# 2020 Minnesota Vikings season

The 2020 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 60th in the National Football League (NFL), their fifth playing home games at U.S. Bank Stadium and their seventh under head coach Mike Zimmer. This was the Vikings' first time since 2005 that long-time assistant Kevin Stefanski was not part of the Vikings coaching staff, as he left to become the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns on January 12, 2020. After going 1–5 in their first six games for the first time since 2013, the team failed to improve upon their 10–6 record from 2019 after a Week 11 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and failed to match their 10–6 record after a Week 14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention following a week 16 loss to the New Orleans Saints, and ultimately finished 7–9, their first losing season since 2014. The Vikings conceded 475 points during the season, the third-highest total in franchise history, although they also managed to score 430 points, also the third-most in team history.

## Offseason
### Transactions

Players lost in 2020 :
| Name | Position | Type | 2020 team | Contract |
| Mackensie Alexander | CB | UFA | Cincinnati Bengals | 1 year, $4 million |
| Kentrell Brothers | LB | UFA | | |
| Stefon Diggs | WR | Trade | Buffalo Bills | |
| Everson Griffen | DE | UFA | Dallas Cowboys | 1 year, $6 million |
| Linval Joseph | DT | Released | Los Angeles Chargers | 2 years, $17 million |
| Jayron Kearse | S | UFA | Detroit Lions | 1 year, $2 million |
| Josh Kline | G | Released | | |
| David Morgan II | TE | Released | | |
| Xavier Rhodes | CB | Released | Indianapolis Colts | 1 year, $3.25 million |
| Andrew Sendejo | S | UFA | Cleveland Browns | 1 year, $2.25 million |
| Marcus Sherels | CB | UFA | | |
| Laquon Treadwell | WR | UFA | Atlanta Falcons | 1 year, $910,000 |
| Trae Waynes | CB | UFA | Cincinnati Bengals | 3 years, $42 million |
| Stephen Weatherly | DE | UFA | Carolina Panthers | 2 years, $12.5 million |
Players signed in 2020 :
| Name | Position | Type | 2019 team | Contract |
| Ameer Abdullah | RB | UFA | Minnesota Vikings | 1 year, $1.0475 million |
| Dan Bailey | K | UFA | Minnesota Vikings | 3 years, $10 million |
| Britton Colquitt | P | UFA | Minnesota Vikings | 3 years, $9 million |
| Kirk Cousins | QB | Extension | Minnesota Vikings | 2 years, $66 million |
| Dakota Dozier | T | UFA | Minnesota Vikings | 1 year, $1 million |
| DeMarquis Gates | LB | UFA | Houston Roughnecks (XFL) | 1 year, $610,000 |
| C. J. Ham | FB | Extension | Minnesota Vikings | 4 years, $12 million |
| Anthony Harris | S | UFA (franchise tag) | Minnesota Vikings | 1 year, $11.441 million |
| Rashod Hill | G | UFA | Minnesota Vikings | 1 year, $1.0475 million |
| Brett Jones | C | UFA | Minnesota Vikings | 1 year, $1 million |
| Sean Mannion | QB | UFA | Minnesota Vikings | 1 year, $1.047 million |
| Michael Pierce | DT | UFA | Baltimore Ravens | 3 years, $27 million |
| Tajae Sharpe | WR | UFA | Tennessee Titans | 1 year, $1 million |
| Eric Wilson | LB | RFA (second-round tender) | Minnesota Vikings | 1 year, $3.259 million |
| Anthony Zettel | DE | UFA | San Francisco 49ers | 1 year, $1 million |

### 2020 draft

The Vikings had a total of 15 selections in the 2020 NFL draft, a record number since the draft moved to a seven-round format in 1994. Although they had lost their original fifth-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens in the trade for kicker/punter Kaare Vedvik prior to the 2019 season and their seventh-round pick in the trade that sent wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills earlier in the 2020 offseason, the Diggs trade gave the Vikings extra picks in the first, fifth and sixth rounds. They also had an extra pick in the seventh round after trading guard Danny Isidora to the Miami Dolphins at the start of the 2019 season, as well as one compensatory pick in the third round and two in the seventh as a result of free agency losses in 2019.
After taking LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson 22nd overall with the first-round pick they acquired from the Bills, the Vikings traded their original first-round pick (25th overall) to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the 31st overall pick, as well as selections in the fourth and fifth rounds; with the 31st overall pick, the Vikings took TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney. The Vikings used their second-round pick on Boise State offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland, then took Mississippi State cornerback Cameron Dantzler in the third round, before trading their third-round compensatory pick to the New Orleans Saints for the Saints' remaining picks in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.
In the fourth round, the Vikings used the picks they acquired from the 49ers and Saints to select South Carolina defensive end D. J. Wonnum and Baylor defensive tackle James Lynch, before taking Oregon linebacker Troy Dye with their original fourth-round pick. The Vikings traded the fifth-round pick they acquired from the Bills to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft, before using their remaining fifth-round selections on Temple Owls cornerback Harrison Hand and Miami (FL) wide receiver K. J. Osborn. In the sixth round, the Vikings traded the other pick they acquired from the Bills—along with the seventh-round selection they got from the Dolphins—to the Ravens for another seventh-round pick and a fifth-round pick in 2021 before taking Oregon State offensive tackle Blake Brandel and Michigan safety Josh Metellus. The Vikings then had four remaining picks in the seventh round, which they used on Michigan State Spartans defensive end Kenny Willekes, Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley, Mississippi State safety Brian Cole II and Washburn guard Kyle Hinton.
* Pro Bowler
2020 Minnesota Vikings draft :
| Draft order | Draft order | Player name | Position | College | Contract | Notes |
| Round | Selection | Player name | Position | College | Contract | Notes |
| 1 | 22 | Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU | 4 years, $13.123 million | From Bills |
| 1 | 25 | Traded to the San Francisco 49ers | Traded to the San Francisco 49ers | Traded to the San Francisco 49ers | Traded to the San Francisco 49ers | |
| 1 | 31 | Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU | 4 years, $10.991 million | From 49ers |
| 2 | 58 | Ezra Cleveland | OT | Boise State | 4 years, $5.537 million | |
| 3 | 89 | Cameron Dantzler | CB | Mississippi State | 4 years, $4.586 million | |
| 3 | 105 | Traded to the New Orleans Saints | Traded to the New Orleans Saints | Traded to the New Orleans Saints | Traded to the New Orleans Saints | Compensatory pick |
| 4 | 117 | D. J. Wonnum | DE | South Carolina | 4 years, $4.046 million | From 49ers |
| 4 | 130 | James Lynch | DT | Baylor | 4 years, $3.985 million | From Saints |
| 4 | 132 | Troy Dye | LB | Oregon | 4 years, $3.974 million | |
| 5 | 155 | Traded to the Chicago Bears | Traded to the Chicago Bears | Traded to the Chicago Bears | Traded to the Chicago Bears | From Bills |
| 5 | 169 | Harrison Hand | CB | Temple | 4 years, $3.594 million | From Saints |
| 5 | 170 | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | |
| 5 | 176 | K. J. Osborn | WR | Miami (FL) | 4 years, $3.563 million | From 49ers |
| 6 | 201 | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | From Bills |
| 6 | 203 | Blake Brandel | OT | Oregon State | 4 years, $3.46 million | From Saints |
| 6 | 205 | Josh Metellus | S | Michigan | 4 years, $3.455 million | |
| 7 | 219 | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | From Dolphins |
| 7 | 225 | Kenny Willekes | DE | Michigan State | 4 years, $3.395 million | From Ravens |
| 7 | 239 | Traded to the Buffalo Bills | Traded to the Buffalo Bills | Traded to the Buffalo Bills | Traded to the Buffalo Bills | |
| 7 | 244 | Nate Stanley | QB | Iowa | 4 years, $3.373 million | From Saints |
| 7 | 249 | Brian Cole II | S | Mississippi State | 4 years, $3.37 million | Compensatory pick |
| 7 | 253 | Kyle Hinton | G | Washburn | 4 years, $3.37 million | Compensatory pick |
Notes
* The Vikings were awarded three compensatory selections at the NFL's annual spring owners' meetings. They received one additional pick in the third round and two in the seventh round, compensating for the losses of Sheldon Richardson, Trevor Siemian and Tom Compton.
Draft trades
* 1 2 3 4 The Vikings traded a seventh-round selection (239th overall) and WR Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for Buffalo's first-, fifth- and sixth-round selections (22nd, 155th and 201st overall) and 2021 fourth-round selection.
* 1 2 3 4 The Vikings traded a first-round selection (25th overall) to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for San Francisco's first-, fourth- and fifth-round selections (31st, 117th and 176th overall).
* 1 2 3 4 5 The Vikings traded a third-round selection (105th overall) to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for New Orleans' fourth-, fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-round selection (130th, 169th, 203rd, and 244th overall).
* ↑ The Vikings traded a fifth-round selection (155th overall) to the Chicago Bears in exchange for Chicago's fourth-round selection in 2021.
* ↑ The Vikings traded a fifth-round selection (170th overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for K Kaare Vedvik.
* 1 2 3 The Vikings traded a sixth- and seventh-round selection (201st and 219th overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for Baltimore's seventh-round selection (225th overall) as well as their fifth-round selection in 2021.
* ↑ The Vikings traded G Danny Isidora to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Miami's seventh-round selection (219th overall).
2020 Minnesota Vikings undrafted free agents :
| Name | Position | College |
| Brady Aiello | OL | Oregon |
| Jake Bargas | TE | North Carolina |
| Dan Chisena | WR | Penn State |
| Nevelle Clarke | CB | UCF |
| Quartney Davis | WR | Texas A&M |
| Myles Dorn | CB | North Carolina |
| Jordan Fehr | LB | Appalachian State |
| Nakia Griffin-Stewart | TE | Pittsburgh |
| Tyler Higby | OL | Michigan State |
| Jake Lacina | OL | Augustana (SD) |
| Blake Lynch | LB | Baylor |
| David Moa | DT | Boise State |

## Preseason

The Vikings' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was canceled in late July due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
| 1 | August 14 | Houston Texans | U.S. Bank Stadium | Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2 | August 21 | at Cincinnati Bengals | Paul Brown Stadium | Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 3 | August 30 | at Cleveland Browns | FirstEnergy Stadium | Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 4 | September 3 | Seattle Seahawks | U.S. Bank Stadium | Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |

## Regular season
### Schedule

The Vikings' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
| 1 | September 13 | Green Bay Packers | L 34–43 | 0–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 0 | Recap |
| 2 | September 20 | at Indianapolis Colts | L 11–28 | 0–2 | Lucas Oil Stadium | 2,500 | Recap |
| 3 | September 27 | Tennessee Titans | L 30–31 | 0–3 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 250 | Recap |
| 4 | October 4 | at Houston Texans | W 31–23 | 1–3 | NRG Stadium | 12,102 | Recap |
| 5 | October 11 | at Seattle Seahawks | L 26–27 | 1–4 | CenturyLink Field | 0 | Recap |
| 6 | October 18 | Atlanta Falcons | L 23–40 | 1–5 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 0 | Recap |
| 7 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 8 | November 1 | at Green Bay Packers | W 28–22 | 2–5 | Lambeau Field | 0 | Recap |
| 9 | November 8 | Detroit Lions | W 34–20 | 3–5 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 0 | Recap |
| 10 | November 16 | at Chicago Bears | W 19–13 | 4–5 | Soldier Field | 0 | Recap |
| 11 | November 22 | Dallas Cowboys | L 28–31 | 4–6 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 0 | Recap |
| 12 | November 29 | Carolina Panthers | W 28–27 | 5–6 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 0 | Recap |
| 13 | December 6 | Jacksonville Jaguars | W 27–24 (OT) | 6–6 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 0 | Recap |
| 14 | December 13 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 14–26 | 6–7 | Raymond James Stadium | 16,031 | Recap |
| 15 | December 20 | Chicago Bears | L 27–33 | 6–8 | U.S. Bank Stadium | 0 | Recap |
| 16 | December 25 | at New Orleans Saints | L 33–52 | 6–9 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | 3,000 | Recap |
| 17 | January 3 | at Detroit Lions | W 37–35 | 7–9 | Ford Field | 0 | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 3 | 19 | 7 | 14 | 43 |
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 34 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: September 13
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Bill Vinovich (52)
* TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Greg Jennings, Brock Huard and Jen Hale
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
GB – Mason Crosby 31-yard field goal, 7:27. Packers 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 63 yards, 7:33.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 1-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 3:24. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:03.
Second quarter
GB – Kirk Cousins sacked in the end zone by Jaire Alexander for a safety, 11:39. Vikings 7–5.
GB – Mason Crosby 43-yard field goal, 8:08. Packers 8–7. Drive: 8 plays, 31 yards, 3:31.
GB – Davante Adams 24-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 0:39. Packers 15–7. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 5:25.
GB – Marquez Valdes-Scantling 45-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 0:14. Packers 22–7. Drive: 2 plays, 45 yards, 0:11.
MIN – Dan Bailey 35-yard field goal, 0:00. Packers 22–10. Drive: 3 plays, 58 yards, 0:14.
Third quarter
GB – Davante Adams 1-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 0:09. Packers 29–10. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 4:11.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Adam Thielen 37-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dalvin Cook run), 13:53. Packers 29–18. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 1:16.
GB – Allen Lazard 4-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 10:02. Packers 36–18. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:51.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 3-yard run (Dalvin Cook run), 7:55. Packers 36–26. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:07.
GB – Aaron Jones 5-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 3:19. Packers 43–26. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:36.
MIN – Adam Thielen 19-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Kirk Cousins–Adam Thielen pass), 1:21. Packers 43–34. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 1:58.
Top passers
GB – Aaron Rodgers – 32/44, 364 yards, 4 TD
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 19/25, 259 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
GB – Aaron Jones – 16 rushes, 66 yards, TD
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 12 rushes, 50 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
GB – Davante Adams – 14 receptions, 156 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Adam Thielen – 6 receptions, 110 yards, 2 TD :
This was the Vikings' first loss in their season opener since 2015. The 43 points scored by the Packers was the most the Vikings had conceded in a season opener in franchise history. Wide receiver Adam Thielen scored two touchdowns for the first time since Week 5 of the 2019 season against the New York Giants.

#### Week 2: at Indianapolis Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 11 |
| Colts | 0 | 15 | 3 | 10 | 28 |
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: September 20
* Game time: 12:00 pm. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Sunny, 65 °F (18 °C) (retractable roof open)
* Game attendance: 2,500
* Referee: Alex Kemp (55)
* TV announcers (Fox): Tim Brando, Robert Smith and Megan Olivi
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 21-yard field goal, 9:01. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 5:59.
Second quarter
IND – Jonathan Taylor 5-yard run (Rodrigo Blankenship kick), 11:45. Colts 7–3. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 1:29.
IND – Kirk Cousins sacked in the endzone by DeForest Buckner for a safety, 4:54. Colts 9–3.
IND – Rodrigo Blankenship 28-yard field goal, 1:10. Colts 12–3. Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 3:44.
IND – Rodrigo Blankenship 38-yard field goal, 0:24. Colts 15–3. Drive: 4 plays, 9 yards, 0:21.
Third quarter
IND – Rodrigo Blankenship 38-yard field goal, 9:27. Colts 18–3. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:26.
Fourth quarter
IND – Zach Pascal 2-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Rodrigo Blankenship kick), 14:00. Colts 25–3. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 6:25.
IND – Rodrigo Blankenship 44-yard field goal, 8:47. Colts 28–3. Drive: 6 plays, 36 yards, 3:43.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 3-yard run (Dalvin Cook run), 5:20. Colts 28–11. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:27.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 11/26, 113 yards, 3 INT
IND – Philip Rivers – 19/25, 214 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 14 rushes, 63 yards, TD
IND – Jonathan Taylor – 26 rushes, 101 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 3 receptions, 44 yards
IND – Mo Alie-Cox – 5 receptions, 111 yards :
This loss dropped the Vikings to 0–2 for the first time since 2013. Quarterback Kirk Cousins was intercepted three times on 26 pass attempts that included just 11 completions for 113 yards; he ended up with a passer rating of 15.9.

#### Week 3: vs. Tennessee Titans

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Titans | 6 | 3 | 16 | 6 | 31 |
| Vikings | 7 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 30 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: September 27
* Game time: 12:00 pm. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Clete Blakeman (34)
* TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton and A. J. Ross
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
TEN – Stephen Gostkowski 39-yard field goal, 11:44. Titans 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards, 3:16.
TEN – Stephen Gostkowski 31-yard field goal, 6:01. Titans 6–0. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 0:52.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 39-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 2:43. Vikings 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 3:18.
Second quarter
MIN – Adam Thielen 16-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 8:56. Vikings 14–6. Drive: 10 plays, 88 yards, 5:52.
TEN – Stephen Gostkowski 30-yard field goal, 3:18. Vikings 14–9. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 5:38.
MIN – Dan Bailey 41-yard field goal, 1:41. Vikings 17–9. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 1:37.
Third quarter
TEN – Stephen Gostkowski 51-yard field goal, 8:57. Vikings 17–12. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 1:18.
MIN – Justin Jefferson 71-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 8:04. Vikings 24–12. Drive: 2 plays, 73 yards, 0:53.
TEN – Derrick Henry 1-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 3:53. Vikings 24–19. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:11.
TEN – Derrick Henry 1-yard run (pass failed), 1:22. Titans 25–24. Drive: 3 plays, 65 yards, 1:17.
Fourth players
MIN – Kyle Rudolph 3-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (pass failed), 10:17. Vikings 30–25. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 6:05.
TEN – Stephen Gostkowski 54-yard field goal, 6:31. Vikings 30–28. Drive: 10 plays, 39 yards, 3:46.
TEN – Stephen Gostkowski 55-yard field goal, 1:44. Titans 31–30. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 1:58.
Top passers
TEN – Ryan Tannehill – 23/37, 321 yards, INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 16/27, 251 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
TEN – Derrick Henry – 26 rushes, 119 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 22 rushes, 181 yards, TD
Top receivers
TEN – Kalif Raymond – 3 receptions, 118 yards
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 7 receptions, 175 yards, TD :

#### Week 4: at Houston Texans

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| Texans | 0 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 23 |
at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
* Date: October 4
* Game time: 12:00 pm. CDT
* Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
* Game attendance: 12,102
* Referee: Brad Rogers (126)
* TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Greg Jennings, Brock Huard and Jen Hale
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Dalvin Cook 5-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 5:05. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 56 yards, 4:13.
Second quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 31-yard field goal, 12:41. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 22 yards, 3:26.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 50-yard field goal, 8:46. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 43 yards, 3:55.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 7-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 1:53. Vikings 17–3. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:53.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 28-yard field goal, 0:27. Vikings 17–6. Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 1:26.
Third quarter
HOU – Will Fuller 24-yard pass from Deshaun Watson (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 9:47. Vikings 17–13. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:02.
HOU – Kaʻimi Fairbairn 25-yard field goal, 5:30. Vikings 17–16. Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 1:54.
MIN – Adam Thielen 9-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 0:41. Vikings 24–16. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:49.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Alexander Mattison 4-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 10:50. Vikings 31–16. Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 3:20.
HOU – Kenny Stills 24-yard pass from Deshaun Watson (Kaʻimi Fairbairn kick), 5:52. Vikings 31–23. Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 4:58.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 16/22, 260 yards, TD
HOU – Deshaun Watson – 20/33, 300 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 27 rushes, 130 yards, 2 TD
HOU – David Johnson – 16 rushes, 63 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Adam Thielen – 8 receptions, 114 yards, TD
HOU – Will Fuller – 6 receptions, 108 yards, TD :

#### Week 5: at Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 26 |
| Seahawks | 0 | 0 | 21 | 6 | 27 |
at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
* Date: October 11
* Game time: 7:20 pm. CDT/5:20 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: Rain, 54 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
* TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya and Terry McAulay
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Dalvin Cook 8-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 8:48. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 77 yards, 6:12.
Second quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 52-yard field goal, 8:33. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 17 plays, 64 yards, 10:13.
MIN – Dan Bailey 46-yard field goal, 0:10. Vikings 13–0. Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 1:37.
Third quarter
SEA – Will Dissly 19-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Jason Myers kick), 9:55. Vikings 13–7. Drive: 4 plays, 58 yards, 1:42.
SEA – DK Metcalf 13-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Jason Myers kick), 8:19. Seahawks 14–13. Drive: 2 plays, 15 yards, 0:39.
SEA – Chris Carson 29-yard run (Jason Myers kick), 8:02. Seahawks 21–13. Drive: 1 play, 29 yards, 0:07.
MIN – Adam Thielen 3-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (run failed), 3:39. Seahawks 21–19. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 4:23.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Adam Thielen 6-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 7:08. Vikings 26–21. Drive: 15 plays, 97 yards, 8:11.
SEA – DK Metcalf 6-yard pass from Russell Wilson (pass failed), 0:15. Seahawks 27–26. Drive: 13 plays, 94 yards, 1:42.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 27/39, 249 yards, 2 TD, INT
SEA – Russell Wilson – 20/32, 217 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Alexander Mattison – 20 rushes, 112 yards
SEA – Russell Wilson – 5 rushes, 58 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Adam Thielen – 9 receptions, 80 yards, 2 TD
SEA – DK Metcalf – 6 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 6: vs. Atlanta Falcons

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Falcons | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 40 |
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 7 | 16 | 23 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: October 18
* Game time: 12:00 pm. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Craig Wrolstad (4)
* TV announcers (Fox): Brandon Gaudin, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
ATL – Julio Jones 20-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 12:02. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 29 yards, 2:41.
ATL – Younghoe Koo 50-yard field goal, 3:02. Falcons 10–0. Drive: 13 plays, 54 yards, 6:51.
Second quarter
ATL – Calvin Ridley 8-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 1:54. Falcons 17–0. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 3:52.
ATL – Younghoe Koo 21-yard field goal, 0:01. Falcons 20–0. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 1:05.
Third quarter
ATL – Younghoe Koo 47-yard field goal, 10:45. Falcons 23–0. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 4:15.
MIN – Justin Jefferson 11-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 6:25. Falcons 23–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:20.
ATL – Julio Jones 40-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 2:01. Falcons 30–7. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:24.
Fourth quarter
ATL – Younghoe Koo 43-yard field goal, 7:07. Falcons 33–7. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 3:33.
MIN – Adam Thielen 2-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Kirk Cousins-Irv Smith Jr. pass), 3:58. Falcons 33–15. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:09.
ATL – Hayden Hurst 35-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 2:11. Falcons 40–15. Drive: 4 plays, 44 yards, 1:47.
MIN – Justin Jefferson 49-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Kirk Cousins-Justin Jefferson pass), 1:26. Falcons 40–23. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 0:45.
Top passers
ATL – Matt Ryan – 30/40, 371 yards, 4 TD
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 24/36, 343 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
ATL – Todd Gurley – 20 rushes, 47 yards
MIN – Alexander Mattison – 10 rushes, 26 yards
Top receivers
ATL – Julio Jones – 8 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 9 receptions, 166 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 8: at Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 28 |
| Packers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 22 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* Date: November 1
* Game time: 12:00 pm. CST
* Game weather: Cloudy and windy, 34 °F (1 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Alex Kemp (55)
* TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
GB – Davante Adams 5-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 7:01. Packers 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 7:59.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 21-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 0:47. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 73 yards, 6:14.
Second quarter
GB – Davante Adams 1-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 6:53. Packers 14–7. Drive: 15 plays, 72 yards, 8:54.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 1-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 0:31. Tied 14–14. Drive: 12 plays, 67 yards, 6:22.
Third quarter
MIN – Dalvin Cook 1-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 10:00. Vikings 21–14. Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, 5:00.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 50-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 5:52. Vikings 28–14. Drive: 4 plays, 63 yards, 2:06.
Fourth quarter
GB – Davante Adams 7-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Jamaal Williams run), 2:42. Vikings 28–22. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 3:05.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 11/14, 160 yards, TD
GB – Aaron Rodgers – 27/41, 291 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 30 rushes, 163 yards, 3 TD
GB – Jamaal Williams – 16 rushes, 75 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 2 receptions, 63 yards, TD
GB – Robert Tonyan – 5 receptions, 79 yards :

#### Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Vikings | 13 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: November 8
* Game time: 12:00 pm. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Clete Blakeman (34)
* TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Dalvin Cook 5-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 10:39. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 67 yards, 2:32.
MIN – Irv Smith Jr. 9-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (kick failed, wide right), 1:26. Vikings 13–0. Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 2:41.
Second quarter
DET – Matt Prater 23-yard field goal, 8:21. Vikings 13–3. Drive: 15 plays, 70 yards, 8:05.
DET – Marvin Jones 15-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 1:19. Vikings 13–10. Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:52.
MIN – Ameer Abdullah 22-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 0:15. Vikings 20–10. Drive: 6 plays, 87 yards, 1:04.
Third quarter
MIN – Irv Smith Jr. 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 7:50. Vikings 27–10. Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 4:09.
Fourth quarter
DET – Matt Prater 45-yard field goal, 11:02. Vikings 27–13. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 3:33.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 70-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 10:42. Vikings 34–13. Drive: 1 play, 70 yards, 0:20.
DET – T. J. Hockenson 2-yard pass from Chase Daniel (Matt Prater kick), 6:55. Vikings 34–20. Drive: 1 play, 2 yards, 0:03.
Top passers
DET – Matthew Stafford – 23/32, 211 yards, TD, 2 INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 13/20, 220 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
DET – D'Andre Swift – 13 rushes, 64 yards
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 22 rushes, 206 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
DET – Danny Amendola – 7 receptions, 77 yards
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 3 receptions, 64 yards :

#### Week 10: at Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 19 |
| Bears | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Date: November 16
* Game time: 7:15 pm. CST
* Game weather: Clear, 44 °F (7 °C)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Scott Novak (1)
* TV announcers (ESPN): Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters and John Parry
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Adam Thielen 17-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 6:29. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 3:05.
CHI – Cairo Santos 23-yard field goal, 0:32. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 14 plays, 70 yards, 5:57.
Second quarter
CHI – Cairo Santos 42-yard field goal, 0:49. Vikings 7–6. Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 1:02.
Third quarter
CHI – Cordarrelle Patterson 104-yard kickoff return (Cairo Santos kick), 14:46. Bears 13–7.
MIN – Dan Bailey 37-yard field goal, 10:50. Bears 13–10. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:54.
MIN – Dan Bailey 43-yard field goal, 1:52. Tied 13–13. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:20.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Adam Thielen 6-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (pass failed), 10:06. Vikings 19–13. Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 4:43.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 25/36, 292 yards, 2 TD, INT
CHI – Nick Foles – 15/26, 106 yards, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 30 rushes, 96 yards
CHI – Cordarrelle Patterson – 12 rushes, 30 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 8 receptions, 135 yards
CHI – Allen Robinson – 6 receptions, 43 yards :

#### Week 11: vs. Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cowboys | 6 | 10 | 0 | 15 | 31 |
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: November 22
* Game time: 3:25 pm. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Bill Vinovich (52)
* TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
DAL – Ezekiel Elliott 6-yard pass from Andy Dalton (kick blocked), 9:26. Cowboys 6–0. Drive: 3 plays, 30 yards, 1:31.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 1-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 2:11. Vikings 7–6. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 7:15.
Second quarter
DAL – CeeDee Lamb 4-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Greg Zuerlein kick), 4:55. Cowboys 13–7. Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 5:01.
DAL – Greg Zuerlein 19-yard field goal, 0:02. Cowboys 16–7. Drive: 5 plays, 47 yards, 0:47.
Third quarter
MIN – Adam Thielen 2-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 9:50. Cowboys 16–14. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:10.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Adam Thielen 3-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 14:57. Vikings 21–16. Drive: 12 plays, 81 yards, 6:47.
DAL – Tony Pollard 42-yard run (CeeDee Lamb run), 12:02. Cowboys 24–21. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:55.
MIN – Justin Jefferson 39-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 9:37. Vikings 28–24. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:25.
DAL – Dalton Schultz 2-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Greg Zuerlein kick), 1:37. Cowboys 31–28. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 2:23.
Top passers
DAL – Andy Dalton – 22/32, 203 yards, 3 TD, INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 22/30, 314 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
DAL – Ezekiel Elliott – 21 rushes, 103 yards
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 27 rushes, 115 yards, TD
Top receivers
DAL – Amari Cooper – 6 receptions, 81 yards
MIN – Adam Thielen – 8 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 12: vs. Carolina Panthers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 0 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 27 |
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 28 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: November 29
* Game time: 12:00 pm. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Brad Rogers (126)
* TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Justin Jefferson 12-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 5:34. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 68 yards, 7:38.
Second quarter
CAR – Robby Anderson 41-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Joey Slye kick), 1:52. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 5:33.
MIN – Dan Bailey 53-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 11 plays, 41 yards, 1:52.
Third quarter
CAR – Jeremy Chinn 17-yard fumble return (Joey Slye kick), 14:01. Panthers 14–10.
CAR – Jeremy Chinn 28-yard fumble return (Joey Slye kick), 13:51. Panthers 21–10.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 25-yard field goal, 14:47. Panthers 21–13. Drive: 12 plays, 72 yards, 5:34.
CAR – Joey Slye 40-yard field goal, 11:31. Panthers 24–13. Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 3:16.
MIN – Justin Jefferson 10-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Kirk Cousins–Bisi Johnson pass), 5:31. Panthers 24–21. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:00.
CAR – Joey Slye 21-yard field goal, 1:51. Panthers 27–21. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 0:19.
MIN – Chad Beebe 10-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 0:46. Vikings 28–27. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 1:05.
Top passers
CAR – Teddy Bridgewater – 19/36, 267 yards, TD, INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 34/45, 307 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
CAR – Mike Davis – 15 rushes, 55 yards
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 18 rushes, 61 yards
Top receivers
CAR – Robby Anderson – 4 receptions, 94 yards, TD
MIN – Bisi Johnson – 7 receptions, 74 yards :

#### Week 13: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Jaguars | 9 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 24 |
| Vikings | 0 | 6 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 27 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: December 6
* Game time: 12:00 pm. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Land Clark (130)
* TV announcers (CBS): Beth Mowins and Jay Feely
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
JAX – Laviska Shenault 28-yard pass from Mike Glennon (kick failed, wide right), 12:33. Jaguars 6–0. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:27.
JAX – Chase McLaughlin 22-yard field goal, 6:04. Jaguars 9–0. Drive: 10 plays, 66 yards, 5:07.
Second quarter
MIN – Adam Thielen 3-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (kick failed, wide left), 2:50. Jaguars 9–6. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 4:50.
Third quarter
JAX – Joe Schobert 43-yard interception return (Chase McLaughlin kick), 14:50. Jaguars 16–6.
MIN – C. J. Ham 12-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 11:08. Jaguars 16–13. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:42.
MIN – Justin Jefferson 20-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (kick failed, wide right), 3:27. Vikings 19–16. Drive: 8 plays, 90 yards, 3:50.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Mike Glennon sacked in the end zone by Ifeadi Odenigbo for a safety, 14:11. Vikings 21–16.
MIN – Dan Bailey 48-yard field goal, 3:50. Vikings 24–16. Drive: 5 plays, 14 yards, 1:39.
JAX – James Robinson 1-yard run (Mike Glennon–Collin Johnson pass), 1:08. Tied 24–24. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 2:42.
Overtime
MIN – Dan Bailey 23-yard field goal, 1:49. Vikings 27–24. Drive: 11 plays, 41 yards, 5:24.
Top passers
JAX – Mike Glennon – 28/42, 280 yards, TD, 2 INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 28/43, 305 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
JAX – James Robinson – 18 rushes, 78 yards, TD
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 32 rushes, 120 yards
Top receivers
JAX – Collin Johnson – 4 receptions, 66 yards
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 9 receptions, 121 yards, TD :

#### Week 14: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 14 |
| Buccaneers | 0 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 26 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
* Date: December 13
* Game time: 12:00 pm. CST/1:00 p.m. (EST)
* Game weather: Cloudy, 78 °F (26 °C)
* Game attendance: 16,031
* Referee: Brad Allen (122)
* TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
MIN – Dalvin Cook 1-yard run (kick failed, wide left), 14:17. Vikings 6–0. Drive: 14 plays, 84 yards, 8:15.
TB – Scotty Miller 48-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 7:41. Buccaneers 7–6. Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 1:49.
TB – Ronald Jones II 1-yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 0:44. Buccaneers 14–6. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 3:53.
TB – Ryan Succop 18-yard field goal, 0:00. Buccaneers 17–6. Drive: 4 plays, 71 yards, 0:21.
Third quarter
TB – Rob Gronkowski 2-yard pass from Tom Brady (kick failed, wide right), 10:09. Buccaneers 23–6. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:51.
MIN – Irv Smith Jr. 14-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Kirk Cousins–Justin Jefferson pass), 1:36. Buccaneers 23–14. Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 8:33.
Fourth quarter
TB – Ryan Succop 48-yard field goal, 5:16. Buccaneers 26–14. Drive: 8 plays, 34 yards, 3:44.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 24/37, 225 yards, TD
TB – Tom Brady – 15/23, 196 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 22 rushes, 102 yards, TD
TB – Ronald Jones II – 18 rushes, 80 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Irv Smith Jr. – 4 receptions, 63 yards, TD
TB – Mike Evans – 3 receptions, 56 yards :

#### Week 15: vs. Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 10 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 33 |
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 27 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: December 20
* Game time: 12:00 pm. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Shawn Smith (14)
* TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Greg Jennings and Jen Hale
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
CHI – Darnell Mooney 8-yard pass from Mitchell Trubisky (Cairo Santos kick), 9:01. Bears 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 58 yards, 2:07.
MIN – Adam Thielen 3-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 4:46. Tied 7–7. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:15.
CHI – Cairo Santos 42-yard field goal, 1:16. Bears 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 3:30.
Second quarter
CHI – David Montgomery 1-yard run (Cairo Santos kick), 6:46. Bears 17–7. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 7:19.
CHI – Cairo Santos 35-yard field goal, 3:34. Bears 20–7. Drive: 6 plays, 17 yards, 2:13.
MIN – Dan Bailey 24-yard field goal, 0:26. Bears 20–10. Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 3:08.
Third quarter
MIN – Dalvin Cook 1-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 10:54. Bears 20–17. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:06.
CHI – David Montgomery 14-yard run (Cairo Santos kick), 5:30. Bears 27–17. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:24.
MIN – Dan Bailey 22-yard field goal, 2:38. Bears 27–20. Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 2:52.
Fourth quarter
CHI – Cairo Santos 48-yard field goal, 13:33. Bears 30–20. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 4:05.
MIN – Tyler Conklin 20-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 8:05. Bears 30–27. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:28.
CHI – Cairo Santos 42-yard field goal, 0:56. Bears 33–27. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 0:58.
Top passers
CHI – Mitchell Trubisky – 15/21, 202 yards, TD, INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 24/35, 271 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
CHI – David Montgomery – 32 rushes, 146 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 24 rushes, 132 yards, TD
Top receivers
CHI – Allen Robinson – 4 receptions, 83 yards
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 8 receptions, 104 yards :

#### Week 16: at New Orleans Saints

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 13 | 6 | 33 |
| Saints | 14 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 52 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
* Date: December 25
* Game time: 3:30 pm. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 3,000
* Referee: Adrian Hill (29)
* TV announcers (Fox/NFLN/Amazon Prime Video): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NO – Alvin Kamara 40-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:11. Saints 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:49.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 15-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 8:46. Tied 7–7. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:25.
NO – Alvin Kamara 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 5:10. Saints 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:36.
Second quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 30-yard field goal, 14:12. Saints 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 84 yards, 4:36.
MIN – Mike Boone 4-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 10:14. Saints 17–14. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:58.
NO – Alvin Kamara 5-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 0:38. Saints 24–14. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 2:37.
Third quarter
MIN – Irv Smith Jr. 2-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (kick failed, wide left), 9:41. Saints 24–20. Drive: 3 plays, 18 yards, 1:12.
NO – Alvin Kamara 6-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 4:38. Saints 31–20. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 5:03.
MIN – Irv Smith Jr. 4-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 0:22. Saints 31–27. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:16.
Fourth quarter
NO – Alvin Kamara 7-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:01. Saints 38–27. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 3:21.
NO – Taysom Hill 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 4:00. Saints 45–27. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 6:22.
MIN – Adam Thielen 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (pass failed), 2:10. Saints 45–33. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 1:50.
NO – Alvin Kamara 3-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 1:50. Saints 52–33. Drive: 3 plays, 48 yards, 0:20.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 27/41, 291 yards, 3 TD
NO – Drew Brees – 19/26, 311 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 15 rushes, 73 yards, TD
NO – Alvin Kamara – 22 rushes, 155 yards, 6 TD
Top receivers
MIN – Adam Thielen – 8 receptions, 97 yards, TD
NO – Emmanuel Sanders – 4 receptions, 83 yards :
With the loss, Minnesota was eliminated from the playoffs, clinching their first losing season since 2014 and only the second under head coach Mike Zimmer.

#### Week 17: at Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 37 |
| Lions | 6 | 10 | 13 | 6 | 35 |
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
* Date: January 3, 2021
* Game time: 12:00 pm. CST/1:00 pm. EST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 0
* Referee: Adrian Hill (29)
* TV announcers (Fox): Joe Davis, Robert Smith and Kristina Pink
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
DET – Marvin Jones 43-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (kick failed, wide left), 4:45. Lions 6–0. Drive: 7 plays, 90 yards, 3:36.
MIN – Alexander Mattison 28-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 0:34. Vikings 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 4:11.
Second quarter
DET – Quintez Cephus 20-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 13:19. Lions 13–7. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:15.
MIN – Ameer Abdullah 4-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 8:51. Vikings 14–13. Drive: 8 plays, 79 yards, 4:28.
DET – Matt Prater 54-yard field goal, 7:13. Lions 16–14. Drive: 5 plays, 39 yards, 1:38.
MIN – Chad Beebe 40-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 0:04. Vikings 21–16. Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 0:51.
Third quarter
DET – Marvin Jones 26-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 14:09. Lions 23–21. Drive: 2 plays, 33 yards, 0:51.
MIN – Alexander Mattison 2-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 11:35. Vikings 28–23. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 2:34.
MIN – Dan Bailey 23-yard field goal, 7:55. Vikings 31–23. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 1:46.
DET – Adrian Peterson 2-yard run (pass failed), 3:02. Vikings 31–29. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:53.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Kirk Cousins 1-yard run (kick failed), 10:32. Vikings 37–29. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 7:30.
DET – D'Andre Swift 2-yard run (pass failed), 4:26. Vikings 37–35. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 6:06.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 28/40, 405 yards, 3 TD
DET – Matthew Stafford – 20/31, 293 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Alexander Mattison – 21 rushes, 95 yards, TD
DET – Adrian Peterson – 7 rushes, 63 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 9 receptions, 133 yards
DET – Marvin Jones – 8 receptions, 180 yards, 2 TD :

### Standings
#### Division

NFC North :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(1)}$ Green Bay Packers | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 5–1 | 10–2 | 509 | 369 | W6 |
| $^{(7)}$ Chicago Bears | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 6–6 | 372 | 370 | L1 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 5–7 | 430 | 475 | W1 |
| Detroit Lions | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | 377 | 519 | L4 |

#### Conference

NFCvte :
| # | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
| Division leaders ||||||||||||
| 1 | Green Bay Packers | North | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .428 | .387 | W6 |
| 2 | New Orleans Saints | South | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 6–0 | 10–2 | .459 | .406 | W2 |
| 3 | Seattle Seahawks | West | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 4–2 | 9–3 | .447 | .404 | W4 |
| 4 | Washington Football Team | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 5–7 | .459 | .388 | W1 |
| Wild cards ||||||||||||
| 5 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .488 | .392 | W4 |
| 6 | Los Angeles Rams | West | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 9–3 | .494 | .484 | W1 |
| 7 | Chicago Bears | North | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .488 | .336 | L1 |
| Did not qualify for the postseason ||||||||||||
| 8 | Arizona Cardinals | West | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .475 | .441 | L2 |
| 9 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 5–7 | .504 | .366 | W1 |
| 10 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 3–3 | 4–8 | .549 | .448 | L1 |
| 11 | New York Giants | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 4–2 | 5–7 | .502 | .427 | W1 |
| 12 | Dallas Cowboys | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .471 | .333 | L1 |
| 13 | Carolina Panthers | South | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .531 | .388 | L1 |
| 14 | Detroit Lions | North | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .508 | .350 | L4 |
| 15 | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 4 | 11 | 1 | .281 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .537 | .469 | L3 |
| 16 | Atlanta Falcons | South | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 2–10 | .551 | .391 | L5 |
| Tiebreakers ||||||||||||
| 1 2 New Orleans finished ahead of Seattle based on conference record. 1 2 Chicago finished and clinched the 7th and final playoff spot ahead of Arizona based on better win percentage in common games (against Detroit, the NY Giants, Carolina, and the LA Rams, Chicago finished 3–2, while Arizona finished 1–4). 1 2 San Francisco finished ahead of the NY Giants based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Dallas (see below). 1 2 NY Giants won tiebreaker over Dallas based on division record. 1 2 Carolina finished ahead of Detroit 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. ||||||||||||

## Statistics
### Team leaders

| Category | Player(s) | Total |
| Passing yards | Kirk Cousins | 4,265 |
| Passing touchdowns | Kirk Cousins | 35 |
| Rushing yards | Dalvin Cook | 1,557 |
| Rushing touchdowns | Dalvin Cook | 16 (tie) |
| Receptions | Justin Jefferson | 88 * |
| Receiving yards | Justin Jefferson | 1,400 ** |
| Receiving touchdowns | Adam Thielen | 14 |
| Points | Dalvin Cook | 108 |
| Kickoff return yards | Ameer Abdullah | 352 |
| Punt return yards | Chad Beebe | 42 |
| Tackles | Eric Wilson | 122 |
| Sacks | Yannick Ngakoue | 5.0 |
| Interceptions | Harrison Smith | 5 |
| Forced fumbles | Yannick Ngakoue | 2 |
| Bold = League leader |||
| * = Franchise Rookie Record |||
| ** = NFL Rookie Record |||
Source: Minnesota Vikings' official website

### League rankings

| Category | Total yards | Yards per game | NFL rank (out of 32) |
| Passing offense | 2,059 | 228.8 | 22nd |
| Rushing offense | 1,382 | 153.6 | 5th |
| Total offense | 3,441 | 382.4 | 9th |
| Passing defense | 2,411 | 267.9 | 27th |
| Rushing defense | 1,041 | 115.7 | 15th |
| Total defense | 3,452 | 383.6 | 24th |
Source: NFL.com

## Pro Bowl

Two Vikings players—running back Dalvin Cook and rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson—were selected for the 2021 Pro Bowl, the team's lowest contribution to the event since 2014, when they had no Pro Bowlers. Cook received the most votes among NFC running backs to go to his second Pro Bowl (after his rookie season in 2017), and only Russell Wilson received more votes out of any position in the NFC team, while Jefferson was the Vikings' first rookie wide receiver to be selected since Percy Harvin in 2009.