2008 Minnesota Vikings season The 2008 season was the Minnesota Vikings ' 48th season in the NFL , and the 17th season in which they won their division . They won the NFC North with a 10 – 6 record , but had to play in the wild card round of the playoffs . They were paired with head coach Brad Childress ' s former team , the Philadelphia Eagles , who ended the Vikings ' season with a 26 – 14 win . It was the third season for the team under the direction of Childress . The 2008 season also marked the first season since 2000 that the Vikings made the playoffs " and " finished with a winning record . Second - year running back Adrian Peterson led the league in rushing with 1 , 760 yards . Offseason . Player and personnel moves . Releases and injuries . On February 11 , it was announced that defensive end Kenechi Udeze had be diagnosed by doctors with a form of leukemia . KMSP - TV ( Ch . 9 ) also reported that Udeze was at Fairview Southdale Hospital undergoing tests and that he had been at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester the week before . Udeze was expected to be out for the 2008 season , but returned for one game against the Green Bay Packers on November 9 before ultimately retiring from professional football on July 29 , 2009 . On February 20 , the team released free safety Dwight Smith after two somewhat controversial seasons with the Vikings in which Smith had several run - ins with the law . He was due to receive $ 2 . 5 million and a $ 500 , 000 roster bonus this season . On February 27 , the team released backup quarterback Kelly Holcomb . On February 29 , the team traded wide receiver Troy Williamson to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth round draft pick in the 2008 draft and linebacker Dontarrious Thomas left the team to join the San Francisco 49ers . On March 1 , the Vikings ' former defensive tackle Spencer Johnson joined the Buffalo Bills . On March 3 , free agent running back Mewelde Moore left the team to join the Pittsburgh Steelers . On March 7 , safety Tank Williams joined the New England Patriots and fullback Tony Richardson joined the New York Jets . Signings and extensions . On February 29 , the team signed safety Madieu Williams , formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals and fullback Thomas Tapeh , formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles . On March 1 , the team signed wide receiver Bernard Berrian , formerly of the Chicago Bears . On March 4 , running back and special teams specialist Maurice Hicks , formerly of the San Francisco 49ers , signed a three year contract to join the team . On March 14 , the team signed linebacker and special - teams standout Derrick Pope , formerly of the Miami Dolphins . On March 17 , the Vikings signed former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Ellis Wyms , and re - signed wide receiver Robert Ferguson ; all to 1 year contracts . On March 20 and March 21 , Houston Texans safety Michael Boulware and former Green Bay Packers career backup defensive tackle Kenderick Allen to one - year contracts . On March 24 , restricted free agent linebacker Heath Farwell was re - resigned to a one - year contract . Also , on the next day , the team signed former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Benny Sapp to a one - year contract . On April 8 , former Vikings backup quarterback Gus Frerotte rejoined the team on a one - year contract . On April 23 , Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen , signed a six - year contract with the Vikings in a trade that gave the Chiefs the Vikings ' 2008 first - round and both third - round draft picks . The trade may also involve the swapping of 2008 sixth round draft picks with Kansas City . On July 22 , the Vikings signed their fifth - round pick , DT Letroy Guion , and their seventh - round pick WR Jaymar Johnson . Training camp . On May 27 , Erasmus James was traded to the Washington Redskins for a conditional 2009 NFL draft pick . On June 27 , the Vikings signed a one - day contract with seven - season member Robert Griffith so he could ceremonially retire as a member of the team . On July 16 , a report by Jay Glazer appeared on FoxSports . com stating that the Green Bay Packers had filed tampering charges against the Vikings for allegedly inappropriately contacting Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre . On August 4 , NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ruled that contact between the Vikings and Brett Favre over the summer did not violate league tampering rules , as the Packers alleged . Regular season . Game summaries . Week 1 : at Green Bay Packers . The Vikings began their 2008 campaign on the road against their NFC North foe , the Green Bay Packers , in the first game of 2008 ' s Monday Night Football doubleheader . After a scoreless first quarter , the Vikings attacked first with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 37 - yard field goal . The Packers responded with QB Aaron Rodgers completing a 1 - yard TD pass to FB Korey Hall , along with kicker Mason Crosby getting a 42 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Vikes tried to catch up as Longwell got a 27 - yard field goal , but Green Bay replied with CB / PR Will Blackmon returning a punt 76 yards for a touchdown . In the fourth quarter , Minnesota tried to rally as QB Tarvaris Jackson completed a 23 - yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice ( with a failed 2 - point conversion ) , yet the Packers responded with Rodgers getting a 1 - yard TD run . The Vikes would reply with RB Adrian Peterson getting a 3 - yard TD run , but their final rally ended in an interception . With the loss , not only did the Vikings begin their season at 0 – 1 , but Head Coach Brad Childress fell to 0 – 5 against the Packers in his coaching career . In the first half , Minnesota was widely outgained in passing yards 139 – 6 . Week 2 : vs . Indianapolis Colts . Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the Packers , the Vikings played their Week 2 home opener against the Indianapolis Colts . In the first half , kicker Ryan Longwell helped Minnesota take the early lead with a 45 - yard and a 27 - yard field goal in the first quarter , along with a 53 - yard field goal in the second quarter . In the third quarter , the Vikes increased its lead with Longwell getting a 46 - yard and a 28 - yard field goal . However , the Colts responded with RB Joseph Addai getting a 1 - yard TD run . In the fourth quarter , Indianapolis continued to gain ground as QB Peyton Manning completed a 32 - yard TD pass to WR Reggie Wayne , followed by a 2 - point conversion run by RB Dominic Rhodes . Later , the Colts sealed the win with kicker Adam Vinatieri nailing the game - winning 47 - yard field goal . With the loss , the Vikings fell to 0 – 2 . Week 3 : vs . Carolina Panthers . Trying to avoid an 0 – 3 start , the Vikings stayed at home for a Week 3 duel with the Carolina Panthers . Due to a poor performance , QB Tarvaris Jackson was benched in favor of veteran QB Gus Frerotte . In the first quarter , Minnesota trailed early as Panthers kicker John Kasay got a 43 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Carolina increased its lead with RB Jonathan Stewart getting a 2 - yard TD run . The Vikes would respond with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 28 - yard field goal , along with CB Antoine Winfield sacking Panthers QB Jake Delhomme , fumbling the ball , and Winfield returning that fumble 19 - yards for a touchdown just before halftime , the key play in the Viking victory . Head coach Brad Childress said a day later that Winfield had a half - second left before it was ruled an incomplete pass . In the third quarter , the Vikings got the lead as Frerotte completed a 34 - yard TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe . In the fourth quarter , Minnesota sealed its victory with Longwell nailing a 32 - yard field goal . With the win , the Vikings improved to 1 – 2 . Week 4 : at Tennessee Titans . Coming off their home win over the Panthers , the Vikings flew to LP Field for a Week 4 interconference duel with the Tennessee Titans . In the first quarter , Minnesota trailed early as Titans kicker Rob Bironas got a 20 - yard field goal , while RB Chris Johnson got a 1 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , the Vikes responded with RB Adrian Peterson getting a 28 - yard TD run . However , Tennessee responded with Bironas kicking a 32 - yard field goal , along with RB LenDale White getting a 1 - yard TD run . The Vikings closed out the half with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 42 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Titans increased their lead with Bironas nailing a 49 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , Minnesota tried to rally as Peterson got a 3 - yard TD run , but Tennessee pulled away with Johnson ' s 6 - yard TD run . With the loss , the Vikings fell to 1 – 3 . Week 5 : at New Orleans Saints . Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Titans , the Vikings flew to the Louisiana Superdome for a Week 5 Monday Night duel with the New Orleans Saints . In the game , QB Gus Frerotte was making his first MNF start since 1997 ( when he was with the Washington Redskins ) . In the first quarter , the Vikes trailed early as Saints QB Drew Brees completed a 17 - yard TD pass to WR Devery Henderson . Minnesota would respond with CB Antoine Winfield returning a blocked field goal 59 yards for a touchdown , the first ( and longest ) ever in franchise history . New Orleans would answer with kicker Martín Gramática getting a 35 - yard field goal , yet the Vikings replied with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 53 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , the Vikes took the lead on a trick play as RB Chester Taylor completed a 4 - yard TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe , along with Longwell kicking a 33 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Saints began to rally as RB Reggie Bush returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown . In the fourth quarter , New Orleans took the lead with Gramática ' s 53 - yard field goal and Bush ' s 64 - yard punt return for a touchdown . Afterwards , Minnesota answered with Frerotte completing a 33 - yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian , along with Longwell nailing the game - winning 30 - yard field goal . With the win , the Vikings improved to 2 – 3 . Antoine Winfield had a big game . In addition to his touchdown off of a blocked field goal , he had 8 tackles and a sack ( with a forced fumble recovery ) . This was also the first time in NFL history that a game had a combination of a blocked field goal , a TD pass by a non - quarterback , two field goals of 50 + yards , and two punts returned for touchdowns . Week 6 : vs . Detroit Lions . Coming off their Monday night road win over the Saints , the Vikings went home for a Week 6 NFC North duel with the Detroit Lions . In the first quarter , the Vikes got an early lead as Lions QB Dan Orlovsky unintentionally ran out of the back of his own end zone , giving Minnesota a safety . In the second quarter , Detroit got the lead as kicker Jason Hanson got a 40 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Lions increased their lead as Orlovsky completed a 12 - yard TD pass to WR Calvin Johnson . The Vikings answered with QB Gus Frerotte completing an 86 - yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian . In the end of the fourth quarter , the Vikes got in field goal range due to a controversial pass interference call on Leigh Bodden . The Vikes sealed the win with kicker Ryan Longwell nailing the game - winning 26 - yard field goal . With the win , the Vikings improved to 3 – 3 . Week 7 : at Chicago Bears . Coming off their divisional home win over the Lions , the Vikings flew to Soldier Field for a Week 7 NFC North duel with the Chicago Bears . In the first quarter , the Vikes drew first blood as RB Adrian Peterson got a 1 - yard TD run . The Bears would respond with QB Kyle Orton completing an 18 - yard TD pass to TE Greg Olsen , along with RB Garrett Wolfe returning a blocked punt 17 yards for a touchdown . Minnesota would respond with QB Gus Frerotte completing a 24 - yard TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe . In the second quarter , it would be back and forth . Chicago kicker Robbie Gould would get a 26 - yard field goal , while Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell got a 42 - yard field goal . Bears CB Zackary Bowman would recover a fumble in Minnesota ' s endzone for a touchdown , while Vikings RB Chester Taylor got a 1 - yard TD run . Chicago would close out the half as Gould got a 48 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Bears got the lead again as WR Rashied Davis recovered a fumble within Minnesota ' s endzone for a touchdown . The Vikes would reply as Peterson got a 54 - yard TD run . Chicago would then strike again as Orton complted a 51 - yard TD pass to WR Marty Booker . In the fourth quarter , the Bears struck again as RB Matt Forté got a 1 - yard TD run . Minnesota tried to rally as Longwell nailed a 23 - yard field goal , along with Frerotte completing a 5 - yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian . However , Chicago ' s defense stepped up and prevented the Vikes from tying the game . With the loss , the Vikings went into their bye week at 3 – 4 . The 89 combined points became the highest single - game scoring total in the history of the Vikes / Bears rivalry . Week 9 : vs . Houston Texans . Coming off their bye week , the Vikings played a Week 9 interconference duel at home against the Houston Texans . In the first quarter , the Vikes drew first blood as RB Adrian Peterson got a 1 - yard TD run . The Texans responded with CB Jacques Reeves returning an interception 44 yards for a touchdown . In the second quarter , Minnesota responded with QB Gus Frerotte completing an 8 - yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice and a 49 - yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian . In the third quarter , Houston started to rally as QB Sage Rosenfels completed a 3 - yard TD pass to WR David Anderson . In the fourth quarter , the Vikings answered with Frerotte completing a 25 - yard TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe . The Texans tried to comeback as Rosenfels completed a 14 - yard TD pass to WR Andre Johnson . Fortunately , Minnesota ' s defense stiffened for the victory . With the win , the Vikings improved to 4 – 4 . Week 10 : vs . Green Bay Packers . Coming off their win over the Texans , the Vikings stayed at home for a Week 10 NFC North rematch with the Green Bay Packers . In the first quarter , the Vikes drew first blood as QB Gus Frerotte completed a 3 - yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice . The Packers would respond with RB Ryan Grant getting a 1 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , Minnesota increased their lead with kicker Ryan Longwell ( former Packer ) getting a 54 - yard field goal , along with the Vikings picking up back - to - back safeties . The first one came when QB Aaron Rodgers committed intentional grounding in his own endzone , with the second one coming from DE Jared Allen sacking Rodgers in his own endzone . Green Bay would close out the half with kicker Mason Crosby getting a 47 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Vikes increased their lead as Frerotte completed a 47 - yard TD pass to RB Chester Taylor . However , the Packers took the lead as safety Nick Collins returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown , along with CB / KR Will Blackmon returning a punt 65 yards for a touchdown . In the fourth quarter , the Packers increased their lead as Crosby nailed a 40 - yard field goal . The Vikings regained the lead as RB Adrian Peterson got a 29 - yard TD run . Green Bay did manage to get a late drive going , yet Crosby ' s 52 - yard field goal attempt sailed wide right , preserving head coach Brad Childress ' first - ever win over the Packers . With the win , the Vikings improved to 5 – 4 . Week 11 : at Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Coming off their divisional home win over the Packers , the Vikings flew to Raymond James Stadium for a Week 11 duel with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . In the first quarter , the Vikes struck first as kicker Ryan Longwell got a 43 - yard field goal . The Buccaneers responded with kicker Matt Bryant getting a 39 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Minnesota answered with QB Gus Frerotte completing a 4 - yard TD pass to WR Bobby Wade . Tampa Bay would reply with Bryant making a 26 - yard field goal . The Vikings closed out the half with Longwell getting a 26 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Buccaneers tied the game with FB B . J . Askew getting a 1 - yard TD run . In the fourth quarter , Tampa Bay took the lead as Bryant nailed a 29 - yard and a 26 - yard field goal . Minnesota tried to rally , but the Buccaneers ' defense was too much to overcome . With the loss , the Vikings fell to 5 – 5 . Week 12 : at Jacksonville Jaguars . Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Buccaneers , the Vikings flew to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for a Week 12 interconference duel with the Jacksonville Jaguars . In the first quarter , the Vikes got off to a fast start as LB Napoleon Harris returned a fumble 27 yards for a touchdown , while RB Chester Taylor got a 3 - yard TD run . The Jaguars would respond with QB David Garrard completing an 8 - yard TD pass to WR Reggie Williams . Minnesota would answer with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 54 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Jacksonville would get the period ' s only points as kicker Josh Scobee made a 21 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Vikings replied with Longwell making a 32 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , Minnesota pulled away as Longwell nailed a 22 - yard field goal , while RB Adrian Peterson got a 16 - yard TD run . Afterwards , the Jaguars were given a safety when Vikings punter Chris Kluwe ran out of the back of his endzone . With the win , Minnesota improved to 6 – 5 . Week 13 : vs . Chicago Bears . Coming off their road win over the Jaguars , the Vikings went home , donned their throwback uniforms , and played a Week 13 NFC North rematch with the Chicago Bears , with first place in the division on the line . In the first quarter , Chicago would strike first with QB Kyle Orton completing a 65 - yard TD pass to WR Devin Hester . The Vikings would answer back in the second quarter with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 23 - yard field goal . Later in the quarter , the Vikings defense would come up big with a goal line stand . DE Jared Allen made the key tackle just an inch short of the end zone on 4th and goal . On the very next play , QB Gus Frerotte ran a play action fake from his own endzone and found former Bears WR Bernard Berrian for a 99 - yard touchdown pass . This tied an NFL record for the longest pass from scrimmage and it was the first - ever longest offensive touchdown play in franchise history . It was also the eleventh time in NFL history that a 99 yard play was made . Then , with 1 : 09 left until halftime , Frerotte found TE Jim Kleinsasser for a 21 - yard gain to just inside the one yard line . The play was originally ruled a touchdown , but was officially reviewed and it was determined that he was just short of the goal line . On the next play however , Frerotte got the touchdown on a 1 - yard quarterback sneak with 44 seconds left until the half . In the third quarter , both teams traded blows . The Bears would answer with Orton completing a 2 - yard TD pass to RB Matt Forté , while Minnesota answered with RB Chester Taylor getting a 21 - yard TD run . In the fourth quarter , the Vikes pulled away as RB Adrian Peterson got a 1 - yard TD run , while Longwell nailed a 27 - yard field goal . With the win , the Vikings improved to 7 – 5 and took 1st place in the NFC North for the first time since early in the 2007 season . Week 14 : at Detroit Lions . Fresh off their divisional home win over the Bears on Sunday night , the Vikings flew to Ford Field for a Week 14 NFC North rematch with the winless Detroit Lions . Late in the first quarter , Minnesota would trail as Lions kicker Jason Hanson got a 25 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Detroit increased its lead as Hanson got a 23 - yard field goal . The Vikings closed out the half with a 35 - yard field goal from kicker Ryan Longwell . In the third quarter , Minnesota would take the lead as RB Chester Taylor got a 17 - yard TD run . The Lions would reply with QB Daunte Culpepper ( a former Viking ) completing a 70 - yard TD pass to wide receiver Calvin Johnson . In the fourth quarter , the Vikings regained the lead as QB Tarvaris Jackson completed an 11 - yard TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe . Detroit tried to rally as Hanson nailed a 39 - yard field goal , yet Longwell helped Minnesota pull away with a 50 - yard field goal , his fifth 50 + yarder of the season . With the win , the Vikings improved to 8 – 5 . Week 15 : at Arizona Cardinals . Coming off their hotly - contested road win over the Lions , the Vikings flew to the desert for a Week 15 duel with the newly - crowned NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals . Early in the first quarter , the Vikings got on the board first with a punt returned 82 yards by WR / PR Bernard Berrian for a touchdown . Later in the first quarter , the Vikings increased their lead with QB Tarvaris Jackson completing a 41 - yard TD pass to Berrian . The Vikings closed out the first quarter with Jackson completing a 6 - yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice . In the second quarter , the Vikings increased their lead with Jackson completing an 11 - yard TD pass to RB Chester Taylor for the only score of the period . In the third quarter , Arizona tried to rally as QB Kurt Warner completed a 50 - yard TD pass to WR Jerheme Urban . Later in the quarter , the Vikings tried to put the game away with a 34 - yard field goal by kicker Ryan Longwell , only to have it blocked and Arizona returning it 62 yards for a touchdown by CB Roderick Hood . Finally , the Vikings put the game away for good with Jackson completing a 59 - yard TD pass to WR Bobby Wade . Arizona tried to rally in the final minutes of the game , but on first - and - goal , they ran out of time . With the win , the Vikings improved to 9 – 5 and to a one game lead over the Bears in the NFC North . If the Vikings won in week 16 against Atlanta or Chicago lost against Green Bay , the Vikings would clinch their 17th division title , and their first since 2000 . Week 16 vs . Atlanta Falcons . Coming off their road rout of the Cardinals , the Vikings went home for a Week 16 battle with the Atlanta Falcons ; a win would give the Vikings their first division title since 2000 , and their first - ever NFC North title . Minnesota trailed early in the first quarter as Falcons running back Michael Turner got a 1 - yard touchdown run . The Vikings would respond with quarterback Tarvaris Jackson completing a 21 - yard touchdown pass to tight end Visanthe Shiancoe . However , Atlanta would answer in the second quarter with quarterback Matt Ryan completing an 8 - yard touchdown pass to running back Jerious Norwood , followed by kicker Jason Elam ' s 22 - yard field goal . The Falcons would further increase their lead in the third quarter as offensive guard Justin Blalock recovered Ryan ' s fumble in the endzone for a touchdown . In the fourth quarter , Minnesota tried to rally as kicker Ryan Longwell nailed a 29 - yard field goal , followed by Jackson ' s 17 - yard touchdown pass to Shiancoe . However , Atlanta ' s defense prevented any further comeback from happening . With the loss , the Vikings fell to 9 – 6 . Week 17 vs . New York Giants . Coming into their final game of the season against the New York Giants , the Vikings needed a win or a Chicago Bears loss to clinch the NFC North division title . The scoring began early in the 2nd quarter when Ryan Longwell kicked a 48 yard field goal . The Vikings continued the scoring with a 67 yard run by Adrian Peterson , the second longest of his career thus far . The Giants responded with a 51 yard John Carney field goal . The Giants continued the scoring with two John Carney field goals from 30 and 42 yards respectively to round out the end of the 2nd quarter . In the 3rd quarter , the Giants took the lead when David Carr threw a 23 yard pass to Domenik Hixon , then added a 20 yard John Carney field goal early in the 4th quarter , making for a Giants 9 - point lead . The Vikings came back with a 54 yard pass from Tarvaris Jackson to Bernard Berrian and clinched the win when Ryan Longwell nailed a 51 yard game - winning field goal as time expired . With the victory , the Vikings finished the regular season at 10 – 6 , winning their first division title since 2000 and earning their first playoff berth since 2004 . Postseason . Game summaries . NFC Wildcard Round : vs . Philadelphia Eagles . Entering the postseason as the NFC ' s third seed , the Vikings began their playoff run at home against the # 6 Philadelphia Eagles and for the first time in eight years , the Vikings hosted a playoff game . Minnesota would trail early as Eagles kicker David Akers got a 43 - yard and a 51 - yard field goal . The Vikings would respond in the second quarter as running back Adrian Peterson got a 40 - yard touchdown run . However , Philadelphia would answer with Akers ' 31 - yard field goal , followed by cornerback Asante Samuel ' s 44 - yard interception return for a touchdown . Minnesota would end the half with Peterson ' s 3 - yard touchdown run . After a scoreless third quarter , the Eagles would increase their lead in the fourth quarter with quarterback Donovan McNabb ' s 71 - yard touchdown pass to running back Brian Westbrook , followed by an Akers 45 - yard field goal . Try as they might , the Vikings were unable to build any momentum to mount a rally . With the loss , the Vikings ' season ended with an overall record of 10 – 7 .