Veon Bell – 16 rushes, 57 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Adrian Peterson – 23 rushes, 140 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
PIT – Jerricho Cotchery – 5 receptions, 103 yards, TD
MIN – Jerome Simpson – 7 receptions, 124 yards :

#### Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 35 |
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: October 13
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 63,963
* Referee: Ron Winter (14)
* TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
* Recap, Game book
Game information :
First quarter
CAR – Steve Smith 2-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 2:03. Panthers 7–0. Drive: 15 plays, 62 yards, 9:29.
Second quarter
CAR – Mike Tolbert 10-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 3:43. Panthers 14–0. Drive: 14 plays, 82 yards, 6:34.
MIN – Blair Walsh 22-yard field goal, 0:14. Panthers 14–3. Drive: 15 plays, 76 yards, 3:29.
Third quarter
CAR – Brandon LaFell 79-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 13:56. Panthers 21–3. Drive: 3 plays, 86 yards, 1:04.
CAR – Cam Newton 7-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 6:10. Panthers 28–3. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 5:50.
Fourth quarter
CAR – Mike Tolbert 1-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 7:40. Panthers 35–3. Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 3:02.
MIN – Kyle Rudolph 23-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 1:00. Panthers 35–10. Drive: 11 plays, 89 yards, 2:38.
Top passers
CAR – Cam Newton – 20/26, 242 yards, 3 TD
MIN – Matt Cassel – 32/44, 241 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
CAR – DeAngelo Williams – 17 rushes, 64 yards
MIN – Adrian Peterson – 10 rushes, 62 yards
Top receivers
CAR – Brandon LaFell – 4 receptions, 107 yards, TD
MIN – Kyle Rudolph – 9 receptions, 97 yards, TD :

#### Week 7: at New York Giants

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Giants | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: October 21
* Game time: 8:40 p.m. EDT/7:40 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 79,314
* Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
* Recap, Game book
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Josh Brown 35-yard field goal, 5:24. Giants 3–0. Drive: 17 plays, 68 yards, 9:36.
MIN – Marcus Sherels 86-yard punt return (Blair Walsh kick), 0:23. Vikings 7–3.
Second quarter
NYG – Rueben Randle 24-yard pass from Eli Manning (Josh Brown kick), 9:33. Giants 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:34.
Third quarter
NYG – Peyton Hillis 1-yard run (Josh Brown kick), 8:37. Giants 17–7. Drive: 2 plays, 3 yards, 0:41.
Fourth quarter
NYG – Josh Brown 23-yard field goal, 12:13. Giants 20–7. Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 8:31.
NYG – Josh Brown 36-yard field goal, 11:03. Giants 23–7. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 1:00.
Top passers
MIN – Josh Freeman – 20/53, 190 yards, INT
NYG – Eli Manning – 23/39, 200 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Adrian Peterson – 13 rushes, 28 yards
NYG – Peyton Hillis – 18 rushes, 36 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Greg Jennings – 4 receptions, 41 yards
NYG – Victor Cruz – 5 receptions, 50 yards :

#### Week 8: vs. Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 7 | 17 | 7 | 13 | 44 |
| Vikings | 7 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: October 27
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,134
* Referee: Scott Green (19)
* TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
* Recap, Game book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 109-yard kickoff return (Blair Walsh kick), 14:47. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:13.
GB – Jordy Nelson 11-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 7:23. Tied 7–7. Drive: 14 plays, 90 yards, 7:24.
Second quarter
GB – Mason Crosby 30-yard field goal, 10:29. Packers 10–7. Drive: 17 plays, 70 yards, 8:24.
MIN – Blair Walsh 36-yard field goal, 5:09. Tied 10–10. Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 5:20.
GB – Jordy Nelson 76-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 3:38. Packers 17–10. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:31.
GB – Micah Hyde 93-yard punt return (Mason Crosby kick), 1:30. Packers 24–10.
MIN – Adrian Peterson 8-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 0:04. Packers 24–17. Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 1:26.
Third quarter
GB – Eddie Lacy 1-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 6:50. Packers 31–17. Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards, 8:10.
Fourth quarter
GB – James Starks 25-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 14:16. Packers 38–17. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 5:32.
GB – Mason Crosby 20-yard field goal, 6:10. Packers 41–17. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 6:36.
MIN – Toby Gerhart 13-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 4:42. Packers 41–24. Drive: 5 plays, 58 yards, 1:28.
GB – Mason Crosby 45-yard field goal, 2:53. Packers 44–24. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 1:49.
MIN – Christian Ponder 19-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:24. Packers 44–31. Drive: 5 plays, 73 yards, 1:29.
Top passers
GB – Aaron Rodgers – 24/29, 285 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Christian Ponder – 14/21, 145 yards
Top rushers
GB – Eddie Lacy – 29 rushes, 94 yards, TD
MIN – Adrian Peterson – 13 rushes, 60 yards, TD
Top receivers
GB – Jordy Nelson – 7 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Kyle Rudolph – 4 receptions, 51 yards :
With Josh Freeman ruled out after suffering a concussion in the previous game, Christian Ponder reclaimed his spot as starting quarterback. Cordarrelle Patterson got the game off to a good start for the Vikings, returning the opening kickoff 109 yards for a touchdown to tie the NFL record. However, Aaron Rodgers responded for the Packers by leading his offense on a 14-play, 90-yard drive, culminating in an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson. The sides then exchanged field goals before Rodgers found Nelson again in the second quarter for a 76-yard touchdown. On the Vikings' next possession, they were forced to punt, but Micah Hyde was able to return the kick 93 yards for another Packers touchdown to make the score 24–10. A controversial pass interference call against Packers cornerback Tramon Williams late in the half set the Vikings up with a first down on the Packers' 14-yard line; two plays later, Adrian Peterson had the ball in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown, which kept the Vikings in with a chance going into the second half.
But the Packers offense remained unstoppable as Rodgers again led a long drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run from Eddie Lacy after they had converted three times on third down and once on fourth down during the series. After another three-and-out for the Vikings, the Packers offense picked up four first downs in the space of five plays on the way to a 25-yard touchdown run for James Starks. The Vikings again went three-and-out on their next possession, but this time their defense was able to stop Green Bay at the goal line, limiting them to a 20-yard Mason Crosby field goal to make the score 41–17 with just over six minutes to play. Patterson again had a big return on the ensuing kickoff, taking it 51 yards to the Minnesota 42-yard line to set up a short field. Five plays later, Toby Gerhart narrowed the deficit to 17 points with a 13-yard touchdown run. Vikings cornerback Josh Robinson was penalized on the onside kick that followed for touching the ball before it had gone 10 yards, allowing the Packers to run down the clock before Crosby slotted another field goal, this time from 45 yards. Inside the two-minute warning, Ponder threw an incompletion on fourth down, only for Tramon Williams to again be penalized for pass interference against Patterson, allowing Ponder the opportunity for a 19-yard touchdown run two plays later. The Vikings were unable to recover the onside kick, and Green Bay knelt out the clock for a 44–31 win.

#### Week 9: at Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
| Cowboys | 3 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 27 |
at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
* Date: November 3
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
* Game attendance: 85,360
* Referee: Jeff Triplette (42)
* TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
* Recap, Game book
Game information :
First quarter
DAL – Dan Bailey 41-yard field goal, 6:51. Cowboys 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 4:15.
MIN – Blair Walsh 23-yard field goal, 2:08. Tied 3–3. Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards, 4:43.
Second quarter
DAL – Dan Bailey 44-yard field goal, 6:35. Cowboys 6–3. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 6:56.
MIN – Christian Ponder 6-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:41. Vikings 10–6. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 4:54.
Third quarter
DAL – Jason Witten 26-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 11:38. Cowboys 13–10. Drive: 6 plays, 74 yards, 3:22.
DAL – Nick Hayden fumble recovery in end zone (Dan Bailey kick), 11:28. Cowboys 20–10.
MIN – Kyle Rudolph 31-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 8:11. Cowboys 20–17. Drive: 6 plays, 77 yards, 3:17.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Adrian Peterson 11-yard run (kick wide right), 5:40. Vikings 23–20. Drive: 8 plays, 87 yards, 4:52.
DAL – Dwayne Harris 7-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 0:35. Cowboys 27–23. Drive: 9 plays, 90 yards, 2:09.
Top passers
MIN – Christian Ponder – 25/37, 236 yards, TD, INT
DAL – Tony Romo – 34/51, 337 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Adrian Peterson – 25 rushes, 140 yards, TD
DAL – DeMarco Murray – 4 rushes, 31 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Greg Jennings – 6 receptions, 56 yards
DAL – Jason Witten – 8 receptions, 102 yards, TD :
Following the high-scoring loss to the Packers, the Vikings, continuing with Christian Ponder as their quarterback, travel to Arlington, Texas to face the Dallas Cowboys. The first quarter was all field goals, as Dallas scored first with a 41-yarder by Dan Bailey, followed by a 23-yarder for the Vikings by Blair Walsh. In the second quarter, Bailey made another field goal from 44 yards to put the Cowboys up by 3, but the Vikings took a 10–6 lead into halftime, capping the ensuing 79-yard drive with a 6-yard run by Ponder.
After the half, Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo completed two consecutive 26-yard passes to tight end Jason Witten to give them an early touchdown and restore their three-point lead. On the very next play from scrimmage, Ponder fumbled the ball as he was sacked in the end zone, and the Cowboys' Nick Hayden recovered it for a touchdown, meaning the Vikings went from 10–6 up to 20–10 down in the space of two scrimmage plays. The Vikings responded immediately with a quick, six-play drive, culminating with a 31-yard pass from Ponder to Kyle Rudolph to cut the Cowboys' lead back to three points.
After a series of punts going into the fourth quarter, Adrian Peterson scored for the Vikings with an 11-yard run with almost six minutes to go, but Walsh pushed the extra point kick wide right, giving the Vikings a three-point lead over the Cowboys. Vikings cornerback A. J. Jefferson intercepted Romo on the Cowboys' ensuing drive, putting the Vikings in a position to potentially take over the game, but the offense went three-and-out and was forced to punt. The Cowboys progressed downfield quickly, never faced with a third down, and scored with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Romo to Dwayne Harris, the third time the Vikings had given up a game-winning score in 2013. With less than 30 seconds to play, but they were unable to make any significant territorial gains and Ponder's last-second hail mary fell short, giving the Cowboys a 27–23 win.

#### Week 10: vs. Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins | 10 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 27 |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 34 |
at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: November 7
* Game time: 7:25 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,011
* Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
* TV announcers (NFLN): Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock and Alex Flanagan
* Recap, Game book
Game information :
First quarter
WAS – Kai Forbath 20-yard field goal, 8:16. Redskins 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards, 4:53.
MIN – Adrian Peterson 18-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 5:10. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 3:06.
WAS – Pierre Garçon 8-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Kai Forbath kick), 1:17. Redskins 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 78 yards, 3:53.
Second quarter
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 2-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 12:59. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 3:18.
WAS – Jordan Reed 11-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Kai Forbath kick), 5:02. Redskins 17–14. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 7:57.
WAS – Logan Paulsen 1-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Kai Forbath kick), 0:10. Redskins 24–14. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 3:57.
Third quarter
WAS – Kai Forbath 40-yard field goal, 9:22. Redskins 27–14. Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 5:38.
MIN – John Carlson 28-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 4:32. Redskins 27–21. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 4:50.
MIN – Adrian Peterson 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 0:57. Vikings 28–27. Drive: 5 plays, 41 yards, 2:00.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 39-yard field goal, 9:54. Vikings 31–27. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 2:38.
MIN – Blair Walsh 40-yard field goal, 3:36. Vikings 34–27. Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 4:47.
Top passers
WAS – Robert Griffin III – 24/37, 281 yards, 3 TD
MIN – Christian Ponder – 17/21, 174 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
WAS – Alfred Morris – 26 rushes, 139 yards
MIN – Adrian Peterson – 20 rushes, 75 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
WAS – Pierre Garçon – 7 receptions, 119 yards, TD
MIN – John Carlson – 7 receptions, 98 yards, TD :

#### Week 11: at Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 3 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
| Seahawks | 10 | 14 | 0 | 17 | 41 |
at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
* Date: November 17
* Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST/1:25 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Sunny, 50 °F (10 °C)
* Game attendance: 68,235
* Referee: Jerome Boger (23)
* TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jennifer Hale
* Recap, Game book
Game information :
First quarter
SEA – Steven Hauschka 50-yard field goal, 11:25. Seahawks 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 1 yard, 2:04.
MIN – Blair Walsh 32-yard field goal, 4:40. Tied 3–3. Drive: 13 plays, 66 yards, 6:45.
SEA – Marshawn Lynch 4-yard run (Steven Hauschka kick), 11:25. Seahawks 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, 78 yards, 2:10.
Second quarter
MIN – Jarius Wright 38-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 11:28. Tied 10–10. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:32.
SEA – Marshawn Lynch 1-yard run (Steven Hauschka kick), 6:26. Seahawks 17–10. Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 5:02.
MIN – Blair Walsh 45-yard field goal, 0:48. Seahawks 17–13. Drive: 11 plays, 44 yards, 5:38.
SEA – Doug Baldwin 19-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 0:10. Seahawks 24–13. Drive: 5 plays, 46 yards, 0:38.
Third quarter
No scoring plays
Fourth quarter
SEA – Marshawn Lynch 6-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 13:14. Seahawks 31–13. Drive: 2 plays, 18 yards, 0:39.
SEA – Walter Thurmond 29-yard interception return (Steven Hauschka kick), 12:30. Seahawks 38–13.
SEA – Steven Hauschka 26-yard field goal, 10:12. Seahawks 41–13. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:28.
MIN – Jarius Wright 21-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 2:18. Seahawks 41–20. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 2:53.
Top passers
MIN – Christian Ponder – 13/22, 129 yards, TD, 2 INT
SEA – Russell Wilson – 13/18, 230 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Toby Gerhart – 7 rushes, 67 yards
SEA – Marshawn Lynch – 17 rushes, 54 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
MIN – Jarius Wright – 3 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TD
SEA – Zach Miller – 4 receptions, 69 yards :

#### Week 12: at Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Vikings | 3 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 26 |
| Packers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 3 | 26 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* Date: November 24
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 19 °F (−7 °C)
* Game attendance: 77,871
* Referee: Bill Vinovich (52)
* TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Erin Andrews
* Recap, Game book
Game information :
First quarter
GB – Scott Tolzien 6-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 4:59. Packers 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 87 yards, 5:59.
MIN – Blair Walsh 36-yard field goal, 1:37. Packers 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 24 yards, 3:22.
Second quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 47-yard field goal, 4:24. Packers 7–6. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 4:23.
MIN – Adrian Peterson 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 0:50. Vikings 13–7. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 2:24.
Third quarter
MIN – Rhett Ellison 12-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 8:22. Vikings 20–7. Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 3:28.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 29-yard field goal, 14:22. Vikings 23–7. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 6:04.
GB – Eddie Lacy 3-yard run (pass failed), 11:42. Vikings 23–13. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 2:40.
GB – Jarrett Boykin 6-yard pass from Matt Flynn (Mason Crosby kick), 3:30. Vikings 23–20. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 5:10.
GB – Mason Crosby 27-yard field goal, 0:46. Tied 23–23. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 1:41.
Overtime
GB – Mason Crosby 20-yard field goal, 10:25. Packers 26–23. Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 4:35.
MIN – Blair Walsh 35-yard field goal, 3:49. Tied 26–26. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 6:36.
Top passers
MIN – Christian Ponder – 21/30, 233 yards, TD
GB – Matt Flynn – 21/36, 218 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Adrian Peterson – 32 rushes, 146 yards, TD
GB – Eddie Lacy – 25 rushes, 110 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Jerome Simpson – 2 receptions, 54 yards
GB – James Jones – 7 receptions, 80 yards :
The Vikings traveled to Green Bay in week 12 to face a Packers team missing quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had suffered a fractured left collarbone three weeks earlier. After successive punts from each side started the game, the Packers were the first to score as backup QB Scott Tolzien ran in for a 6-yard touchdown, but two field goals from Blair Walsh and a 1-yard touchdown run for Adrian Peterson meant the Vikings took a 13–7 lead into halftime. They extended their lead midway through the third quarter as Christian Ponder hit tight end Rhett Ellison for a 12-yard touchdown, and Walsh made it a 16-point lead with a 29-yard field goal on the second play of the fourth quarter.
The Packers pulled the struggling Tolzien after the Ellison touchdown and replaced him with the recently re-signed Matt Flynn. Flynn then led the Packers on three consecutive scoring drives in the fourth quarter, starting with a 3-yard touchdown run for Eddie Lacy. Flynn's pass to Andrew Quarless on the two-point attempt fell incomplete, but Flynn was able to find Jarrett Boykin for a 6-yard touchdown on the next drive to reduce the Vikings' lead to three points. Inside the two-minute warning, Flynn combined with James Jones for a 28-yard completion on 4th-and-6, setting up Mason Crosby for the game-tying, 27-yard field goal. The Packers won the overtime coin toss and took the opening possession down to the Minnesota 2-yard line before having to settle for a field goal, only for Walsh to respond with a 35-yard effort. The two sides then exchanged possession as neither was able to put together a significant drive and the game ended in a 26–26 tie.

#### Week 13: vs. Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Bears | 3 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 23 |
at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: December 1
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,134
* Referee: Carl Cheffers (51)
* TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
* Recap, Game book
Game information :
First quarter
CHI – Robbie Gould 30-yard field goal, 1:06. Bears 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 5:10.
Second quarter
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 33-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 7:27. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 5 plays, 90 yards, 2:33.
CHI – Robbie Gould 40-yard field goal, 2:47. Vikings 7–6. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 4:40.
Third quarter
CHI – Alshon Jeffery 80-yard pass from Josh McCown (Robbie Gould kick), 14:08. Bears 13–7. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:52.
MIN – Blair Walsh 32-yard field goal, 7:08. Bears 13–10. Drive: 13 plays, 66 yards, 7:00.
CHI – Alshon Jeffery 46-yard pass from Josh McCown (Robbie Gould kick), 5:15. Bears 20–10. Drive: 4 plays, 83 yards, 1:53.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Greg Jennings 8-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 7:41. Bears 20–17. Drive: 13 plays, 89 yards, 6:25.
MIN – Blair Walsh 30-yard field goal, 0:20. Tied 20–20. Drive: 12 plays, 79 yards, 2:20.
Overtime
MIN – Blair Walsh 34-yard field goal, 1:43. Vikings 23–20. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 2:24.
Top passers
CHI – Josh McCown – 23/36, 355 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Matt Cassel – 20/33, 243 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
CHI – Matt Forte – 23 rushes, 120 yards
MIN – Adrian Peterson – 35 rushes, 211 yards
Top receivers
CHI – Alshon Jeffery – 12 receptions, 249 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Greg Jennings – 7 receptions, 78 yards, TD :

#### Week 14: at Baltimore Ravens

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 26 |
| Ravens | 7 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 29 |
at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
* Date: December 8
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Light snow, 33 °F (1 °C)
* Game attendance: 70,921
* Referee: Pete Morelli (135)
* TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jennifer Hale
* Recap, Game book
Game information :
First quarter
BAL – Ed Dickson 1-yard pass from Joe Flacco (Justin Tucker kick), 4:14. Ravens 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards, 2:15.
Second quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 39-yard field goal, 4:28. Ravens 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 45 yards, 5:42.
Third quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 40-yard field goal, 12:02. Ravens 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 38 yards, 2:58.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Jerome Simpson 8-yard pass from Matt Cassel (pass failed), 14:22. Vikings 12–7. Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 1:40.
BAL – Dennis Pitta 1-yard pass from Joe Flacco (Joe Flacco–Torrey Smith pass), 2:05. Ravens 15–12. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 4:27.
MIN – Toby Gerhart 41-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:27. Vikings 19–15. Drive: 2 plays, 68 yards, 0:38.
BAL – Jacoby Jones 77-yard kickoff return (Justin Tucker kick), 1:16. Ravens 22–19. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:11.
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 79-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 0:45. Vikings 26–22. Drive: 3 plays, 79 yards, 0:31.
BAL – Marlon Brown 9-yard pass form Joe Flacco (Justin Tucker kick), 0:04. Ravens 29–26. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 0:41.
Top passers
MIN – Matt Cassel – 17/38, 265 yards, 2 TD
BAL – Joe Flacco – 28/50, 245 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
MIN – Toby Gerhart – 15 rushes, 89 yards, TD
BAL – Ray Rice – 17 rushes, 67 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson – 5 receptions, 141 yards, TD
BAL – Marlon Brown – 7 receptions, 92 yards, TD :
Playing in the snow in Baltimore, the Vikings sought out their first road win of the season. During the first half, Adrian Peterson injured his ankle and was dropped from the game. Despite taking the lead with a touchdown twice in the final 2 minutes of the fourth quarter, the Vikings were unable to hold on as the Ravens scored a game-winning touchdown with four seconds left. With the loss, the Vikings dropped to 3–9–1 and were officially eliminated from postseason contention.

#### Week 15: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 3 | 6 | 13 | 8 | 30 |
| Vikings | 7 | 10 | 10 | 21 | 48 |
at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: December 15
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,087
* Referee: Walt Anderson (66)
* TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
* Recap, Game book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Greg Jennings 57-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 6:18. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 91 yards, 2:04.
PHI – Alex Henery 35-yard field goal, 2:35. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 3:43.
Second quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 21-yard field goal, 13:19. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 4:16.
PHI – Alex Henery 51-yard field goal, 8:55. Vikings 10–6. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 4:24.
MIN – Matt Asiata 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:06. Vikings 17–6. Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 7:49.
PHI – Alex Henery 33-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 17–9. Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 1:06.
Third quarter
MIN – Matt Cassel 6-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 12:03. Vikings 24–9. Drive: 4 plays, 52 yards, 1:38.
MIN – Blair Walsh 38-yard field goal, 4:43. Vikings 27–9. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:21.
PHI – DeSean Jackson 30-yard pass from Nick Foles (Alex Henery kick), 3:14. Vikings 27–16. Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 1:29.
PHI – Zach Ertz 3-yard pass from Nick Foles (pass failed), 0:15. Vikings 27–22. Drive: 3 plays, 45 yards, 1:03.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Matt Asiata 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 13:01. Vikings 34–22. Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards, 2:14.
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 5-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 6:54. Vikings 41–22. Drive: 3 plays, 36 yards, 1:01.
PHI – Jason Avant 16-yard pass from Nick Foles (Nick Foles–Riley Cooper pass), 4:26. Vikings 41–30. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:28.
MIN – Matt Asiata 5-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:09. Vikings 48–30. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 3:17.
Top passers
PHI – Nick Foles – 30/48, 428 yards, 3 TD, INT
MIN – Matt Cassel – 26/35, 382 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
PHI – Nick Foles – 5 rushes, 41 yards
MIN – Matt Asiata – 30 rushes, 51 yards, 3 TD
Top receivers
PHI – DeSean Jackson – 10 receptions, 195 yards, TD
MIN – Greg Jennings – 11 receptions, 163 yards, TD :

#### Week 16: at Cincinnati Bengals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Bengals | 14 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 42 |
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
* Date: December 22
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 53 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 61,555
* Referee: Terry McAulay (77)
* TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Ronde Barber and Kris Budden
* Recap, Game book
Game information :
First quarter
CIN – Benjarvus Green-Ellis 4-yard run (Mike Nugent kick), 13:12. Bengals 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 4 yards, 0:12.
MIN – Jarius Wright 36-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick, 10:02. Tied 7–7. Drive: 4 plays, 54 yards, 1:57.
CIN – A. J. Green 29-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Mike Nugent kick), 0:57. Bengals 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 90 yards, 5:21.
Second quarter
CIN – Vincent Rey 25-yard interception return (Mike Nugent kick), 10:02. Bengals 21–7.
CIN – Jermaine Gresham 16-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Mike Nugent kick), 2:22. Bengals 28–7. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 3:09.
Third quarter
CIN – Mohamed Sanu 7-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Mike Nugent kick), 10:35. Bengals 35–7. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:25.
CIN – A. J. Green 2-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Mike Nugent kick), 3:19. Bengals 42–7. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 5:12.
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 35-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:34. Bengals 42–14. Drive: 5 plays, 67 yards, 1:45.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
MIN – Matt Cassel – 13/27, 114 yards, TD, 3 INT
CIN – Andy Dalton – 27/38, 366 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson – 3 rushes, 54 yards, TD
CIN – BenJarvus Green-Ellis – 12 rushes, 24 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Jarius Wright – 1 reception, 36 yards, TD
CIN – A. J. Green – 7 receptions, 97 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: December 29
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,134
* Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
* TV announcers (Fox): Gus Johnson, Charles Davis and Kristina Pink
* Recap, Game book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 50-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 2:41. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 69 yards, 0:52.
Second quarter
No scoring plays
Third quarter
DET – Reggie Bush 19-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (David Akers kick), 10:27. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 4:33.
Fourth quarter
DET – David Akers 25-yard field goal, 14:25. Lions 10–7. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 7:36.
DET – David Akers 53-yard field goal, 12:43. Lions 13–7. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 0:51.
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 8-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 9:19. Vikings 14–13. Drive: 2 plays, 8 yards, 0:08.
Top passers
DET – Matthew Stafford – 22/33, 217 yards, TD
MIN – Matt Cassel – 20/33, 189 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
DET – Reggie Bush – 14 rushes, 32 yards
MIN – Matt Asiata – 14 rushes, 115 yards
Top receivers
DET – Kevin Ogletree – 5 receptions, 75 yards
MIN – Greg Jennings – 5 receptions, 44 yards :
In the last game to be played at the Metrodome before its demolition, the Vikings hosted their divisional rivals, the Detroit Lions. This turned out to be the only game of the Vikings' season (including preseason) in which the opposing team scored fewer than 20 points. A 50-yard run from Cordarrelle Patterson for the first score of the game put the Vikings up 7–0, where the score remained through halftime. After the half, Reggie Bush struck back with a 19-yard touchdown reception to tie the game at 7–7 in the third. The fourth quarter saw David Akers make two field goals to put the Lions in the lead 13–7. However, Matt Cassel threw a TD pass to Patterson to put the Vikings back in the lead 14–13, which they managed to hold onto for the remaining nine minutes of the game.
Head coach Leslie Frazier was fired as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings the following day. His tenure ended with a record of 21–32–1 in over three years.

### Standings
#### Division

NFC North :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(4)}$ Green Bay Packers | 8 | 7 | 1 | .531 | 3–2–1 | 6–5–1 | 417 | 428 | W1 |
| Chicago Bears | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 4–8 | 445 | 478 | L2 |
| Detroit Lions | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 6–6 | 395 | 376 | L4 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 5 | 10 | 1 | .344 | 2–3–1 | 4–7–1 | 391 | 480 | W1 |

#### Conference

NFCviewtalkedit :
| # | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
| Division winners ||||||||||||
| 1 | Seattle Seahawks | West | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 4–2 | 10–2 | .490 | .445 | W1 |
| 2 | Carolina Panthers | South | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .494 | .451 | W3 |
| 3 | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 4–2 | 9–3 | .453 | .391 | W2 |
| 4 | Green Bay Packers | North | 8 | 7 | 1 | .531 | 3–2–1 | 6–5–1 | .453 | .371 | W1 |
| Wild cards ||||||||||||
| 5 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .494 | .414 | W6 |
| 6 | New Orleans Saints | South | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .516 | .455 | W1 |
| Did not qualify for the postseason ||||||||||||
| 7 | Arizona Cardinals | West | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .531 | .444 | L1 |
| 8 | Chicago Bears | North | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .465 | .469 | L2 |
| 9 | Dallas Cowboys | East | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 5–1 | 7–5 | .484 | .363 | L1 |
| 10 | New York Giants | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .520 | .366 | W2 |
| 11 | Detroit Lions | North | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .457 | .402 | L4 |
| 12 | St. Louis Rams | West | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .551 | .446 | L1 |
| 13 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 5 | 10 | 1 | .344 | 2–3–1 | 4–7–1 | .512 | .450 | W1 |
| 14 | Atlanta Falcons | South | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .553 | .313 | L2 |
| 15 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 2–10 | .574 | .391 | L3 |
| 16 | Washington Redskins | East | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 0–6 | 1–11 | .516 | .438 | L8 |
| Tiebreakers ||||||||||||
| ↑ Chicago defeated Dallas head-to-head (Week 14, 45–28). ↑ The NY Giants and Detroit finished with a better conference record than St. Louis. ↑ The NY Giants defeated Detroit head-to-head (Week 16, 23–20 (OT)). ↑ Detroit finished with a better conference record than St. Louis. ↑ Atlanta finished with a better conference record than Tampa Bay. ↑ 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. ||||||||||||

## Statistics
### Team leaders

| Category | Player(s) | Value |
| Passing yards | Matt Cassel | 1,807 |
| Passing touchdowns | Matt Cassel | 11 |
| Rushing yards | Adrian Peterson | 1,266 |
| Rushing touchdowns | Adrian Peterson | 10 |
| Receptions | Greg Jennings | 68 |
| Receiving yards | Greg Jennings | 804 |
| Receiving touchdowns | Greg Jennings | 4 |
| Points | Blair Walsh | 121 |
| Kickoff return yards | Cordarrelle Patterson | 1,393 * |
| Punt return yards | Marcus Sherels | 335 |
| Tackles | Chad Greenway | 134 |
| Sacks | Jared Allen | 11.5 |
| Interceptions | Chad Greenway | 3 |
| Forced fumbles | Jared Allen Jamarca Sanford | 2 |
* Vikings single season record.

### League rankings

| Category | Total yards | Yards per game | NFL rank (out of 32) |
| Passing offense | 3,427 | 214.2 | 23rd |
| Rushing offense | 2,081 | 130.1 | 8th |
| Total offense | 5,508 | 344.2 | 13th |
| Passing defense | 4,598 | 287.4 | 31st |
| Rushing defense | 1,767 | 110.4 | 16th |
| Total defense | 6,365 | 397.8 | 31st |