55th season in franchise history
The 2015 season was the Minnesota Vikings ' 55th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their second under head coach Mike Zimmer . It marked the last season in which the Vikings played their home games at the University of Minnesota 's on-campus TCF Bank Stadium , before moving into U.S. Bank Stadium , which opened in July 2016, located on the site of the now-demolished Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome . The Vikings improved on their 7–9 record from 2014 and clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2012 . They also won their first NFC North title since 2009 with a Week 17 victory at the Packers . As a result, they hosted the Seattle Seahawks in the wild card round of the 2015–16 NFL playoffs , but lost 10–9 after kicker Blair Walsh missed a potential game-winning 27-yard field goal in the final seconds.[1]
Preseason
Schedule
On February 11, 2015, the National Football League announced that the Vikings would play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game . The game was played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio , on Sunday, August 9.[33] The remainder of the Vikings' preliminary preseason schedule was announced on April 9. The Vikings first hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders before road games against the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans ,[34] making this the third consecutive year in which the Vikings face the Titans in the preseason.
Game summaries
Hall of Fame Game: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
MIN – Joe Banyard 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 3:57. Vikings 14–3. Drive: 1 play, 1 yard, 0:03.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
PIT – Shakim Phillips – 2 receptions, 43 yards
MIN – MyCole Pruitt – 4 receptions, 51 yards, TD
Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Preseason Week 1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Buccaneers
3
6
7 0 16
Vikings
9
14
3 0 26
at TCF Bank Stadium , Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : August 15Game time : 7:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Partly cloudy, 86 °F (30 °C)Game attendance : 50,610Referee : Walt Coleman (65)Recap , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 46-yard field goal, 11:59. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 54 yards, 3:01
MIN – Zach Line 1-yard run (run failed), 4:07 Vikings 9–0. Drive: 5 plays, 38 yards, 2:11
TB – Patrick Murray 32-yard field goal, 0:36. Vikings 9–3. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 3:31
Second quarter
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 21-yard pass from Shaun Hill (Blair Walsh kick), 11:44. Vikings 16–3. Drive: 3 plays, 23 yards, 0:53
MIN – Adam Thielen 15-yard pass from Shaun Hill (Blair Walsh kick), 3:45. Vikings 23–3. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 2:06
TB – Jameis Winston 8-yard run (pass failed), 1:04. Vikings 23–9. Drive 9 plays, 76 yards, 2:41
Third quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 42-yard field goal, 13:05. Vikings 26–9. Drive 4 plays, −1 yards, 0:40
TB – Mike James 3-yard run (Patrick Murray kick), 7:56. Vikings 26–16. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 2:19
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 2: vs. Oakland Raiders
Preseason Week 2: Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Raiders
6
3
3 0 12
Vikings
0
13
7 0 20
at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : August 22Game time : 7:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Cloudy, 79 °F (26 °C)Game attendance : 50,656Referee : Ed Hochuli (85)Recap , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
OAK – Latavius Murray 2-yard run (run failed), 3:22. Raiders 6–0. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:24.
Second quarter
MIN – Charles Johnson 10-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (kick failed, wide right), 14:14. Tied 6–6. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 4:08.
OAK – Giorgio Tavecchio 26-yard field goal, 2:07. Raiders 9–6. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 4:18.
MIN – Chase Ford 4-yard pass from Shaun Hill (Blair Walsh kick), 0:08. Vikings 13–9. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 1:59.
Third quarter
OAK – Giorgio Tavecchio 37-yard field goal, 5:25. Vikings 13–12. Drive: 7 plays, 10 yards, 2:41.
MIN – Blake Renaud 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 2:42. Vikings 20–12. Drive: 3 plays, 1 yard, 0:49.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 3: at Dallas Cowboys
Preseason Week 3: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings
3
10
8 7 28
Cowboys
0
14
0 0 14
at AT&T Stadium , Arlington, Texas
Date : August 29Game time : 6:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : None (retractable roof closed)Game attendance : 86,082Referee : Ron Torbert (62)Recap , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 28-yard field goal, 1:12. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 5:58.
Second quarter
DAL – Terrance Williams 60-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 14:48. Cowboys 7–3. Drive: 3 plays, 72 yards, 1:24.
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 107-yard kickoff return (Blair Walsh kick), 14:35. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:13.
DAL – Lucky Whitehead 8-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 8:59. Cowboys 14–10. Drive: 2 plays, 23 yards, 0:39.
MIN – Blair Walsh 45-yard field goal, 1:00. Cowboys 14–13. Drive: 7 plays, 26 yards, 2:24.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
MIN – Joe Banyard 7-yard run, (Blair Walsh kick), 2:57. Vikings 28–14. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 3:21.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 4: at Tennessee Titans
Preseason Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings
0
3
7 7 17
Titans
14
0
3 7 24
at Nissan Stadium , Nashville, Tennessee
Date : September 3Game time : 7:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Cloudy, 90 °F (32 °C)Game attendance : 61,294Referee : Brad Allen (122)Recap , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 33-yard field goal, 0:19. Titans 14–3. 12 plays, 65 yards, 2:26.
Third quarter
MIN – Dominique Williams 14-yard pass from Taylor Heinicke (Blair Walsh kick), 11:20. Titans 14–10. 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:40.
TEN – Ryan Succop 40-yard field goal, 2:30. Titans 17–10. 4 plays, −11 yards, 1:00.
Fourth quarter
TEN – Phillip Supernaw 1-yard pass from Alex Tanney (Ryan Succop kick), 8:05. Titans 24–10. 12 plays, 94 yards, 7:01.
MIN – Stefon Diggs 7-yard pass from Taylor Heinicke (Blair Walsh kick), 3:54. Titans 24–17. 4 plays, 26 yards, 1:04.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Regular season
Schedule
The Vikings' 2015 schedule was announced on April 21.[35]
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
NFL.com recap
1
at San Francisco 49ers
L 3–20
0–1
Levi's Stadium
70,499
Recap
2
September 20
Detroit Lions
W 26–16
1–1
TCF Bank Stadium
52,319
Recap
3
September 27
San Diego Chargers
W 31–14
2–1
TCF Bank Stadium
52,400
Recap
4
October 4
at Denver Broncos
L 20–23
2–2
Sports Authority Field at Mile High
77,029
Recap
5
Bye
6
October 18
Kansas City Chiefs
W 16–10
3–2
TCF Bank Stadium
52,480
Recap
7
October 25
at Detroit Lions
W 28–19
4–2
Ford Field
60,231
Recap
8
November 1
at Chicago Bears
W 23–20
5–2
Soldier Field
62,311
Recap
9
November 8
St. Louis Rams
W 21–18 (OT)
6–2
TCF Bank Stadium
52,406
Recap
10
November 15
at Oakland Raiders
W 30–14
7–2
O.co Coliseum
54,700
Recap
11
November 22
Green Bay Packers
L 13–30
7–3
TCF Bank Stadium
52,529
Recap
12
November 29
at Atlanta Falcons
W 20–10
8–3
Georgia Dome
70,610
Recap
13
December 6
Seattle Seahawks
L 7–38
8–4
TCF Bank Stadium
52,430
Recap
14
at Arizona Cardinals
L 20–23
8–5
University of Phoenix Stadium
64,784
Recap
15
December 20
Chicago Bears
W 38–17
9–5
TCF Bank Stadium
52,421
Recap
16
December 27
New York Giants
W 49–17
10–5
TCF Bank Stadium
52,455
Recap
17
January 3
at Green Bay Packers
W 20–13
11–5
Lambeau Field
78,412
Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at San Francisco 49ers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
SF – Phil Dawson 30-yard field goal, 4:32. 49ers 10–0. Drive: 14 plays, 73 yards, 5:42.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 37-yard field goal, 14:43. 49ers 10–3. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 4:49.
SF – Carlos Hyde 17-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 9:30. 49ers 17–3. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:13.
SF – Phil Dawson 25-yard field goal, 6:08. 49ers 20–3. Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 2:14.
Top passers
Top rushers
MIN – Adrian Peterson – 10 rushes, 31 yards
SF – Carlos Hyde – 26 rushes, 168 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
The Vikings opened their 2015 season on the road against the San Francisco 49ers . Despite allowing San Francisco to start with the ball, the Vikings made a positive start, as Andrew Sendejo blocked a 28-yard field goal attempt from Phil Dawson , which Marcus Sherels returned 44 yards to the San Francisco 26-yard line. Minnesota QB Teddy Bridgewater was unable to complete a single pass on the next drive, forcing Blair Walsh to attempt a 44-yard field goal; however, he pushed it wide right. After forcing the 49ers to punt on the next series, the Vikings were themselves forced to punt immediately afterwards, only for the 49ers' rookie former rugby league star Jarryd Hayne to muff the catch, allowing the Vikings to recover the ball. The next drive saw the Vikings attempt to convert on 4th-and-3, but Bridgewater's completed pass to tight end Kyle Rudolph fell a yard short of a fresh set of downs.
Both sides exchanged punts at the start of the second quarter, with the 49ers eventually returning one 85 yards for a touchdown, only for it to be called back for an illegal block by a San Francisco player. However, the ensuing possession ended with a 49ers touchdown, as they drove 93 yards in just under 5 minutes, before Carlos Hyde finished the series with a 10-yard touchdown run; after finding nowhere to go on his initial run to the right, he beat a Minnesota defender with a spin move and ran back to the left side of the field, where quarterback Colin Kaepernick led him into the end zone. With the Vikings unable to score in the remaining 47 seconds, the first half ended 7–0 to San Francisco.
Minnesota started the third quarter with the ball, but they were unable to make it out of their half before being forced to punt. The 49ers then extended their lead on the ensuing possession, driving 73 yards to the Minnesota 11-yard line to set up a 30-yard field goal attempt for Dawson. The Vikings finally got on the scoreboard early in the fourth quarter, as Walsh finished off a 66-yard drive with a 37-yard field goal, but the 49ers pulled further ahead with a second touchdown for Hyde on a 17-yard run. Bridgewater attempted to spark the Vikings back into the game, but a deep pass intended for Rudolph was intercepted by Tramaine Brock , setting up a 25-yard field goal for Dawson. The next drive saw the Vikings go for it again on 4th-and-8, but Bridgewater was sacked for a loss of 14 yards, allowing the 49ers to kneel out the game.
Week 2: vs. Detroit Lions
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – Teddy Bridgewater 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 14:26. Vikings 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:58.
DET – Matt Prater 26-yard field goal, 7:12. Vikings 14–3. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 7:14.
MIN – Blair Walsh 28-yard field goal, 2:32. Vikings 17–3. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:40.
DET – Calvin Johnson 11-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 0:34. Vikings 17–10. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 1:58.
Third quarter
MIN – Zach Line 1-yard run (kick failed, wide right), 8:54. Vikings 23–10. Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 2:31.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 23-yard field goal, 6:20. Vikings 26–10. Drive: 10 plays, 34 yards, 5:46.
DET – Eric Ebron 12-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (run failed), 1:48. Vikings 26–16. Drive: 18 plays, 82 yards, 4:32.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 3: vs. San Diego Chargers
Week 3: San Diego Chargers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
0
7
0 7 14
Vikings
3
7
14 7 31
at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 24-yard field goal, 1:15. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:31.
Second quarter
Third quarter
MIN – Adrian Peterson 43-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 12:32. Vikings 17–7. Drive: 1 play, 43 yards, 0:12.
MIN – Zach Line 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 2:42. Vikings 24–7. Drive: 16 plays, 86 yards, 7:19.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Chad Greenway 91-yard interception return (Blair Walsh kick), 13:57. Vikings 31–7.
SD – Keenan Allen 19-yard pass from Kellen Clemens (Josh Lambo kick), 0:32. Vikings 31–14. Drive: 14 plays, 89 yards, 8:05.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 4: at Denver Broncos
Game information
First quarter
DEN – Brandon McManus 33-yard field goal, 8:16. Broncos 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 3:05.
Second quarter
DEN – Ronnie Hillman 72-yard run (Brandon McManus kick), 11:24. Broncos 10–0. Drive: 1 play, 72 yards, 0:11.
DEN – Brandon McManus 47-yard field goal, 5:57. Broncos 13–0. Drive: 6 plays, 28 yards, 3:47.
MIN – Blair Walsh 38-yard field goal, 1:39. Broncos 13–3. Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 4:18.
MIN – Mike Wallace 4-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 0:12. Broncos 13–10. Drive: 2 plays, 27 yards, 0:11.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
MIN – Adrian Peterson 48-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 10:01. Broncos 20–17. Drive: 9 plays, 97 yards, 4:48.
MIN – Blair Walsh 33-yard field goal, 5:11. Tied 20–20. Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 3:56.
DEN – Brandon McManus 39-yard field goal, 1:51. Broncos 23–20. Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 3:20.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 6: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week 6: Kansas City Chiefs at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Chiefs
0
0
0 10 10
Vikings
3
7
3 3 16
at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 24-yard field goal, 5:40. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:00.
Second quarter
Third quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 45-yard field goal, 8:51. Vikings 13–0. Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards, 2:34.
Fourth quarter
KC – Cairo Santos 48-yard field goal, 13:10. Vikings 13–3. Drive: 8 plays, 28 yards, 3:27.
KC – Albert Wilson 42-yard pass from Alex Smith (Cairo Santos kick), 8:46. Vikings 13–10. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 2:26.
MIN – Blair Walsh 45-yard field goal, 4:46. Vikings 16–10. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 4:00.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 7: at Detroit Lions
Week 7: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings
3
12
10 3 28
Lions
14
3
0 2 19
at Ford Field , Detroit, Michigan
Game information
First quarter
DET – Calvin Johnson 1-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 11:10. Lions 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:50.
MIN – Blair Walsh 37-yard field goal, 3:47. Lions 7–3. Drive: 15 plays, 63 yards, 7:23.
DET – Eric Ebron 7-yard pass from Matt Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 1:24. Lions 14–3. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 2:23.
Second quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 53-yard field goal, 11:11. Lions 14–6. Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 5:13.
DET – Matt Prater 52-yard field goal, 5:03. Lions 17–6. Drive: 6 plays, 8 yards, 2:53.
MIN – Kyle Rudolph 1-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (kick failed, wide right), 1:49. Lions 17–12. Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 3:14.
MIN – Blair Walsh 51-yard field goal, 0:00. Lions 17–15. Drive: 8 plays, 19 yards, 1:13.
Third quarter
MIN – Stefon Diggs 36-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 10:19. Vikings 22–17. Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, 4:41.
MIN – Blair Walsh 35-yard field goal, 6:07. Vikings 25–17. Drive: 5 plays, 61 yards, 2:07.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 22-yard field goal, 14:10. Vikings 28–17. Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 4:57.
DET – Jeff Locke out of bounds in the end zone for a safety, 0:59. Vikings 28–19.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 8: at Chicago Bears
Week 8: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings
7
3
0 13 23
Bears
3
7
3 7 20
at Soldier Field , Chicago, Illinois
Date : November 1Game time : 12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Sunny, 62 °F (17 °C)Game attendance : 62,311Referee : John Hussey (35)TV announcers (Fox) : Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Holly SondersPreview , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 43-yard field goal, 9:05. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 51 yards, 6:46.
CHI – Alshon Jeffery 21-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), 0:42. Tied 10–10. Drive: 3 plays, 34 yards, 0:19.
Third quarter
CHI – Robbie Gould 33-yard field goal, 8:28. Bears 13–10. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 6:32.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 48-yard field goal, 13:29. Tied 13–13. Drive: 9 plays, 29 yards, 3:23.
CHI – Jay Cutler 4-yard run (Robbie Gould kick), 4:55. Bears 20–13. Drive: 14 plays, 74 yards, 8:34.
MIN – Stefon Diggs 40-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 1:49. Tied 20–20. Drive: 7 plays, 84 yards, 3:06.
MIN – Blair Walsh 36-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 23–20. Drive: 4 plays, 48 yards, 1:00.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 9: vs. St. Louis Rams
Week 9: St. Louis Rams at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Rams
6
9
0 3 0 18
Vikings
10
0
8 0 3 21
at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 34-yard field goal, 10:19. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 30 yards, 3:36.
MIN – Adrian Peterson 6-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 5:24. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:32.
STL – Todd Gurley 1-yard run (run failed), 1:09. Vikings 10–6. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:15.
Second quarter
STL – Greg Zuerlein 61-yard field goal, 10:55. Vikings 10–9. Drive: 6 plays, 22 yards, 2:20.
STL – Greg Zuerlein 35-yard field goal, 3:23. Rams 12–10. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:47.
STL – Greg Zuerlein 45-yard field goal, 0:00. Rams 15–10. Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 1:45.
Third quarter
MIN – Teddy Bridgewater 6-yard run (Teddy Bridgewater run), 8:39. Vikings 18–15. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 3:20.
Fourth quarter
STL – Greg Zuerlein 53-yard field goal, 0:12. Tied 18–18. Drive: 5 plays, 26 yards, 1:02.
Overtime
MIN – Blair Walsh 40-yard field goal, 9:20. Vikings 21–18. Drive: 7 plays, 29 yards, 3:59.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 10: at Oakland Raiders
Week 10: Minnesota Vikings at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings
10
10
0 10 30
Raiders
0
14
0 0 14
at O.co Coliseum , Oakland, California
Date : November 15Game time : 3:05 p.m. CST/1:05 p.m. PSTGame weather : Sunny, 62 °F (17 °C)Game attendance : 54,700Referee : Tony Corrente (99)TV announcers (Fox) : Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Holly SondersPreview , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Rhett Ellison 11-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 10:59. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:01.
MIN – Blair Walsh 20-yard field goal, 1:32. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 2:17.
Second quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 38-yard field goal, 10:33. Vikings 13–0. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 4:19.
OAK – Clive Walford 10-yard pass from Derek Carr (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 5:54. Vikings 13–7. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 4:39.
OAK – Andre Holmes 34-yard pass from Derek Carr (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 1:52. Raiders 14–13. Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 1:29.
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 93-yard kickoff return (Blair Walsh kick), 1:39. Vikings 20–14.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 34-yard field goal, 3:50. Vikings 23–14. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 5:41.
MIN – Adrian Peterson 80-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:50. Vikings 30–14. Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 0:13.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 11: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 11: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Packers
6
10
3 11 30
Vikings
6
0
7 0 13
at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information
First quarter
GB – Mason Crosby 42-yard field goal, 4:49. Packers 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 56 yards, 5:35.
MIN – Kyle Rudolph 47-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (kick failed, wide right), 3:01. Vikings 6–3. Drive: 4 plays, 64 yards, 1:48.
GB – Mason Crosby 47-yard field goal, 1:37. Tied 6–6. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:24.
Second quarter
GB – Mason Crosby 40-yard field goal, 10:17. Packers 9–6. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 2:18.
GB – Randall Cobb 10-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 0:06. Packers 16–6. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 2:13.
Third quarter
GB – Mason Crosby 42-yard field goal, 10:13. Packers 19–6. Drive: 12 plays, 61 yards, 4:47.
MIN – Adrian Peterson 6-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 2:37. Packers 19–13. Drive: 4 plays, 63 yards, 2:00.
Fourth quarter
GB – James Jones 27-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Aaron Rodgers to James Jones pass), 14:51. Packers 27–13. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:46.
GB – Mason Crosby 52-yard field goal, 4:14. Packers 30–13. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:23.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 12: at Atlanta Falcons
Week 12: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings
7
0
3 10 20
Falcons
0
3
0 7 10
at Georgia Dome , Atlanta, Georgia
Date : November 29Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : None (indoor stadium)Game attendance : 70,610Referee : Clete Blakeman (34)TV announcers (Fox) : Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam OliverRecap , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ATL – Shayne Graham 31-yard field goal, 6:13. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 15 plays, 67 yards, 8:03.
Third quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 29-yard field goal, 1:49. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 6:10.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 39-yard field goal, 6:24. Vikings 13–3. Drive: 14 plays, 67 yards, 8:26.
MIN – Adrian Peterson 35-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 4:15. Vikings 20–3. Drive: 3 plays, 40 yards, 0:19.
ATL – Nick Williams 1–yd pass from Matt Ryan (Shayne Graham kick), 1:28. Vikings 20–10. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 2:47.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 13: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 13: Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Seahawks
7
14
14 3 38
Vikings
0
0
7 0 7
at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : December 6Game time : 12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Cloudy, 37 °F (3 °C)Game attendance : 52,430Referee : Terry McAulay (77)TV announcers (Fox) : Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam OliverRecap , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SEA – Russell Wilson 8-yard run (Steven Hauschka kick), 2:04. Seahawks 14–0. Drive: 13 plays, 98 yards, 6:15.
SEA – Doug Baldwin 20–yd pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 1:04. Seahawks 21–0. Drive: 1 play, 20 yards, 0:04.
Third quarter
SEA – Fred Jackson 5–yd pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 9:12. Seahawks 28–0. Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 3:45.
SEA – Doug Baldwin 53–yd pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 1:01. Seahawks 35–0. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:52.
MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 101–yd kickoff return (Blair Walsh kick), 0:48. Seahawks 35–7.
Fourth quarter
SEA – Steven Hauschka 23-yard field goal, 8:00. Seahawks 38–7. Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 7:48.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 14: at Arizona Cardinals
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 44-yard field goal, 0:02. Tied 10–10. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 3:42.
Third quarter
ARI – Michael Floyd 42-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 8:31. Cardinals 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 2:49.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 23-yard field goal, 14:55. Cardinals 20–10. Drive: 16 plays, 66 yards, 7:13.
MIN – Blair Walsh 54-yard field goal, 12:10. Cardinals 20–13. Drive: 8 plays, 28 yards, 2:45.
MIN – Mike Wallace 7-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 4:55. Tied 20–20. Drive: 11 plays, 88 yards, 5:10.
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 47-yard field goal, 1:23. Cardinals 23–20. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards, 3:32.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 15: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 15: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Bears
0
7
3 7 17
Vikings
7
10
7 14 38
at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : December 20Game time : 12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Cloudy, 36 °F (2 °C)Game attendance : 52,421Referee : Brad Allen (122)TV announcers (Fox) : Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam OliverRecap , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 53-yard field goal, 14:22. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 36 yards, 4:16.
CHI – Alshon Jeffery 10-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), 5:40. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:25.
MIN – Jerick McKinnon 17-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 0:26. Vikings 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 5:14.
Third quarter
MIN – Stefon Diggs 33-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 10:40. Vikings 24–7. Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 3:10.
CHI – Robbie Gould 51-yard field goal, 4:23. Vikings 24–10. Drive: 15 plays, 47 yards, 6:17.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Teddy Bridgewater 12-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 8:45. Vikings 31–10. Drive: 3 plays, 13 yards, 1:10.
CHI – Matt Forte 4-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), 5:13. Vikings 31–17. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 3:32.
MIN – Zach Line 4-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 1:50. Vikings 38–17. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:23.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Teddy Bridgewater's best game of his career, going 17/20, 231 yards, and 4 touchdowns, along with a rushing touchdown on the ground. Before this game, Bridgewater had only 9 passing touchdowns, and afterwards, he had 13. Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears were stopped to 17 points, while Cutler also having a good game with 26/37 for 231 and 2 touchdowns.
Week 16: vs. New York Giants
Week 16: New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Giants
0
3
7 7 17
Vikings
3
16
13 17 49
at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 32-yard field goal, 0:08. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 40 yards, 3:44.
Second quarter
MIN – Kyle Rudolph 28-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 11:02. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 5 plays, 44 yards, 2:04.
NYG – Josh Brown 27-yard field goal, 8:22. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 2:40.
MIN – Harrison Smith 35-yard interception return (kick failed, hit left upright), 4:00. Vikings 16–3.
MIN – Blair Walsh 52-yard field goal, 0:04. Vikings 19–3. Drive: 7 plays, 23 yards, 1:01.
Third quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 22-yard field goal, 7:35. Vikings 22–3. Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 5:06.
MIN – Adrian Peterson 2-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 6:40. Vikings 29–3. Drive: 2 plays, 4 yards, 0:42.
MIN – Blair Walsh 53-yard field goal, 1:51. Vikings 32–3. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 3:27.
NYG – Rueben Randle 72-yard pass from Eli Manning (Josh Brown kick), 1:02. Vikings 32–10. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:49.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Jerick McKinnon 7-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 13:31. Vikings 39–10. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 2:31.
MIN – Blair Walsh 27-yard field goal, 9:34. Vikings 42–10. Drive: 5 plays, 26 yards, 2:44.
MIN – Jerick McKinnon 68-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 3:36. Vikings 49–10. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:43.
NYG – Myles White 25-yard pass from Ryan Nassib (Josh Brown kick), 1:54. Vikings 49–17. Drive: 6 plays, 77 yards, 1:42.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 17: at Green Bay Packers
Week 17: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings
3
3
14 0 20
Packers
3
0
0 10 13
at Lambeau Field , Green Bay, Wisconsin
Date : January 3, 2016Game time : 7:30 p.m. CSTGame weather : Cloudy, 24 °F (−4 °C)Game attendance : 78,412Referee : Bill Vinovich (52)TV announcers (NBC) : Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele TafoyaRecap , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 39-yard field goal, 10:45. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 4:15.
GB – Mason Crosby 28-yard field goal, 2:02. Tied 3–3. Drive: 15 plays, 70 yards, 8:43.
Second quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 32-yard field goal, 2:55. Vikings 6–3. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:37.
Third quarter
MIN – Adrian Peterson 3-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 10:32. Vikings 13–3. Drive: 6 plays, 58 yards, 2:55.
MIN – Captain Munnerlyn 55-yard fumble return (Blair Walsh kick), 4:28. Vikings 20–3.
Fourth quarter
GB – Richard Rodgers II 16-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 13:27. Vikings 20–10. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 6:01.
GB – Mason Crosby 43-yard field goal, 5:35. Vikings 20–13. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 4:25.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Standings
Division
Conference
#
Team
Division
W
L
T
PCT
DIV
CONF
SOS
SOV
STK
Division Leaders
1
Carolina Panthers
South
15
1
0
.938
5–1
11–1
.441
.438
W1
2
Arizona Cardinals
West
13
3
0
.813
4–2
10–2
.477
.457
L1
3
Minnesota Vikings
North
11
5
0
.688
5–1
8–4
.504
.449
W3
4
Washington Redskins
East
9
7
0
.563
4–2
8–4
.465
.403
W4
Wild Cards
5[a]
Green Bay Packers
North
10
6
0
.625
3–3
7–5
.531
.450
L2
6[a]
Seattle Seahawks
West
10
6
0
.625
3–3
7–5
.520
.431
W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7
Atlanta Falcons
South
8
8
0
.500
1–5
5–7
.480
.453
L1
8[b]
St. Louis Rams
West
7
9
0
.438
4–2
6–6
.527
.482
L1
9[b]
Detroit Lions
North
7
9
0
.438
3–3
6–6
.535
.429
W3
10[b]
Philadelphia Eagles
East
7
9
0
.438
3–3
4–8
.508
.473
W1
11[b]
New Orleans Saints
South
7
9
0
.438
3–3
5–7
.504
.402
W2
12[c]
New York Giants
East
6
10
0
.375
2–4
4–8
.500
.396
L3
13[c]
Chicago Bears
North
6
10
0
.375
1–5
3–9
.547
.469
L1
14[c]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
South
6
10
0
.375
3–3
5–7
.484
.406
L4
15
San Francisco 49ers
West
5
11
0
.313
1–5
4–8
.539
.463
W1
16
Dallas Cowboys
East
4
12
0
.250
3–3
3–9
.531
.438
L4
Tiebreakers [d]
^ a b Green Bay finished ahead of Seattle based on head-to-head victory.
^ a b c d St. Louis and Detroit finished ahead of Philadelphia and New Orleans based on conference record. St. Louis finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory. Detroit finished ahead of Philadelphia and New Orleans based on head-to-head sweep, while Philadelphia finished ahead of New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
^ a b c The New York Giants and Chicago each finished ahead of Tampa Bay based on head-to-head victory, while the Giants finished ahead of Chicago based on conference record.
^ 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
Game summaries
NFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. #6 Seattle Seahawks
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 22-yard field goal, 1:01. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 25 yards, 5:52.
Second quarter
Third quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 43-yard field goal, 7:04. Vikings 6–0. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 2:45.
MIN – Blair Walsh 47-yard field goal, 0:02. Vikings 9–0. Drive: 8 plays, 19 yards, 4:39.
Fourth quarter
SEA – Doug Baldwin 3-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 11:37. Vikings 9–7. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:25.
SEA – Steven Hauschka 46-yard field goal, 8:04. Seahawks 10–9. Drive: 7 plays, 12 yards, 2:33.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
The Vikings' only points in this game came from the foot of kicker Blair Walsh, whose three field goals put them 9–0 up by the end of the third quarter; however, Seattle outscored them 10–0 in the final period, with a touchdown catch from Doug Baldwin being followed by a 46-yard Steven Hauschka field goal in the first seven minutes of the quarter. The Vikings had a chance to win it with 20 seconds remaining, but Walsh missed a 27-yard field goal, reminding Vikings fans of Gary Anderson 's missed field goal in the 1998 NFC Championship Game .
Pro Bowl
Running back Adrian Peterson was the only Minnesota Viking selected for the 2016 Pro Bowl . It was Peterson's seventh Pro Bowl selection, tying him for the fourth-most in Vikings franchise history with offensive tackle Ron Yary .[36] After Houston Texans DE J. J. Watt suffered an injury in the wildcard round game against the Kansas City Chiefs , Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen was called up to replace him, his first career Pro Bowl selection.[37] Griffen was followed by a fellow first-time Pro Bowler, safety Harrison Smith , on January 25, after Earl Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks was ruled out of the game due to injury.[38] The next day, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and linebacker Anthony Barr were added to the Pro Bowl roster as replacements for injured Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer and New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins respectively.[39]
Statistics
Team leaders
Source: Minnesota Vikings' official website[40]
League rankings
Category
Total yards
Yards per game
NFL rank(out of 32)
Passing offense
2,928
183.0
31st
Rushing offense
2,211
138.2
4th
Total offense
5,139
321.2
29th
Passing defense
3,759
234.9
12th
Rushing defense
1,748
109.2
17th
Total defense
5,507
344.2
13th
Source: NFL.com.[41]