2007 Minnesota Vikings season
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Minnesota Vikings
season was the team's 47th season in the National Football League
. The Viking's 8-8 record under second year head coach Brad Childress
was an improvement on their 6-10 record in 2006
; nonetheless, for the third straight year, the Vikings failed to make the playoffs. The Vikings also lost both games to the Packers in the 2007 season, making head coach Brad Childress 0-4 against the division rivals from Wisconsin.
The Vikings finished the season with the best defense against the run
, as well as the best "running" offense with (primarily) running backs Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor
. Adrian Peterson was named 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year for 2007.
Mike Tomlin
who was hired to be the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers
on January 21, 2007. Coach Brad Childress
waited until after the Super Bowl to hire Leslie Frazier
, who served as Special Assistant to the Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach under Tony Dungy
. Frazier left the Indianapolis Colts
to become the Vikings new Defensive Coordinator on February 8. Frazier played Cornerback
for the 1985 Chicago Bears
, and was fresh off of a Super Bowl XLI
victory over his former Bears team when he was hired by the Vikings.
Additions- Status (Old Team)
Subtractions- Status (New Team)
Last Updated 3/23/07 (DTR)
The Vikings began their 2007 campaign at home against the Atlanta Falcons
. In the first quarter, Minnesota scored first with DT Kevin Williams returning an interception 54 yards for a touchdown. It was the only score of the first half. In the third quarter, kicker Ryan Longwell
kicked a 49-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Falcons would get their only score of the game, with kicker Matt Prater
getting a 45-yard field goal. From there, the Vikings had the only offense with QB Tarvaris Jackson
completing a 60-yard TD pass to rookie RB Adrian Peterson. Cornerback Antoine Winfield
returned an interception 14 yards for a touchdown.
With the win, Minnesota began its season at 1-0.
Scoring summary
Q1 - MIN - 7:56 - Kevin Williams 54 yard interception return TD (Ryan Longwell
kick) (MIN 7-0)
Q3 - MIN - 1:51 - Ryan Longwell 49 yard FG (MIN 10-0)
Q4 - ATL - 9:28 - Matt Prater
45 yard FG (MIN 10-3)
Q4 - MIN - 7:31 - 60 yard TD pass from Tarvaris Jackson
to Adrian Peterson (Longwell kick) (MIN 17-3)
Q4 - MIN - 2:48 - Antoine Winfield
14 yard interception return TD (Longwell kick) (MIN 24-3)
, Detroit, Michigan
Game summary
Following their home win over the Falcons, the Vikings flew to Ford Field
for a Week 2 divisional match-up with the Detroit Lions
. After a scoreless first quarter, Minnesota trailed early as Lions QB Jon Kitna
completed a 9-yard TD pass to WR Roy Williams
. The Vikings would tie the game with QB Tarvaris Jackson
getting a 1-yard TD run. However, Detroit retook the lead with kicker Jason Hanson
's 30-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Lions increased their lead with QB J. T. O'Sullivan's 7-yard TD pass to WR Calvin Johnson
. Minnesota would tie the game with kicker Ryan Longwell
's 32-yard field goal and DE Ray Edwards
' 9-yard fumble return for a touchdown. After both teams failed to score in the fourth quarter, the Vikings would get the ball to begin overtime. However, nine plays into their drive, back-up QB Brooks Bollinger
would fumble the ball and Detroit would recover it (which would be the game's 10th overall turnover). In the end, the Lions turned the fumble into Hanson's game-winning 37-yard field goal.
With the loss, Minnesota fell to 1-1.
Scoring summary
Q2 - DET - 11:09 - 9 yard TD pass from Jon Kitna
to Roy Williams
(Jason Hanson
kick) (DET 7-0)
Q2 - MIN - 8:25 - Tarvaris Jackson
1 yard TD run (Ryan Longwell
kick) (7-7)
Q2 - DET - 1:06 - Hanson 30 yard FG (DET 10-7)
Q3 - DET - 10:06 - 7 yard TD pass from J. T. O'Sullivan to Calvin Johnson
(Hanson kick) (DET 17-7)
Q3 - MIN - 5:57 - Longwell 32 yard FG (DET 17-10)
Q3 - MIN - 5:08 - Ray Edwards
9 yard fumble return TD (Longwell kick) (17-17)
OT - DET - 8:55 - Hanson 37 yard FG (DET 20-17)
for an interconference duel with the Kansas City Chiefs
. In the first quarter, the Vikes rookie RB Adrian Peterson got an 11-yard TD run for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, Minnesota increased its lead with kicker Ryan Longwell
getting a 22-yard field goal. The Chiefs would end the half with kicker Dave Rayner
getting a 39-yard field goal.
In the second half, Kansas City were the only team to score. In the third quarter, K.C. drew closer with Rayner kicking a 49-yard field goal, while in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs closed out a win with QB Damon Huard
completing a 16-yard TD pass to WR Dwayne Bowe
.
With the loss, the Vikings fell to 1-2.
Trying to snap a two-game skid, the Vikings went home, donned their throwback uniforms, and prepared for an NFC North duel with the Green Bay Packers
. With QB Tarvaris Jackson
recovering from injuries, QB Kelly Holcomb
would get the start for the game. In the first quarter, the Vikes trailed early as QB Brett Favre
threw career TD pass #421 to WR Greg Jennings
on a 16-yard pass, surpassing Dan Marino
for the most career touchdown passes by a quarterback. After Favre was honored for his accomplishment, Minnesota drew close with kicker Ryan Longwell
getting a 44-yard and 35-yard field goal. Green Bay would end the half with kicker Mason Crosby
getting a 28-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Crosby kicked a 44-yard field goal for the Packers. The Vikings would respond with Longwell kicking a 48-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota's deficit increased with Crosby kicking a 33-yard field goal, along with Favre completing a 33 yard TD pass (#422) to WR James Jones
. Minnesota tried to rebound with Holcomb completing a 15-yard TD pass to rookie WR Sidney Rice
, along with recovering a Green Bay fumble. However, Holcomb was subsequently intercepted by Atari Bigby
. A noteworthy accomplishment for Minnesota was rookie RB Adrian Peterson becoming the first Vikings rookie RB since Chuck Foreman
to get a 100-yard rushing game for his first three games as a starter, as he ran 12 times for 112 yards.
With the loss, the Vikings entered their bye week at 1-3.
for a Week 6 NFC North contest against the Chicago Bears
. In the first quarter, Minnesota trailed early as Bears WR/KR/PR Devin Hester
returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings responded with QB Tarvaris Jackson
completed a 60-yard TD pass to WR Troy Williamson
. In the second quarter, Chicago's Brian Griese
completed a 39-yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian
. Afterwards, Minnesota answered with rookie RB Adrian Peterson getting a 67-yard TD run.
In the third quarter, the Vikings took the lead with Peterson getting a 73-yard TD run for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota increased its lead with kicker Ryan Longwell
getting a 48-yard field goal. The Bears would reply with kicker Robbie Gould
getting a 32-yard field goal. The Vikings would answer with Peterson getting a 35-yard TD run. Chicago would tie the game with Griese completing a 33-yard TD pass to WR Muhsin Muhammad
, along with an 81-yard TD pass to Hester. But on the ensuing kickoff, Adrian Peterson sprinted all the way down to the Chicago 38-yard line, setting up Ryan Longwell's game-winning 55-yard field goal.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 2-3, largely in part to Peterson's 224 rushing yards, which put him 5th for the most rookie rushing yards in one game. Up to this point, he had a total of 607 rushing yards, which placed him second for the most rookie rushing yards through the first five games, only behind Eric Dickerson. He also broke the NFL record for most all purpose yards in a single game, with 361.
for a Week 7 intraconference duel with the Dallas Cowboys
. In the first quarter, Minnesota trailed early as Cowboys QB Tony Romo
completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens
. The Vikings would respond with rookie RB Adrian Peterson getting a 20-yard TD run. In the second quarter, Minnesota had an abnormal defensive touchdown, as LB Ben Leber
picked up a Patrick Crayton
fumble, ran a couple of yards, lateraled the ball to CB Cedric Griffin
, who would eventually fumble and recover the ball at Dallas' 28-yard line, and then run into the endzone for a touchdown.
In the third quarter, the Vikes began to struggle as Cowboys RB Marion Barber
got a 1-yard TD run, while safety Pat Watkins
returned a blocked field goal 68 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Dallas closed out the win with kicker Nick Folk
getting a 45-yard field goal.
With the loss, the Vikings fell to 2-4.
. With starting QB Tarvaris Jackson
out with a thumb injury, veteran back-up Kelly Holcomb
got the start. Also, head coach Brad Childress
would go up against his mentor, Philadelphia coach Andy Reid
.
In the first quarter, Minnesota took the early lead as Holcomb completed a 9-yard TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe
. The Eagles would respond with kicker David Akers
getting a 20-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Vikings trailed as Philadelphia RB Brian Westbrook
caught a 6-yard TD pass from QB Donovan McNabb
, along with getting a 1-yard TD run. Minnesota's only response for the period was kicker Ryan Longwell
getting a 39-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Eagles increased their lead with Akers kicking a 27-yard field goal, while the Vikings' Longwell got a 32-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota drew closer as Longwell kicked a 48-yard field goal. Unfortunately, Philadelphia sealed its win with Akers hitting a 25-yard field goal.
With their second-straight loss, the Vikings fell to 2-5.
Holcomb (7/16 for 88 yards and 1 touchdown) left in the game in the third quarter, due to a concussion he suffered from a sack. QB Brooks Bollinger
(7/10 for 94 yards) came in to finish the game.
. In the first quarter, Minnesota trailed early as Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson
got a 1-yard TD run. The Vikings responded with RB Adrian Peterson getting a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the period was mainly scoreless until the final play of the half when kicker Ryan Longwell
's 57-yard field goal attempt was short and San Diego CB Antonio Cromartie
returned it 109 yards for a touchdown, which became the longest play in NFL history.
In the third quarter, Minnesota was the only team to score as Peterson got a 64-yard TD run, along with QB Brooks Bollinger
completing a 40-yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice
. In the fourth quarter, the Chargers tried to come back as kicker Nate Kaeding
hit a 36-yard field goal. The Vikings pulled away as Peterson broke a 46-yard TD run and RB Chester Taylor
punched in a 2-yard score.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 3-5. Adrian Peterson had 30 carries for an NFL single game record 296 rushing yards, along with 3 touchdowns.
QB Tarvaris Jackson
(6/12 for 63 yards), who originally got the start, left the game in the second quarter after suffering a concussion.
In the first half, a 30-yard run by Ryan Grant
would give the Packers a 7-0 lead, and two field goals by Mason Crosby (a 39-yard field goal midway through the 2nd quarter and a 24-yard field goal at the end of the half) would provide all the first half scoring, as the Vikings went to the locker room trailing 13-0.
The Packers completed the shutout with Brett Favre throwing a pair of third quarter touchdown passes, one to Donald Lee and one to Ruvell Martin. Martin would score again in the 4th quarter. The Vikings were shut out 34-0, the first time the Vikings had been shut out in the regular season since 1991
.
Adrian Peterson suffered a knee injury in the 3rd quarter and left the game.
With the loss, Minnesota fell to 3-6.
along with former Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper
. Minnesota scored first as RB Chester Taylor
got a 10-yard TD run, along with a safety (due to Culpepper committing a penalty while in his own endzone). The Raiders would get on the board with kicker Sebastian Janikowski
getting a 42-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Vikings added on to their lead as kicker Ryan Longwell
hit a 30-yard field goal, yet Oakland took the lead with Culpepper completing a 10-yard TD pass to TE John Madsen, along with Janikowski kicking a 30-yard field goal. Minnesota regained the lead with Taylor getting a 38-yard TD run, while the Raiders finished the half with Janikowski kicking a 49-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Vikes improved their lead with Longwell kicking a 38-yard field goal for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota pulled away with Taylor getting a 6-yard TD run. Oakland's only response would be Janikowski hitting a 52-yard field goal.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 4-6.
For Chester Taylor, this game marked the first time in his career that he had 3 touchdowns in one game.
completed a 60-yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice
. The Giants would respond with RB Reuben Droughns
getting a 1-yard TD run. Minnesota regained the lead with safety Darren Sharper
returning an interception 20 yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, the Vikings continued their scoring as RB Chester Taylor
got an 8-yard TD run, while kicker Ryan Longwell
managed to get a 46-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, New York tried to come back as kicker Lawrence Tynes
hit a 26-yard field goal. Minnesota answered with Longwell kicking a 26-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Vikings pulled away with safety Dwight Smith returning an interception 93 yards for a touchdown, along with LB Chad Greenway
returning an interception 37 yards for a touchdown. The Giants' only response would be QB Eli Manning
's 6-yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress
.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 5-6.
Minnesota's league-worst pass defense had a big game as they intercepted Eli Manning four times (1 from Sharper, 2 from Smith, & 1 from Greenway), with three of them getting returned for touchdowns (which is the most since the 1984 Seahawks returned 4 picks in one game). It set a franchise record for the most interception return yards in one game with 169.
. In the first quarter, Minnesota scored first as RB Chester Taylor
completed a 2-yard TD run. The Lions would reply with kicker Jason Hanson
hitting a 37-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Minnesota answered with rookie RB Adrian Peterson getting a 16-yard TD run. Detroit would respond with QB Jon Kitna
completing a 1-yard TD pass to TE/FB Casey Fitzsimmons
. Afterwards, the Vikings immediately scored with rookie WR Aundrae Allison
returning a kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown (a franchise best), while QB Tarvaris Jackson
completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR Bobby Wade
and a 2-yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice
. In the third quarter, Peterson added a 13-yard TD run.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 6-6.
This was the first time since their 15-1 season of 1998
that they were able to get 40+ points in back-to-back games.
for a Week 14 contest with the San Francisco 49ers
. In the first quarter, Minnesota scored first as DT Kevin Williams returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown, along with kicker Ryan Longwell
getting a 48-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Vikings added to their lead as QB Tarvaris Jackson
completed a 19-yard TD pass to WR Robert Ferguson. Longwell hit a 46-yard field goal, and RB Chester Taylor
completed an 84-yard TD run. In the third quarter, the 49ers would get their only score of the game as QB Shaun Hill
completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Arnaz Battle
.
With the win, Minnesota improved to 7-6.
Rookie RB Adrian Peterson ended the day with a career-low 3 yards rushing on 14 carries.
. Chicago's kicker Robbie Gould
kicked a 29-yard field goal for the only score of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Minnesota responded with kicker Ryan Longwell
getting a 42-yard field goal. Chicago would take the halftime lead with Gould kicking a 47-yard field goal and FB Jason McKie
getting a 1-yard TD run.
In the third quarter, the Vikings started to rally as rookie RB Adrian Peterson got a 1-yard TD run (with a failed PAT
) for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Vikings took the lead as Peterson got an 8-yard TD run. The Bears were unable to score in the second half.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 8-6.
Scoring Summary
Bears - Qtr 1 10:41 R.Gould 29 yd. Field Goal (4-3, 1:29) 3-0
Vikings - Qtr 2 10:07 R.Longwell 42 yd. Field Goal (6-38, 2:20) 3-3
Bears - Qtr 2 6:57 R.Gould 47 yd. Field Goal (8-14, 3:10) 6-3
Bears - Qtr 2 0:30 J.McKie 1 yd. run (R.Gould kick) (2-12, 0:13) 13-3
Vikings - Qtr 2 0:00 R.Longwell 48 yd. Field Goal (4-43, 0:30) 13-6
Vikings - Qtr 3 10:29 A.Peterson 1 yd. run (kick failed, wl) (4-73, 2:08) 13-12
Vikings - Qtr 4 10:56 A.Peterson 8 yd. run (B.Bollinger run) (11-65, 6:18) 13-20
as well as a pass from Clinton Portis
to Antwaan Randle El
completed the scoring.
After a field goal by Washington's Shaun Suisham
to start the second half at 25-0, Minnesota answered with two touchdowns by Tarvaris Jackson
: one a short pass to Jim Kleinsasser
, the other a 6 yard quarterback rush. Each team would score an additional touchdown in the fourth quarter, bringing the final score to 32-21.
With the loss, the Vikings fell to 8-7, matching the Redskins' win-loss record. In order to secure a playoff spot, the Vikings need a win in Denver in week 17, as well as a loss by the Redskins against Dallas
. Because of this loss in week 16, if Washington wins its last game, the Vikings will be eliminated from the playoffs regardless of the outcome of the Denver game.
Scoring Summary
Redskins - Qtr 1 10:51 T. Richardson tackled in endzone for safety 2-0
Redskins - Qtr 1 7:32 T. Collins pass of 33 yds (Suisham kick) (7-67, 3:19) 9-0
Redskins - Qtr 2 7:50 T. Collins pass of 32 yds (Suisham kick) (2-32, 0:11) 16-0
Redskins - Qtr 2 0:49 C. Portis pass of 15 yds (2-pt. conv. failed) (10-80, 3:30) 22-0
Redskins - Qtr 3 6:55 S. Suisham 26 yd. Field Goal (10-56, 4:53) 25-0
Vikings - Qtr 3 2:59 T. Jackson 2 yd. pass (R. Longwell kick) (7-77, 3:58) 25-7
Vikings - Qtr 4 10:24 T. Jackson 6 yd. run (R. Longwell kick) (9-51, 4:31) 25-14
Redskins - Qtr 4 5:12 C. Portis 13 yd. run (Suisham kick) (9-75, 5:12) 32-14
Vikings - Qtr 4 2:04 T. Jackson 1 yd run (R. Longwell kick) (13-72, 3:08) 32-21
to Bobby Wade
), and complete two two point conversions
, (both quarterback runs by Jackson) to tie the game at 19. In overtime, the Vikings had the ball first, but on the second play of their drive, Jackson was hit by Alvin McKinley
and fumbled. The ball was recovered by Elvis Dumervil
on Minnesota's 13 yd line. Jason Elam
kicked a 30 yard game winning field goal.
Minnesota was eliminated from playoff contention based on the Redskins' victory over the Dallas Cowboys 27-6. The Vikings final record was 8-8.
Scoring summary
Vikings - Qtr 2 - 14:51 - 22 yd field goal by Ryan Longwell
(13-56, 6:05) 3-0
Broncos - Qtr 2 - 11:25 - Jay Cutler
15 yd pass to Brandon Marshall
(Elam kick) (6-74, 3:26) 3-7
Broncos - Qtr 2 - 1:54 - Cutler 2 yd pass to Tony Scheffler
(Elam kick) (7-48, 4:09), 3-14
Broncos - Qtr 3 - 7:35 - Elam 43 yd field goal (13-52, 6:23) 3-17
Broncos - Qtr 4 - 13:13 - Vikings penalty in own endzone, resulting in safety 3-19
Vikings - Qtr 4 - 5:18 - Jackson 5 yd pass to Bobby Wade (2 pt conversion) (8-69, 2:46), 11-19
Vikings - Qtr 4 - 2:1 - Jackson 22 yd pass to Bobby Wade (2 pt conversion) (5-65, 1:51), 19-19
Broncos - OT - 14:08 - Elam 30 yd field goal (only play of drive) 19-22
Pro Bowl
The Vikings had seven players selected to the 2008 Pro Bowl
. http://wcco.com/sports/nfl.pro.bowl.2.613687.html Starting on offense were RB Adrian Peterson, fullback Tony Richardson and offensive guard Steve Hutchinson. Starting at defense were defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams as well as strong safety Darren Sharper
. The reserve center was Matt Birk
. Only one team, the Dallas Cowboys
, had more starters (7). Besides the 7 named players for Minnesota, kicker Ryan Longwell
was named a first alternate, and special teams player Heath Farwell
and left tackle Bryant McKinnie
were named second alternates.
(after Arizona but ahead of Houston and Philadelphia).
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
season was the team's 47th season in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. The Viking's 8-8 record under second year head coach Brad Childress
Brad Childress
Brad "Chilly" Childress is the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He attended high school at the Marmion Academy in Aurora, Illinois...
was an improvement on their 6-10 record in 2006
2006 Minnesota Vikings season
2006 was the 46th year of season play for the Minnesota Vikings and the 46th regular season of the National Football League.The 2006 Minnesota Vikings season began with the team trying to improve on their 9–7 record in 2005 which was the last under embattled head coach Mike Tice...
; nonetheless, for the third straight year, the Vikings failed to make the playoffs. The Vikings also lost both games to the Packers in the 2007 season, making head coach Brad Childress 0-4 against the division rivals from Wisconsin.
The Vikings finished the season with the best defense against the run
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, as well as the best "running" offense with (primarily) running backs Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor
Chester Taylor
Chester Lamar Taylor also known as "Che Tay" is an American football running back of the National Football League who is currently on the Arizona Cardinals. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
. Adrian Peterson was named 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year for 2007.
Offseason
The Vikings began the 2007 offseason by losing their Defensive CoordinatorDefensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin
Michael Tomlin is the current head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. Tomlin is the third youngest head coach in any of the four major North American professional sports. He is the tenth African-American head coach in NFL history, and first in Steelers history...
who was hired to be the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
on January 21, 2007. Coach Brad Childress
Brad Childress
Brad "Chilly" Childress is the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He attended high school at the Marmion Academy in Aurora, Illinois...
waited until after the Super Bowl to hire Leslie Frazier
Leslie Frazier
Leslie Antonio Frazier is a former cornerback/safety in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and is currently the head coach for the Minnesota Vikings.-College career:...
, who served as Special Assistant to the Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach under Tony Dungy
Tony Dungy
Anthony Kevin "Tony" Dungy [DUN-jee] is a former professional American football player and coach in the National Football League. Dungy was head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996 to 2001, and head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2002 to 2008...
. Frazier left the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
to become the Vikings new Defensive Coordinator on February 8. Frazier played Cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
for the 1985 Chicago Bears
1985 Chicago Bears season
The 1985 Chicago Bears season was their 66th regular season and 16th post-season completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 15-1 record, earning them the top seed in the NFC for the playoffs. The Bears defeated their three post season opponents by a combined score of 91-10 en...
, and was fresh off of a Super Bowl XLI
Super Bowl XLI
Super Bowl XLI was an American football game that featured the American Football Conference champion Indianapolis Colts and the National Football Conference champion Chicago Bears to decide the National Football League champion for the 2006 season...
victory over his former Bears team when he was hired by the Vikings.
2007 Draft Results
| Round | Pick | Name | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (7) | Adrian Peterson | Running Back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
Oklahoma University of Oklahoma The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its... |
| 2 | (44) | Sidney Rice Sidney Rice -Minnesota Vikings :Rice was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a four year contract with the Vikings in 2007.... |
Wide Receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
South Carolina University of South Carolina The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House... |
| 3 | (72) | Marcus McCauley Marcus McCauley Marcus Xavier McCauley, Jr. is an American football cornerback for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
Fresno State |
| 4 | (102) | Brian Robison Brian Robison Brian Gale Robison is an American football defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns... |
Defensive End Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
Texas |
| 5 | (146) | Aundrae Allison Aundrae Allison Aundrae Akeem Allison is an American football wide receiver for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at East Carolina.He has also been a member of the New York Jets, and... |
Wide Receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
East Carolina East Carolina University East Carolina University is a public, coeducational, engaged doctoral/research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statute and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institution of higher learning in... |
| 6 | (176) | Rufus Alexander Rufus Alexander Rufus Alexander is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
Linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
Oklahoma University of Oklahoma The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its... |
| 7 | (217) | Tyler Thigpen Tyler Thigpen Tyler "Dirty Pigpen" Thigpen is an American football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League . Thigpen was drafted out of Coastal Carolina University in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.Tyler Thigpen was the first quarterback to play for... |
Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
Coastal Carolina Coastal Carolina University Coastal Carolina University is an independent, state-supported, liberal arts university in Conway, South Carolina, USA, located eight miles west of Myrtle Beach. Founded in 1954, Coastal became an independent university in 1993. The University enrolls approximately 8,300 students on its campus... |
| 7 | (233) | Chandler Williams Chandler Williams Chandler Williams, III is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
Wide Receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
Florida International Florida International University Florida International University is an American public research university in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States, with its main campus in University Park... |
2007 Vikings Player Movement
Re-signed- Status- Chris KluweChris KluweChristopher James "Chris" Kluwe is a punter for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Seattle Seahawks, as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
, P Free Agent 1-year ($435,000) - Heath FarwellHeath FarwellHeath Charles Farwell is an American football linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
, LB Free Agent 1-year ($435,000) - Anthony HerreraAnthony HerreraAnthony Herrera was an American actor.-Career:Among roles in various movies, he is most known—and most hated—for his role as the evil James Stenbeck on the soap opera As the World Turns, a role he has played off and on from 1980 to 1984, from 1986 to 1989, in 1996, from 1997 to 1999, in 2001 and...
, OG Free Agent 1-year ($850,000) - Spencer Johnson (American football), DT Free Agent 1-year ($850,000)
- Richard OwensRichard OwensRichard Owens is a former professional football player. He played tight end for the Minnesota Vikings, who acquired him as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Louisville....
, TE Free Agent 1-year ($850,000) - Artose PinnerArtose PinnerArtose Deonce Pinner is an American football running back who is currently a free-agent. He was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, RB Free Agent 1-year ($850,000) - Darrion ScottDarrion ScottDarrion Scott is an American football defensive end who is currently a member of the Washington Redskins. He was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, DE Free Agent 1-year ($850,000) - Tank WilliamsTank WilliamsClevan "Tank" Williams is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
, SS Free Agent 1-year ($595,000) - Drew HensonDrew HensonDrew Daniel Henson is a retired Major League Baseball third baseman and National Football League quarterback. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
, QB Free Agent 1-year ($765,000)
Additions- Status (Old Team)
- Visanthe ShiancoeVisanthe ShiancoeVisanthe Shiancoe is an American football tight end who currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.-High school:...
, TE Free Agent (NYG) 5-years ($18.2 Million) - Vinny CiurciuVinny CiurciuVincenzo Ciurciu is an American football linebacker that is currently a National Football League free agent. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2003...
, LB Free Agent (CAR) 3-years ($3 Million) - Bobby WadeBobby WadeRobert Louis Wade, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, WR Free Agent (TEN) 5-years ($15 Million) - Mike DossMike DossMichael Allen Doss is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, S Free Agent (IND) 1-year ($1 Million)
Subtractions- Status (New Team)
- Jason WhittleJason WhittleJason Whittle is an American football Guard who is currently a free agent. He went to high school in Camdenton, Missouri and played for the Camdenton Lakers...
, OG Free Agent (BUF) 1-year ($720,000) - Fred SmootFred SmootFredrick "Fred" Duayne Smoot is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
, CB Free Agent (WAS) 5-years ($25 Million) - Brad JohnsonBrad Johnson (American football)James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
, QB Free Agent (DAL) 3-years ($7.5 Million) - Napoleon HarrisNapoleon HarrisNapoleon Bill Harris is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Northwestern and was drafted in the first round by the Oakland Raiders in the 2002 NFL Draft....
, LB Free Agent (KC) 6-years ($24 Million) - Bethel JohnsonBethel JohnsonBethel Johnson is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas A&M....
, WR Free Agent (PHI) 1-year - Jermaine WigginsJermaine WigginsJermaine Wiggins is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played college football at Georgia....
, TE Free Agent (JAC) 1-year ($1 Million)
Last Updated 3/23/07 (DTR)
Preseason
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time/Result | Venue | Television | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 10 | St. Louis Rams St. Louis Rams The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,... |
13-10 L | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... |
KSTP-TV KSTP-TV KSTP-TV, channel 5, is the ABC affiliate for the Twin Cities. Its transmitter is located at the Shoreview Telefarm. It is the flagship station of Hubbard Broadcasting, which also owns several other broadcasting properties across the United States.... |
0-1 |
| 2 | August 17 | New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
37-20 W | Giants Stadium Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
Fox Fox Broadcasting Company Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the... |
1-1 |
| 3 | August 25 | Seattle Seahawks Seattle Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team... |
30-13 L | Qwest Field Qwest Field CenturyLink Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington, United States. It serves as the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer... |
KSTP-TV | 1-2 |
| 4 | August 30 | Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... |
23-14 W | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... |
KSTP-TV | 2-2 |
Regular season
| Week | Date | Kickoff (CT Central Time zone In North America, the Central Time Zone refers to national time zones which observe standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC , and daylight saving, or summer time by subtracting five hours... ) |
Opponent | Results | Venue | TV | NFL Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||||
| 1 | September 9 | 12:00 | Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
24–3 W | 1–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... |
Fox | Recap |
| 2 | September 16 | 3:15 | Detroit Lions Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... |
20–17 L | 1–1 | Ford Field Ford Field Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for... |
Fox | Recap |
| 3 | September 23 | 12:00 | Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... |
13–10 L | 1–2 | Arrowhead Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Arrowhead Stadium is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri and home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.... |
Fox | Recap |
| 4 | September 30 | 12:05 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
23–16 L | 1–3 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... |
Fox | Recap |
| 5 | Bye | |||||||
| 6 | October 14 | 12:00 | Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
34–31 W | 2–3 | Soldier Field Soldier Field Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears... |
Fox | Recap |
| 7 | October 21 | 3:15 | Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... |
24–14 L | 2–4 | Texas Stadium Texas Stadium Texas Stadium was a football stadium in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The stadium opened on September 17, 1971.Built to replace the aging Cotton Bowl, it was the home field of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, and had a seating capacity of 65,675... |
Fox | Recap |
| 8 | October 28 | 12:00 | Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
23–16 L | 2–5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... |
Fox | Recap |
| 9 | November 4 | 12:05 | San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
35–17 W | 3–5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... |
CBS | Recap |
| 10 | November 11 | 12:00 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
34–0 L | 3–6 | Lambeau Field Lambeau Field Lambeau Field is an outdoor football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers' home field... |
Fox | Recap |
| 11 | November 18 | 12:00 | Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
29–22 W | 4–6 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... |
CBS | Recap |
| 12 | November 25 | 12:00 | New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
41–17 W | 5–6 | Giants Stadium Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
Fox | Recap |
| 13 | December 2 | 12:00 | Detroit Lions Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... |
42–10 W | 6–6 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... |
Fox | Recap |
| 14 | December 9 | 3:05 | San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... |
27–7 W | 7–6 | Monster Park Monster Park Candlestick Park is an outdoor sports and entertainment stadium located in San Francisco, California, in the Bayview Heights area. The stadium was originally built as the home of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, who played there from 1960 until moving into Pacific Bell Park in 2000... |
Fox | Recap |
| 15 | December 17 | 7:30 | Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
20–13 W | 8–6 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... |
ESPN/KSTP-TV | Recap |
| 16 | December 23 | 7:15 | Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
32–21 L | 8–7 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... |
NBC | Recap |
| 17 | December 30 | 3:15 | Denver Broncos Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
22–19 L | 8–8 | Invesco Field | Fox | Recap |
Week 1: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. In the first quarter, Minnesota scored first with DT Kevin Williams returning an interception 54 yards for a touchdown. It was the only score of the first half. In the third quarter, kicker Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
kicked a 49-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Falcons would get their only score of the game, with kicker Matt Prater
Matt Prater
Matt Prater is an American football placekicker who plays for the Denver Broncos. He was originally signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at the University of Central Florida, where he majored in psychology.-High school career:Prater attended...
getting a 45-yard field goal. From there, the Vikings had the only offense with QB Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
completing a 60-yard TD pass to rookie RB Adrian Peterson. Cornerback Antoine Winfield
Antoine Winfield
Antoine Winfield is an American football cornerback in the NFL. He played college football at The Ohio State University, winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back in 1998. Winfield was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft. Since 2004, he...
returned an interception 14 yards for a touchdown.
With the win, Minnesota began its season at 1-0.
Scoring summary
Q1 - MIN - 7:56 - Kevin Williams 54 yard interception return TD (Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
kick) (MIN 7-0)
Q3 - MIN - 1:51 - Ryan Longwell 49 yard FG (MIN 10-0)
Q4 - ATL - 9:28 - Matt Prater
Matt Prater
Matt Prater is an American football placekicker who plays for the Denver Broncos. He was originally signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at the University of Central Florida, where he majored in psychology.-High school career:Prater attended...
45 yard FG (MIN 10-3)
Q4 - MIN - 7:31 - 60 yard TD pass from Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
to Adrian Peterson (Longwell kick) (MIN 17-3)
Q4 - MIN - 2:48 - Antoine Winfield
Antoine Winfield
Antoine Winfield is an American football cornerback in the NFL. He played college football at The Ohio State University, winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back in 1998. Winfield was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft. Since 2004, he...
14 yard interception return TD (Longwell kick) (MIN 24-3)
Week 2: at Detroit Lions
|stadium= Ford FieldFord Field
Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for...
, Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
Game summary
Following their home win over the Falcons, the Vikings flew to Ford Field
Ford Field
Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for...
for a Week 2 divisional match-up with the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. After a scoreless first quarter, Minnesota trailed early as Lions QB Jon Kitna
Jon Kitna
Jon K. Kitna is an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
completed a 9-yard TD pass to WR Roy Williams
Roy Williams (wide receiver)
Roy Eugene Williams, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Chicago Bears. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions seventh overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
. The Vikings would tie the game with QB Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
getting a 1-yard TD run. However, Detroit retook the lead with kicker Jason Hanson
Jason Hanson
Jason Douglas Hanson is an American football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, where he has spent his entire 20 year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft...
's 30-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Lions increased their lead with QB J. T. O'Sullivan's 7-yard TD pass to WR Calvin Johnson
Calvin Johnson (American football)
Calvin Johnson, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Lions second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech....
. Minnesota would tie the game with kicker Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
's 32-yard field goal and DE Ray Edwards
Ray Edwards
Raymond James Edwards, Jr. is an American football defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:Edwards attended Woodward High School in...
' 9-yard fumble return for a touchdown. After both teams failed to score in the fourth quarter, the Vikings would get the ball to begin overtime. However, nine plays into their drive, back-up QB Brooks Bollinger
Brooks Bollinger
Brooks Bollinger is a retired American football quarterback. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
would fumble the ball and Detroit would recover it (which would be the game's 10th overall turnover). In the end, the Lions turned the fumble into Hanson's game-winning 37-yard field goal.
With the loss, Minnesota fell to 1-1.
Scoring summary
Q2 - DET - 11:09 - 9 yard TD pass from Jon Kitna
Jon Kitna
Jon K. Kitna is an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
to Roy Williams
Roy Williams (wide receiver)
Roy Eugene Williams, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Chicago Bears. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions seventh overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...
(Jason Hanson
Jason Hanson
Jason Douglas Hanson is an American football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, where he has spent his entire 20 year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft...
kick) (DET 7-0)
Q2 - MIN - 8:25 - Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
1 yard TD run (Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
kick) (7-7)
Q2 - DET - 1:06 - Hanson 30 yard FG (DET 10-7)
Q3 - DET - 10:06 - 7 yard TD pass from J. T. O'Sullivan to Calvin Johnson
Calvin Johnson (American football)
Calvin Johnson, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Lions second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech....
(Hanson kick) (DET 17-7)
Q3 - MIN - 5:57 - Longwell 32 yard FG (DET 17-10)
Q3 - MIN - 5:08 - Ray Edwards
Ray Edwards
Raymond James Edwards, Jr. is an American football defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:Edwards attended Woodward High School in...
9 yard fumble return TD (Longwell kick) (17-17)
OT - DET - 8:55 - Hanson 37 yard FG (DET 20-17)
Week 3: at Kansas City Chiefs
Following their divisional road loss to the Lions, the Vikings flew to Arrowhead StadiumArrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri and home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs....
for an interconference duel with the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
. In the first quarter, the Vikes rookie RB Adrian Peterson got an 11-yard TD run for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, Minnesota increased its lead with kicker Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
getting a 22-yard field goal. The Chiefs would end the half with kicker Dave Rayner
Dave Rayner
David Michael "Dave" Rayner is an American football placekicker who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
getting a 39-yard field goal.
In the second half, Kansas City were the only team to score. In the third quarter, K.C. drew closer with Rayner kicking a 49-yard field goal, while in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs closed out a win with QB Damon Huard
Damon Huard
Damon Paul Huard is a former American football quarterback. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at Washington....
completing a 16-yard TD pass to WR Dwayne Bowe
Dwayne Bowe
-2007:On August 5, 2007, Bowe signed a five-year contract with the Chiefs, after holding out the first week of practice at training camp.Bowe scored his first NFL touchdown on a pass from Damon Huard in the first half of the Chiefs' game against the Chicago Bears on September 16, 2007.In his rookie...
.
With the loss, the Vikings fell to 1-2.
Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. With QB Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
recovering from injuries, QB Kelly Holcomb
Kelly Holcomb
Bryan Kelly Holcomb is a former American football quarterback of the National Football League. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 1995...
would get the start for the game. In the first quarter, the Vikes trailed early as QB Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
threw career TD pass #421 to WR Greg Jennings
Greg Jennings
Gregory Jennings, Jr. is a professional American football wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League...
on a 16-yard pass, surpassing Dan Marino
Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
for the most career touchdown passes by a quarterback. After Favre was honored for his accomplishment, Minnesota drew close with kicker Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
getting a 44-yard and 35-yard field goal. Green Bay would end the half with kicker Mason Crosby
Mason Crosby
Mason Walker Crosby , is a professional American football placekicker for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League. During his playing days at the University of Colorado, Crosby was widely considered the best kicker in college football, as evidenced by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.'s...
getting a 28-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Crosby kicked a 44-yard field goal for the Packers. The Vikings would respond with Longwell kicking a 48-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota's deficit increased with Crosby kicking a 33-yard field goal, along with Favre completing a 33 yard TD pass (#422) to WR James Jones
James Jones (wide receiver)
James Deandre Jones is an American football wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Packers in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
. Minnesota tried to rebound with Holcomb completing a 15-yard TD pass to rookie WR Sidney Rice
Sidney Rice
-Minnesota Vikings :Rice was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a four year contract with the Vikings in 2007....
, along with recovering a Green Bay fumble. However, Holcomb was subsequently intercepted by Atari Bigby
Atari Bigby
Atari David Bigby is an American football safety for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
. A noteworthy accomplishment for Minnesota was rookie RB Adrian Peterson becoming the first Vikings rookie RB since Chuck Foreman
Chuck Foreman
Chuck Foreman is a retired NFL football player.He was a running back during his NFL career, although he often caught passes out of the backfield.-Early career:...
to get a 100-yard rushing game for his first three games as a starter, as he ran 12 times for 112 yards.
With the loss, the Vikings entered their bye week at 1-3.
Week 6: at Chicago Bears
Coming off their bye week, the Vikings went to Soldier FieldSoldier Field
Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears...
for a Week 6 NFC North contest against the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. In the first quarter, Minnesota trailed early as Bears WR/KR/PR Devin Hester
Devin Hester
Devin Hester is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Miami, where he became the first person in the university’s recent history to play in all three phases of American football...
returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings responded with QB Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
completed a 60-yard TD pass to WR Troy Williamson
Troy Williamson
-Minnesota Vikings:The Vikings needed a receiver with deep speed after trading Randy Moss to Oakland, drafting Williamson with the 7th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft...
. In the second quarter, Chicago's Brian Griese
Brian Griese
Brian David Griese is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played high school football at Christopher Columbus High School and later college football at Michigan....
completed a 39-yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian
Bernard Berrian
Bernard Berrian is a free agent American football wide receiver who last played for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
. Afterwards, Minnesota answered with rookie RB Adrian Peterson getting a 67-yard TD run.
In the third quarter, the Vikings took the lead with Peterson getting a 73-yard TD run for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota increased its lead with kicker Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
getting a 48-yard field goal. The Bears would reply with kicker Robbie Gould
Robbie Gould
Robert Paul "Robbie" Gould III is an American football placekicker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Penn State...
getting a 32-yard field goal. The Vikings would answer with Peterson getting a 35-yard TD run. Chicago would tie the game with Griese completing a 33-yard TD pass to WR Muhsin Muhammad
Muhsin Muhammad
Muhsin Muhammad II is a retired American football wide receiver who played for the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft...
, along with an 81-yard TD pass to Hester. But on the ensuing kickoff, Adrian Peterson sprinted all the way down to the Chicago 38-yard line, setting up Ryan Longwell's game-winning 55-yard field goal.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 2-3, largely in part to Peterson's 224 rushing yards, which put him 5th for the most rookie rushing yards in one game. Up to this point, he had a total of 607 rushing yards, which placed him second for the most rookie rushing yards through the first five games, only behind Eric Dickerson. He also broke the NFL record for most all purpose yards in a single game, with 361.
Week 7: at Dallas Cowboys
Coming off their impressive divisional road win over the Bears, the Vikings flew to Texas StadiumTexas Stadium
Texas Stadium was a football stadium in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The stadium opened on September 17, 1971.Built to replace the aging Cotton Bowl, it was the home field of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, and had a seating capacity of 65,675...
for a Week 7 intraconference duel with the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. In the first quarter, Minnesota trailed early as Cowboys QB Tony Romo
Tony Romo
Antonio Ramiro "Tony" Romo is a professional American football quarterback in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo's career passer rating - at 95.8 - ranks third-best all time. Tony Romo didn't play in the regular season in 2003, 2004, or 2005...
completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Owens has been one of the dominant receivers of his era...
. The Vikings would respond with rookie RB Adrian Peterson getting a 20-yard TD run. In the second quarter, Minnesota had an abnormal defensive touchdown, as LB Ben Leber
Ben Leber
Ben Leber is an American football linebacker for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
picked up a Patrick Crayton
Patrick Crayton
Patrick Jamel Crayton is an American football wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was a originally drafted in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys...
fumble, ran a couple of yards, lateraled the ball to CB Cedric Griffin
Cedric Griffin
Cedric Leonard Griffin is an American football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.He was born in Natchez, Mississippi and graduated from Holmes High School in San Antonio, Texas. He played college football for The University of Texas Longhorns and was a stand-out...
, who would eventually fumble and recover the ball at Dallas' 28-yard line, and then run into the endzone for a touchdown.
In the third quarter, the Vikes began to struggle as Cowboys RB Marion Barber
Marion Barber III
Marion Sylvester Barber III is an American football running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Minnesota....
got a 1-yard TD run, while safety Pat Watkins
Pat Watkins
Patrick Watkins is an American football safety who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. The Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Watkins played college football at Florida State University, and attended Lincoln High School in Tallahassee,...
returned a blocked field goal 68 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Dallas closed out the win with kicker Nick Folk
Nick Folk
Nicholas "Nick" Alexander Folk is an American football kicker who currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
getting a 45-yard field goal.
With the loss, the Vikings fell to 2-4.
Week 8: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Cowboys, the Vikings came home for a Week 8 intraconference duel with the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. With starting QB Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
out with a thumb injury, veteran back-up Kelly Holcomb
Kelly Holcomb
Bryan Kelly Holcomb is a former American football quarterback of the National Football League. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 1995...
got the start. Also, head coach Brad Childress
Brad Childress
Brad "Chilly" Childress is the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He attended high school at the Marmion Academy in Aurora, Illinois...
would go up against his mentor, Philadelphia coach Andy Reid
Andy Reid
Andrew Walter "Andy" Reid is the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL, a post he has held since 1999. Since 2001, he has also been the team's executive vice president of football operations...
.
In the first quarter, Minnesota took the early lead as Holcomb completed a 9-yard TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe
Visanthe Shiancoe
Visanthe Shiancoe is an American football tight end who currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.-High school:...
. The Eagles would respond with kicker David Akers
David Akers
David Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville....
getting a 20-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Vikings trailed as Philadelphia RB Brian Westbrook
Brian Westbrook
Brian Collins Westbrook is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft after playing college football at Villanova...
caught a 6-yard TD pass from QB Donovan McNabb
Donovan McNabb
Donovan Jamal McNabb is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback from 1999 to 2009 and spent the 2010 season with the Washington Redskins and a portion of the 2011 season with the Minnesota Vikings. In college, McNabb played...
, along with getting a 1-yard TD run. Minnesota's only response for the period was kicker Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
getting a 39-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Eagles increased their lead with Akers kicking a 27-yard field goal, while the Vikings' Longwell got a 32-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota drew closer as Longwell kicked a 48-yard field goal. Unfortunately, Philadelphia sealed its win with Akers hitting a 25-yard field goal.
With their second-straight loss, the Vikings fell to 2-5.
Holcomb (7/16 for 88 yards and 1 touchdown) left in the game in the third quarter, due to a concussion he suffered from a sack. QB Brooks Bollinger
Brooks Bollinger
Brooks Bollinger is a retired American football quarterback. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
(7/10 for 94 yards) came in to finish the game.
Week 9: vs. San Diego Chargers
Hoping to rebound from their home loss to the Eagles, the Vikings stayed at home and played a Week 9 interconference game against the San Diego ChargersSan Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. In the first quarter, Minnesota trailed early as Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tramayne Tomlinson is an American football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers fifth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Christian.Tomlinson, often referred to by his initials, L...
got a 1-yard TD run. The Vikings responded with RB Adrian Peterson getting a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the period was mainly scoreless until the final play of the half when kicker Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
's 57-yard field goal attempt was short and San Diego CB Antonio Cromartie
Antonio Cromartie
Antonio Cromartie is an American football cornerback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers 19th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft...
returned it 109 yards for a touchdown, which became the longest play in NFL history.
In the third quarter, Minnesota was the only team to score as Peterson got a 64-yard TD run, along with QB Brooks Bollinger
Brooks Bollinger
Brooks Bollinger is a retired American football quarterback. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
completing a 40-yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice
Sidney Rice
-Minnesota Vikings :Rice was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a four year contract with the Vikings in 2007....
. In the fourth quarter, the Chargers tried to come back as kicker Nate Kaeding
Nate Kaeding
Nathaniel James Kaeding is an American football placekicker who plays for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft in the 3rd round with a pick acquired from the Phillip Rivers-Eli Manning trade. He played college football at Iowa...
hit a 36-yard field goal. The Vikings pulled away as Peterson broke a 46-yard TD run and RB Chester Taylor
Chester Taylor
Chester Lamar Taylor also known as "Che Tay" is an American football running back of the National Football League who is currently on the Arizona Cardinals. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
punched in a 2-yard score.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 3-5. Adrian Peterson had 30 carries for an NFL single game record 296 rushing yards, along with 3 touchdowns.
QB Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
(6/12 for 63 yards), who originally got the start, left the game in the second quarter after suffering a concussion.
Week 10: at Green Bay Packers
Playing their first road game in three weeks, the Vikings traveled to Lambeau Field to play their long-time rivals, the Green Bay Packers.In the first half, a 30-yard run by Ryan Grant
Ryan Grant
Ryan Brett Grant is a running back for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005 but was traded to the Packers shortly before the 2007 season in exchange for a future sixth-round draft pick...
would give the Packers a 7-0 lead, and two field goals by Mason Crosby (a 39-yard field goal midway through the 2nd quarter and a 24-yard field goal at the end of the half) would provide all the first half scoring, as the Vikings went to the locker room trailing 13-0.
The Packers completed the shutout with Brett Favre throwing a pair of third quarter touchdown passes, one to Donald Lee and one to Ruvell Martin. Martin would score again in the 4th quarter. The Vikings were shut out 34-0, the first time the Vikings had been shut out in the regular season since 1991
1991 Minnesota Vikings season
-Schedule:-References:*...
.
Adrian Peterson suffered a knee injury in the 3rd quarter and left the game.
With the loss, Minnesota fell to 3-6.
Week 11: vs. Oakland Raiders
Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the Packers, the Vikings Week 11 opponent was the Oakland RaidersOakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
along with former Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper
Daunte Culpepper
Daunte Rachard Culpepper is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He last played for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League . Prior to joining the UFL, Culpepper enjoyed a successful National Football League career after being drafted 11th overall in...
. Minnesota scored first as RB Chester Taylor
Chester Taylor
Chester Lamar Taylor also known as "Che Tay" is an American football running back of the National Football League who is currently on the Arizona Cardinals. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
got a 10-yard TD run, along with a safety (due to Culpepper committing a penalty while in his own endzone). The Raiders would get on the board with kicker Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski is a left-footed Polish placekicker who plays for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders. He is nicknamed The Polish Cannon because he is considered to have one of the strongest kicking legs in the league, and leads the NFL in kickoffs for touchbacks. He lives in...
getting a 42-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Vikings added on to their lead as kicker Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
hit a 30-yard field goal, yet Oakland took the lead with Culpepper completing a 10-yard TD pass to TE John Madsen, along with Janikowski kicking a 30-yard field goal. Minnesota regained the lead with Taylor getting a 38-yard TD run, while the Raiders finished the half with Janikowski kicking a 49-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Vikes improved their lead with Longwell kicking a 38-yard field goal for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota pulled away with Taylor getting a 6-yard TD run. Oakland's only response would be Janikowski hitting a 52-yard field goal.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 4-6.
For Chester Taylor, this game marked the first time in his career that he had 3 touchdowns in one game.
Week 12: vs New York Giants
Coming off their home win over the Raiders, the Vikings flew to the Meadowlands for a Week 12 matchup with the New York Giants. In the first quarter, the Vikings scored first as QB Tarvaris JacksonTarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
completed a 60-yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice
Sidney Rice
-Minnesota Vikings :Rice was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a four year contract with the Vikings in 2007....
. The Giants would respond with RB Reuben Droughns
Reuben Droughns
Reuben Droughns is an American football running back who is currently the head coach for the Serbian team Vukovi Beograd, the two-time champions of the Central European Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
getting a 1-yard TD run. Minnesota regained the lead with safety Darren Sharper
Darren Sharper
Darren Mallory Sharper is an American football safety who currently is a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at William & Mary....
returning an interception 20 yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, the Vikings continued their scoring as RB Chester Taylor
Chester Taylor
Chester Lamar Taylor also known as "Che Tay" is an American football running back of the National Football League who is currently on the Arizona Cardinals. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
got an 8-yard TD run, while kicker Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
managed to get a 46-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, New York tried to come back as kicker Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence James Henry Tynes is an American football placekicker for the New York Giants. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2001.-Early years:...
hit a 26-yard field goal. Minnesota answered with Longwell kicking a 26-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Vikings pulled away with safety Dwight Smith returning an interception 93 yards for a touchdown, along with LB Chad Greenway
Chad Greenway
Chad Greenway is an American football player who plays linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 2002 to 2005....
returning an interception 37 yards for a touchdown. The Giants' only response would be QB Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
's 6-yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress
Plaxico Burress
Plaxico Antonio Burress is an American football wide receiver who currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers eighth overall in the 2000 NFL Draft...
.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 5-6.
Minnesota's league-worst pass defense had a big game as they intercepted Eli Manning four times (1 from Sharper, 2 from Smith, & 1 from Greenway), with three of them getting returned for touchdowns (which is the most since the 1984 Seahawks returned 4 picks in one game). It set a franchise record for the most interception return yards in one game with 169.
Week 13: vs. Detroit Lions
Coming off their road win over the Giants, the Vikings went home for a Week 13 divisional rematch with the Detroit LionsDetroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. In the first quarter, Minnesota scored first as RB Chester Taylor
Chester Taylor
Chester Lamar Taylor also known as "Che Tay" is an American football running back of the National Football League who is currently on the Arizona Cardinals. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
completed a 2-yard TD run. The Lions would reply with kicker Jason Hanson
Jason Hanson
Jason Douglas Hanson is an American football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, where he has spent his entire 20 year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft...
hitting a 37-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Minnesota answered with rookie RB Adrian Peterson getting a 16-yard TD run. Detroit would respond with QB Jon Kitna
Jon Kitna
Jon K. Kitna is an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
completing a 1-yard TD pass to TE/FB Casey Fitzsimmons
Casey FitzSimmons
Casey FitzSimmons is a former National Football League tight end. He played his whole career for the Detroit Lions.-High school years:...
. Afterwards, the Vikings immediately scored with rookie WR Aundrae Allison
Aundrae Allison
Aundrae Akeem Allison is an American football wide receiver for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at East Carolina.He has also been a member of the New York Jets, and...
returning a kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown (a franchise best), while QB Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR Bobby Wade
Bobby Wade
Robert Louis Wade, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
and a 2-yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice
Sidney Rice
-Minnesota Vikings :Rice was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a four year contract with the Vikings in 2007....
. In the third quarter, Peterson added a 13-yard TD run.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 6-6.
This was the first time since their 15-1 season of 1998
1998 Minnesota Vikings season
1998 was the 38th year of season play for the Minnesota Vikings and the 79th regular season of the National Football League.The 1998 Minnesota Vikings became only the third team in NFL history to win 15 games during the regular season. That year, the Vikings high powered offense scored 556 points...
that they were able to get 40+ points in back-to-back games.
Week 14: at San Francisco 49ers
After their home win over the Lions, the Vikings flew to Bill Walsh Field at Monster ParkMonster Park
Candlestick Park is an outdoor sports and entertainment stadium located in San Francisco, California, in the Bayview Heights area. The stadium was originally built as the home of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, who played there from 1960 until moving into Pacific Bell Park in 2000...
for a Week 14 contest with the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. In the first quarter, Minnesota scored first as DT Kevin Williams returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown, along with kicker Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
getting a 48-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Vikings added to their lead as QB Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
completed a 19-yard TD pass to WR Robert Ferguson. Longwell hit a 46-yard field goal, and RB Chester Taylor
Chester Taylor
Chester Lamar Taylor also known as "Che Tay" is an American football running back of the National Football League who is currently on the Arizona Cardinals. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
completed an 84-yard TD run. In the third quarter, the 49ers would get their only score of the game as QB Shaun Hill
Shaun Hill
Shaun Hill is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Arnaz Battle
Arnaz Battle
Arnaz Jerome Battle is an American football wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
.
With the win, Minnesota improved to 7-6.
Rookie RB Adrian Peterson ended the day with a career-low 3 yards rushing on 14 carries.
Week 15: vs. Chicago Bears
After the west coast win over the 49ers, the Vikings went home for a Week 15 Monday night NFC North rematch with the Chicago BearsChicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Chicago's kicker Robbie Gould
Robbie Gould
Robert Paul "Robbie" Gould III is an American football placekicker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Penn State...
kicked a 29-yard field goal for the only score of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Minnesota responded with kicker Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
getting a 42-yard field goal. Chicago would take the halftime lead with Gould kicking a 47-yard field goal and FB Jason McKie
Jason McKie
Jason A. McKie is an American football fullback who currently a free agent. He was signed as a undrafted free agent out of Temple University by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2002....
getting a 1-yard TD run.
In the third quarter, the Vikings started to rally as rookie RB Adrian Peterson got a 1-yard TD run (with a failed PAT
Extra Point
Extra Point is a twice-daily, two-minute segment on ESPN Radio that covers generic sports-related topical news and opinion. The AM edition airs Monday through Saturday at various times between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET, and the PM edition airs Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET...
) for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Vikings took the lead as Peterson got an 8-yard TD run. The Bears were unable to score in the second half.
With the win, the Vikings improved to 8-6.
Scoring Summary
Bears - Qtr 1 10:41 R.Gould 29 yd. Field Goal (4-3, 1:29) 3-0
Vikings - Qtr 2 10:07 R.Longwell 42 yd. Field Goal (6-38, 2:20) 3-3
Bears - Qtr 2 6:57 R.Gould 47 yd. Field Goal (8-14, 3:10) 6-3
Bears - Qtr 2 0:30 J.McKie 1 yd. run (R.Gould kick) (2-12, 0:13) 13-3
Vikings - Qtr 2 0:00 R.Longwell 48 yd. Field Goal (4-43, 0:30) 13-6
Vikings - Qtr 3 10:29 A.Peterson 1 yd. run (kick failed, wl) (4-73, 2:08) 13-12
Vikings - Qtr 4 10:56 A.Peterson 8 yd. run (B.Bollinger run) (11-65, 6:18) 13-20
Week 16: vs. Washington Redskins
After the Monday night win over the Bears, the Vikings hosted the Washington Redskins. With a win, the Vikings would clinch an NFC playoff berth. The Redskins also needed a win to avoid elimination. Washington scored the only points in the first half, leading 22-0 at halftime on a safety and three touchdowns. Passes by Todd Collins to Chris Cooley and Santana MossSantana Moss
Santana Terrell Moss is an American football wide receiver for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early years:...
as well as a pass from Clinton Portis
Clinton Portis
Clinton Earl Portis is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
to Antwaan Randle El
Antwaan Randle El
Antwaan Randle El is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He attended Indiana University, after turning down a Major League Baseball draft selection by the Chicago Cubs in 1997...
completed the scoring.
After a field goal by Washington's Shaun Suisham
Shaun Suisham
Shaun Christopher Suisham is a Canadian placekicker of American football for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
to start the second half at 25-0, Minnesota answered with two touchdowns by Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
: one a short pass to Jim Kleinsasser
Jim Kleinsasser
Jim Carter Kleinsasser is an American Football player who currently plays fullback, H-back, and tight end for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. Sometimes referred to as Jim Clank Clank.-High school:...
, the other a 6 yard quarterback rush. Each team would score an additional touchdown in the fourth quarter, bringing the final score to 32-21.
With the loss, the Vikings fell to 8-7, matching the Redskins' win-loss record. In order to secure a playoff spot, the Vikings need a win in Denver in week 17, as well as a loss by the Redskins against Dallas
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. Because of this loss in week 16, if Washington wins its last game, the Vikings will be eliminated from the playoffs regardless of the outcome of the Denver game.
Scoring Summary
Redskins - Qtr 1 10:51 T. Richardson tackled in endzone for safety 2-0
Redskins - Qtr 1 7:32 T. Collins pass of 33 yds (Suisham kick) (7-67, 3:19) 9-0
Redskins - Qtr 2 7:50 T. Collins pass of 32 yds (Suisham kick) (2-32, 0:11) 16-0
Redskins - Qtr 2 0:49 C. Portis pass of 15 yds (2-pt. conv. failed) (10-80, 3:30) 22-0
Redskins - Qtr 3 6:55 S. Suisham 26 yd. Field Goal (10-56, 4:53) 25-0
Vikings - Qtr 3 2:59 T. Jackson 2 yd. pass (R. Longwell kick) (7-77, 3:58) 25-7
Vikings - Qtr 4 10:24 T. Jackson 6 yd. run (R. Longwell kick) (9-51, 4:31) 25-14
Redskins - Qtr 4 5:12 C. Portis 13 yd. run (Suisham kick) (9-75, 5:12) 32-14
Vikings - Qtr 4 2:04 T. Jackson 1 yd run (R. Longwell kick) (13-72, 3:08) 32-21
Week 17: at Denver Broncos
In the final game of the season, the Vikings lost in overtime to the Broncos. Trailing in the fourth quarter by 16, Minnesota was able to score two touchdowns (both passes from Tarvaris JacksonTarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris DeAndre Jackson is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
to Bobby Wade
Bobby Wade
Robert Louis Wade, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
), and complete two two point conversions
Two-point conversion
In American and Canadian football, a two-point conversion is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point convert immediately after it scores a touchdown...
, (both quarterback runs by Jackson) to tie the game at 19. In overtime, the Vikings had the ball first, but on the second play of their drive, Jackson was hit by Alvin McKinley
Alvin McKinley
Alvin Jerome McKinley is a former American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
and fumbled. The ball was recovered by Elvis Dumervil
Elvis Dumervil
-Denver Broncos:Dumervil was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan stated that he planned to keep Dumervil at defensive end....
on Minnesota's 13 yd line. Jason Elam
Jason Elam
Jason Elam is a retired American football placekicker. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii....
kicked a 30 yard game winning field goal.
Minnesota was eliminated from playoff contention based on the Redskins' victory over the Dallas Cowboys 27-6. The Vikings final record was 8-8.
Scoring summary
Vikings - Qtr 2 - 14:51 - 22 yd field goal by Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
(13-56, 6:05) 3-0
Broncos - Qtr 2 - 11:25 - Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler (American football)
Jay Christopher Cutler is a quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He played football at Vanderbilt University. Cutler began his professional football career with the Denver Broncos, who selected him as the 11th overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft...
15 yd pass to Brandon Marshall
Brandon Marshall
-2006:Before the regular season even began, Marshall suffered a slight tear to his PCL in a pre-season game against the Detroit Lions. Although the injury sidelined him for a couple of weeks, he was able to return and play 15 games during the regular season. Marshall had a total of 20 catches, 309...
(Elam kick) (6-74, 3:26) 3-7
Broncos - Qtr 2 - 1:54 - Cutler 2 yd pass to Tony Scheffler
Tony Scheffler
-Denver Broncos:Scheffler was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. After seeing limited playing time early in the season, Scheffler saw increased playing time and production after Jay Cutler was inserted as the Broncos starting quarterback on December 3, 2006,...
(Elam kick) (7-48, 4:09), 3-14
Broncos - Qtr 3 - 7:35 - Elam 43 yd field goal (13-52, 6:23) 3-17
Broncos - Qtr 4 - 13:13 - Vikings penalty in own endzone, resulting in safety 3-19
Vikings - Qtr 4 - 5:18 - Jackson 5 yd pass to Bobby Wade (2 pt conversion) (8-69, 2:46), 11-19
Vikings - Qtr 4 - 2:1 - Jackson 22 yd pass to Bobby Wade (2 pt conversion) (5-65, 1:51), 19-19
Broncos - OT - 14:08 - Elam 30 yd field goal (only play of drive) 19-22
Pro BowlPro BowlIn professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
selections
The Vikings had seven players selected to the 2008 Pro Bowl2008 Pro Bowl
The 2008 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2007 season. It was played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 10, 2008. The game was televised in the United States by Fox and began shortly after 11:40am local time . The NFC won, 42–30, despite a 17-point first half AFC...
. http://wcco.com/sports/nfl.pro.bowl.2.613687.html Starting on offense were RB Adrian Peterson, fullback Tony Richardson and offensive guard Steve Hutchinson. Starting at defense were defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams as well as strong safety Darren Sharper
Darren Sharper
Darren Mallory Sharper is an American football safety who currently is a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at William & Mary....
. The reserve center was Matt Birk
Matt Birk
Matthew Robert Birk is an American football center for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Harvard....
. Only one team, the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, had more starters (7). Besides the 7 named players for Minnesota, kicker Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
was named a first alternate, and special teams player Heath Farwell
Heath Farwell
Heath Charles Farwell is an American football linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
and left tackle Bryant McKinnie
Bryant McKinnie
Bryant McKinnie is a American football offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
were named second alternates.
Draft position
The Vikings finished the season tied with Arizona, Houston and Philadelphia. Because of the "Strength of Schedule" rule, they had the 17th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
(after Arizona but ahead of Houston and Philadelphia).