56th season in franchise history
The2016 season was theMinnesota Vikings ' 56th in theNational Football League (NFL) and their third underhead coach Mike Zimmer . After starting the season with five consecutive wins prior to their bye week, the Vikings managed just three victories after the bye and were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16 with a 38–25 road loss to the Packers.[ 1] 1978 Redskins ,1993 Saints ,2003 Vikings ,2009 Broncos ,2009 Giants and2015 Falcons in missing the playoffs after starting 5–0 or better. The Vikings are the only NFL team to have more than once started 5–0 or better and missed the playoffs.
The team's new stadium,U.S. Bank Stadium inMinneapolis , opened at the start of the season, with a regular season debut victory on September 18 against division rivalGreen Bay onNBC Sunday Night Football Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome , the team's home from1982 through2013 . The Vikings played at the outdoorTCF Bank Stadium at theUniversity of Minnesota in2014 and2015 . This would be the season the Vikings introduced their color rush jersey, the Minnesota Vikings debuted the Jerseys at home against Dallas.
On August 30, starting quarterbackTeddy Bridgewater suffered a season-ending ACL tear and dislocated knee on a non-contact play during team practice.[ 2] [ 3] Philadelphia Eagles for former number 1 draft pickSam Bradford , giving up a first-round pick in the2017 NFL draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2018 Draft in exchange.[ 4] [ 5] Adrian Peterson 's season was also hit by injury after he tore the meniscus in his right knee in the home opener against the Packers.[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9] [ 10]
Draft trades
^a b The Vikings traded their third-round selection (86th overall) to theMiami Dolphins in exchange for Miami's sixth-round selection (186th overall) and2017 third- and fourth-round selections.[ 13] ^ He played for theSchwäbisch Hall of theGerman Football League (GFL). ^ The Vikings traded linebackerGerald Hodges to theSan Francisco 49ers in exchange for San Francisco's sixth-round selection (180th) andcenter Nick Easton .[ 14] ^a b c The Vikings traded the sixth-round selection they acquired from theMiami Dolphins (186th overall) back to the Dolphins in exchange for Miami's sixth-round selection and the seventh-round selection they acquired from the Ravens (196th and 227th overall).[ 15] ^a b c The Vikings traded the sixth-round selection they acquired from Miami and their seventh-round selection (196th and 240th overall) to thePhiladelphia Eagles in exchange for Philadelphia's sixth-round selection (188th overall).[ 16] ^ The Vikings traded their sixth-round selection (198th overall) to theSan Diego Chargers in exchange forguard Jeremiah Sirles .[ 17] ^ The Vikings traded their 2015 sixth-round selection (187th overall) and quarterbackMatt Cassel to theBuffalo Bills in exchange for Buffalo's 2016 sixth-round selection (240th overall) and a 2015 fifth-round selection (137th overall).[ 18] Re-signings Date Player name Position Contract terms March 7, 2016 Andrew Sendejo S 4 years / $16 million[ 19] Adam Thielen WR 1 year / $600,000[ 20] March 8, 2016 Audie Cole LB 1 year / $760,000[ 21] March 9, 2016 Mike Harris G 1 year / $1.9 million[ 22] March 15, 2016 Rhett Ellison TE 1 year / $2.25 million[ 23] Marcus Sherels CB 2 years / $4 million[ 23] March 16, 2016 Matt Asiata RB 1 year / $840,000[ 24] March 18, 2016 Terence Newman CB 1 year / $3 million[ 23] Justin Trattou DE 1 year / $810,000[ 25] April 11, 2016 Chad Greenway LB 1 year / $2.75 million[ 26] April 18, 2016 Zach Line FB 1 year / $1.671 million[ 27] September 9, 2016 Joe Berger C 1-year extension[ 28]
Departures Date Player name Position Note New team March 8, 2016 Mike Wallace WR Released[ 29] Baltimore Ravens Austin Wentworth OT Waived[ 29] Retired[ 30] March 9, 2016 Casey Matthews ILB UFA Jason Trusnik ILB UFA March 14, 2016 Josh Robinson CB UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers March 18, 2016 Robert Blanton S UFA Buffalo Bills April 13, 2016 Alex Singleton LB Waived Calgary Stampeders (CFL )May 10, 2016 Johnny Lowdermilk S Waived Tampa Bay Buccaneers July 25, 2016 Phil Loadholt OT Waived Retired August 25, 2016 Melvin White CB Waived August 30, 2016 Brad Sorensen QB Waived[ 31] [ 32] Terrell Sinkfield WR Austin Shepherd OT John Sullivan C Scott Crichton DL Antone Exum S Zach Moore DE September 3, 2016 C. J. Ham HB Waived Blake Renaud FB Isaac Fruechte WR Moritz Böhringer WR Willie Beavers OL Isame Faciane OG Stephen Weatherly DE Toby Johnson DT Brandon Watts OLB
Additions Date Player name Position Previous team Contract terms March 10, 2016 Alex Boone G San Francisco 49ers 4 years / $26.8 million[ 33] Emmanuel Lamur LB Cincinnati Bengals 2 years / $6 million[ 22] March 18, 2016 Andre Smith OT Cincinnati Bengals 1 year / $4.5 million[ 34] May 10, 2016 C. J. Ham HB Augustana (NCAA )August 1, 2016 Terrance Plummer LB Minnesota Vikings September 3, 2016 Sam Bradford QB Philadelphia Eagles Trade[ 35] September 4, 2016 Joel Stave QB Wisconsin (NCAA )Practice squad[ 36] C. J. Ham HB Augustana (NCAA )Moritz Böhringer WR Schwäbisch Hall (GFL )Kyle Carter TE Penn State (NCAA )Willie Beavers OL Western Michigan (NCAA )Isame Faciane OG Minnesota Vikings Stephen Weatherly DE Vanderbilt (NCAA )Toby Johnson DT Minnesota Vikings Tre Roberson CB Illinois State (NCAA )September 4, 2016 Shamiel Gary S Miami Dolphins Practice squad[ 37] September 13, 2016 Tre Roberson CB Illinois State (NCAA )Practice squad Julian Wilson CB Philadelphia Eagles September 23, 2016 Ronnie Hillman HB Denver Broncos October 11, 2016 Jake Long OT Atlanta Falcons 1 year
Signed and released players Date signed Player name Position Previous team Contract terms Date released March 7, 2016 Carter Bykowski OT Minnesota Vikings 1 year / $600,000[ 38] August 30, 2016 March 9, 2016 Kenrick Ellis DT 1 year / $810,000[ 39] September 3, 2016 March 11, 2016 Travis Lewis LB Detroit Lions 1 year / $810,000[ 22] June 16, 2016 March 14, 2016 Michael Griffin S Tennessee Titans 1 year / $3 million[ 22] September 3, 2016 March 21, 2016 Brian Leonhardt TE San Francisco 49ers 1 year / $600,000[ 40] August 30, 2016 May 1, 2016 Keith Baxter CB Marshall (NCAA )Undrafted FA[ 41] July 31, 2016 Kyle Carter TE Penn State (NCAA )September 3, 2016 Joel Stave QB Wisconsin (NCAA )Theiren Cockran DE Minnesota (NCAA )August 30, 2016 Jake Ganus ILB Georgia (NCAA )September 3, 2016 Marken Michel WR UMass (NCAA )August 30, 2016 Denzell Perine OLB Florida Atlantic (NCAA )September 2, 2016 Jhurell Pressley RB New Mexico (NCAA )September 3, 2016 Brandon Ross RB Maryland (NCAA )May 23, 2016 May 9, 2016 Tre Roberson CB Illinois State (NCAA )Undrafted FA[ 42] September 13, 2016 Troy Stoudermire WR Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL )[ 42] August 30, 2016 May 23, 2016 Travis Raciti DT Philadelphia Eagles September 2, 2016 May 31, 2016 Bruce Gaston DT Chicago Bears June 16, 2016 July 27, 2016 Sean Hickey OT New York Jets [ 43] August 30, 2016 Jason Whittingham LB Utah (NCAA )[ 43] July 31, 2016 July 30, 2016 Claudell Louis DT Buffalo Bills [ 44] August 30, 2016 April 13, 2016 Terrance Plummer LB Minnesota Vikings August 31, 2016 August 20, 2016 Kevin Monangai RB Philadelphia Eagles Waived[ 45] August 4, 2016 August 20, 2016 Brad Sorensen QB San Diego Chargers [ 45] [ 46] August 30, 2016 August 31, 2016 Minnesota Vikings September 2, 2016 September 6, 2016 Carter Bykowski OT Minnesota Vikings Practice squad September 13, 2016
The Vikings' preseason opponents and schedule were announced on April 7, 2016.
Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals [ edit ] Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Vikings 0 10 7 0 17 Bengals 0 7 0 9 16
atPaul Brown Stadium ,Cincinnati , Ohio
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
MIN –C. J. Ham 10-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:44.Vikings 17–7.Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 5:46. Fourth quarter
CIN – Mike Nugent 23-yard field goal, 4:11.Vikings 17–10.Drive: 8 plays, 81 yards, 3:47. CIN – Alex Erickson 80-yard punt return (pass failed), 2:45.Vikings 17–16. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks [ edit ] Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Vikings 0 11 0 7 18 Seahawks 0 0 0 11 11
atCenturyLink Field ,Seattle , Washington
Date : August 18Game time : 9:00 p.m. CDT/7:00 p.m.PDT Game weather : Sunny, 83 °F (28 °C)Game attendance : 68,469Referee :Ed Hochuli (85)Recap ,Game Book
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 3: vs. San Diego Chargers [ edit ] Week 3: San Diego Chargers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Chargers 0 10 0 0 10 Vikings 6 6 8 3 23
atU.S. Bank Stadium ,Minneapolis , Minnesota
Game information First quarter
MIN –Blair Walsh 23-yard field goal, 11:04.Vikings 3–0.Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:56. MIN – Blair Walsh 33-yard field goal, 4:18.Vikings 6–0.Drive: 9 plays, 29 yards, 4:38. Second quarter
SD –Melvin Gordon 39-yard run (Josh Lambo kick), 9:04.Chargers 7–6.Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 3:05. SD – Josh Lambo 32-yard field goal, 2:28.Chargers 10–6.Drive: 8 plays, 41 yards, 4:10. MIN –Kyle Rudolph 27-yard pass fromTeddy Bridgewater (run failed), 1:18.Vikings 12–10.Drive: 6 plays, 78 yards, 1:10. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 23-yard field goal, 6:24.Vikings 23–10.Drive: 9 plays, 33 yards, 4:42. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 4: vs. Los Angeles Rams [ edit ] Week 4: Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Rams 7 0 3 15 25 Vikings 0 13 7 7 27
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : September 1Game time : 7:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : None (indoor stadium)Game attendance : 66,262Referee :Bill Vinovich (52)Recap ,Game Book
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
MIN –Blair Walsh 30-yard field goal, 2:39.Rams 7–3.Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:19. MIN – Blair Walsh 34-yard field goal, 0:55.Rams 7–6.Drive: 4 plays, −7 yards, 0:56. MIN –Jhurell Pressley 28-yard pass fromBrad Sorensen (Blair Walsh kick), 0:33.Vikings 13–7.Drive: 1 play, 28 yards, 0:09. Third quarter
LA – Greg Zuerlein 35-yard field goal, 4:47.Vikings 13–10.Drive: 13 plays, 59 yards, 7:31. MIN – Jhurell Pressley 106-yard kickoff return (Blair Walsh kick), 4:32.Vikings 20–10.Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:15. Fourth quarter
MIN –C. J. Ham 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 11:37.Vikings 27–10.Drive: 3 plays, 6 yards, 1:17. LA –Paul McRoberts 2-yard pass fromSean Mannion (Terrence Magee run), 6:14.Vikings 27–18.Drive: 12 plays, 61 yards, 5:23. LA –Aaron Green 26-yard run (Greg Zuerlein kick), 1:53.Rams 27–25.Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 2:02. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance NFL.com 1 September 11 atTennessee Titans W 25–161–0 Nissan Stadium 63,816 Recap 2 September 18 Green Bay Packers W 17–142–0 U.S. Bank Stadium 66,813 Recap 3 September 25 atCarolina Panthers W 22–103–0 Bank of America Stadium 73,813 Recap 4 October 3 New York Giants W 24–104–0 U.S. Bank Stadium 66,690 Recap 5 October 9 Houston Texans W 31–135–0 U.S. Bank Stadium 66,683 Recap 6 Bye 7 October 23 atPhiladelphia Eagles L 10–215–1 Lincoln Financial Field 69,596 Recap 8 October 31 atChicago Bears L 10–205–2 Soldier Field 60,422 Recap 9 November 6 Detroit Lions L 16–22(OT) 5–3 U.S. Bank Stadium 66,807 Recap 10 November 13 atWashington Redskins L 20–265–4 FedExField 78,216 Recap 11 November 20 Arizona Cardinals W 30–246–4 U.S. Bank Stadium 66,808 Recap 12 November 24 atDetroit Lions L 13–166–5 Ford Field 63,793 Recap 13 December 1 Dallas Cowboys L 15–176–6 U.S. Bank Stadium 66,860 Recap 14 December 11 atJacksonville Jaguars W 25–167–6 EverBank Field 62,701 Recap 15 December 18 Indianapolis Colts L 6–347–7 U.S. Bank Stadium 66,820 Recap 16 December 24 atGreen Bay Packers L 25–387–8 Lambeau Field 77,856 Recap 17 January 1 Chicago Bears W 38–108–8 U.S. Bank Stadium 66,808 Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are inbold text. Week 1: at Tennessee Titans [ edit ] Game information First quarter
TEN –Ryan Succop 28-yard field goal, 4:45.Titans 3–0.Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 4:24. Second quarter
Third quarter
MIN –Blair Walsh 50-yard field goal, 13:56.Titans 10–3.Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:04. MIN – Blair Walsh 33-yard field goal, 5:59.Titans 10–6.Drive: 11 plays, 58 yards, 5:31. MIN –Eric Kendricks 77-yard interception return (kick failed, wide left), 1:24.Vikings 12–10. Fourth quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 45-yard field goal, 11:17.Vikings 15–10.Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 4:05. MIN –Danielle Hunter 24-yard fumble return (Blair Walsh kick), 11:03.Vikings 22–10. MIN – Blair Walsh 30-yard field goal, 2:36.Vikings 25–10.Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 3:33. TEN – DeMarco Murray 4-yard pass from Marcus Mariota (pass failed), 0:28.Vikings 25–16.Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 2:08. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Shaun Hill started at quarterback in the team's first game, as Sam Bradford was rested until the second game.
Week 2: vs. Green Bay Packers [ edit ] Game information First quarter
Second quarter
MIN –Kyle Rudolph 8-yard pass fromSam Bradford (Blair Walsh kick), 10:14.Tied 7–7.Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 4:46. MIN – Blair Walsh 46-yard field goal, 0:27.Vikings 10–7.Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 4:14. Third quarter
MIN –Stefon Diggs 25-yard pass from Sam Bradford (Blair Walsh kick), 2:11.Vikings 17–7.Drive: 6 plays, 87 yards, 2:46. Fourth quarter
GB – Aaron Rodgers 10-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 12:41.Vikings 17–14.Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:30. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Sam Bradford made his first start for the Vikings in week 2 against the Packers just 15 days after being traded. Despite not having much time to learn the offense, Bradford outplayedAaron Rodgers but ended up hurting his left hand in the first half due to a hit byClay Matthews . Bradford finished the game completing 22-of-31 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns, helping lead the Vikings to their first win in theirnew stadium .
Week 3: at Carolina Panthers [ edit ] Game information First quarter
CAR –Graham Gano 48-yard field goal, 10:52.Panthers 3–0.Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 4:08. CAR –Cam Newton 3-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 5:20.Panthers 10–0.Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:51. MIN – Cam Newton sacked in the end zone byDanielle Hunter for a safety, 1:44.Panthers 10–2. Second quarter
MIN –Marcus Sherels 54-yard punt return (kick failed, wide right), 3:21.Panthers 10–8. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
MIN –Blair Walsh 28-yard field goal, 13:14.Vikings 19–10.Drive: 7 plays, 33 yards, 2:46. MIN – Blair Walsh 31-yard field goal, 5:07.Vikings 22–10.Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards, 5:55. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 4: vs. New York Giants [ edit ] Week 4: New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Giants 0 3 0 7 10 Vikings 7 7 3 7 24
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
MIN –Kyle Rudolph 7-yard pass fromSam Bradford (Blair Walsh kick), 7:59.Vikings 14–0.Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:56. NYG –Josh Brown 40-yard field goal, 0:02.Vikings 14–3.Drive: 11 plays, 44 yards, 2:44. Third quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 44-yard field goal, 7:39.Vikings 17–3.Drive: 6 plays, 17 yards, 2:16. Fourth quarter
NYG –Orleans Darkwa 1-yard run (Josh Brown kick), 13:38.Vikings 17–10.Drive: 5 plays, 91 yards, 1:47. MIN –Jerick McKinnon 4-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 9:20.Vikings 24–10.Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 4:18. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 5: vs. Houston Texans [ edit ] Week 5: Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Texans 0 6 0 7 13 Vikings 14 10 0 7 31
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 19-yard field goal, 9:58.Vikings 17–0.Drive: 15 plays, 58 yards, 6:19. MIN –Marcus Sherels 79-yard punt return (Blair Walsh kick), 8:46.Vikings 24–0. HOU –Nick Novak 38-yard field goal, 5:42.Vikings 24–3.Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 3:04. HOU – Nick Novak 30-yard field goal, 1:37.Vikings 24–6.Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 2:04. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles [ edit ] Game information First quarter
Second quarter
MIN –Blair Walsh 48-yard field goal, 9:01.Vikings 3–0.Drive: 12 plays, 50 yards, 4:57. PHI –Josh Huff 98-yard kick return (Carson Wentz run), 8:48.Eagles 8–3.Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:13. PHI –Caleb Sturgis 35-yard field goal, 0:07.Eagles 11–3.Drive: 10 plays, 35 yards, 2:35. Third quarter
PHI –Dorial Green-Beckham 5-yard pass from Carson Wentz (Caleb Sturgis kick), 5:45.Eagles 18–3.Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 5:51. Fourth quarter
PHI – Caleb Sturgis 21-yard field goal, 6:09.Eagles 21–3.Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 5:20. MIN –Cordarrelle Patterson 14-yard pass fromSam Bradford (Blair Walsh kick), 0:34.Eagles 21–10.Drive: 11 plays, 56 yards, 3:56. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Sam Bradford faces his former team for the first time after he was traded from the Eagles prior to the start of the season. The Vikings streak came to a halt as they lost the game 21–10.
Week 8: at Chicago Bears [ edit ] Week 8: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Vikings 0 3 0 7 10 Bears 3 10 7 0 20
atSoldier Field ,Chicago, Illinois
Date :October 31 Game time : 7:30 p.m. CDTGame weather : Cloudy, 58 °F (14 °C)Game attendance : 60,422Referee :Gene Steratore (114)TV announcers (ESPN) : Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden and Lisa SaltersRecap ,Game Book
Game information First quarter
CHI –Connor Barth 30-yard field goal, 8:28.Bears 3–0.Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards, 3:40. Second quarter
CHI – Connor Barth 28-yard field goal, 12:44.Bears 6–0.Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 3:33. CHI –Jordan Howard 2-yard run (Connor Barth kick), 7:49.Bears 13–0.Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 3:36. MIN –Blair Walsh 30-yard field goal, 0:25.Bears 13–3.Drive: 15 plays, 59 yards, 7:24. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions [ edit ] Week 9: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 OT Total Lions 3 7 0 6 6 22 Vikings 0 3 6 7 0 16
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information First quarter
DET –Matt Prater 47-yard field goal, 7:14.Lions 3–0.Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 5:00. Second quarter
MIN –Blair Walsh 33-yard field goal, 13:20.Tied 3–3.Drive: 12 plays, 61 yards, 4:35. DET –Anquan Boldin 1-yard pass fromMatthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 0:05.Lions 10–3.Drive: 17 plays, 84 yards, 9:45. Third quarter
MIN –Kyle Rudolph 1-yard pass fromSam Bradford (kick hit right upright), 4:02.Lions 10–9.Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 5:33. Fourth quarter
DET – Matt Prater 53-yard field goal, 12:33.Lions 13–9.Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:08. MIN –Rhett Ellison 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 0:23.Vikings 16–13.Drive: 13 plays, 79 yards, 3:51. DET – Matt Prater 58-yard field goal, 0:00.Tied 16–16.Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 0:23. Overtime
DET –Golden Tate 28-yard pass from Matthew Stafford, 8:21.Lions 22–16.Drive: 11 plays, 87 yards, 6:39. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Although it was Stefon Diggs' big day, having caught 13 passes for 80 yards, it wasn't enough as the Vikings dropped 5–3.
Week 10: at Washington Redskins [ edit ] Week 10: Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Vikings 0 20 0 0 20 Redskins 7 7 6 6 26
atFedExField ,Landover, Maryland
Date : November 13Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Sunny, 58 °F (14 °C)Game attendance : 78,216Referee :Pete Morelli (135)TV announcers (Fox) : Dick Stockton, Chris Spielman and Kristina PinkRecap ,Game Book
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
WAS –Vernon Davis 38-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dustin Hopkins kick), 14:18.Redskins 14–0.Drive: 9 plays, 91 yards, 4:58. MIN –Matt Asiata 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 5:39.Redskins 14–7.Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 3:52. MIN –Kyle Rudolph 20-yard pass fromSam Bradford (Blair Walsh kick), 0:58.Tied 14–14.Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:40. MIN –Adam Thielen 3-yard pass from Sam Bradford (kick wide right), 0:00.Vikings 20–14.Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 0:50. Third quarter
WAS – Dustin Hopkins 30-yard field goal, 8:53.Vikings 20–17.Drive: 12 plays, 55 yards, 6:07. WAS – Dustin Hopkins 37-yard field goal, 0:38.Tied 20–20.Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards, 5:16. Fourth quarter
WAS – Dustin Hopkins 50-yard field goal, 9:33.Redskins 23–20.Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:21. WAS – Dustin Hopkins 28-yard field goal, 2:31.Redskins 26–20.Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 3:13. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
This was the last game for Blair Walsh in a Vikings uniform as he was released days after this game.
Week 11: vs. Arizona Cardinals [ edit ] Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 7 10 0 7 24 Vikings 7 13 10 0 30
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : November 20Game time : 12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : None (indoor stadium)Game attendance : 66,808Referee :Clete Blakeman (34)TV announcers (Fox) : Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin AndrewsRecap ,Game Book
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 34-yard field goal, 10:04.Cardinals 10–7.Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 6:26. MIN –Matt Asiata 2-yard run (kick blocked), 7:16.Vikings 13–10.Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:48. MIN –Xavier Rhodes 100-yard interception return (Kai Forbath kick), 3:07.Vikings 20–10. ARI –Jermaine Gresham 29-yard pass fromCarson Palmer (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 0:50.Vikings 20–17.Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:17. Third quarter
MIN –Cordarrelle Patterson 104-yard kickoff return (Kai Forbath kick), 14:47.Vikings 27–17. MIN – Kai Forbath 27-yard field goal, 0:04.Vikings 30–17.Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:06. Fourth quarter
ARI – David Johnson 4-yard pass (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 7:24.Vikings 30–24.Drive: 6 plays, 27 yards, 1:46. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 12: at Detroit Lions [ edit ] NFL on Thanksgiving Day Game information First quarter
Second quarter
DET – Matt Prater 29-yard field goal, 6:45.Lions 10–7.Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 3:05. Third quarter
MIN – Kai Forbath 30-yard field goal, 7:03.Tied 10–10.Drive: 5 plays, 49 yards, 2:42. Fourth quarter
MIN – Kai Forbath 28-yard field goal, 12:38.Vikings 13–10.Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 7:36. DET – Matt Prater 48-yard field goal, 1:45.Tied 13–13.Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 3:17. DET – Matt Prater 40-yard field goal, 0:00.Lions 16–13.Drive: 2 plays, −2 yards, 0:30. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 13: vs. Dallas Cowboys [ edit ] Week 13: Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Cowboys 0 7 0 10 17 Vikings 3 0 3 9 15
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information First quarter
MIN –Kai Forbath 48-yard field goal, 2:28.Vikings 3–0.Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 3:17. Second quarter
Third quarter
MIN – Kai Forbath 36-yard field goal, 2:10.Cowboys 7–6.Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 4:52. Fourth quarter
MIN – Kai Forbath 33-yard field goal, 14:11.Vikings 9–7.Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 0:56. DAL –Dez Bryant 8-yard pass fromDak Prescott (Dan Bailey kick), 10:22.Cowboys 14–9.Drive: 1 play, 8 yards, 0:06. DAL – Dan Bailey 39-yard field goal, 4:15.Cowboys 17–9.Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 2:22. MIN –Jerick McKinnon 3-yard pass fromSam Bradford (pass failed), 0:25.Cowboys 17–15.Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 1:44. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Head coachMike Zimmer missed this game after undergoing emergency eye surgery the night before. Special teams coordinatorMike Priefer served as interim coach for the game.[ 47]
Week 14: at Jacksonville Jaguars [ edit ] Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Vikings 6 3 3 13 25 Jaguars 0 9 7 0 16
atEverBank Field ,Jacksonville, Florida
Date : December 11Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : 71 °F (22 °C)Game attendance : 62,701Referee : John Hussey (35)TV announcers (Fox) : Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Laura OkminRecap ,Game Book
Game information First quarter
MIN –Kai Forbath 43-yard field goal, 12:20.Vikings 3–0.Drive: 5 plays, 50 yards, 2:40. MIN – Kai Forbath 32-yard field goal, 7:53.Vikings 6–0.Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards, 2:35. Second quarter
JAX –Jason Myers 45-yard field goal, 13:07.Vikings 6–3.Drive: 8 plays, 34 yards, 3:00. MIN – Kai Forbath 40-yard field goal, 10:49.Vikings 9–3.Drive: 6 plays, 26 yards, 2:18. JAX – Jason Myers 55-yard field goal, 6:18.Vikings 9–6.Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 4:31. JAX – Jason Myers 24-yard field goal, 0:09.Tied 9–9.Drive: 10 plays, 92 yards, 1:47. Third quarter
MIN – Kai Forbath 46-yard field goal, 8:29.Vikings 12–9.Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 2:53. JAX –Bryan Walters 14-yard pass fromBlake Bortles (Jason Myers kick), 3:50.Jaguars 16–12.Drive: 11 plays, 90 yards, 4:39. Fourth quarter
MIN –Matt Asiata 1-yard run (kick failed, wide left), 14:13.Vikings 18–16.Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 4:37. MIN –Kyle Rudolph 3-yard pass fromSam Bradford (Kai Forbath kick), 2:13.Vikings 25–16.Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 2:51. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 15: vs. Indianapolis Colts [ edit ] Week 15: Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Colts 10 17 0 7 34 Vikings 0 0 3 3 6
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : December 18Game time : 12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : None (indoor stadium)Game attendance : 66,820Referee : Jerome Boger (23)TV announcers (CBS) :Kevin Harlan andRich Gannon Recap ,Game Book
Game information First quarter
IND –Adam Vinatieri 48-yard field goal, 9:01.Colts 3–0.Drive: 11 plays, 46 yards, 5:59. IND –Robert Turbin 1-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 2:22.Colts 10–0.Drive: 11 plays, 52 yards, 4:57. Second quarter
IND –Erik Swoope 27-yard pass fromAndrew Luck (Adam Vinatieri kick), 7:16.Colts 17–0.Drive: 9 plays, 92 yards, 5:39. IND – Robert Turbin 6-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 0:33.Colts 24–0.Drive: 13 plays, 91 yards, 5:35. IND – Adam Vinatieri 50-yard field goal, 0:00.Colts 27–0.Drive: 2 plays, 4 yards, 0:19. Third quarter
MIN –Kai Forbath 32-yard field goal, 3:51.Colts 27–3.Drive: 12 plays, 71 yards, 4:10. Fourth quarter
IND –Phillip Dorsett 50-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Adam Vinatieri kick), 14:55.Colts 34–3.Drive: 7 plays, 88 yards, 3:56. MIN – Kai Forbath 51-yard field goal, 11:57.Colts 34–6.Drive: 9 plays, 39 yards, 2:58. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Adrian Peterson returned to action and had six carries for 22 yards against the Colts.[ 10]
Week 16: at Green Bay Packers [ edit ] Week 16: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Vikings 3 10 0 12 25 Packers 14 14 0 10 38
atLambeau Field ,Green Bay, Wisconsin
Date :December 24 Game time : 12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Cloudy, 37 °F (3 °C)Game attendance : 77,856Referee : Jeff Triplette (42)TV announcers (Fox) : Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin AndrewsRecap ,Game Book
Game information First quarter
GB –Jordy Nelson 21-yard pass fromAaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 7:13.Packers 7–0.Drive: 5 plays, 61 yards, 2:40. MIN –Kai Forbath 22-yard field goal, 3:37.Packers 7–3.Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 3:36. GB –Davante Adams 20-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 1:49.Packers 14–3.Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 1:48. Second quarter
MIN – Kai Forbath 26-yard field goal, 12:30.Packers 14–6.Drive: 12 plays, 67 yards, 4:19. GB – Jordy Nelson 2-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 8:11.Packers 21–6.Drive: 3 plays, 42 yards, 1:36. MIN –Adam Thielen 71-yard pass fromSam Bradford (Kai Forbath kick), 7:24.Packers 21–13.Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:47. GB – Aaron Rodgers 6-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 0:24.Packers 28–13.Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 0:30. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
GB – Mason Crosby 48-yard field goal, 14:55.Packers 31–13.Drive: 10 plays, 14 yards, 4:05. GB –Richard Rodgers 13-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 9:02.Packers 38–13.Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 4:23. MIN –Stefon Diggs 3-yard pass from Sam Bradford (kick failed, hit right upright), 4:20.Packers 38–19.Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 4:42. MIN – Adam Thielen 8-yard pass from Sam Bradford (run failed), 0:32.Packers 38–25.Drive: 10 plays, 34 yards, 3:07. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
With the loss, the Vikings dropped to 7–8 and were officially eliminated from postseason contention. The loss also made the Vikings the first team to twice start 5–0 or better, and on both occasions miss the playoffs (they also missed the playoffs in2003 after starting 6–0).
Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears [ edit ] Week 17: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Bears 0 10 0 0 10 Vikings 7 17 0 14 38
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : January 1, 2017Game time : 12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : None (indoor stadium)Game attendance : 66,808Referee :Terry McAulay (77)TV announcers (Fox) : Dick Stockton,David Diehl and Kristina PinkRecap ,Game Book
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – Kai Forbath 21-yard field goal, 14:53.Vikings 10–0.Drive: 14 plays, 93 yards, 7:33. MIN –Kyle Rudolph 22-yard pass from Sam Bradford (Kai Forbath kick), 12:51.Vikings 17–0.Drive: 3 plays, 35 yards, 1:22. CHI –Matt Barkley 2-yard pass fromCameron Meredith (Connor Barth kick), 1:48.Vikings 17–7.Drive: 17 plays, 85 yards, 7:56. MIN –Jarius Wright 1-yard pass from Sam Bradford (Kai Forbath kick), 0:18.Vikings 24–7.Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 0:42. CHI – Connor Barth 29-yard field goal, 0:00.Vikings 24–10.Drive: 2 plays, 31 yards, 0:18. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
MIN – Jerick McKinnon 10-yard run (Kai Forbath kick), 12:11.Vikings 31–10.Drive: 4 plays, 40 yards, 1:56. MIN –Everson Griffen 20-yard fumble return (Kai Forbath kick), 9:51.Vikings 38–10. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
2016 Minnesota Vikings staff Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
Five Vikings were selected for the2017 Pro Bowl : defensive endEverson Griffen , defensive tackleLinval Joseph , return specialistCordarrelle Patterson , cornerbackXavier Rhodes and free safetyHarrison Smith . Rhodes played in his first Pro Bowl, while Griffen, Patterson and Smith participated in their second; Patterson was the first return specialist in Vikings history to go to two Pro Bowls.[ 48] Linval Joseph replaced Rams defensive tackleAaron Donald .[ 49]
Source: Minnesota Vikings' official website[ 50]
Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank(out of 32) Passing offense 3,836 239.8 18th Rushing offense 1,205 75.3 32nd Total offense 5,041 315.1 28th Passing defense 3,327 207.9 3rd Rushing defense 1,711 106.9 20th Total defense 5,038 314.9 3rd
Source: NFL.com.[ 51]
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Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Division championships (21) Conference championships (4) League championships (1) Retired numbers Current league affiliations
