2014 Minnesota Vikings season

54th season in franchise history

The 2014 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 54th in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under head coach Mike Zimmer. It was the first of two seasons in which the Vikings played at the outdoor TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota. Construction of U.S. Bank Stadium began on the site of the team's former home, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, with a target of opening for the 2016 season.

Though the Vikings were eliminated from postseason contention after a loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 15, they improved on 2013's 5–10–1 record, which saw them go through a quarterback carousel and one of the worst defenses in the league that year, and arguably in Vikings' history.[1]

Offseason

Draft

Pro Bowler
2014 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft order Player name Position College Contract Notes
Round Overall
1 8 Traded to the Cleveland Browns[A]
9 Anthony Barr Linebacker UCLA 4 years, $12.74 million[3] from Bills via Browns[A]
32 Teddy Bridgewater Quarterback Louisville 4 years, $7.59 million[3] from Seahawks[B]
2 40 Traded to the Seattle Seahawks[B]
3 72 Scott Crichton Defensive end Oregon State 4 years, $3 million[5]
96 Jerick McKinnon Running back Georgia Southern 4 years, $2.75 million[6] from Seahawks[C]
4 108 Traded to the Seattle Seahawks[B]
5 145 David Yankey Guard Stanford 4 years, $2.43 million[8] from Browns[A]
148 Traded to the Carolina Panthers[D]
168 Traded to the Atlanta Falcons[E] from Panthers[D]
6 182 Antone Exum Cornerback Virginia Tech 4 years, $2.34 million[10] from Falcons[E]
184 Kendall James Cornerback Maine 4 years, $2.33 million[8]
7 220 Shamar Stephen Defensive tackle Connecticut 4 years, $2.29 million[11] from Falcons[E]
223 Brandon Watts Linebacker Georgia Tech 4 years, $2.28 million[11]
225 Jabari Price Cornerback North Carolina 4 years, $2.28 million[8] from Giants via Panthers[D]

Draft trades

  1. ^ a b c The Vikings traded their original first-round selection (8th overall) to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the Browns' fifth-round selection (145th overall) and the first-round selection they had received from the Buffalo Bills.[2]
  2. ^ a b c The Vikings traded their second- and fourth-round selections (40th and 108th overall) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for Seattle's first-round selection (32nd overall).[4]
  3. ^ The Vikings traded WR Percy Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for Seattle's third-round selection.[7]
  4. ^ a b c The Vikings traded their original fifth-round selection (148th overall) to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the Panthers' fifth-round selection (168th overall) and the seventh-round selection they acquired from the New York Giants (225th overall).[9]
  5. ^ a b c The Vikings traded the fifth-round selection they received from the Panthers to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for Atlanta's sixth- and seventh-round selections (182nd and 220th overall).[9]

Roster changes

Re-signings
Date Player name Position Contract terms
December 30, 2013 Adam Thielen WR 2 years / $930,000
[RFC][12][11]
March 7, 2014 Marcus Sherels CB 2 years / $2.2 million[13][14]
March 11, 2014 Matt Cassel QB 2 years / $10 million[15]
Everson Griffen DE 5 years / $42.5 million[16]
March 12, 2014 Joe Berger G 1 year / $985,000[17]
March 14, 2014 Jerome Simpson WR 1 year / $1 million[18][19]
March 15, 2014 Charlie Johnson G 2 years / $5 million[20]
April 7, 2014 Matt Asiata RB 1 year / $570,000[21]
August 31, 2014 Joe Banyard RB [22][PS]
Kain Colter WR
Isame Faciane DT
Chase Ford TE
Zac Kerin C
Justin Trattou DE
September 2, 2014 Austin Wentworth OT [23][PS]
September 16, 2014 Zach Line FB [24][PS]
October 7, 2014 Donte Foster WR [25][PS]
Chandler Harnish QB
November 12, 2014 Ryan Otten TE [26][PS]
November 18, 2014 Dominique Williams RB [27][PS]
^[RFC] Denotes this is a reserve/future contract.
^[PS] Denotes a signing to the Practice Squad.
Departures
Date Player name Position Note New team
February 7, 2014 Erin Henderson MLB Released[28]
March 5, 2014 John Carlson TE Released[29] Arizona Cardinals[30]
March 6, 2014 Greg Childs WR Released[31] Toronto Argonauts (CFL)[32]
Letroy Guion DE Green Bay Packers[33]
March 11, 2014 Desmond Bishop LB UFA Arizona Cardinals[34]
Marvin Mitchell LB
March 12, 2014 Toby Gerhart RB Jacksonville Jaguars[35]
March 14, 2014 Chris Cook CB San Francisco 49ers[36]
March 21, 2014 Joe Webb QB/WR Carolina Panthers[37]
March 26, 2014 Jared Allen DE Chicago Bears[38]
April 16, 2014 Josh Freeman QB New York Giants[39]
June 16, 2014 Kevin Williams DT Seattle Seahawks[40]
August 25, 2014 Robert Steeples CB Released[41] Kansas City Chiefs[42]
August 30, 2014 Jeff Baca G Released[43] Cincinnati Bengals[44]
Chase Baker DT
September 8, 2014 Jamarca Sanford FS Injury settlement[45] Washington Redskins[46]
September 18, 2014 Jerome Simpson WR Released[47] San Francisco 49ers (2015)
October 2, 2014 Rodney Smith WR Released[48] Cleveland Browns[49]
Additions
Date Player name Position Previous team Contract terms
January 3, 2014 Josh Samuda G Miami Dolphins (2012) 1 year / $495,000 [RFC][50][51]
March 12, 2014 Jasper Brinkley MLB Arizona Cardinals 1 year / $830,000[52][53]
Linval Joseph DT New York Giants 5 years / $31.5 million[54]
March 13, 2014 Captain Munnerlyn CB Carolina Panthers 3 years / $14.25 million[55]
March 20, 2014 Tom Johnson DT New Orleans Saints 1 year / $845,000[56]
March 21, 2014 Corey Wootton DE Chicago Bears 1 year / $1.5 million[57]
March 27, 2014 Vladimir Ducasse G New York Jets 1 year / $795,000[58][59]
April 8, 2014 Lestar Jean WR Houston Texans 1 year / $635,000[60][61]
May 13, 2014 Antonio Richardson OT Tennessee Undrafted FA[62]
May 19, 2014 Dom DeCicco LB Chicago Bears [63][64]
August 31, 2014 Mike Harris OT San Diego Chargers [22]
September 9, 2014 Josh Kaddu LB Philadelphia Eagles [65][PS]
September 20, 2014 Charles Johnson WR Cleveland Browns [47]
November 3, 2014 Pat Devlin QB Miami Dolphins [66][PS]
December 6, 2014 Ahmad Dixon S Miami Dolphins [67]
December 10, 2014 Carter Bykowski OT San Francisco 49ers [68]
December 17, 2014 Jordan McCray G Green Bay Packers [69][PS]
December 24, 2014 Justin Anderson LB New York Giants [70][PS]
Henry Josey RB Jacksonville Jaguars [70]
Signed and released players
Date signed Player name Position Previous team Contract terms Date released
December 30, 2013 Brandon Bishop S Minnesota Vikings
(re-signed)		 2 years / $930,000[RFC][12][11] August 25, 2014[41]
Kip Edwards CB June 2, 2014[71]
Kevin Murphy OT August 25, 2014[41]
Spencer Nealy DE July 23, 2014[72]
Bradley Randle RB May 13, 2014[62]
January 3, 2014 Kamar Jorden WR Calgary Stampeders (CFL) 2 years / $930,000[RFC][50][73] August 25, 2014[41]
January 22, 2014 Kheeston Randall DT Cincinnati Bengals 2 years / $1.08 million[74][75]
February 11, 2014 Simoni Lawrence LB Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) 3 years / $1.54 million[76][77] May 13, 2014[62]
March 10, 2014 Larry Dean LB Minnesota Vikings
(re-signed)		 2 years / $2 million[78][79] August 31, 2014[22]
March 13, 2014 Fred Evans DT 1 year / $1 million[80][81] August 30, 2014[43]
March 14, 2014 Derek Cox CB San Diego Chargers 1 year / $780,000[82] August 25, 2014[41]
April 15, 2014 Terrell Manning OLB 1 year / $570,000[83][84] May 13, 2014[62]
Allen Reisner TE Jacksonville Jaguars 1 year / $645,000[83][85] August 30, 2014[43]
April 17, 2014 Kurt Coleman FS Philadelphia Eagles 1 year / $900,000[86][87]
May 13, 2014 Conor Boffeli G Iowa Undrafted FA[62] May 19, 2014[63]
Pierce Burton OT Mississippi August 25, 2014[41]
Kain Colter WR Northwestern August 30, 2014[43]
Rakim Cox DE Villanova August 4, 2014[88]
Isame Faciane DT Florida International August 30, 2014[43]
Donte Foster WR Ohio
Matt Hall OT Belhaven July 25, 2014[89]
Zac Kerin C Toledo August 30, 2014[43]
A.C. Leonard TE Tennessee St. August 6, 2014[90]
Erik Lora WR Eastern Illinois August 25, 2014[41]
Travis Partridge QB Missouri Western May 19, 2014[63]
Tyler Scott DE Northwestern August 25, 2014[41]
Jake Snyder DE Virginia
Dominique Williams RB Wagner August 30, 2014[43]
May 16, 2014 Austin Wentworth OT Fresno State August 31, 2014[22]
May 19, 2014 Mike Zimmer LB Jacksonville Jaguars [63] August 30, 2014[43]
June 2, 2014 Julian Posey CB Cleveland Browns [71]
June 13, 2014 Josh Cooper WR Cleveland Browns [91] July 25, 2014[89]
July 23, 2014 Michael Higgins TE New Orleans Saints [72] August 26, 2014[92]
July 25, 2014 Andy Cruse WR Houston Texans [89] August 25, 2014[41]
Ty Walker WR Seattle Seahawks
August 4, 2014 Chris Crocker SS Cincinnati Bengals [88] August 30, 2014[43]
August 10, 2014 Kory Sperry TE Arizona Cardinals [93] August 25, 2014[41]
August 18, 2014 Justin Jackson LB Detroit Lions [64] August 30, 2014[43]
August 31, 2014 Donte Foster WR Minnesota Vikings [22][PS] September 29, 2014[94]
Kendall James CB September 2, 2014[23]
Mike Remmers OT September 3, 2014[95]
MarQueis Gray TE Cleveland Browns November 19, 2014[96]
September 1, 2014 Chris Greenwood CB Detroit Lions [97][PS] December 17, 2014[69]
September 3, 2014 Ahmad Dixon SS Dallas Cowboys [95][PS] September 8, 2014[98]
September 24, 2014 McLeod Bethel-Thompson QB New England Patriots [99][PS] October 7, 2014[25]
Ryan Otten TE Cincinnati Bengals November 3, 2014[66]
September 29, 2014 Chandler Harnish QB Indianapolis Colts [94][PS] October 3, 2014[100]
October 7, 2014 Pierre Warren S New Orleans Saints [25][PS] November 18, 2014[27]
November 3, 2014 RaShaun Allen TE Seattle Seahawks [66][PS] November 11, 2014[101]
November 19, 2014 Ben Tate RB Cleveland Browns [96] December 23, 2014[102]
November 25, 2014 J'Marcus Webb OT Minnesota Vikings [103] December 16, 2014[104]

Preseason

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance NFL.com
recap
1 August 8 Oakland Raiders W 10–6 1–0 TCF Bank Stadium 51,752 Recap
2 August 16 Arizona Cardinals W 30–28 2–0 TCF Bank Stadium 51,763 Recap
3 August 23 at Kansas City Chiefs W 30–12 3–0 Arrowhead Stadium 73,442 Recap
4 August 28 at Tennessee Titans W 19–3 4–0 LP Field 69,143 Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Oakland Raiders

Preseason Week 1: Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 0 066
Vikings 10 0 0010

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: August 8
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear, 80 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 51,752
  • Referee: Gene Steratore (114)
  • TV: KARE-11
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Matt Asiata 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 8:27. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 5:28.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 30-yard field goal, 0:54. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 5:28.

Second quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – Matt McGloin 10-yard run (pass failed), 1:25. Vikings 10–6. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 2:32.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Coming off a season in which the Vikings let almost every team score at least 20 points on them (including the preseason), the Vikings showcased a defense that held the Raiders to a single digit score and kept them scoreless until the last 90 seconds of the 4th quarter, when they eventually scored a touchdown. This was the first time the Vikings' defense held any team to a single digit score since week 16 of the 2012 season. Rookie Anthony Barr recorded half a sack, and Kurt Coleman intercepted Raiders quarterback Derek Carr once.

On the offense, Matt Cassel started and shined on his sole drive, leading the team down the field, where Matt Asiata scored the Vikings' only touchdown of the game from a yard out. After Cassel's drive, rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater entered the game and played a few drives, completing 6 of 13 pass attempts for 49 yards, getting sacked twice, and fumbling once (fellow Viking Matt Kalil recovered the fumble). The Vikings got a field goal on the second drive. Shortly after the half, the signal calling was turned to Christian Ponder, who managed a pair of first-down passes of 17 and 15 yards early on, but produced little thereafter.

Week 2: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Preseason Week 2: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 7 7 7728
Vikings 3 10 01730

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: August 16
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 85 °F (29 °C)
  • Game attendance: 51,763
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad (4)
  • TV: KARE-11
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • ARI – Jonathan Dwyer 1-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 9:36. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 93 yards, 3:26.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 21-yard field goal, 2:01. Cardinals 7–3. Drive: 13 plays, 65 yards, 7:35.

Second quarter

  • MIN – Matt Cassel 51-yard pass to Kyle Rudolph (Blair Walsh kick), 14:25. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 2 plays, 62 yards, 0:35.
  • ARI – Drew Stanton 1-yard pass to Darren Fells (Jay Feely kick), 3:05. Cardinals 14–10. Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards, 6:07.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 34-yard field goal, 0:50. Cardinals 14–13. Drive: 7 plays, 35 yards, 2:15.

Third quarter

  • ARI – Robert Hughes 2-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 4:54. Cardinals 21–13. Drive: 19 plays, 80 yards, 10:06.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 21-yard field goal, 14:53. Cardinals 21–16. Drive: 9 plays, 89 yards, 5:01.
  • MIN – Teddy Bridgewater 3-yard pass to Allen Reisner (Bridgewater–Wright pass), 7:57. Vikings 24–21. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 4:55.
  • ARI – Zach Bauman 6-yard fumble recovery (Jay Feely kick), 1:11. Cardinals 28–24. Drive: 5 plays, 49 yards, 0:38.
  • MIN – Teddy Bridgewater 2-yard pass to Rodney Smith (kick failed), 0:18. Vikings 30-28. Drive: 7 plays, 83 yards, 0:53.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • ARI – Robert Hughes – 9 rushes, 26 yards, TD
  • MIN – Joe Banyard – 6 rushes, 64 yards

Top receivers

The Vikings faced a Cardinals team that shut the Texans out 32–0 in week 1. The Cardinals strained the Vikings' defense, but the offense, headed by Matt Cassel in the first half, was able to keep pace with their scoring to see the Vikings trailing 14–13 at halftime. The Vikings switched to Teddy Bridgewater after the half, and the rookie quarterback orchestrated a pair of drives that put the Vikings back in the lead 24–21. A few drives later, the Vikings' defense would end up being penalized three straight times, allowing the Cardinals to score a touchdown through a botched snap that was recovered by the Cardinals and run into the end zone. The Vikings were given the ball with around a minute to score. Bridgewater led the Vikings down field in comeback fashion to score the game-winner with a pass to Rodney Smith, sealing another preseason victory for the Vikings.

Week 3: at Kansas City Chiefs

Preseason Week 3: Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 3 17330
Chiefs 2 3 0712

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: August 23
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 97 °F (36 °C)
  • Game attendance: 73,442
  • Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
  • TV: KARE-11
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • KC – Cairo Santos 21-yard field goal, 2:59. Vikings 7–5. Drive: 14 plays, 77 yards, 7:43.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 41-yard field goal, 1:07. Vikings 10–5. Drive: 5 plays, 30 yards, 0:29.

Third quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 32-yard field goal, 4:40. Vikings 13–5. Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 4:33.
  • MIN – Teddy Bridgewater 8-yard pass to Allen Reisner (Blair Walsh kick), 2:08. Vikings 20–5. Drive: 3 plays, 8 yards, 0:55.
  • MIN – Teddy Bridgewater 5-yard pass to Allen Reisner (Blair Walsh kick), 0:24. Vikings 27–5. Drive: 1 play, 5 yards, 0:05.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 28-yard field goal, 4:16. Vikings 30–5. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 5:45.
  • KC – Tyler Bray 1-yard pass to Albert Wilson (Cairo Santos kick), 0:25. Vikings 30–12. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:51.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

The Vikings traveled to Kansas City to play against Matt Cassel's former team. The defense played remarkably well, with Captain Munnerlyn, Chad Greenway and Shaun Prater each recording an interception. The Vikings' defense managed to hold the Chiefs to five points for a majority of the game until they got a touchdown in the final minute for a total of 12. For the third game running, Cassel was the starting quarterback and he played the majority of this game; he gained 152 passing yards with a touchdown pass to Cordarrelle Patterson, and threw a pick, the Vikings' only turnover of their preseason. Bridgewater also saw a little action; though he made few pass attempts, he gained 40 passing yards and made two touchdown passes to Allen Reisner.

Week 4: at Tennessee Titans

Preseason Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 9 3019
Titans 0 0 033

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: August 28
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 80 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 69,143
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman (34)
  • TV: KARE-11
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 45-yard field goal, 13:26. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 15 plays, 51 yards, 6:49.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 22-yard field goal, 5:03. Vikings 13–0. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 4:23.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 35-yard field goal, 1:38. Vikings 16–0. Drive: 7 plays, 22 yards, 2:30.

Third quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 30-yard field goal, 2:40. Vikings 19–0. Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards, 8:17.

Fourth quarter

  • TEN – Maikon Bonani 29-yard field goal, 7:08. Vikings 19–3. Drive: 15 plays, 69 yards, 7:43.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

The Vikings traveled to Tennessee to face the Titans in the preseason finale. The Vikings' defense excelled in keeping the Titans to a minimal score, and recorded a strip sack by Corey Wootton and an interception by Julian Posey. Teddy Bridgewater was the starter for this game, and led the Vikings to score 10 points in their first two drives. Christian Ponder then took over for the rest of the game, leading three more scoring drives, though he and the offense were unable to score any touchdowns.

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance NFL.com
recap
1 September 7 at St. Louis Rams W 34–6 1–0 Edward Jones Dome 55,919 Recap
2 September 14 New England Patriots L 7–30 1–1 TCF Bank Stadium 52,350 Recap
3 September 21 at New Orleans Saints L 9–20 1–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome 73,005 Recap
4 September 28 Atlanta Falcons W 41–28 2–2 TCF Bank Stadium 52,173 Recap
5 October 2 at Green Bay Packers L 10–42 2–3 Lambeau Field 78,054 Recap
6 October 12 Detroit Lions L 3–17 2–4 TCF Bank Stadium 52,213 Recap
7 October 19 at Buffalo Bills L 16–17 2–5 Ralph Wilson Stadium 68,477 Recap
8 October 26 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 19–13 (OT) 3–5 Raymond James Stadium 56,577 Recap
9 November 2 Washington Redskins W 29–26 4–5 TCF Bank Stadium 52,252 Recap
10 Bye
11 November 16 at Chicago Bears L 13–21 4–6 Soldier Field 61,792 Recap
12 November 23 Green Bay Packers L 21–24 4–7 TCF Bank Stadium 52,386 Recap
13 November 30 Carolina Panthers W 31–13 5–7 TCF Bank Stadium 52,016 Recap
14 December 7 New York Jets W 30–24 (OT) 6–7 TCF Bank Stadium 52,152 Recap
15 December 14 at Detroit Lions L 14–16 6–8 Ford Field 62,490 Recap
16 December 21 at Miami Dolphins L 35–37 6–9 Sun Life Stadium 66,203 Recap
17 December 28 Chicago Bears W 13–9 7–9 TCF Bank Stadium 52,364 Recap
Note: Division rivals are marked with bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at St. Louis Rams

Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 10 71434
Rams 0 0 336

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 52-yard field goal, 9:37. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 56 yards, 5:23.

Second quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 46-yard field goal, 14:16. Vikings 6–0. Drive: 5 plays, 32 yards, 1:53.
  • MIN – Greg Jennings 8-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 0:21. Vikings 13–0. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 0:48.

Third quarter

  • STL – Greg Zuerlein 56-yard field goal, 10:11. Vikings 13–3. Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 4:49.
  • MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 67-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:54. Vikings 20–3. Drive: 1 play, 67 yards, 0:14.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Kyle Rudolph 7-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 6:27. Vikings 27–3. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 5:23.
  • MIN – Harrison Smith 81-yard interception return (Blair Walsh kick), 2:57. Vikings 34–3.
  • STL – Greg Zuerlein 46-yard field goal, 1:31. Vikings 34–6. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 1:26.

Top passers

  • MIN – Matt Cassel – 17/25, 170 yards, 2 TD
  • STL – Austin Davis – 16/23, 192 yards

Top rushers

Top receivers

The Vikings opened their season on the road against the St. Louis Rams and took the lead in the first half with a field goal in each quarter from 52 yards and 46 yards, respectively, from third-year kicker Blair Walsh and an eight-yard touchdown pass from Matt Cassel to Greg Jennings with 21 seconds left in the half, set up by an interception from Josh Robinson at the Rams' 35-yard line. The Rams struck back early in the third quarter with a field goal from Greg Zuerlein before Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson made the play of the game with a 67-yard touchdown run. The Vikings secured the game late in the fourth quarter as TE Kyle Rudolph connected with Cassel on a seven-yard touchdown pass, while Rudolph's former Notre Dame teammate Harrison Smith took an interception 81 yards for the Vikings' fourth touchdown of the game. Zuerlein added another field goal late in the game to make the final score 34–6 to the Vikings, their first road victory since week 16 of the 2012 season against the Houston Texans.

Week 2: vs. New England Patriots

Week 2: New England Patriots at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Patriots 10 14 3330
Vikings 7 0 007

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Matt Asiata 25-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 10:54. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 4:06.
  • NE – Stevan Ridley 1-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 6:14. Tied 7–7. Drive: 2 plays, 1 yard, 0:43.
  • NE – Stephen Gostkowski 48-yard field goal, 0:32. Patriots 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 4:11.

Second quarter

  • NE – Julian Edelman 9-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 9:30. Patriots 17–7. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 4:00.
  • NE – Chandler Jones 58-yard return of blocked field goal (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 0:09. Patriots 24–7.

Third quarter

  • NE – Stephen Gostkowski 47-yard field goal, 8:32. Patriots 27–7. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 1:10.

Fourth quarter

  • NE – Stephen Gostkowski 27-yard field goal, 14:57. Patriots 30–7. Drive: 11 plays, 46 yards, 6:49.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

The Vikings began their opening home game of the season without Adrian Peterson, who was deactivated after being charged with negligent injury of a child for allegedly beating his four-year-old son with a tree branch.[105] He was replaced in the starting lineup by Matt Asiata, who got the Vikings off to a good start with a 25-yard touchdown reception from Matt Cassel on the game's opening possession. The defense then forced the Patriots into a three-and-out, only for Cassel to throw an interception attempting to find Jarius Wright deep downfield. Devin McCourty returned the ball 60 yards to the Minnesota 1-yard line, and two plays later, Stevan Ridley ran in to tie the scores. A second interception early in the second quarter resulted in another scoring drive for New England, as Tom Brady connected with Julian Edelman on a nine-yard TD catch. As the first half drew to a close, the Vikings drove downfield to give Blair Walsh a 48-yard field goal attempt with 19 seconds on the clock; however, Patriots DE Chandler Jones was able to burst through the Minnesota offensive line and block the kick before scooping up the ball and returning it 58 yards for the Patriots' third TD of the half.

After the break, Cassel threw another two interceptions, one in each quarter, with the first resulting in a 47-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal. The second occurred with six minutes left in the game, and the Patriots were able to hang onto possession until the two-minute warning before turning the ball over on downs at the Minnesota 19-yard line. Aided by two pass interference penalties, Cassel led the Vikings down the field and thought he had managed to cut into the New England lead with a 16-yard pass to Greg Jennings with 41 seconds to play, only for Jennings to be ruled out of bounds before gaining possession of the ball. Cassel was then sacked for a 14-yard loss on the next play and the game finished as a 30–7 Patriots win.

Week 3: at New Orleans Saints

Week 3: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 6 309
Saints 13 0 0720

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: September 21
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 73,005
  • Referee: Walt Anderson (66)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • NO – Pierre Thomas 1-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 9:36. Saints 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:24.
  • NO – Josh Hill 34-yard pass from Drew Brees (kick blocked), 4:50. Saints 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:39.

Second quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 25-yard field goal, 14:06. Saints 13–3. Drive: 13 plays, 71 yards, 5:44.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 30-yard field goal, 6:28. Saints 13–6. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 5:47.

Third quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 40-yard field goal, 10:20. Saints 13–9. Drive: 10 plays, 43 yards, 4:40.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Marques Colston 18-yard pass from Drew Brees (Shayne Graham kick), 12:22. Saints 20–9. Drive: 12 plays, 90 yards, 5:28.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

After initially stating that Adrian Peterson would return to the active roster for their Week 3 game at New Orleans, the Vikings later placed the running back on the inactive list indefinitely, pending the outcome of the court case against him. Despite coming into the game at 0–3, the Saints started well, scoring two touchdowns on their first two drives, although DE Everson Griffen was able to block the extra point attempt on the second. The Vikings responded to going 13–0 down with two field goals from 25 and 30 yards respectively, but an injury to Matt Cassel meant a debut for rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater.

K Blair Walsh hit a 40-yard field goal to open the second half for the Vikings, but New Orleans closed the game out with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees to Marques Colston early in the fourth quarter. They were aided on the drive by a penalty for unnecessary roughness against CB Captain Munnerlyn for a tackle on Brees, but many thought that Brees should also have been penalized for his reaction and the penalties offset. Regardless, the Vikings were forced to punt on their next possession and the Saints were able to run out the clock for a 20–9 win.

Week 4: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 4: Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 7 14028
Vikings 14 10 31441

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: September 28
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 82 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 52,173
  • Referee: Ron Torbert (62)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Matt Asiata 3-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 9:27. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 5:24.
  • ATL – Roddy White 24-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 3:56. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:31.
  • MIN – Matt Asiata 6-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:31. Vikings 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 2:25.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Patrick DiMarco 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 5:56. Tied 14–14. Drive: 13 plays, 61 yards, 5:26.
  • MIN – Teddy Bridgewater 13-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:59. Vikings 21–14. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:57.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 18-yard field goal, 0:02. Vikings 24–14. Drive: 10 plays, 84 yards, 1:23.

Third quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 41-yard field goal, 10:40. Vikings 27–14. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 4:20.
  • ATL – Devin Hester 36-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 7:19. Vikings 27–21. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:21.
  • ATL – Antone Smith 48-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 1:31. Falcons 28–27. Drive: 4 plays, 63 yards, 1:16.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Matt Asiata 1-yard run (Teddy Bridgewater–Rhett Ellison pass), 10:50. Vikings 35–28. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 3:51.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 55-yard field goal, 3:38. Vikings 38–28. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 2:51.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 33-yard field goal, 1:14. Vikings 41–28. Drive: 7 plays, 15 yards, 2:11.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 25/41, 298 yards, 3 TD
  • MIN – Teddy Bridgewater – 19/30, 317 yards

Top rushers

Top receivers

Having lost Matt Cassel for the season, the Vikings gave Teddy Bridgewater his first career start at home to the Falcons in week 4, but it was running back Matt Asiata who opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run. Roddy White leveled the scores with a 24-yard catch from Matt Ryan, but a 49-yard kickoff return from Cordarrelle Patterson set the Vikings up with a short field on the next drive, which Asiata finished with a 6-yard run to restore Minnesota's seven-point lead. Steven Jackson thought he had tied the scores again on a 3-yard run with six minutes to go in the half, only for the touchdown call to be overturned on review; however, Ryan was able to find FB Patrick DiMarco in the flat on the next play. However, Bridgewater himself restored Minnesota's advantage on the ensuing possession, capping an 80-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run as the game entered its first two-minute warning. After forcing Atlanta into a quick three-and-out, Bridgewater led the Vikings downfield to the brink of another touchdown, but a lack of time meant they had to settle for an 18-yard Blair Walsh field goal to give them a 24–14 lead at the half.

Walsh scored another field goal on the opening drive of the second half, but long touchdowns for Devin Hester and Antone Smith gave the Falcons a one-point lead going into the fourth quarter. Those would prove to be Atlanta's last points of the game as Asiata picked up his third TD run early in the fourth quarter, with Bridgewater adding two points with a pass to Rhett Ellison. Bridgewater was injured on that drive, meaning that third-string QB Christian Ponder came in for his first appearance of the season. However, his job was simply to hand the ball off to rookie running back Jerick McKinnon, who set up a 55-yard field goal attempt for Walsh. An interception by Harrison Smith led to another field goal from 33 yards, before Josh Robinson closed the game out with another interception.

Week 5: at Green Bay Packers

Week 5: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 0 01010
Packers 14 14 14042

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

First quarter

  • GB – Randall Cobb 8-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 9:39. Packers 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 61 yards, 2:04.
  • GB – Jordy Nelson 66-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 5:18. Packers 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 81 yards, 1:32.

Second quarter

  • GB – Julius Peppers 49-yard interception return (Mason Crosby kick), 6:51. Packers 21–0.
  • GB – Davante Adams 11-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 4:51. Packers 28–0. Drive: 3 plays, 20 yards, 1:15.

Third quarter

  • GB – Eddie Lacy 11-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 10:33. Packers 35–0. Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 2:59.
  • GB – Eddie Lacy 10-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 3:42. Packers 42–0. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 4:49.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Christian Ponder 6-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 14:54. Packers 42–7. Drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 3:48.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 26-yard field goal, 10:07. Packers 42–10. Drive: 7 plays, 22 yards, 3:13.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

With only four days between games, Teddy Bridgewater had insufficient time to recover from the injury he picked up in week 4 and Christian Ponder made his first start since week 12 of the 2013 season. The Vikings defense forced Green Bay to punt on the first possession of the game, but soon kicked the ball back to the Packers, allowing Eddie Lacy's running to set up an 8-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Randall Cobb. The Vikings' ensuing possession again ended with a punt, and Rodgers punished them with a 66-yard TD pass to Jordy Nelson. The teams traded possession as the game moved into the second quarter, until Ponder threw the ball directly to Packers DE Julius Peppers, who returned the interception 49 yards for his team's third TD of the game. Two plays later, Ponder was picked off again, this time by LB Jamari Lattimore, leaving a short field for Rodgers to work into before throwing an 11-yard TD pass to WR Davante Adams.

The second half began in much the same vein, as the Packers forced a Vikings punt on the first possession before marching downfield to set Lacy up for an 11-yard scoring run. The running back went into the end zone again at the end of the Packers' next possession with a 10-yard run, giving the home team a 42–0 lead. CB Marcus Sherels returned the ensuing kickoff 46 yards, and Ponder was able to pass downfield to the Green Bay 6-yard line, from where he ran into the end zone for the Vikings' first points of the game. Three plays later, Harrison Smith picked off a pass from Matt Flynn at the Green Bay 30-yard line, but the Vikings were unable to get into the end zone despite the short field and had to settle for a 26-yard Blair Walsh field goal. As the game drew to a close, the Vikings regained possession and drove down to the Packers' 8-yard line, only to be denied on 4th-and-goal, allowing Green Bay to end the game with a kneeldown.

Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 6: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 7 3 0717
Vikings 0 0 033

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • DET – Matt Prater 52-yard field goal, 0:07. Lions 10–0. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 0:38.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • DET – Joique Bell 1-yard run (Matt Prater kick), 11:44. Lions 17–0. Drive: 14 plays, 60 yards, 7:54.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 40-yard field goal, 4:53. Lions 17–3. Drive: 11 plays, 45 yards, 4:21.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 7: at Buffalo Bills

Week 7: Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 10 0316
Bills 0 10 0717

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: October 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 41 °F (5 °C)
  • Game attendance: 68,477
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Tim Brando, Brendon Ayanbadejo and Peter Schrager
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 40-yard field goal, 1:50. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:59.

Second quarter

  • BUF – Sammy Watkins 26-yard pass from Kyle Orton (Dan Carpenter kick), 9:23. Bills 7–3. Drive: 1 play, 26 yards, 0:05.
  • MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 4-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 6:17. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 3:06.
  • BUF – Dan Carpenter 31-yard field goal, 4:01. Tied 10–10. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:16.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 55-yard field goal, 0:15. Vikings 13–10. Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 1:04.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 33-yard field goal, 11:45. Vikings 16–10. Drive: 12 plays, 36 yards, 5:43.
  • BUF – Sammy Watkins 2-yard pass from Kyle Orton (Dan Carpenter kick), 0:01. Bills 17–16. Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards, 3:06.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • MIN – Greg Jennings – 6 receptions, 77 yards
  • BUF – Sammy Watkins – 9 receptions, 122 yards, 2 TD

Week 8: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 8: Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Vikings 0 3 73619
Buccaneers 0 0 013013

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Second quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 46-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 38 yards, 0:59.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • TB – Patrick Murray 54-yard field goal, 14:12. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards, 1:27.
  • TB – Patrick Murray 45-yard field goal, 7:19. Vikings 10–6. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 3:44.
  • TB – Austin Seferian-Jenkins 7-yard pass from Mike Glennon (Patrick Murray kick), 2:02. Tampa Bay 13–10. Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 3:38.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 38-yard field goal, 0:00. Tied 13–13. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 2:02.

Overtime

  • MIN – Anthony Barr 27-yard fumble return, 14:43. Vikings 19–13.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • MIN – Jerick McKinnon – 16 rushes, 83 yards
  • TB – Doug Martin – 10 rushes, 27 yards

Top receivers

Week 9: vs. Washington Redskins

Week 9: Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Redskins 3 7 10626
Vikings 0 7 71529

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 2
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 50 °F (10 °C)
  • Game attendance: 52,252
  • Referee: Gene Steratore (114)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • WAS – Kai Forbath 36-yard field goal, 6:16. Redskins 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 62 yards, 7:49.

Second quarter

  • WAS – Alfred Morris 14-yard run, 14:46. Redskins 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 91 yards, 2:22.
  • MIN – Chase Ford 20-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 0:36. Redskins 10–7. Drive: 4 plays, 46 yards, 0:23.

Third quarter

  • MIN – Matt Asiata 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 10:44. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 2:15.
  • WAS – DeSean Jackson 13-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Kai Forbath kick), 7:23. Redskins 17–14. Drive: 7 plays, 56 yards, 3:21.
  • WAS – Kai Forbath 26-yard field goal, 1:57. Redskins 20–14. Drive: 9 plays, 43 yards, 3:26.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Matt Asiata 7-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 13:00. Vikings 21–20. Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 3:57.
  • WAS – Alfred Morris 2-yard run (run failed), 9:01. Redskins 26–21. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:59.
  • MIN – Matt Asiata 1-yard run (Matt Asiata run), 3:27. Vikings 29–26. Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards, 5:34.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • WAS – Alfred Morris – 19 rushes, 92 yards, 2 TD
  • MIN – Jerick McKinnon – 14 rushes, 54 yards

Top receivers

With the close win over the Redskins, the Vikings improved to 4–5. Teddy Bridgewater's third win as a starting rookie quarterback breaks the franchise record (two wins) shared by both Fran Tarkenton and Christian Ponder.[106]

Week 10: Bye

The Vikings took their bye week in week 10, along with the Texans, Colts, Patriots, Chargers and Redskins.

Week 11: at Chicago Bears

Week 11: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 10 0 0313
Bears 0 14 0721

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: November 16
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, flurries, 31 °F (−1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 61,792
  • Referee: Ron Torbert (62)
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon and Stacey Dales
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 50-yard field goal, 11:21. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 3:39.
  • MIN – Rhett Ellison 7-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 3:16. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 5 plays, 63 yards, 2:46.

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • CHI – Brandon Marshall 4-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), 8:51. Bears 21–10. Drive: 16 plays, 72 yards, 7:35.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 26-yard field goal, 4:04. Bears 21–13. Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 4:47.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • MIN – Charles Johnson – 6 receptions, 87 yards
  • CHI – Alshon Jeffery – 11 receptions, 135 yards, TD

Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 12: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 7 7 3724
Vikings 0 10 3821

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIN – Charles Johnson 22-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 11:06. Tied 7–7. Drive: 14 plays, 74 yards, 5:28.
  • GB – Richard Rodgers II 1-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 5:23. Packers 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 53 yards, 1:59.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 39-yard field goal, 0:16. Packers 14–10. Drive: 11 plays, 42 yards, 5:07.

Third quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 51-yard field goal, 6:42. Packers 14–13. Drive: 7 plays, 17 yards, 1:53.
  • GB – Mason Crosby 48-yard field goal, 2:41. Packers 17–13. Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 4:01.

Fourth quarter

  • GB – Eddie Lacy 10-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 8:34. Packers 24–13. Drive: 11 plays, 87 yards, 6:18.
  • MIN – Greg Jennings 5-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Teddy Bridgewater to Charles Johnson pass), 3:23. Packers 24–21. Drive: 13 plays, 79 yards, 5:11.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • GB – Jordy Nelson – 8 receptions, 68 yards
  • MIN – Charles Johnson – 3 receptions, 52 yards, TD

Week 13: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 13: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 3 7013
Vikings 14 14 0331

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 30
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 12 °F (−11 °C)
  • Game attendance: 52,016
  • Referee: Brad Allen (122)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Kyle Rudolph 4-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 9:41. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 3:07.
  • MIN – Adam Thielen 30-yard return of blocked punt (Blair Walsh kick), 7:00. Vikings 14–0.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 30-yard field goal, 0:37. Vikings 14–3. Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards, 6:23.

Second quarter

  • MIN – Everson Griffen 43-yard return of blocked punt (Blair Walsh kick), 9:35. Vikings 21–3.
  • CAR – Graham Gano 35-yard field goal, 3:28. Vikings 21–6. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 6:07.
  • MIN – Greg Jennings 17-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 0:16. Vikings 28–6. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 3:12.

Third quarter

  • CAR – Philly Brown 32-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 9:15. Vikings 28–13. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:13.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 39-yard field goal, 8:55. Vikings 31–13. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 3:25.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • CAR – Greg Olsen – 5 receptions, 59 yards
  • MIN – Greg Jennings – 5 receptions, 45 yards, TD

Week 14: vs. New York Jets

Week 14: New York Jets at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Jets 12 3 36024
Vikings 14 7 03630

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 7
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 32 °F (0 °C)
  • Game attendance: 52,152
  • Referee: Jerome Boger (23)
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Gerald Hodges 27-yard interception return (Blair Walsh kick), 14:54. Vikings 7–0.
  • NYJ – Sheldon Richardson sack for safety, 10:12. Vikings 7–2.
  • NYJ – Percy Harvin 35-yard pass from Geno Smith (Nick Folk kick), 7:35. Jets 9–7. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 2:37.
  • MIN – Charles Johnson 56-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 5:43. Vikings 14–9. Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 1:42.
  • NYJ – Nick Folk 36-yard field goal, 2:28. Vikings 14–12. Drive: 6 plays, 17 yards, 3:25.

Second quarter

  • MIN – Jerome Felton 0-yard fumble recovery (Blair Walsh kick), 13:44. Vikings 21–12. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:56.
  • NYJ – Nick Folk 33-yard field goal, 0:17. Vikings 21–15. Drive: 12 plays, 50 yards, 3:30.

Third quarter

  • NYJ – Nick Folk 22-yard field goal, 12:24. Vikings 21–18. Drive: 6 plays, 22 yards, 2:32.

Fourth quarter

  • NYJ – Nick Folk 24-yard field goal, 14:15. Tied 21–21. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 5:48.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 20-yard field goal, 5:28. Vikings 24–21. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 3:12.
  • NYJ – Nick Folk 44-yard field goal, 0:23. Tied 24–24. Drive: 9 plays, 45 yards, 2:44.

Overtime

  • MIN – Jarius Wright 87-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater, 10:35. Vikings 30–24. Drive: 3 plays, 92 yards, 1:39.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

With the overtime win, the Vikings improve to 6–7 and have therefore improved on last year's record.

Week 15: at Detroit Lions

Week 15: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 7 0014
Lions 0 10 3316

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: December 14
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 62,490
  • Referee: Pete Morelli (135)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIN – Greg Jennings 8-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 10:05. Vikings 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:53.
  • DET – Golden Tate 7-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 3:42. Vikings 14–7. Drive: 2 plays, 11 yards, 0:45.
  • DET – Matt Prater 29-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 7 plays, 21 yards, 3:00.

Third quarter

  • DET – Matt Prater 30-yard field goal, 3:45. Vikings 14–13. Drive: 13 plays, 74 yards, 7:19.

Fourth quarter

  • DET – Matt Prater 33-yard field goal, 3:38. Lions 16–14. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 4:05.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • MIN – Charles Johnson – 5 receptions, 72 yards
  • DET – Calvin Johnson – 6 receptions, 53 yards

The loss resulted in the Vikings being officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Week 16: at Miami Dolphins

Week 16: Minnesota Vikings at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 10 01835
Dolphins 0 7 72337

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: December 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 80 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 66,203
  • Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIN – Greg Jennings 21-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 11:34. Vikings 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 23 yards, 0:49.
  • MIA – Dion Sims 14-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Caleb Sturgis kick), 4:53. Vikings 14–7. Drive: 12 plays, 92 yards, 6:41.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 18-yard field goal, 0:02. Vikings 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 86 yards, 1:04.

Third quarter

  • MIA – Mike Wallace 16-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Caleb Sturgis kick), 8:29. Vikings 17–14. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 4:03.

Fourth quarter

  • MIA – Lamar Miller 1-yard run (Caleb Sturgis kick), 14:57. Dolphins 21–17. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 3:39.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 33-yard field goal, 9:52. Dolphins 21–20. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 5:05.
  • MIA – Mike Wallace 7-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Caleb Sturgis kick), 6:39. Dolphins 28–20. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:13.
  • MIN – Jarius Wright 8-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Matt Asiata run), 4:46. Tied 28–28. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 1:53.
  • MIN – Matt Asiata 5-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 4:35. Vikings 35–28. Drive: 1 play, 5 yards, 0:05.
  • MIA – Damien Williams 3-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Caleb Sturgis kick), 1:11. Tied 35–35. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 3:24.
  • MIA – Punt blocked by Terrence Fede out of bounds of end zone for a safety, 0:41. Dolphins 37–35.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • MIN – Greg Jennings – 3 receptions, 56 yards, TD
  • MIA – Charles Clay – 6 receptions, 114 yards

Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 17: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 3 339
Vikings 3 0 7313

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 28
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 15 °F (−9 °C)
  • Game attendance: 52,364
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette (42)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Brady Quinn and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 37-yard field goal, 4:59. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 61 yards, 5:25.

Second quarter

  • CHI – Jay Feely 48-yard field goal, 0:55. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 2:53.

Third quarter

  • CHI – Jay Feely 25-yard field goal, 13:05. Bears 6–3. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:40.
  • MIN – Adam Thielen 44-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Blair Walsh kick), 10:53. Vikings 10–6. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:12.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 44-yard field goal, 11:29. Vikings 13–6. Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 2:29.
  • CHI – Jay Feely 35-yard field goal, 8:53. Vikings 13–9. Drive: 8 plays, 18 yards, 2:36.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Standings

Division

NFC North
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 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Green Bay Packers 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 486 348 W2
(6) Detroit Lions 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 321 282 L1
Minnesota Vikings 7 9 0 .438 1–5 6–6 325 343 W1
Chicago Bears 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 319 442 L5

Conference

NFC[107]
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# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[a] Seattle Seahawks West 12 4 0 .750 5–1 10–2 .525 .513 W6
2[a] Green Bay Packers North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .482 .440 W2
3[a] Dallas Cowboys East 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 .445 .422 W4
4 Carolina Panthers South 7 8 1 .469 4–2 6–6 .490 .357 W4
Wild Cards
5[b] Arizona Cardinals West 11 5 0 .688 3–3 8–4 .523 .477 L2
6[b] Detroit Lions North 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 .471 .392 L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 Philadelphia Eagles East 10 6 0 .625 4–2 6–6 .490 .416 W1
8 San Francisco 49ers West 8 8 0 .500 2–4 7–5 .527 .508 W1
9[c] New Orleans Saints South 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 .486 .415 W1
10[c] Minnesota Vikings North 7 9 0 .438 1–5 6–6 .475 .308 W1
11[d] New York Giants East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .512 .323 L1
12[d] Atlanta Falcons South 6 10 0 .375 5–1 6–6 .482 .380 L1
13[d] St. Louis Rams West 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .531 .427 L3
14 Chicago Bears North 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .529 .338 L5
15 Washington Redskins East 4 12 0 .250 2–4 2–10 .496 .422 L1
16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 2 14 0 .125 0–6 1–11 .486 .469 L6
Tiebreakers[e]
  1. ^ a b c Seattle, Green Bay and Dallas were ranked in seeds 1–3 based on conference record.
  2. ^ a b Arizona defeated Detroit head-to-head (Week 11, 14–6).
  3. ^ a b New Orleans defeated Minnesota head-to-head (Week 3, 20–9).
  4. ^ a b c The NY Giants defeated both Atlanta and St. Louis head-to-head (Atlanta: Week 5, 30–20; St. Louis: Week 16, 37–27), while Atlanta finished ahead of St. Louis based on conference record.
  5. ^ 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.

Roster

2014 Minnesota Vikings final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 10 inactive, 9 practice squad

Staff

2014 Minnesota Vikings staff

Front office

  • Owner/chairman – Zygi Wilf
  • Owner/president – Mark Wilf
  • Owner/vice chairman – Leonard Wilf
  • General manager – Rick Spielman
  • Vice president of football operations – Rob Brzezinski
  • Assistant general manager – George Paton
  • Director of college scouting – Jamaal Stephenson
  • Director of pro scouting – Ryan Monnens

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Head athletic trainer – Eric Sugarman
  • Head strength and conditioning – Evan Marcus
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Jeff Hurd

Statistics

Team leaders

Category Player(s) Value
Passing yards Teddy Bridgewater 2,919
Passing touchdowns Teddy Bridgewater 14
Rushing yards Matt Asiata 570
Rushing touchdowns Matt Asiata 9
Receptions Greg Jennings 59
Receiving yards Greg Jennings 742
Receiving touchdowns Greg Jennings 6
Points Blair Walsh 107
Kickoff return yards Cordarrelle Patterson 871
Punt return yards Marcus Sherels 297
Tackles Robert Blanton 106
Sacks Everson Griffen 12
Interceptions Harrison Smith 5
Forced fumbles Anthony Barr 2

Source for this section: Minnesota Vikings' official website.[108]

League rankings

Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 32)
Passing offense 3,244 202.8 28th
Rushing offense 1,804 112.8 14th
Total offense 5,048 315.5 27th
Passing defense 3,572 223.3 7th
Rushing defense 1,943 121.4 25th
Total defense 5,515 344.7 14th

Source for this section: NFL.com.[109]

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External links

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Minnesota Vikings
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Bold indicates NFL Championship (1920–69) or Super Bowl (1966–) victory
Italics indicates Super Bowl (1966–) appearance