# 2022 Minnesota Vikings season

The 2022 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 62nd in the National Football League (NFL), their seventh playing home games at U.S. Bank Stadium and their first under new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and new head coach Kevin O'Connell, following the firings of Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer at the end of the 2021 season.
The Vikings started 8–1 for the first time since 2009. They improved upon their 8–9 record from 2021 and clinched the NFC North for the first time since 2017, finishing with a 13–4 record. However, the Vikings were eliminated in the Wild Card round of the playoffs after losing 31–24, their first and only one-score loss of the season, to the New York Giants.
Despite the Vikings' strong record, analysts did not view them as legitimate championship contenders due to most of their wins being within one score (11 of 13 wins) and three of their four losses being blowouts. The Vikings ranked 31st in total yards allowed (6,608) and finished the season with a negative point differential (−3), the first time this had been done by a team with at least 12 wins. Some of those claims subsided after the win over the Colts, in which the Vikings completed the largest comeback in NFL history; having trailed 33–0 at halftime, they rallied to win 39–36 in overtime.

## Transactions
### Free agency

Players lost in 2022 :
| Name | Position | Type | 2022 team | Contract |
| Tyler Conklin | TE | UFA | New York Jets | 3 years, $20.25 million |
| Mason Cole | C | | Pittsburgh Steelers | 3 years, $15.75 million |
| Xavier Woods | S | UFA | Carolina Panthers | 3 years, $15 million |
| Anthony Barr | OLB | UFA | Dallas Cowboys | 1 year, $2 million |
| Nick Vigil | OLB | | Arizona Cardinals | 1 year, $1.77 million |
| Chris Herndon | TE | UFA | New Orleans Saints | 1 year, $1.035 million |
| Chad Beebe | WR | | Houston Texans | 1 year, $1.035 million |
| Tashawn Bower | DE | | Las Vegas Raiders | 1 year, $1.035 million |
| Mackensie Alexander | CB | | Miami Dolphins | |
| Sheldon Richardson | DT | | | |
| Rashod Hill | G | | Washington Commanders | |
| Dede Westbrook | WR | | | |
| Everson Griffen | DE | | | |
| Wayne Gallman | RB | | | |
| Jordon Scott | DT | | | |
| Eddie Yarbrough | DE | | | |
Players signed in 2022 :
| Name | Position | Type | 2021 team | Contract |
| Za'Darius Smith | OLB | UFA | Green Bay Packers | 3 years, $42 million |
| Harrison Phillips | DT | UFA | Buffalo Bills | 3 years, $19.5 million |
| Jordan Hicks | ILB | UFA | Arizona Cardinals | 2 years, $10 million |
| Chris Reed | G | UFA | Indianapolis Colts | 2 years, $4.5 million |
| Patrick Peterson | CB | UFA | Minnesota Vikings | 1 year, $4 million |
| Jesse Davis | OT | UFA | Miami Dolphins | 1 year, $3 million |
| Johnny Mundt | TE | UFA | Los Angeles Rams | 2 years, $2.415 million |
| Chandon Sullivan | CB | UFA | Green Bay Packers | 1 year, $1.75 million |
| Sean Mannion | QB | UFA | Minnesota Vikings | 1 year, $1.2725 million |
| Albert Wilson | WR | UFA | Miami Dolphins | 1 year, $1.12 million |
| Nate Hairston | CB | | Denver Broncos | 1 year, $1.06 million |
| Jonathan Bullard | DE | | Atlanta Falcons | 1 year, $1.035 million |
| Tye Smith | CB | | Minnesota Vikings | 1 year, $1.035 million |
| Austin Schlottmann | G | | Denver Broncos | 1 year, $965,000 |
| Andre Mintze | DE | | Denver Broncos | 1 year, $825,000 |
| Shaun Beyer | TE | | Denver Broncos | 1 year, $705,000 |

### Draft

2022 Minnesota Vikings draft selections :
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Traded to the Detroit Lions | Traded to the Detroit Lions | Traded to the Detroit Lions | |
| 1 | 32 | Lewis Cine | S | Georgia | From Rams via Lions |
| 2 | 34 | Traded to the Green Bay Packers | Traded to the Green Bay Packers | Traded to the Green Bay Packers | From Lions |
| 2 | 42 | Andrew Booth Jr. | CB | Clemson | From Commanders via Colts |
| 2 | 46 | Traded to the Detroit Lions | Traded to the Detroit Lions | Traded to the Detroit Lions | |
| 2 | 53 | Traded to the Indianapolis Colts | Traded to the Indianapolis Colts | Traded to the Indianapolis Colts | From Raiders via Packers |
| 2 | 59 | Ed Ingram | G | LSU | From Packers |
| 3 | 66 | Brian Asamoah | LB | Oklahoma | From Lions |
| 3 | 77 | Traded to the Indianapolis Colts | Traded to the Indianapolis Colts | Traded to the Indianapolis Colts | |
| 4 | 117 | Traded to the New York Jets | Traded to the New York Jets | Traded to the New York Jets | |
| 4 | 118 | Akayleb Evans | CB | Missouri | From Browns |
| 4 | 122 | Traded to the Las Vegas Raiders | Traded to the Las Vegas Raiders | Traded to the Las Vegas Raiders | From Colts |
| 4 | 126 | Traded to the Las Vegas Raiders | Traded to the Las Vegas Raiders | Traded to the Las Vegas Raiders | From Raiders |
| 5 | 156 | Traded to the Cleveland Browns | Traded to the Cleveland Browns | Traded to the Cleveland Browns | From Ravens |
| 5 | 157 | Traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars | Traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars | Traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars | |
| 5 | 165 | Esezi Otomewo | DE | Minnesota | From Raiders |
| 5 | 169 | Ty Chandler | RB | North Carolina | From Titans via Raiders |
| 6 | 184 | Vederian Lowe | OT | Illinois | From Jets |
| 6 | 191 | Jalen Nailor | WR | Michigan State | From Ravens via Chiefs |
| 6 | 192 | Traded to the Indianapolis Colts | Traded to the Indianapolis Colts | Traded to the Indianapolis Colts | |
| 7 | 227 | Nick Muse | TE | South Carolina | From Panthers via Raiders |
| 7 | 233 | Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs | Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs | Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs | |
| 7 | 250 | Traded to the Las Vegas Raiders | Traded to the Las Vegas Raiders | Traded to the Las Vegas Raiders | From 49ers via Broncos |
Draft trades
* 1 2 3 4 5 The Vikings traded a first- and second-round selection (12th and 46th overall) to the Detroit Lions in exchange for Detroit's first-, second- and third-round selections (32nd, 34th and 66th overall).
* 1 2 3 The Vikings traded a second-round selection (34th overall) to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for two second-round selections (53rd and 59th overall).
* 1 2 3 4 5 The Vikings traded second-, third- and sixth-round selections (53rd, 77th and 192nd overall) to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for Indianapolis' second- and fourth-round selections (42nd and 122nd overall).
* 1 2 The Vikings traded a fourth-round selection (117th overall) to the Jets in exchange for TE Chris Herndon and a sixth-round selection (184th overall).
* 1 2 The Vikings traded a fifth-round selection (156th overall) and a 2023 fourth-round selection to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Cleveland's fourth-round selection (118th overall).
* 1 2 3 4 The Vikings traded a fourth-round selection (122nd overall) and a seventh-round selection (250th overall) to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for Las Vegas' fourth-round selection (126th overall) and seventh-round selection (227th overall).
* 1 2 3 The Vikings traded a fourth-round selection (126th overall) to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for two fifth-round selections (165th and 169th overall).
* ↑ The Vikings traded DE Yannick Ngakoue to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a conditional fifth-round selection (156th overall) and a 2021 third-round selection. The fifth-round selection would have become a fourth-round selection if Ngakoue had been a first-ballot selection to the 2021 Pro Bowl; this did not happen.
* ↑ The Vikings traded a fifth-round selection (157th overall) and a 2021 second-round selection to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for DE Yannick Ngakoue.The fifth-round selection would have become a fourth-round selection if Ngakoue had been a first-ballot selection to the 2021 Pro Bowl, but this did not happen.
* 1 2 The Vikings traded CB Mike Hughes and a seventh-round selection (233rd overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for Kansas City's sixth-round selection (191st overall).
* ↑ The Vikings traded DE Stephen Weatherly and a 2023 seventh-round selection to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Denver's seventh-round selection (250th overall).
2022 Minnesota Vikings undrafted free agents :
| Name | Position | College |
| Gabe Brkic | K | Oklahoma |
| Mike Brown | S | Miami (OH) |
| Thomas Hennigan | WR | Appalachian State |
| Bryant Koback | RB | Toledo |
| William Kwenkeu | OLB | Temple |
| Zach McCloud | OLB | Miami (FL) |
| Josh Sokol | C | Sacred Heart |
| Tyarise Stevenson | DT | Tulsa |
| Luiji Vilain | OLB | Wake Forest |
| Ryan Wright | P | Tulane |
Despite initially announcing Virginia Tech wide receiver Tré Turner as one of their UDFAs, Turner ultimately signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, who offered him a better contract.

## Staff
### Offseason changes
#### Head coach

On January 10, 2022, the Vikings fired head coach Mike Zimmer, who had led the team to two NFC North titles and three NFL playoffs appearances in his eight years in charge. On February 16, 2022, former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell was named the 10th head coach in franchise history.

#### General manager

The Minnesota Vikings fired tenth-year general manager Rick Spielman on January 10, 2022, who most notably led the organization to draft Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, Harrison Smith, Teddy Bridgewater and Anthony Barr, among other draftees. The Vikings hired Cleveland Browns VP of Football Operations Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on January 26, 2022. Initially, Adofo-Mensah and Kansas City Chiefs Executive Director of Player Personnel Ryan Poles were the finalists for the general manager position. However, Poles withdrew on January 25, 2022, for the general manager position at the Chicago Bears, which ultimately resulted in Adofo-Mensah being hired.

## Preseason
### Schedule

The Vikings' preseason opponents and schedule were announced on May 12, 2022. They traveled to face the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos either side of a home game against the San Francisco 49ers. They lost all three games by between 6 and 10 points.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| 1 | August 14 | at Las Vegas Raiders | L 20–26 | 0–1 | Allegiant Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | August 20 | San Francisco 49ers | L 7–17 | 0–2 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | August 27 | at Denver Broncos | L 13–23 | 0–3 | Empower Field at Mile High | Recap |

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: at Las Vegas Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
| Raiders | 3 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 26 |
at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
* Date: August 14
* Game time: 1:25 p.m. PDT 3:25 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 96 °F (36 °C)
* Referee: Clete Blakeman (34)
* TV: KMSP
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
LV – Daniel Carlson 23-yard field goal, 5:31. Raiders 3–0. Drive: 15 plays, 67 yards, 6:27.
Second quarter
LV – Jarrett Stidham 4-yard run (Daniel Carlson kick), 14:52. Raiders 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 3:56.
MIN – Greg Joseph 20-yard field goal, 8:00. Raiders 10–3. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:52.
MIN – Greg Joseph 23-yard field goal, 1:32. Raiders 10–6. Drive: 12 plays, 79 yards, 4:47.
Third quarter
LV – D. J. Turner 34-yard pass from Nick Mullens (kick failed, wide left), 9:12. Raiders 16–6. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 5:48.
MIN – Albert Wilson 2-yard pass from Kellen Mond (Greg Joseph kick), 6:24. Raiders 16–13. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 2:48.
Fourth quarter
LV – Brittain Brown 1-yard run (Daniel Carlson kick), 13:41. Raiders 23–13. Drive: 15 plays, 60 yards, 7:43.
LV – Daniel Carlson 47-yard field goal, 6:38. Raiders 26–13. Drive: 7 plays, 28 yards, 3:23.
MIN – Albert Wilson 20-yard pass from Kellen Mond (Greg Joseph kick), 3:44. Raiders 26–20. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:54.
Top passers
MIN – Kellen Mond – 9/14, 119 yards, 2 TD
LV – Nick Mullens – 7/9, 94 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Ty Chandler – 5 rushes, 50 yards
LV – Brittain Brown – 14 rushes, 54 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Myron Mitchell – 2 receptions, 37 yards
LV – D. J. Turner – 3 receptions, 58 yards, TD :

#### Week 2: vs. San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| 49ers | 0 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 17 |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: August 20
* Game time: 6:05 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,714
* Referee: Adrian Hill (29)
* TV: KMSP
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
SF – Robbie Gould 49-yard field goal, 9:35. 49ers 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:36.
MIN – Ty Chandler 3-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 1:39. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 3:00.
SF – Robbie Gould 46-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 7–6. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 1:39.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
SF – JaMycal Hasty 2-yard pass from Nate Sudfeld (Nate Sudfeld–Danny Gray pass), 14:57. 49ers 14–7. Drive: 14 plays, 79 yards, 7:58.
SF – Robbie Gould 28-yard field goal, 4:09. 49ers 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 27 yards, 4:17.
Top passers
SF – Brock Purdy – 14/23, 128 yards
MIN – Kellen Mond – 10/20, 82 yards
Top rushers
SF – Jordan Mason – 9 rushes, 57 yards
MIN – Ty Chandler – 5 rushes, 19 yards, TD
Top receivers
SF – Tanner Hudson – 5 receptions, 43 yards
MIN – Bisi Johnson – 3 receptions, 29 yards
MIN – Nick Muse – 3 receptions, 29 yards :

#### Week 3: at Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| Broncos | 0 | 17 | 0 | 6 | 23 |
at Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
* Date: August 27
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 84 °F (29 °C)
* Game attendance: 76,473
* Referee: Clay Martin (19)
* TV: KMSP
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
DEN – Brandon McManus 50-yard field goal, 12:53. Broncos 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 3:43.
MIN – Bryant Koback 1-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 7:41. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 5:12.
DEN – Montrell Washington 11-yard run (Brandon McManus kick), 5:48. Broncos 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:53.
DEN – Baron Browning 17-yard fumble return (Brandon McManus kick), 0:48. Broncos 17–7.
MIN – Greg Joseph 46-yard field goal, 0:00. Broncos 17–10.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Greg Joseph 58-yard field goal, 14:55. Broncos 17–13. Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 3:40.
DEN – Brandon McManus 40-yard field goal, 3:19. Broncos 20–13. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 3:19.
DEN – Brandon McManus 31-yard field goal, 0:19. Broncos 23–13. Drive: 4 plays, −5 yards, 1:48.
Top passers
MIN – Sean Mannion – 9/16, 121 yards
DEN – Brett Rypien – 14/21, 137 yards, INT
Top rushers
MIN – T. Y. Chandler – 5 rushes, 44 yards
DEN – Devine Ozigbo – 13 rushes, 59 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Ihmir Smith-Marsette – 3 receptions, 63 yards
DEN – Seth Williams – 4 receptions, 68 yards :

## Regular season
### Schedule

On May 4, the NFL announced that the Vikings would play the New Orleans Saints at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, United Kingdom, on October 2, as part of the league's International Series. The game would kick off at 2:30 p.m. BST/8:30 a.m. CDT, televised by the NFL Network, with the Saints serving as the home team. On May 9, the NFL announced that the Vikings would play at the Philadelphia Eagles at 7:30 p.m. CDT on September 19, as part of ESPN's Week 2 Monday Night doubleheader.
The remainder of the Vikings' 2022 schedule, with exact dates and times, was announced on May 12. In addition to their usual six games home and away against their NFC North rivals, the Vikings also played games against each of the teams from the NFC East and the AFC East, as well as the two teams that, like the Vikings, finished in second place in the NFC West and NFC South in 2021: the Arizona Cardinals and the aforementioned Saints. The Vikings' week 15 matchup was against the Indianapolis Colts, one of the second-placed teams from the American Football Conference (AFC) whom they were not originally scheduled to play in 2022.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| 1 | September 11 | Green Bay Packers | W 23–7 | 1–0 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | September 19 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 7–24 | 1–1 | Lincoln Financial Field | Recap |
| 3 | September 25 | Detroit Lions | W 28–24 | 2–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | October 2 | at New Orleans Saints | W 28–25 | 3–1 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London) | Recap |
| 5 | October 9 | Chicago Bears | W 29–22 | 4–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 6 | October 16 | at Miami Dolphins | W 24–16 | 5–1 | Hard Rock Stadium | Recap |
| 7 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 8 | October 30 | Arizona Cardinals | W 34–26 | 6–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 9 | November 6 | at Washington Commanders | W 20–17 | 7–1 | FedExField | Recap |
| 10 | November 13 | at Buffalo Bills | W 33–30 (OT) | 8–1 | Highmark Stadium | Recap |
| 11 | November 20 | Dallas Cowboys | L 3–40 | 8–2 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 12 | November 24 | New England Patriots | W 33–26 | 9–2 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 13 | December 4 | New York Jets | W 27–22 | 10–2 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 14 | December 11 | at Detroit Lions | L 23–34 | 10–3 | Ford Field | Recap |
| 15 | December 17 | Indianapolis Colts | W 39–36 (OT) | 11–3 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 16 | December 24 | New York Giants | W 27–24 | 12–3 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 17 | January 1 | at Green Bay Packers | L 17–41 | 12–4 | Lambeau Field | Recap |
| 18 | January 8 | at Chicago Bears | W 29–13 | 13–4 | Soldier Field | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Vikings | 7 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: September 11
* Game time: 3:25 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,959
* Referee: Bill Vinovich (52)
* TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Tom Rinaldi and Erin Andrews
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Justin Jefferson 5-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 9:17. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 5:43.
Second quarter
MIN – Greg Joseph 28-yard field goal, 3:54. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 89 yards, 4:04.
MIN – Justin Jefferson 36-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 0:35. Vikings 17–0. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 2:23.
Third quarter
MIN – Greg Joseph 56-yard field goal, 9:46. Vikings 20–0. Drive: 4 plays, −5 yards, 2:20.
GB – A. J. Dillon 2-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 5:16. Vikings 20–7. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:30.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Greg Joseph 29-yard field goal, 6:48. Vikings 23–7. Drive: 12 plays, 74 yards, 5:04.
Top passers
GB – Aaron Rodgers – 22/34, 195 yards, INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 23/32, 277 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
GB – Aaron Jones – 5 rushes, 49 yards
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 20 rushes, 90 yards
Top receivers
GB – A. J. Dillon – 5 receptions, 46 yards
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 9 receptions, 184 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 2: at Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Eagles | 7 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
* Date: September 19
* Game time: 8:30 p.m. EDT/7:30 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Cloudy, 76 °F (24 °C)
* Game attendance: 69,879
* Referee: Scott Novak (1)
* TV announcers (ABC): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Lisa Salters
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
PHI – Jalen Hurts 3-yard run (Jake Elliott kick), 9:09. Eagles 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 5:51.
Second quarter
PHI – Quez Watkins 53-yard pass from Jalen Hurts (Jake Elliott kick), 14:52. Eagles 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:27.
MIN – Irv Smith Jr. 2-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 9:39. Eagles 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:13.
PHI – Jalen Hurts 26-yard run (Jake Elliott kick), 1:58. Eagles 21–7. Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards, 3:02.
PHI – Jake Elliott 38-yard field goal, 0:00. Eagles 24–7. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 1:21.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 27/46, 221 yards, TD, 3 INT
PHI – Jalen Hurts – 26/31, 333 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 2 rushes, 20 yards
PHI – Miles Sanders – 17 rushes, 80 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Adam Thielen – 4 receptions, 52 yards
PHI – Dallas Goedert – 5 receptions, 82 yards :

#### Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 24 |
| Vikings | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: September 25
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,638
* Referee: John Hussey (35)
* TV announcers (Fox): Brandon Gaudin, Brady Quinn and Megan Olivi
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
DET – Jamaal Williams 2-yard run (Austin Seibert kick), 6:44. Lions 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards, 2:36.
Second quarter
DET – T. J. Hockenson 5-yard pass from Jared Goff (Austin Seibert kick), 13:38. Lions 14–0. Drive: 12 plays, 70 yards, 5:28.
MIN – Adam Thielen 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 8:50. Lions 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 4:48.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 4-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 1:12. Tied 14–14. Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 3:46.
Third quarter
DET – Austin Seibert 40-yard field goal, 8:36. Lions 17–14. Drive: 10 plays, 46 yards, 5:22.
DET – Jamaal Williams 13-yard run (Austin Seibert kick), 2:08. Lions 24–14. Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 2:38.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Alexander Mattison 6-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 7:50. Lions 24–21. Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 2:49.
MIN – K. J. Osborn 28-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 0:45. Vikings 28–24. Drive: 3 plays, 56 yards, 0:25.
Top passers
DET – Jared Goff – 25/41, 277 yards, TD, INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 24/41, 260 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
DET – Jamaal Williams – 20 rushes, 87 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 17 rushes, 96 yards, TD
Top receivers
DET – Josh Reynolds – 6 receptions, 96 yards
MIN – K. J. Osborn – 5 receptions, 73 yards, TD :

#### Week 4: at New Orleans Saints

NFL London Games
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 28 |
| Saints | 0 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 25 |
at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, United Kingdom
* Date: October 2
* Game time: 2:30 p.m. BST/8:30 a.m. CDT
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 64 °F (18 °C)
* Game attendance: 60,639
* Referee: Clete Blakeman (34)
* TV announcers (NFLN): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez, Laura Okmin and Stacey Dales
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Alexander Mattison 15-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 8:12. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:48.
Second quarter
NO – Chris Olave 4-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Wil Lutz kick), 8:57. Tied 7–7. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 6:13.
MIN – Greg Joseph 28-yard field goal, 1:04. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 2:38.
MIN – Greg Joseph 36-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 13–7. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 0:56.
Third quarter
MIN – Greg Joseph 24-yard field goal, 9:23. Vikings 16–7. Drive: 5 plays, 38 yards, 2:31.
NO – Latavius Murray 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 3:49. Vikings 16–14. Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 5:34.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Greg Joseph 46-yard field goal, 14:14. Vikings 19–14. Drive: 9 plays, 28 yards, 4:35.
NO – Taysom Hill 2-yard run (Andy Dalton–Jarvis Landry pass), 9:29. Saints 22–19. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:45.
MIN – Justin Jefferson 3-yard run (kick failed, wide right), 4:15. Vikings 25–22. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:14.
NO – Wil Lutz 60-yard field goal, 1:51. Tied 25–25. Drive: 8 plays, 33 yards, 2:24.
MIN – Greg Joseph 47-yard field goal, 0:24. Vikings 28–25. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 1:27.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 25/38, 273 yards, TD, INT
NO – Andy Dalton – 20/28, 236 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 20 rushes, 76 yards
NO – Latavius Murray – 11 rushes, 57 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 10 receptions, 147 yards
NO – Chris Olave – 4 receptions, 67 yards, TD :

#### Week 5: vs. Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 3 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 22 |
| Vikings | 7 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 29 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: October 9
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,929
* Referee: Shawn Hochuli (83)
* TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Kristina Pink
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Dalvin Cook 1-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 8:15. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 86 yards, 6:45.
CHI – Cairo Santos 50-yard field goal, 6:06. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 44 yards, 2:09.
Second quarter
MIN – Dalvin Cook 5-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 14:55. Vikings 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:11.
MIN – Jalen Reagor 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 7:20. Vikings 21–3. Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 6:17.
CHI – David Montgomery 9-yard run (Cairo Santos kick), 1:08. Vikings 21–10. Drive: 4 plays, 50 yards, 0:46.
Third quarter
CHI – Velus Jones Jr. 9-yard pass from Justin Fields (pass failed), 10:24. Vikings 21–16. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 4:36.
CHI – Cairo Santos 43-yard field goal, 1:05. Vikings 21–19. Drive: 11 plays, 34 yards, 6:29.
Fourth quarter
CHI – Cairo Santos 51-yard field goal, 9:26. Bears 22–21. Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 3:18.
MIN – Kirk Cousins 1-yard run (Kirk Cousins–Justin Jefferson pass), 2:26. Vikings 29–22. Drive: 17 plays, 75 yards, 7:00.
Top passers
CHI – Justin Fields – 15/21, 208 yards, TD
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 32/41, 296 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
CHI – Justin Fields – 8 rushes, 47 yards
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 18 rushes, 94 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
CHI – David Montgomery – 4 receptions, 62 yards
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 12 receptions, 154 yards :

#### Week 6: at Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
| Dolphins | 0 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 16 |
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: October 16
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 86 °F (30 °C)
* Game attendance: 66,100
* Referee: Brad Rogers (126)
* TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
MIA – Jason Sanders 44-yard field goal, 6:05. Dolphins 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 36 yards, 5:33.
MIN – Irv Smith Jr. 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 2:32. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:33.
MIN – Greg Joseph 34-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 3 plays, 26 yards, 0:18.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Adam Thielen 2-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (kick failed, wide right), 14:13. Vikings 16–3. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 4:09.
MIA – Mike Gesicki 4-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Jason Sanders kick), 10:04. Vikings 16–10. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:09.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 53-yard run (Kirk Cousins–Adam Thielen pass), 3:15. Vikings 24–10. Drive: 2 plays, 59 yards, 0:55.
MIA – Mike Gesicki 3-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (pass failed), 1:24. Vikings 24–16. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 1:13.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 20/30, 175 yards, 2 TD
MIA – Teddy Bridgewater – 23/34, 329 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 13 rushes, 77 yards, TD
MIA – Raheem Mostert – 14 rushes, 49 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 6 receptions, 107 yards
MIA – Tyreek Hill – 12 receptions, 177 yards :

#### Week 8: vs. Arizona Cardinals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 3 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 26 |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 34 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: October 30
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,742
* Referee: Brad Allen (122)
* TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth and Kristina Pink
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Kirk Cousins 17-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 10:12. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:48.
ARI – Matt Prater 44-yard field goal, 6:04. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 4:08.
Second quarter
MIN – Johnny Mundt 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 9:54. Vikings 14–3. Drive: 9 plays, 83 yards, 5:00.
ARI – DeAndre Hopkins 6-yard pass from Kyler Murray (Matt Prater kick), 0:47. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 2:52.
Third quarter
ARI – Zach Ertz 8-yard pass from Kyler Murray (Matt Prater kick), 9:01. Cardinals 17–14. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 2:14.
MIN – Alexander Mattison 7-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 5:47. Vikings 21–17. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:14.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 4-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 4:07. Vikings 28–17. Drive: 4 plays, 31 yards, 1:20.
ARI – Rondale Moore 38-yard pass from Kyler Murray (pass failed), 2:27. Vikings 28–23. Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 1:40.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Matt Prater 34-yard field goal, 12:32. Vikings 28–26. Drive: 7 plays, 8 yards, 3:27.
MIN – K. J. Osborn 5-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (kick failed, hit left upright), 8:36. Vikings 34–26. Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards, 1:58.
Top passers
ARI – Kyler Murray – 31/44, 326 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 24/36, 232 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
ARI – Kyler Murray – 6 rushes, 36 yards
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 20 rushes, 111 yards, TD
Top receivers
ARI – DeAndre Hopkins – 12 receptions, 159 yards, TD
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 6 receptions, 98 yards :

#### Week 9: at Washington Commanders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 20 |
| Commanders | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
at FedExField, Landover, Maryland
* Date: November 6
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 76 °F (24 °C)
* Game attendance: 58,651
* Referee: Jerome Boger (23)
* TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Kristina Pink
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Justin Jefferson 9-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 9:17. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 5:43.
Second quarter
WAS – Joey Slye 44-yard field goal, 0:37. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 37 yards, 2:07.
Third quarter
WAS – Curtis Samuel 49-yard pass from Taylor Heinicke (Joey Slye kick), 14:01. Commanders 10–7. Drive: 2 plays, 52 yards, 0:59.
Fourth quarter
WAS – Dax Milne 6-yard pass from Taylor Heinicke (Joey Slye kick), 14:14. Commanders 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 5:18.
MIN – Greg Joseph 25-yard field goal, 10:46. Commanders 17–10. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 3:28.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 12-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 7:46. Tied 17–17. Drive: 2 plays, 12 yards, 0:10.
MIN – Greg Joseph 28-yard field goal, 0:12. Vikings 20–17. Drive: 15 plays, 44 yards, 6:00.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 22/40, 265 yards, 2 TD, INT
WAS – Taylor Heinicke – 15/28, 149 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 17 rushes, 47 yards
WAS – Brian Robinson Jr. – 13 rushes, 44 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 7 receptions, 115 yards, TD
WAS – Curtis Samuel – 3 receptions, 65 yards, TD :

#### Week 10: at Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 33 |
| Bills | 14 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 30 |
at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: November 13
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 38 °F (3 °C)
* Game attendance: 70,844
* Referee: Craig Wrolstad (4)
* TV announcers (Fox): Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Justin Jefferson 22-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 10:13. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 74 yards, 2:54.
BUF – Devin Singletary 5-yard run (Tyler Bass kick), 8:10. Tied 7–7. Drive: 4 plays, 47 yards, 2:03.
BUF – Devin Singletary 1-yard run (Tyler Bass kick), 1:04. Bills 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 5:09.
Second quarter
BUF – Tyler Bass 34-yard field goal, 12:53. Bills 17–7. Drive: 7 plays, 12 yards, 2:25.
MIN – Greg Joseph 27-yard field goal, 7:12. Bills 17–10. Drive: 12 plays, 46 yards, 5:41.
BUF – Gabe Davis 11-yard pass from Josh Allen (Tyler Bass kick), 0:28. Bills 24–10. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 1:22.
Third quarter
BUF – Tyler Bass 45-yard field goal, 1:51. Bills 27–10. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 4:21.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 81-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 1:34. Bills 27–17. Drive: 1 play, 81 yards, 0:17.
Fourth quarter
MIN – C. J. Ham 3-yard run (kick failed, hit right upright), 4:34. Bills 27–23. Drive: 13 plays, 66 yards, 5:53.
MIN – Eric Kendricks fumble recovery in the end zone (Greg Joseph kick), 0:41. Vikings 30–27.
BUF – Tyler Bass 29-yard field goal, 0:02. Tied 30–30. Drive: 5 plays, 69 yards, 0:39.
Overtime
MIN – Greg Joseph 33-yard field goal, 3:42. Vikings 33–30. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 6:18.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 30/50, 357 yards, TD, 2 INT
BUF – Josh Allen – 29/43, 330 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 14 rushes, 119 yards, TD
BUF – Josh Allen – 6 rushes, 84 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 10 receptions, 193 yards, TD
BUF – Stefon Diggs – 12 receptions, 128 yards :
In Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills, after forcing a quick three-and-out, the Vikings took an early lead on a 22-yard pass from Kirk Cousins to Justin Jefferson; however, following a big kick return, the Bills responded immediately, as Devin Singletary ran it in from five yards. The Vikings punted on the ensuing possession, allowing the Bills to take the lead on another Singletary run, this time from one yard. Cousins then threw an interception, but this time the defense was able to hold Buffalo to a field goal, keeping the score at 17–7 as the game ticked into the second quarter. The Vikings then drove down to the Bills' 2-yard line, but a tackle for loss on Alexander Mattison, followed by an offensive pass interference call against T. J. Hockenson meant they had to settle for a field goal. Just as the Bills were looking like going on another scoring drive, the ball was punched out of Singletary's hands and returned 40 yards by Camryn Bynum. Midway inside the Buffalo half at the two-minute warning, the Vikings were faced with a 3rd-and-1 situation, but were unable to convert on successive passes from Cousins to Jefferson and then K. J. Osborn, resulting in a turnover on downs. A long run from Josh Allen then set up the Bills for another scoring drive, culminating in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Gabe Davis. The Vikings had to punt on the following drive, which meant the Bills took a 24–10 lead into the interval.
The Vikings began the second half with the ball, but after big gains by Jefferson and Dalvin Cook, Cousins threw an interception to Dane Jackson. The Bills managed to get the ball into Vikings territory on the next drive, but a 13-yard sack on Allen by Za'Darius Smith pushed them back into their own territory, forcing a punt. Despite gains by Hockenson and Osborn, though, the Vikings were also forced into kicking the ball away. Gains from former Viking Stefon Diggs and Dawson Knox then set up a 45-yard field goal for the Bills; however, on the Vikings' next play from scrimmage, Cook ran 81 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 10 points. On the Bills' next possession, following a spectacular, one-handed catch from Diggs on 3rd-and-15 to keep the drive going as the third quarter ended, Allen combined with Davis and Diggs again to get into the red zone; however, attempting to find Knox in the end zone, Allen then threw an interception to Patrick Peterson, who returned it 39 yards to the Vikings' 34-yard line. On the ensuing possession, the Vikings worked the ball downfield and made it into the red zone on a 21-yard catch by Adam Thielen, before Cousins took it down to the 3-yard line on a 15-yard scramble. Following an incompletion to Jefferson, fullback C. J. Ham ran the ball into the end zone, only for Greg Joseph to hit the upright with the extra point, leaving the Vikings down 27–23. The Vikings defense then prevented the Bills from making a first down, giving them the ball back with 3:28 left in the fourth quarter.
The Vikings were soon faced with a 4th-and-18 situation going into the two-minute warning, only for Cousins to complete a 32-yard pass to Jefferson, who caught it one-handed between the hands of the defender, Cam Lewis, getting them into Bills territory. A 9-yard completion to Thielen followed, which had 15 yards added to it for an unnecessary roughness penalty against Christian Benford for the Bills. Jefferson was again the target on the next play, a 14-yard completion getting the Vikings down to the 3-yard line. A slip by Cousins on the next play backed the Vikings up three yards, but another completion to Jefferson on 3rd-and-goal saw him roll into the end zone. The play was originally ruled a touchdown, but a booth review meant he was ruled down at the 1-yard line. With the Vikings facing fourth down, Cousins attempted to find Cook in the flat, only for the ball to fall incomplete; however, the Vikings were given a reprieve by a defensive offside penalty. With the ball less than a foot from the goal line, Cousins attempted to sneak it in himself, but he was stopped short and the Vikings turned it over on downs; however, on the next play, the Bills fumbled the snap and Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks pounced on it in the end zone for a touchdown. Joseph kicked the extra point to put the Vikings up by three points with 41 seconds left. The Bills had no timeouts, but they were able to make their way downfield with completions to Knox, Davis and Isaiah McKenzie, who were all able to get out of bounds to stop the clock. Allen took a deep shot to Gabe Davis on the next play that fell incomplete, but the officials deemed Andrew Booth Jr. to have committed a pass interference penalty, getting the Bills to the Vikings' 11-yard line with 5 seconds to play. With not enough time for a shot to the end zone, the Bills settled for the game-tying field goal, which Tyler Bass converted.
In overtime, the Vikings won the toss and received the ball first. They made their way down to the Bills' 2-yard line thanks to big gains from Cook on the ground and Jefferson through the air, as well as a defensive pass interference penalty against Benford; however, a loss of yardage on a Cook run, followed by a Cousins sack and an incompletion to Thielen meant the Vikings had to settle for a field goal with 3:45 left in the additional period. The Bills quickly made their way into Vikings territory thanks to runs by Allen, and back-to-back seven-yard catches by Diggs got them comfortably into field goal range. On the edge of the red zone, Allen took a shot to the end zone but the pass intended for Knox was broken up by Duke Shelley. Allen went back to the end zone on the next play with a pass intended for Davis, but it was again intercepted by Peterson, giving the Vikings the win to take them to 8–1 for the first time since 2009.

#### Week 11: vs. Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cowboys | 10 | 13 | 14 | 3 | 40 |
| Vikings | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: November 20
* Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 65,304
* Referee: Clay Martin (19)
* TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
DAL – Brett Maher 27-yard field goal, 10:22. Cowboys 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 18 yards, 3:22.
MIN – Greg Joseph 25-yard field goal, 6:39. Tied 3–3. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 3:43.
DAL – Ezekiel Elliott 1-yard run (Brett Maher kick), 1:26. Cowboys 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:13.
Second quarter
DAL – Brett Maher 53-yard field goal, 5:31. Cowboys 13–3. Drive: 14 plays, 48 yards, 7:54.
DAL – Tony Pollard 30-yard pass from Dak Prescott (Brett Maher kick), 1:43. Cowboys 20–3. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 2:44.
DAL – Brett Maher 60-yard field goal, 0:00. Cowboys 23–3. Drive: 5 plays, 44 yards, 0:31.
Third quarter
DAL – Tony Pollard 68-yard pass from Dak Prescott (Brett Maher kick), 12:32. Cowboys 30–3. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:28.
DAL – Ezekiel Elliott 1-yard run (Brett Maher kick), 8:15. Cowboys 37–3. Drive: 5 plays, 41 yards, 1:54.
Fourth quarter
DAL – Brett Maher 50-yard field goal, 10:04. Cowboys 40–3. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 6:05.
Top passers
DAL – Dak Prescott – 22/25, 276 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 12/23, 105 yards
Top rushers
DAL – Tony Pollard – 15 rushes, 80 yards
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 11 rushes, 72 yards
Top receivers
DAL – Tony Pollard – 6 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TD
MIN – T. J. Hockenson – 5 receptions, 34 yards :

#### Week 12: vs. New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 10 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 26 |
| Vikings | 7 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 33 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: November 24
* Game time: 7:20 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,918
* Referee: Alex Kemp (55)
* TV announcers (NBC): Mike Tirico, Tony Dungy, Jason Garrett and Melissa Stark
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Justin Jefferson 6-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 10:40. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:20.
NE – Nelson Agholor 34-yard pass from Mac Jones (Nick Folk kick), 8:21. Tied 7–7. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:19.
NE – Nick Folk 34-yard field goal, 1:28. Patriots 10–7. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 2:00.
Second quarter
MIN – Greg Joseph 30-yard field goal, 8:29. Tied 10–10. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 7:59.
NE – Nick Folk 46-yard field goal, 5:41. Patriots 13–10. Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 2:48.
MIN – T. J. Hockenson 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (kick failed, wide right), 1:30. Vikings 16–13. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:11.
NE – Nick Folk 23-yard field goal, 0:03. Tied 16–16. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 1:27.
Third quarter
NE – Hunter Henry 37-yard pass from Mac Jones (Nick Folk kick), 10:54. Patriots 23–16. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:06.
MIN – Kene Nwangwu 97-yard kickoff return (Greg Joseph kick), 10:41. Tied 23–23. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:13.
NE – Nick Folk 25-yard field goal, 6:43. Patriots 26–23. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 3:58.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Greg Joseph 36-yard field goal, 14:07. Tied 26–26. Drive: 14 plays, 65 yards, 7:36.
MIN – Adam Thielen 15-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 9:34. Vikings 33–26. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 3:32.
Top passers
NE – Mac Jones – 28/39, 382 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 30/37, 299 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
NE – Rhamondre Stevenson – 7 rushes, 36 yards
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 22 rushes, 42 yards
Top receivers
NE – DeVante Parker – 4 receptions, 80 yards
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 9 receptions, 139 yards, TD :
With their first win over New England since 2000, the Vikings improved to 9–2.

#### Week 13: vs. New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jets | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 22 |
| Vikings | 3 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 27 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: December 4
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,973
* Referee: Clete Blakeman (34)
* TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Greg Joseph 51-yard field goal, 12:33. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:52.
NYJ – Greg Zuerlein 48-yard field goal, 8:30. Tied 3–3. Drive: 12 plays, 45 yards, 4:03.
Second quarter
MIN – Dalvin Cook 4-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 13:02. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 14 plays, 74 yards, 6:58.
MIN – Alexander Mattison 14-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 3:35. Vikings 17–3. Drive: 11 plays, 86 yards, 6:15.
MIN – Greg Joseph 41-yard field goal, 0:40. Vikings 20–3. Drive: 7 plays, 20 yards, 1:18.
NYJ – Greg Zuerlein 60-yard field goal, 0:08. Vikings 20–6. Drive: 6 plays, 33 yards, 0:32.
Third quarter
NYJ – Greg Zuerlein 36-yard field goal, 9:43. Vikings 20–9. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:13.
NYJ – Greg Zuerlein 30-yard field goal, 0:59. Vikings 20–12. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 6:17.
Fourth quarter
NYJ – Greg Zuerlein 26-yard field goal, 12:30. Vikings 20–15. Drive: 5 plays, 63 yards, 2:16.
MIN – Justin Jefferson 10-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 8:33. Vikings 27–15. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:57.
NYJ – Mike White 1-yard run (Greg Zuerlein kick), 6:45. Vikings 27–22. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:48.
Top passers
NYJ – Mike White – 31/57, 369 yards, 2 INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 21/35, 173 yards, TD
Top rushers
NYJ – Zonovan Knight – 15 rushes, 90 yards
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 20 rushes, 86 yards, TD
Top receivers
NYJ – Garrett Wilson – 8 receptions, 162 yards
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 7 receptions, 45 yards, TD :

#### Week 14: at Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 23 |
| Lions | 7 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 34 |
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
* Date: December 11
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,374
* Referee: Ronald Torbert (62)
* TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
DET – Jameson Williams 41-yard pass from Jared Goff (Michael Badgley kick), 10:27. Lions 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 46 yards, 0:51.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 1-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 4:02. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 6:25.
Second quarter
DET – D. J. Chark 48-yard pass from Jared Goff (Michael Badgley kick), 6:34. Lions 14–7. Drive: 1 play, 48 yards, 0:08.
Third quarter
DET – Josh Reynolds 5-yard pass from Jared Goff (Michael Badgley kick), 5:44. Lions 21–7. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 7:04.
MIN – Adam Thielen 23-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (pass failed), 2:17. Lions 21–13. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:27.
Fourth quarter
DET – Justin Jackson 15-yard run (Michael Badgley kick), 13:28. Lions 28–13. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:49.
MIN – Greg Joseph 41-yard field goal, 10:47. Lions 28–16. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 2:41.
DET – Michael Badgley 41-yard field goal, 4:06. Lions 31–16. Drive: 12 plays, 52 yards, 6:41.
MIN – K. J. Osborn 15-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 2:50. Lions 31–23. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:16.
DET – Michael Badgley 48-yard field goal, 0:17. Lions 34–23. Drive: 7 plays, 14 yards, 2:33.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 31/41, 425 yards, 2 TD
DET – Jared Goff – 27/39, 330 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 15 rushes, 23 yards, TD
DET – C. J. Moore – 1 rush, 42 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 11 receptions, 223 yards
DET – D. J. Chark – 6 receptions, 94 yards, TD :

#### Week 15: vs. Indianapolis Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Colts | 17 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 14 | 22 | 3 | 39 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: December 17
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,801
* Referee: Tra Blake (3)
* TV announcers (NFLN): Noah Eagle, Nate Burleson, Tom Pelissero and Lindsay Czarniak
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
IND – Chase McLaughlin 26-yard field goal, 9:11. Colts 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 44 yards, 5:49.
IND – JoJo Domann 24-yard return of blocked punt (Chase McLaughlin kick), 8:12. Colts 10–0.
IND – Deon Jackson 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Chase McLaughlin kick), 3:51. Colts 17–0. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:29.
Second quarter
IND – Chase McLaughlin 28-yard field goal, 13:07. Colts 20–0. Drive: 6 plays, 21 yards, 3:03.
IND – Chase McLaughlin 49-yard field goal, 10:41. Colts 23–0. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:20.
IND – Julian Blackmon 17-yard interception return (Chase McLaughlin kick), 5:50. Colts 30–0.
IND – Chase McLaughlin 27-yard field goal, 0:08. Colts 33–0. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 3:52.
Third quarter
MIN – K. J. Osborn 2-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 8:22. Colts 33–7. Drive: 7 plays, 88 yards, 2:54.
IND – Chase McLaughlin 52-yard field goal, 4:53. Colts 36–7. Drive: 6 plays, 26 yards, 3:29.
MIN – C. J. Ham 1-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 1:13. Colts 36–14. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:40.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Justin Jefferson 8-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 12:53. Colts 36–21. Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 2:14.
MIN – Adam Thielen 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 5:30. Colts 36–28. Drive: 5 plays, 50 yards, 1:36.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 64-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Kirk Cousins–T. J. Hockenson pass), 2:15. Tied 36–36. Drive: 1 play, 64 yards, 0:13.
Overtime
MIN – Greg Joseph 40-yard field goal, 0:03. Vikings 39–36. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 1:38.
Top passers
IND – Matt Ryan – 19/33, 182 yards, TD
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 34/54, 460 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
IND – Zack Moss – 24 rushes, 81 yards
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 17 rushes, 95 yards
Top receivers
IND – Michael Pittman Jr. – 10 receptions, 60 yards
MIN – K. J. Osborn – 10 receptions, 157 yards, TD :
The Vikings welcomed the Indianapolis Colts to U.S. Bank Stadium with a third opportunity in as many weeks to clinch the NFC North title; a win or a tie would give them the division title, but they could also afford to lose if the Lions failed to beat the Jets the next day. Despite allowing the Colts to drive down to the Vikings' 1-yard line on the opening possession, the hosts were able to push them back to the 8-yard line, forcing a 26-yard field goal from former Viking Chase McLaughlin. On the ensuing drive, the Vikings were forced to punt, but Ryan Wright's kick was blocked by Ifeadi Odenigbo, another former Viking, and returned 24 yards for a touchdown by JoJo Domann. Dalvin Cook took the opening play of the Vikings' next possession 40 yards into Colts territory, but immediately fumbled on the next play, allowing the Colts to capitalise by capping a 66-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run from Deon Jackson. On the Vikings' next drive, they were stopped on 3rd-and-1 and attempted to go for it on 4th down, only to be stopped again, giving the Colts the ball in Vikings territory.
As the game entered the second quarter, the Vikings' defense stood firm, forcing the Colts to kick a field goal. The Vikings were faced with another 4th-and-1 and set up to punt, only for Wright to toss the ball in the direction of Jalen Nailor; however, it fell incomplete and the Vikings turned the ball over on downs again, allowing the Colts to kick another field goal, this time from 49 yards. The two teams then exchanged punts before Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins threw an interception deep in his own territory that Julian Blackmon returned 17 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings thought they had managed to ignite their offense on the next possession, but a 40-yard completion to K. J. Osborn was overturned after the Colts challenged the play. The Vikings eventually had to punt, and with four minutes left in the half, the Colts drove the ball downfield and kicked a 27-yard field goal to go into the break up 33–0.
To start the second half, the Vikings lost yardage and were again forced to punt; however, they were able to force the Colts into their second punt of the game on the following drive. A big pass from Cousins to Osborn moved the Vikings 63 yards downfield on their next possession, putting them inside the Colts' 5-yard line; after a short gain by Cook, Cousins found Osborn in the end zone for the Vikings' first points of the game. The defense then made a stop as the Colts entered Vikings territory, limiting them to a 52-yard field goal, before the Vikings offense marched downfield to score another touchdown via a 1-yard run from fullback C. J. Ham. They then closed out the third quarter by forcing the Colts into another punt.
They opened the fourth quarter with a 20-yard completion from Cousins to Justin Jefferson, and an unnecessary roughness penalty on Rodney Thomas II added another 15 yards. Another Jefferson catch for 17 yards got the Vikings into the red zone, and the drive was capped by a third Jefferson catch for an 8-yard touchdown, reducing the deficit to 15 points. The Colts punted again on the next possession, and Jalen Reagor returned the kick 51 yards to put the Vikings on the verge of the red zone again, only for the play to be called back for a facemask penalty against Vikings cornerback Kris Boyd. The Vikings made their way downfield, helped by another unnecessary roughness penalty for a hit on Jefferson by Stephon Gilmore, only for Cousins to throw another interception when targeting Reagor on a deep route that the receiver appeared to give up on. The Colts started on their own 2-yard line, but could not capitalize on the turnover as the Vikings forced them to punt once again, and Reagor made a fair catch at midfield. Completions to Adam Thielen (his first target of the game) and Osborn, followed by a pass interference penalty in the end zone, got the Vikings down to the Colts 1-yard line, and they scored a touchdown on the third attempt, when Cousins found Thielen in the end zone. The Colts managed a first down on their next possession, but on the very next play, Jackson fumbled, and Vikings cornerback Chandon Sullivan recovered the ball and returned it for what he thought was a touchdown, only for the officials to rule Jackson to have been down by contact; Sullivan's protestations earned him a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. On review, the play was confirmed as a fumble, giving the Vikings the ball, but because the officials had whistled, they could not award the touchdown. Following the penalty, the Vikings started just inside their own half, but despite Jefferson picking up a pair of 7-yard catches, the drive stalled. On 4th-and-15, Cousins attempted to run for the first down, but he was tripped and the Vikings turned the ball over on downs for a third time with 2:52 left in the quarter. The Colts moved into Vikings territory, but faced with a 4th-and-1 on the Vikings' 36-yard line, Matt Ryan was stopped short on a quarterback sneak. The Vikings used all three of their timeouts during the Colts' drive, but on the first play of the following possession, Dalvin Cook took a screen pass 64 yards downfield for a touchdown. The Vikings attempted a two-point conversion, and Cousins found T. J. Hockenson in the end zone, tying the game with 2:15 left to play. The teams then traded punts, sending the game to overtime.
The Vikings won the toss ahead of the extra period and elected to receive the ball, but their opening drive stalled following a Cousins sack and an offensive holding penalty against guard Ezra Cleveland. A 14-yard catch by Hockenson put the Vikings on the verge of Greg Joseph's field goal range, but they declined the 57-yard attempt and punted instead. The defense then forced the Colts into a punt following a short drive, leaving the Vikings on their own 18-yard line. After a 6-yard run by Cook, Cousins completed passes to Osborn, Hockenson and Jefferson to get the Vikings down to the Colts' 27-yard line with 20 seconds left to play, and a delay of game penalty against Odenigbo moved them 5 yards closer to the end zone. That presented Joseph with the opportunity for a 40-yard, game-winning field goal. Despite the Colts calling a timeout in an attempt to ice the kicker, Joseph's kick was successful, giving the Vikings a 39–36 win and completing the biggest comeback in NFL history.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 11–3 and won the NFC North. This win was also their first over Indianapolis since 1997, ending a run of six straight losses.

#### Week 16: vs. New York Giants

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 0 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 24 |
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 27 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: December 24
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,919
* Referee: Adrian Hill (29)
* TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Kristina Pink
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – T. J. Hockenson 12-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 3:17. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 3:50.
Second quarter
MIN – Greg Joseph 40-yard field goal, 9:40. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 5:10.
NYG – Isaiah Hodgins 7-yard pass from Daniel Jones (Graham Gano kick), 4:23. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 5:17.
Third quarter
NYG – Graham Gano 44-yard field goal, 11:18. Tied 10–10. Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 3:42.
NYG – Graham Gano 44-yard field goal, 4:31. Giants 13–10. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 4:42.
Fourth quarter
MIN – T. J. Hockenson 15-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 14:12. Vikings 17–13. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:19.
NYG – Graham Gano 55-yard field goal, 6:24. Vikings 17–16. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 2:31.
MIN – Justin Jefferson 17-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 3:00. Vikings 24–16. Drive: 5 plays, 29 yards, 1:02.
NYG – Saquon Barkley 27-yard run (Daniel Jones–Daniel Bellinger pass), 2:01. Tied 24–24. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 0:59.
MIN – Greg Joseph 61-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 27–24. Drive: 8 plays, 33 yards, 2:01.
Top passers
NYG – Daniel Jones – 30/42, 334 yards, TD, INT
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 34/48, 299 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
NYG – Saquon Barkley – 14 rushes, 84 yards, TD
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 14 rushes, 64 yards
Top receivers
NYG – Richie James – 8 receptions, 90 yards
MIN – Justin Jefferson – 12 receptions, 133 yards, TD :
Having secured the division title the previous week, the Vikings' next goal was to secure the #2 seed in the NFC and homefield advantage in the postseason until at least the divisional round. After trading punts on the opening four drives, the Vikings opened the scoring towards the end of the first quarter, finishing off an eight-play drive with a 12-yard pass from Kirk Cousins to T. J. Hockenson. The Giants drove into Minnesota territory on the next possession, but after a 16-yard completion from Daniel Jones to Daniel Bellinger to start the second quarter, rookie linebacker Brian Asamoah II punched the ball out and returned it to the Minnesota 36-yard line. The Vikings were able to add to their lead after driving down to the Giants' red zone, but a sack on Cousins on third down pushed them back and they had to settle for a Greg Joseph field goal. The Giants responded with a score of their own as Jones completed five out of five pass attempts and also ran for 14 yards, culminating with a 7-yard touchdown throw to Isaiah Hodgins. The two teams then traded punts on four straight possessions again to end the half with the Vikings leading 10–7.
The Giants tied the game on the opening drive of the second half; after a 22-yard completion to Darius Slayton got them into Vikings territory, the drive stalled but they were able to kick a 44-yard field goal through Graham Gano. After another Vikings punt on the next possession, the Giants were again able to move into the Minnesota half of the field thanks to long passes to Saquon Barkley and Richie James, only for the drive to again stall after pressure from cornerback Patrick Peterson led to Jones being sacked by D. J. Wonnum and Danielle Hunter, leading to another 44-yard field goal by Gano. The Vikings' following possession began with a 16-yard catch from tight end Johnny Mundt, before Cousins attempted to throw to Adam Thielen, only to see the ball intercepted by Cordale Flott; however, the ruling was overturned on review as Flott did not maintain possession as he went to ground. The reprieve allowed the Vikings to continue the drive, which culminated with another touchdown catch for Hockenson from 15 yards out, putting the hosts back in front 17–13 as the game entered the fourth quarter.
The next possession saw the Giants make their way to the Minnesota 32-yard line, where a pass intended for Hodgins was intercepted by Peterson; however, the Vikings were unable to capitalise as their drive stalled just inside the Giants' half. They attempted to go for it on 4th-and-2, but Cousins' deep pass attempt to Justin Jefferson fell incomplete. The Giants were then able to reduce the deficit to a single point; after the turnover, they only managed to go 18 yards, but Gano was successful on a 55-yard field goal attempt. The Vikings then had to punt, before forcing the Giants to do the same, only for Josh Metellus to block Jamie Gillan's kick, giving Minnesota the ball on the Giants' 29-yard line. A 4-yard run from Dalvin Cook and an 8-yard completion to K. J. Osborn gave them a first down, before Cousins found Jefferson over the middle for a 17-yard touchdown to extend the lead to eight points with just over 3 minutes to play. The Giants came back with a quick score of their own, as a 32-yard catch by Slayton was followed up by a 27-yard touchdown run by Barkley, before Jones found Bellinger in the end zone for the two-point conversion, tying the scores at 24–24 with less than a minute taken off the clock. A 16-yard catch from Jefferson on third down got the Vikings to their own 42-yard line, but a sack on Cousins presented them with another third-down after taking their final timeout. On 3rd-and-11, Cousins again found Jefferson for 17 yards, taking the Vikings to the Giants' 42-yard line, where Cousins was able to spike the ball with four seconds left. Joseph was successful with a personal and franchise-record 61-yard field goal, giving the Vikings a 27–24 win and an overall 8–1 record at home on the season. The 61-yard field goal set a franchise record.

#### Week 17: at Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
| Packers | 14 | 13 | 0 | 14 | 41 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* Date: January 1
* Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Clear, 40 °F (4 °C)
* Game attendance: 78,190
* Referee: Carl Cheffers (51)
* TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Greg Joseph 21-yard field goal, 10:38. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, −1 yard, 1:12.
GB – Keisean Nixon 105-yard kickoff return (Mason Crosby kick), 10:25. Packers 7–3. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:13.
GB – Darnell Savage 75-yard interception return (Mason Crosby kick), 5:17. Packers 14–3.
Second quarter
GB – Mason Crosby 26-yard field goal, 9:48. Packers 17–3. Drive: 14 plays, 56 yards, 6:49.
GB – Robert Tonyan 21-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 2:41. Packers 24–3. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 3:11.
GB – Mason Crosby 56-yard field goal, 0:00. Packers 27–3. Drive: 4 plays, 23 yards, 0:36.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
GB – A. J. Dillon 2-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 14:54. Packers 34–3. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 7:12.
GB – Aaron Rodgers 2-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 9:25. Packers 41–3. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 5:15.
MIN – Jalen Nailor 47-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 7:36. Packers 41–10. Drive: 4 plays, 59 yards, 1:49.
MIN – K. J. Osborn 9-yard pass from Nick Mullens (Greg Joseph kick), 0:21. Packers 41–17. Drive: 8 plays, 79 yards, 3:37.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 18/31, 205 yards, TD, 3 INT
GB – Aaron Rodgers – 15/24, 159 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Alexander Mattison – 8 rushes, 38 yards
GB – Aaron Jones – 14 rushes, 111 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Jalen Nailor – 3 receptions, 89 yards, TD
GB – Allen Lazard – 5 receptions, 59 yards :
With the loss, the Vikings not only dropped to the NFC's #3 seed, but also eliminated them from obtaining the #1 seed, thus ensuring the Vikings would begin their playoff run at home in the Wild Card round.

#### Week 18: at Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 6 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 29 |
| Bears | 0 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Date: January 8
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 34 °F (1 °C)
* Game attendance: 60,007
* Referee: Brad Allen (122)
* TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Adam Thielen 4-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (kick failed, wide right), 10:12. Vikings 6–0. Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards, 2:17.
Second quarter
MIN – Alexander Mattison 1-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 9:20. Vikings 13–0. Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 6:29.
MIN – Greg Joseph 28-yard field goal, 4:57. Vikings 16–0. Drive: 6 plays, 25 yards, 3:22.
CHI – Velus Jones Jr. 42-yard run (pass failed), 3:31. Vikings 16–6. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:26.
Third quarter
MIN – Alexander Mattison 1-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 9:25. Vikings 23–6. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:35.
CHI – Cole Kmet 11-yard pass from Nathan Peterman (Cairo Santos kick), 4:07. Vikings 23–13. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:18.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Greg Joseph 50-yard field goal, 14:55. Vikings 26–13. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 4:12.
MIN – Greg Joseph 41-yard field goal, 3:39. Vikings 29–13. Drive: 9 plays, 36 yards, 3:35.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 17/20, 225 yards, TD
CHI – Nathan Peterman – 11/19, 114 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Alexander Mattison – 10 rushes, 54 yards, 2 TD
CHI – Khalil Herbert – 10 rushes, 50 yards
Top receivers
MIN – K. J. Osborn – 5 receptions, 117 yards
CHI – Cole Kmet – 4 receptions, 57 yards, TD :

### Standings
#### Division

NFC North :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(3)}$ Minnesota Vikings | 13 | 4 | 0 | .765 | 4–2 | 8–4 | 424 | 427 | W1 |
| Detroit Lions | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 5–1 | 7–5 | 453 | 427 | W2 |
| Green Bay Packers | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 | 3–3 | 6–6 | 370 | 371 | L1 |
| Chicago Bears | 3 | 14 | 0 | .176 | 0–6 | 1–11 | 326 | 463 | L10 |

#### Conference

NFCvte :
| # | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
| Division leaders ||||||||||||
| 1 | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 14 | 3 | 0 | .824 | 4–2 | 9–3 | .474 | .460 | W1 |
| 2 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 13 | 4 | 0 | .765 | 6–0 | 10–2 | .417 | .414 | W10 |
| 3 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 13 | 4 | 0 | .765 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .474 | .425 | W1 |
| 4 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .503 | .426 | L1 |
| Wild cards ||||||||||||
| 5 | Dallas Cowboys | East | 12 | 5 | 0 | .706 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .507 | .485 | L1 |
| 6 | New York Giants | East | 9 | 7 | 1 | .559 | 1–4–1 | 4–7–1 | .526 | .395 | L1 |
| 7 | Seattle Seahawks | West | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .462 | .382 | W2 |
| Did not qualify for the postseason ||||||||||||
| 8 | Detroit Lions | North | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | 5–1 | 7–5 | .535 | .451 | W2 |
| 9 | Washington Commanders | East | 8 | 8 | 1 | .500 | 2–3–1 | 5–6–1 | .536 | .449 | W1 |
| 10 | Green Bay Packers | North | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .524 | .449 | L1 |
| 11 | Carolina Panthers | South | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .474 | .437 | W1 |
| 12 | New Orleans Saints | South | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .507 | .462 | L1 |
| 13 | Atlanta Falcons | South | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .467 | .429 | W2 |
| 14 | Los Angeles Rams | West | 5 | 12 | 0 | .294 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .517 | .341 | L2 |
| 15 | Arizona Cardinals | West | 4 | 13 | 0 | .235 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .529 | .368 | L7 |
| 16 | Chicago Bears | North | 3 | 14 | 0 | .176 | 0–6 | 1–11 | .571 | .480 | L10 |
| Tiebreakers ||||||||||||
| 1 2 San Francisco claimed the No. 2 seed over Minnesota based on conference record (10–2 vs. 8–4). 1 2 Seattle finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory, claiming the 7th and final playoff spot. 1 2 3 Carolina finished ahead of New Orleans and Atlanta based on head-to-head record (3–1 vs. 2–2/1–3). 1 2 New Orleans finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head sweep. ↑ 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. ||||||||||||

## Postseason
### Schedule

| Round | Date | Opponent (seed) | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| Wild Card | January 15 | New York Giants (6) | L 24–31 | 0–1 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |

### Game summaries
#### NFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (6) New York Giants

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Giants | 14 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: January 15, 2023
* Game time: 3:30 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,721
* Referee: Adrian Hill (29)
* TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Kirk Cousins 1-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 8:23. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:37.
NYG – Saquon Barkley 28-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 5:11. Tied 7–7. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 3:12.
NYG – Isaiah Hodgins 14-yard pass from Daniel Jones (Graham Gano kick), 1:03. Giants 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 81 yards, 2:03.
Second quarter
NYG – Graham Gano 25-yard field goal, 3:25. Giants 17–7. Drive: 20 plays, 85 yards, 10:52.
MIN – K. J. Osborn 9-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 0:45. Giants 17–14. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:40.
Third quarter
NYG – Daniel Bellinger 9-yard pass from Daniel Jones (Graham Gano kick), 11:37. Giants 24–14. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:23.
MIN – Irv Smith Jr. 3-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Greg Joseph kick), 7:46. Giants 24–21. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:51.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Greg Joseph 38-yard field goal, 12:34. Tied 24–24. Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 6:38.
NYG – Saquon Barkley 2-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 7:47. Giants 31–24. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 4:47.
Top passers
NYG – Daniel Jones – 24/35, 301 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 31/39, 273 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
NYG – Daniel Jones – 17 rushes, 78 yards
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 15 rushes, 60 yards
Top receivers
NYG – Isaiah Hodgins – 8 receptions, 105 yards, TD
MIN – T. J. Hockenson – 10 receptions, 129 yards :

## Statistics
### Team leaders

| Category | Player(s) | Total |
| Passing yards | Kirk Cousins | 4,547 |
| Passing touchdowns | Kirk Cousins | 29 |
| Rushing yards | Dalvin Cook | 1,173 |
| Rushing touchdowns | Dalvin Cook | 8 |
| Receptions | Justin Jefferson | 128 |
| Receiving yards | Justin Jefferson | 1,809 |
| Receiving touchdowns | Justin Jefferson | 8 |
| Points | Greg Joseph | 118 |
| Kickoff return yards | Kene Nwangwu | 920 |
| Punt return yards | Jalen Reagor | 167 |
| Tackles | Eric Kendricks | 137 |
| Sacks | Danielle Hunter | 10.5 |
| Interceptions | Harrison Smith Patrick Peterson | 5 |
| Forced fumbles | Za'Darius Smith | 2 |
Source: Pro-Football-Reference.com

### League rankings

| Category | Total yards | Yards per game | NFL rank (out of 32) |
| Passing offense | 4,484 | 263.8 | 7th |
| Rushing offense | 1,661 | 97.7 | 28th |
| Total offense | 6,145 | 361.5 | 7th |
| Passing defense | 4,515 | 265.6 | 31st |
| Rushing defense | 2093 | 123.1 | 20th |
| Total defense | 6,608 | 388.7 | 31st |
Source: ProFootballReference.com