2013 Minnesota Vikings season

2013 Minnesota Vikings season
Head coach Leslie Frazier
Owner Zygi Wilf
Home field Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Results
Record 5–10–1
Division place 4th NFC North
Playoff finish did not qualify
Pro Bowlers KR Cordarrelle Patterson
RB Adrian Peterson
Uniform

The 2013 Minnesota Vikings season was the franchise's 53rd season in the National Football League. It also marked the Vikings' final season playing their home games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome; the team played their home games at TCF Bank Stadium for the 2014 and 2015 seasons while construction of U.S. Bank Stadium, which is slated to open in 2016, takes place on the site of the Metrodome. Following a Week 9 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Vikings were no longer able to match their 10–6 record from 2012, and their loss to the Baltimore Ravens five weeks later sealed their elimination from playoff contention.

The Vikings failed to win a road game (0–7–1) for the first time since 2001. Much like in 2001, the Vikings did moderately well (13th) on offensive yardage (344.2 yards per game) despite a quarterback carousel not present in 2001, but ranked among the worst in defensive yardage (397.6 yards per game); only the Dallas Cowboys gave up more yards on defense with 415.3 per game. The Vikings' defense also allowed the most points in the NFL in 2013 at 480 (30.0 points per game), four points shy of matching the most points the team ever allowed in a single season.

It took until Week 10 for the Vikings to record their first win on American soil, their only other victory up to that point having come in the NFL International Series game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at London's Wembley Stadium in Week 4. Despite winning their last four home games to finish with an overall record of 5–10–1, the Vikings fired head coach Leslie Frazier after just over three seasons with the team.

Offseason

2013 Draft

Main article: 2013 NFL draft
=Pro Bowler
2013 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft order Player name Position Height Weight College Contract Notes
Round Choice Overall
1 23 23 Sharrif Floyd Defensive tackle 6-3 297 Florida 4 years / $8 million
25 25 Xavier Rhodes Cornerback 6-1 210 Florida State 4 years / $7.8 million from Seahawks[a]
29 29 Cordarrelle Patterson Wide receiver 6-2 216 Tennessee 4 years / $7.2 million from Patriots[b]
2 20 52 Traded to the New England Patriots[b]
3 21 83 Traded to the New England Patriots[b]
4 5 102 Traded to the New England Patriots[b] from Lions[c]
23 120 Gerald Hodges Linebacker 6-1 243 Penn State 4 years / $2.58 million[1]
5 22 155 Jeff Locke Punter 6-1 209 UCLA 4 years / $2.344 million[2]
6 8 176 Traded to the Arizona Cardinals[e] from Titans[d]
21 189 Traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers[f]
28 196 Jeff Baca Guard 6-3 302 UCLA 4 years / $2.256 million[3] from Broncos via Eagles and Buccaneers[f]
7 7 213 Michael Mauti Linebacker 6-2 243 Penn State 4 years / $2.2 million[1] from Cardinals[e]
8 214 Travis Bond Guard 6-6 329 North Carolina 4 years / $2.22 million[4] from Bills via Seahawks[a]
23 229 Everett Dawkins Defensive tackle 6-2 292 Florida State 4 years / $2.2 million[1] from Vikings via Patriots[b] and Buccaneers[f]
Notes
^[a] Seattle traded their first-round (25th overall), seventh-round (214th overall) and 2014 third-round (96th overall) selections to Minnesota in exchange for wide receiver Percy Harvin.[5]
^[b] Minnesota traded their second-, third- and their seventh-round selections (52nd, 83rd and 229th overall), as well as Detroit's fourth-round pick (102nd overall)[c], to New England to move up to the 29th overall selection.[6]
^[c] Detroit traded their 2012 seventh-round selection (219th overall—Trevor Guyton) and their 2013 fourth-round selection (102nd overall) to Minnesota for their 2012 fifth-round selection (138th overall—Tahir Whitehead) and the 2012 seventh-round selection (223rd overall—Travis Lewis) that they received from New England in the trade for Randy Moss in 2010.[7]
^[d] During the 2012 NFL Draft, Tennessee traded their 2013 sixth-round selection (176th overall) for the 2012 seventh-round selection (211th overall—Scott Solomon) that Minnesota had obtained from Cleveland.[8]
^[e] Minnesota traded Tennessee's sixth-round selection (176th overall)[d] to Arizona for their seventh-round selection (213th overall) and CB A. J. Jefferson.[7]
^[f] Tampa Bay traded Denver's sixth-round selection (196th overall) and Minnesota's original seventh-round selection (229th overall) that they received from New England in a trade for RB LeGarrette Blount to Minnesota for their sixth-round selection (189th overall).[9]

Roster changes

RE-SIGNINGS
Date Player name Position Contract terms
January 7, 2013 Chase Baker DT 2 years / $900,000 [RFC][10]
March 12, 2013 Joe Berger C/G 1 year / $945,000[11]
Jerome Felton FB 3 years / $7.5 million[12]
Erin Henderson OLB 2 years / $4 million[13]
Phil Loadholt OT 4 years / $25 million[14]
Jamarca Sanford FS 2 years / $5 million[15]
Jerome Simpson WR 1 year / $2.1 million[16]
March 21, 2013 Andrew Sendejo FS 1 year / $630,000[17]
March 26, 2013 Marvin Mitchell OLB 1 year / $765,000[18]
April 12, 2013 A. J. Jefferson CB 1 year / $1.323 million[19]
April 15, 2013 Troy Kropog OT 1 year / $630,000[20]
April 22, 2013 Marcus Sherels CB 1 year / $555,000[21]
October 17, 2013 Brandan Bishop S [22][PS]
October 22, 2013 Shaun Prater CB 4 years / $2.285 million[23][24]
October 31, 2013 Chase Ford TE 2 years / $900,000[25][26][24]
November 4, 2013 Justin Trattou DE 2 years / $1.05 million[27][24][PS]
November 9, 2013 Audie Cole LB 3 years / $1.71 million[28][29][24]
November 11, 2013 Kevin Murphy T [30][PS]
December 11, 2013 Bradley Randle RB [31][PS]
December 16, 2013 Mike Remmers OT 2 years / $900,000[32][24]
December 18, 2013 Joe Banyard RB 2 years / $900,000[33][24][PS]
Spencer Nealy DE 2 years / $930,000[33][24]
December 24, 2013 Robert Steeples CB 3 years / $1.49 million[24][PS]
^[RFC] Denotes this is a reserve/future contract.
^[PS] Denotes a signing to the Practice Squad.
DEPARTURES
Date Player name Position Note New team
March 4, 2013 Michael Jenkins WR Released[34] New England Patriots[35]
March 11, 2013 Percy Harvin WR Traded[a] Seattle Seahawks
March 12, 2013 Antoine Winfield CB Released[36] Seattle Seahawks[37]
March 14, 2013 Jasper Brinkley MLB UFA Arizona Cardinals[38]
March 15, 2013 Geoff Schwartz G/T UFA Kansas City Chiefs[39]
April 30, 2013 Nicholas Taylor CB Released[40]
May 6, 2013 Chris Kluwe P Released[41] Oakland Raiders[42]
June 10, 2013 Devin Aromashodu WR UFA Chicago Bears[43]
August 31, 2013 Brandon Burton CB Released[44] Buffalo Bills
Stephen Burton WR Jacksonville Jaguars
Tyrone McKenzie LB
September 9, 2013 D'Aundre Reed DE Injury settlement[45] San Francisco 49ers
October 1, 2013 DeMarcus Love OT Released[46] Jacksonville Jaguars
October 8, 2013 McLeod Bethel-Thompson QB Released[47] San Francisco 49ers[48]
October 9, 2013 George Johnson DE Released[48]
November 6, 2013 Everett Dawkins DT Claimed off practice squad[49] Dallas Cowboys
November 13, 2013 Travis Bond G Claimed off practice squad[50] Carolina Panthers
November 25, 2013 A. J. Jefferson CB Released[51]
ADDITIONS
Date Player name Position Previous team Contract terms
March 14, 2013 Matt Cassel QB Kansas City Chiefs 2 years / $7.4 million[52]
March 15, 2013 Greg Jennings WR Green Bay Packers 5 years / $45 million[53]
April 30, 2013 Zach Line FB Southern Methodist
Undrafted FA[54] 		3 years / $1.49 million[55]
June 24, 2013 Desmond Bishop LB Green Bay Packers 1 year / $1.5 million[56]
October 6, 2013 Josh Freeman QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 year / $3.0 million
November 26, 2013 Kip Edwards CB Buffalo Bills [57]

Preseason

Schedule

The Vikings' preseason opponents and schedule were announced on April 4, 2013. Their preseason began with a loss to the Houston Texans at Mall of America Field on August 9, followed by road defeats against the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers; the game against the 49ers was the Vikings' second preseason matchup against the same opposition in two years. The preseason program concluded on a positive note – a home victory against the Tennessee Titans on August 29.[88]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 9 Houston Texans L 13–27 0–1 Mall of America Field Recap
2 August 16 at Buffalo Bills L 16–20 0–2 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
3 August 25 at San Francisco 49ers L 14–34 0–3 Candlestick Park Recap
4 August 29 Tennessee Titans W 24–23 1–3 Mall of America Field Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Houston Texans

Preseason Week 1: Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 3 7 31427
Vikings 3 10 0013

at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

1st Quarter
  • HOU – Randy Bullock 48-yard field goal, 10:56. Texans 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 3:15.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 22-yard field goal, 5:50. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 2:26.
2nd Quarter
  • MIN – Zach Line 61-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 12:26. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 5 plays, 94 yards, 2:34.
  • HOU – DeAndre Hopkins 34-yard pass from T. J. Yates (Randy Bullock kick), 6:24. Tied 10–10. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 6:02.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 33-yard field goal, 1:19. Vikings 13–10. Drive: 5 plays, 32 yards, 0:53.
3rd Quarter
  • HOU – Randy Bullock 21-yard field goal, 4:28. Tied 13–13. Drive: 15 plays, 90 yards, 6:33.
4th Quarter
  • HOU – Lestar Jean 2-yard pass from Case Keenum (Randy Bullock kick), 10:26. Texans 20–13. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 5:18.
  • HOU – Ray Graham 5-yard run (Randy Bullock kick), 4:31. Texans 27–13. Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 3:59.
Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Week 2: at Buffalo Bills

Preseason Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 0 01316
Bills 0 13 7020

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

1st Quarter
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 36-yard field goal, 0:05. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 5:51.
2nd Quarter
  • BUF – Jamie Blatnick fumble recovery in end zone (Dustin Hopkins kick), 8:45. Bills 7–3.
  • BUF – Dustin Hopkins 39-yard field goal, 1:12. Bills 10–3. Drive: 15 plays, 59 yards, 5:19.
  • BUF – Dustin Hopkins 35-yard field goal, 0:00. Bills 13–3. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 0:38.
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
  • MIN – Joe Banyard 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 9:18. Bills 20–10. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 5:30.
  • MIN – Rodney Smith 35-yard pass from McLeod Bethel-Thompson (pass failed), 4:36. Bills 20–16. Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:11.
Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Week 3: at San Francisco 49ers

Preseason Week 3: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 7 7014
49ers 10 10 01434

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

Game information

1st Quarter
  • SF – Phil Dawson 30-yard field goal, 12:56. 49ers 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, −1 yard, 1:01.
  • SF – Quinton Patton 5-yard pass from Colin Kaepernick (Phil Dawson kick), 2:39. 49ers 10–0. Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 5:38.
2nd Quarter
  • MIN – Zach Line 1-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 3:00. 49ers 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 2:18.
  • SF – Lavelle Hawkins 105-yard kickoff return (Phil Dawson kick), 2:45. 49ers 17–7. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:15.
  • SF – Phil Dawson 50-yard field goal, 0:27. 49ers 20–7. Drive: 7 plays, 12 yards, 1:41.
3rd Quarter
  • MIN – Joe Webb 3-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 4:05. 49ers 20–14. Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 5:35.
4th Quarter
  • SF – Jewel Hampton 4-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 14:55. 49ers 27–14. Drive: 9 plays, 91 yards, 4:10.
  • SF – Anthony Dixon 1-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 4:12. 49ers 34–14. Drive: 15 plays, 63 yards, 8:09.
Passing
Rushing
Receiving

  • Adrian Peterson at the 49ers in the preseason

Week 4: vs. Tennessee Titans

Preseason Week 4: Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Titans 3 14 3323
Vikings 0 14 7324

at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

1st Quarter
  • TEN – Rob Bironas 28-yard field goal, 6:01. Titans 3–0. Drive: 18 plays, 70 yards, 8:59.
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
  • MIN – Marcus Sherels 109-yard kickoff return (Blair Walsh kick), 14:48. Vikings 21–17. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:12.
  • TEN – Rob Bironas 29-yard field goal, 3:20. Vikings 21–20. Drive: 10 plays, 50 yards, 4:59.
4th Quarter
  • TEN – Rob Bironas 24-yard field goal, 12:53. Titans 23–21. Drive: 10 plays, 83 yards, 3:49.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 25-yard field goal, 1:38. Vikings 24–23. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 2:17.
Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 8 at Detroit Lions L 24–34 0–1 Ford Field Recap
2 September 15 at Chicago Bears L 30–31 0–2 Soldier Field Recap
3 September 22 Cleveland Browns L 27–31 0–3 Mall of America Field Recap
4 September 29 Pittsburgh Steelers W 34–27 1–3 Wembley Stadium (London, UK) Recap
5 Bye
6 October 13 Carolina Panthers L 10–35 1–4 Mall of America Field Recap
7 October 21 at New York Giants L 7–23 1–5 MetLife Stadium Recap
8 October 27 Green Bay Packers L 31–44 1–6 Mall of America Field Recap
9 November 3 at Dallas Cowboys L 23–27 1–7 AT&T Stadium Recap
10 November 7 Washington Redskins W 34–27 2–7 Mall of America Field Recap
11 November 17 at Seattle Seahawks L 20–41 2–8 CenturyLink Field Recap
12 November 24 at Green Bay Packers T 26–26 (OT) 2–8–1 Lambeau Field Recap
13 December 1 Chicago Bears W 23–20 (OT) 3–8–1 Mall of America Field Recap
14 December 8 at Baltimore Ravens L 26–29 3–9–1 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
15 December 15 Philadelphia Eagles W 48–30 4–9–1 Mall of America Field Recap
16 December 22 at Cincinnati Bengals L 14–42 4–10–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
17 December 29 Detroit Lions W 14–13 5–10–1 Mall of America Field Recap
LEGEND
Team names in bold indicate Vikings' home games.
 #  Blue/Red indicates the International Series game in London.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Detroit Lions

Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 7 10024
Lions 3 10 14734

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

First quarter
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 78-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 10:39. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 78 yards, 0:13.
  • DET – David Akers 33-yard field goal, 4:55. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 5:44.
Second quarter
  • DET – David Akers 42-yard field goal, 14:47. Vikings 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 25 yards, 3:08.
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 4-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 12:17. Vikings 14–6. Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:36.
  • DET – Joique Bell 2-yard run (David Akers kick), 0:10. Vikings 14–13. Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 2:04.
Third quarter
  • DET – Joique Bell 1-yard run (David Akers kick), 10:19. Lions 20–14. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:44.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 52-yard field goal, 6:42. Lions 20–17. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:37.
  • DET – Reggie Bush 77-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (David Akers kick), 5:45. Lions 27–17. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 0:57.
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 4-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 1:37. Lions 27–24. Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, 4:08.
Fourth quarter
  • DET – Joseph Fauria 1-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (David Akers kick), 6:47. Lions 34–24. Drive: 8 plays, 39 yards, 4:36.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 2: at Chicago Bears

Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 14 3630
Bears 14 10 0731

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: September 15
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Rain, 60 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 62,181
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • MIN – Brian Robison 61-yard fumble return (Blair Walsh kick), 7:34. Tied 14–14.
  • CHI – Tim Jennings 44-yard interception return (Robbie Gould kick), 2:51. Bears 21–14.
  • MIN – Kyle Rudolph 20-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 1:11. Tied 21–21. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:40.
  • CHI – Robbie Gould 20-yard field goal, 0:00. Bears 24–21. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 1:11.
Third quarter
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 28-yard field goal, 2:32. Tied 24–24. Drive: 13 plays, 81 yards, 5:45.
Fourth quarter
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 28-yard field goal, 8:05. Vikings 27–24. Drive: 13 plays, 79 yards, 6:49.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 22-yard field goal, 3:15. Vikings 30–24. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:13.
  • CHI – Martellus Bennett 16-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), 0:10. Bears 31–30. Drive: 10 plays, 66 yards, 3:05.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 3: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 3: Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 7 17 0731
Vikings 7 10 7327

at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • CLE – Jordan Cameron 19-yard pass from Brian Hoyer (Billy Cundiff kick), 14:55. Browns 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:26.
  • MIN – Christian Ponder 6-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 4:43. Tied 14–14. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:43.
  • CLE – Billy Cundiff 38-yard field goal, 6:07. Browns 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 4:05.
  • CLE – Jordan Cameron 11-yard pass from Spencer Lanning (Billy Cundiff kick), 3:39. Browns 24–14. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 1:33.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 43-yard field goal, 1:08. Browns 24–17. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:20.
Third quarter
  • MIN – Christian Ponder 8-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 2:36. Tied 24–24. Drive: 3 plays, 9 yards, 0:49.
Fourth quarter
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 30-yard field goal, 10:47. Vikings 27–24. Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 5:14.
  • CLE – Jordan Cameron 7-yard pass from Brian Hoyer (Spencer Lanning kick), 0:51. Browns 31–27. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards, 2:30.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

  • L-R: #89 TE John Carlson, #57 ILB Audie Cole, #33 safety Jamarca Sanford, and #32 RB Toby Gerhart

  • Players in the tunnel before Cleveland at Minnesota

Week 4: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL International Series
Week 4: Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Steelers 7 3 71027
Vikings 10 10 14034

at Wembley Stadium, London, United Kingdom

Game information

First quarter
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 54-yard field goal, 12:08. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 2:52.
  • MIN – Greg Jennings 70-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 8:06. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 3 plays, 76 yards, 0:56.
  • PIT – Le'Veon Bell 8-yard run (Shaun Suisham kick), 4:02. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:04.
Second quarter
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 60-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 12:42. Vikings 17–7. Drive: 1 play, 60 yards, 0:10.
  • PIT – Shaun Suisham 26-yard field goal, 3:39. Vikings 17–10. Drive: 15 plays, 78 yards, 9:03.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 37-yard field goal, 0:39. Vikings 20–10. Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 3:00.
Third quarter
  • PIT – Le'Veon Bell 1-yard run (Shaun Suisham kick), 11:28. Vikings 20–17. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:32.
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 7-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 7:52. Vikings 27–17. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:36.
  • MIN – Greg Jennings 16-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 5:11. Vikings 34–17. Drive: 2 plays, 37 yards, 0:27.
Fourth quarter
  • PIT – Jerricho Cotchery 15-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Shaun Suisham kick), 12:42. Vikings 34–24. Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 3:13.
  • PIT – Shaun Suisham 28-yard field goal, 3:37. Vikings 34–27. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 3:12.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

  • Cordarrelle Patterson lines up against Pittsburgh, week 4

Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 6: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 7 14735
Vikings 0 3 0710

at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: October 13
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (domed stadium)
  • Game attendance: 63,963
  • Referee: Ron Winter (14)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game book
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • CAR – Mike Tolbert 10-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 3:43. Panthers 14–0. Drive: 14 plays, 82 yards, 6:34.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 22-yard field goal, 0:14. Panthers 14–3. Drive: 15 plays, 76 yards, 3:29.
Third quarter
  • CAR – Brandon LaFell 79-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 13:56. Panthers 21–3. Drive: 3 plays, 86 yards, 1:04.
  • CAR – Cam Newton 7-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 6:10. Panthers 28–3. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 5:50.
Fourth quarter
  • CAR – Mike Tolbert 1-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 7:40. Panthers 35–3. Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 3:02.
  • MIN – Kyle Rudolph 23-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 1:00. Panthers 35–10. Drive: 11 plays, 89 yards, 2:38.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 7: at New York Giants

Week 7: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 0 007
Giants 3 7 7623

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

First quarter
  • NYG – Josh Brown 35-yard field goal, 5:24. Giants 3–0. Drive: 17 plays, 68 yards, 9:36.
  • MIN – Marcus Sherels 86-yard punt return (Blair Walsh kick), 0:23. Vikings 7–3.
Second quarter
  • NYG – Rueben Randle 24-yard pass from Eli Manning (Josh Brown kick), 9:33. Giants 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:34.
Third quarter
  • NYG – Peyton Hillis 1-yard run (Josh Brown kick), 8:37. Giants 17–7. Drive: 2 plays, 3 yards, 0:41.
Fourth quarter
  • NYG – Josh Brown 23-yard field goal, 12:13. Giants 20–7. Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 8:31.
  • NYG – Josh Brown 36-yard field goal, 11:03. Giants 23–7. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 1:00.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 8: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 8: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Packers 7 17 71344
Vikings 7 10 01431

at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • GB – Mason Crosby 30-yard field goal, 10:29. Packers 10–7. Drive: 17 plays, 70 yards, 8:24.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 36-yard field goal, 5:09. Tied 10–10. Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 5:20.
  • GB – Jordy Nelson 76-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 3:38. Packers 17–10. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:31.
  • GB – Micah Hyde 93-yard punt return (Mason Crosby kick), 1:30. Packers 24–10.
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 8-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 0:04. Packers 24–17. Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 1:26.
Third quarter
  • GB – Eddie Lacy 1-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 6:50. Packers 31–17. Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards, 8:10.
Fourth quarter
  • GB – James Starks 25-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 14:16. Packers 38–17. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 5:32.
  • GB – Mason Crosby 20-yard field goal, 6:10. Packers 41–17. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 6:36.
  • MIN – Toby Gerhart 13-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 4:42. Packers 41–24. Drive: 5 plays, 58 yards, 1:28.
  • GB – Mason Crosby 45-yard field goal, 2:53. Packers 44–24. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 1:49.
  • MIN – Christian Ponder 19-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:24. Packers 44–31. Drive: 5 plays, 73 yards, 1:29.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

With Josh Freeman ruled out after suffering a concussion in the previous game, Christian Ponder reclaimed his spot as starting quarterback. Cordarrelle Patterson got the game off to a good start for the Vikings, returning the opening kickoff 109 yards for a touchdown to tie the NFL record. However, Aaron Rodgers responded for the Packers by leading his offense on a 14-play, 90-yard drive, culminating in an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson. The sides then exchanged field goals before Rodgers found Nelson again in the second quarter for a 76-yard touchdown. On the Vikings' next possession, they were forced to punt, but Micah Hyde was able to return the kick 93 yards for another Packers touchdown to make the score 24–10. A controversial pass interference call against Packers cornerback Tramon Williams late in the half set the Vikings up with a first down on the Packers' 14-yard line; two plays later, Adrian Peterson had the ball in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown, which kept the Vikings in with a chance going into the second half.

But the Packers offense remained unstoppable as Rodgers again led a long drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run from Eddie Lacy after they had converted three times on third down and once on fourth down during the series. After another three-and-out for the Vikings, the Packers offense picked up four first downs in the space of five plays on the way to a 25-yard touchdown run for James Starks. The Vikings again went three-and-out on their next possession, but this time their defense was able to stop Green Bay at the goal line, limiting them to a 20-yard Mason Crosby field goal to make the score 41–17 with just over six minutes to play. Patterson again had a big return on the ensuing kickoff, taking it 51 yards to the Minnesota 42-yard line to set up a short field. Five plays later, Toby Gerhart narrowed the deficit to 17 points with a 13-yard touchdown run. Vikings cornerback Josh Robinson was penalized on the onside kick that followed for touching the ball before it had gone 10 yards, allowing the Packers to run down the clock before Crosby slotted another field goal, this time from 45 yards. Inside the two-minute warning, Ponder threw an incompletion on fourth down, only for Tramon Williams to again be penalized for pass interference against Patterson, allowing Ponder the opportunity for a 19-yard touchdown run two plays later. The Vikings were unable to recover the onside kick, and Green Bay knelt out the clock for a 44–31 win.

Week 9: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 7 7623
Cowboys 3 3 14727

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Game information

First quarter
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 41-yard field goal, 6:51. Cowboys 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 4:15.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 23-yard field goal, 2:08. Tied 3–3. Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards, 4:43.
Second quarter
  • DAL – Dan Bailey 44-yard field goal, 6:35. Cowboys 6–3. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 6:56.
  • MIN – Christian Ponder 6-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:41. Vikings 10–6. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 4:54.
Third quarter
  • DAL – Jason Witten 26-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 11:38. Cowboys 13–10. Drive: 6 plays, 74 yards, 3:22.
  • DAL – Nick Hayden fumble recovery in end zone (Dan Bailey kick), 11:28. Cowboys 20–10.
  • MIN – Kyle Rudolph 31-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 8:11. Cowboys 20–17. Drive: 6 plays, 77 yards, 3:17.
Fourth quarter
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 11-yard run (kick wide right), 5:40. Vikings 23–20. Drive: 8 plays, 87 yards, 4:52.
  • DAL – Dwayne Harris 7-yard pass from Tony Romo (Dan Bailey kick), 0:35. Cowboys 27–23. Drive: 9 plays, 90 yards, 2:09.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Following the high-scoring loss to the Packers, the Vikings, continuing with Christian Ponder as their quarterback, travel to Arlington, Texas to face the Dallas Cowboys. The first quarter was all field goals, as Dallas scored first with a 41-yarder by Dan Bailey, followed by a 23-yarder for the Vikings by Blair Walsh. In the second quarter, Bailey made another field goal from 44 yards to put the Cowboys up by 3, but the Vikings took a 10–6 lead into halftime, capping the ensuing 79-yard drive with a 6-yard run by Ponder.

After the half, Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo completed two consecutive 26-yard passes to tight end Jason Witten to give them an early touchdown and restore their three-point lead. On the very next play from scrimmage, Ponder fumbled the ball as he was sacked in the end zone, and the Cowboys' Nick Hayden recovered it for a touchdown, meaning the Vikings went from 10–6 up to 20–10 down in the space of two scrimmage plays. The Vikings responded immediately with a quick, six-play drive, culminating with a 31-yard pass from Ponder to Kyle Rudolph to cut the Cowboys' lead back to three points.

After a series of punts going into the fourth quarter, Adrian Peterson scored for the Vikings with an 11-yard run with almost six minutes to go, but Walsh pushed the extra point kick wide right, giving the Vikings a three-point lead over the Cowboys. Vikings cornerback A. J. Jefferson intercepted Romo on the Cowboys' ensuing drive, putting the Vikings in a position to potentially take over the game, but the offense went three-and-out and was forced to punt. The Cowboys progressed downfield quickly, never faced with a third down, and scored with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Romo to Dwayne Harris, the third time the Vikings had given up a game-winning score in 2013. With less than 30 seconds to play, but they were unable to make any significant territorial gains and Ponder's last-second hail mary fell short, giving the Cowboys a 27–23 win.

Week 10: vs. Washington Redskins

Week 10: Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Redskins 10 14 3027
Vikings 7 7 14634

at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 2-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 12:59. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 3:18.
  • WAS – Jordan Reed 11-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Kai Forbath kick), 5:02. Redskins 17–14. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 7:57.
  • WAS – Logan Paulsen 1-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Kai Forbath kick), 0:10. Redskins 24–14. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 3:57.
Third quarter
  • WAS – Kai Forbath 40-yard field goal, 9:22. Redskins 27–14. Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 5:38.
  • MIN – John Carlson 28-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 4:32. Redskins 27–21. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 4:50.
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 0:57. Vikings 28–27. Drive: 5 plays, 41 yards, 2:00.
Fourth quarter
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 39-yard field goal, 9:54. Vikings 31–27. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 2:38.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 40-yard field goal, 3:36. Vikings 34–27. Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 4:47.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

  • Jared Allen and Greg Jennings at the coin flip against Washington, November 7

Week 11: at Seattle Seahawks

Week 11: Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 10 0720
Seahawks 10 14 01741

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

Game information

First quarter
  • SEA – Steven Hauschka 50-yard field goal, 11:25. Seahawks 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 1 yard, 2:04.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 32-yard field goal, 4:40. Tied 3–3. Drive: 13 plays, 66 yards, 6:45.
  • SEA – Marshawn Lynch 4-yard run (Steven Hauschka kick), 11:25. Seahawks 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, 78 yards, 2:10.
Second quarter
  • MIN – Jarius Wright 38-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 11:28. Tied 10–10. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:32.
  • SEA – Marshawn Lynch 1-yard run (Steven Hauschka kick), 6:26. Seahawks 17–10. Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 5:02.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 45-yard field goal, 0:48. Seahawks 17–13. Drive: 11 plays, 44 yards, 5:38.
  • SEA – Doug Baldwin 19-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 0:10. Seahawks 24–13. Drive: 5 plays, 46 yards, 0:38.
Third quarter
  • None.
Fourth quarter
  • SEA – Marshawn Lynch 6-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 13:14. Seahawks 31–13. Drive: 2 plays, 18 yards, 0:39.
  • SEA – Walter Thurmond 29-yard interception return (Steven Hauschka kick), 12:30. Seahawks 38–13.
  • SEA – Steven Hauschka 26-yard field goal, 10:12. Seahawks 41–13. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:28.
  • MIN – Jarius Wright 21-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 2:18. Seahawks 41–20. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 2:53.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 12: at Green Bay Packers

Week 12: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Vikings 3 10 73326
Packers 7 0 016326

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

First quarter
  • GB – Scott Tolzien 6-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 4:59. Packers 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 87 yards, 5:59.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 36-yard field goal, 1:37. Packers 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 24 yards, 3:22.
Second quarter
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 47-yard field goal, 4:24. Packers 7–6. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 4:23.
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 0:50. Vikings 13–7. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 2:24.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 29-yard field goal, 14:22. Vikings 23–7. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 6:04.
  • GB – Eddie Lacy 3-yard run (pass failed), 11:42. Vikings 23–13. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 2:40.
  • GB – Jarrett Boykin 6-yard pass from Matt Flynn (Mason Crosby kick), 3:30. Vikings 23–20. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 5:10.
  • GB – Mason Crosby 27-yard field goal, 0:46. Tied 23–23. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 1:41.
Overtime
  • GB – Mason Crosby 20-yard field goal, 10:25. Packers 26–23. Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 4:35.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 35-yard field goal, 3:49. Tied 26–26. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 6:36.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

The Vikings traveled to Green Bay in week 12 to face a Packers team missing quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had suffered a fractured left collarbone three weeks earlier. After successive punts from each side started the game, the Packers were the first to score as backup QB Scott Tolzien ran in for a 6-yard touchdown, but two field goals from Blair Walsh and a 1-yard touchdown run for Adrian Peterson meant the Vikings took a 13–7 lead into halftime. They extended their lead midway through the third quarter as Christian Ponder hit tight end Rhett Ellison for a 12-yard touchdown, and Walsh made it a 16-point lead with a 29-yard field goal on the second play of the fourth quarter.

The Packers pulled the struggling Tolzien after the Ellison touchdown and replaced him with the recently re-signed Matt Flynn. Flynn then led the Packers on three consecutive scoring drives in the fourth quarter, starting with a 3-yard touchdown run for Eddie Lacy. Flynn's pass to Andrew Quarless on the two-point attempt fell incomplete, but Flynn was able to find Jarrett Boykin for a 6-yard touchdown on the next drive to reduce the Vikings' lead to three points. Inside the two-minute warning, Flynn combined with James Jones for a 28-yard completion on 4th-and-6, setting up Mason Crosby for the game-tying, 27-yard field goal. The Packers won the overtime coin toss and took the opening possession down to the Minnesota 2-yard line before having to settle for a field goal, only for Walsh to respond with a 35-yard effort. The two sides then exchanged possession as neither was able to put together a significant drive and the game ended in a 26–26 tie.

Week 13: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 13: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Bears 3 3 140020
Vikings 0 7 310323

at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 1
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (domed stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,134
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers (51)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game book
Game information

First quarter
  • CHI – Robbie Gould 30-yard field goal, 1:06. Bears 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 5:10.
Second quarter
  • MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 33-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 7:27. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 5 plays, 90 yards, 2:33.
  • CHI – Robbie Gould 40-yard field goal, 2:47. Vikings 7–6. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 4:40.
Third quarter
  • CHI – Alshon Jeffery 80-yard pass from Josh McCown (Robbie Gould kick), 14:08. Bears 13–7. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:52.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 32-yard field goal, 7:08. Bears 13–10. Drive: 13 plays, 66 yards, 7:00.
  • CHI – Alshon Jeffery 46-yard pass from Josh McCown (Robbie Gould kick), 5:15. Bears 20–10. Drive: 4 plays, 83 yards, 1:53.
Fourth quarter
  • MIN – Greg Jennings 8-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 7:41. Bears 20–17. Drive: 13 plays, 89 yards, 6:25.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 30-yard field goal, 0:20. Tied 20–20. Drive: 12 plays, 79 yards, 2:20.
Overtime
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 34-yard field goal, 1:43. Vikings 23–20. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 2:24.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 14: at Baltimore Ravens

Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 3 32026
Ravens 7 0 02229

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: December 8
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Light snow, 33 °F (1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 70,921
  • Referee: Pete Morelli (135)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Game book
Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 39-yard field goal, 4:28. Ravens 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 45 yards, 5:42.
Third quarter
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 40-yard field goal, 12:02. Ravens 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 38 yards, 2:58.
Fourth quarter
  • MIN – Jerome Simpson 8-yard pass from Matt Cassel (pass failed), 14:22. Vikings 12–7. Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 1:40.
  • BAL – Dennis Pitta 1-yard pass from Joe Flacco (Joe Flacco–Torrey Smith pass), 2:05. Ravens 15–12. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 4:27.
  • MIN – Toby Gerhart 41-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:27. Vikings 19–15. Drive: 2 plays, 68 yards, 0:38.
  • BAL – Jacoby Jones 77-yard kickoff return (Justin Tucker kick), 1:16. Ravens 22–19. Drive: 0 plays, 77 yards, 0:11.
  • MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 79-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 0:45. Vikings 26–22. Drive: 3 plays, 79 yards, 0:31.
  • BAL – Marlon Brown 9-yard pass form Joe Flacco (Justin Tucker kick), 0:04. Ravens 29–26. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 0:41.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Playing in the snow in Baltimore, the Vikings sought out their first road win of the season. During the first half, Adrian Peterson injured his ankle and was dropped from the game. Despite taking the lead with a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, the Vikings were unable to hold on as the Ravens scored a game-winning touchdown with four seconds left. With the loss, the Vikings dropped to 3–9–1 and were officially eliminated from postseason contention.

Week 15: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 15: Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Eagles 3 6 13830
Vikings 7 10 102148

at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 21-yard field goal, 13:19. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 4:16.
  • PHI – Alex Henery 51-yard field goal, 8:55. Vikings 10–6. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 4:24.
  • MIN – Matt Asiata 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:06. Vikings 17–6. Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 7:49.
  • PHI – Alex Henery 33-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 17–9. Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 1:06.
Third quarter
  • MIN – Matt Cassel 6-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 12:03. Vikings 24–9. Drive: 4 plays, 52 yards, 1:38.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 38-yard field goal, 4:43. Vikings 27–9. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:21.
  • PHI – DeSean Jackson 30-yard pass from Nick Foles (Alex Henery kick), 3:14. Vikings 27–16. Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 1:29.
  • PHI – Zach Ertz 3-yard pass from Nick Foles (pass failed), 0:15. Vikings 27–22. Drive: 3 plays, 45 yards, 1:03.
Fourth quarter
  • MIN – Matt Asiata 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 13:01. Vikings 34–22. Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards, 2:14.
  • MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 5-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 6:54. Vikings 41–22. Drive: 3 plays, 36 yards, 1:01.
  • PHI – Jason Avant 16-yard pass from Nick Foles (Nick Foles–Riley Cooper pass), 4:26. Vikings 41–30. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:28.
  • MIN – Matt Asiata 5-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:09. Vikings 48–30. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 3:17.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 16: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 16: Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 0 7014
Bengals 14 14 14042

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • CIN – Vincent Rey 25-yard interception return (Mike Nugent kick), 10:02. Bengals 21–7.
  • CIN – Jermaine Gresham 16-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Mike Nugent kick), 2:22. Bengals 28–7. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 3:09.
Third quarter
  • CIN – Mohamed Sanu 7-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Mike Nugent kick), 10:35. Bengals 35–7. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:25.
  • CIN – A. J. Green 2-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Mike Nugent kick), 3:19. Bengals 42–7. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 5:12.
  • MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 35-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:34. Bengals 42–14. Drive: 5 plays, 67 yards, 1:45.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 17: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Lions 0 0 7613
Vikings 7 0 0714

at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter
Second quarter
  • None.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
  • DET – David Akers 25-yard field goal, 14:25. Lions 10–7. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 7:36.
  • DET – David Akers 53-yard field goal, 12:43. Lions 13–7. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 0:51.
  • MIN – Cordarrelle Patterson 8-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Blair Walsh kick), 9:19. Vikings 14–13. Drive: 2 plays, 8 yards, 0:08.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

In the last game to be played at the Metrodome before its demolition, the Vikings hosted their divisional rivals, the Detroit Lions. This turned out to be the only game of the Vikings' season (including preseason) in which the opposing team scored fewer than 20 points. A 50-yard run from Cordarrelle Patterson for the first score of the game put the Vikings up 7-0, where the score remained through halftime. After the half, Reggie Bush struck back with a 19-yard TD reception to tie the game at 7-7 in the third. The fourth quarter saw David Akers make two field goals to put the Lions in the lead 13-7. However, Matt Cassel threw a TD pass to Patterson to put the Vikings back in the lead 14-13, which they managed to hold onto for the remaining nine minutes of the game.

Head coach Leslie Frazier was fired as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings the following day. His tenure ended with a record of 21–32–1 in over three years.

Standings

Division

NFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Green Bay Packers 8 7 1 .531 3–2–1 6–5–1 417 428 W1
Chicago Bears 8 8 0 .500 2–4 4–8 445 478 L2
Detroit Lions 7 9 0 .438 4–2 6–6 395 376 L4
Minnesota Vikings 5 10 1 .344 2–3–1 4–7–1 391 480 W1

Conference

# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA PD STK
Division winners
1 Seattle Seahawks West 13 3 0 .813 4–2 10–2 417 231 186 W1
2 Carolina Panthers South 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 366 241 125 W3
3 Philadelphia Eagles East 10 6 0 .625 4–2 9–3 442 382 60 W2
4 Green Bay Packers North 8 7 1 .531 3–2–1 6–5–1 417 428 -11 W1
Wild cards
5 San Francisco 49ers West 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 406 272 134 W6
6 New Orleans Saints South 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 414 304 110 W1
Did not qualify for the playoffs
7 Arizona Cardinals West 10 6 0 .625 2–4 6–6 379 324 55 L1
8[lower-alpha 1] Chicago Bears North 8 8 0 .500 2–4 4–8 445 478 -33 L2
9 Dallas Cowboys East 8 8 0 .500 5–1 7–5 439 432 7 L1
10[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3] New York Giants East 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 294 383 -89 W2
11[lower-alpha 4] Detroit Lions North 7 9 0 .438 4–2 6–6 395 376 19 L4
12 St. Louis Rams West 7 9 0 .438 1–5 4–8 348 364 -16 L1
13 Minnesota Vikings North 5 10 1 .344 2–3–1 4–7–1 391 480 -89 W1
14[lower-alpha 5] Atlanta Falcons South 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 353 443 -90 L2
15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 4 12 0 .250 1–5 2–10 288 389 -101 L3
16 Washington Redskins East 3 13 0 .188 0–6 1–11 334 478 -144 L8
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 6]
  1. ↑ Chicago defeated Dallas head-to-head (Week 14, 45–28).
  2. ↑ The New York Giants and Detroit finished with a better conference record than St. Louis.
  3. ↑ The New York Giants defeated Detroit head-to-head (Week 16, 23–20 (OT)).
  4. ↑ Detroit finished with a better conference record than St. Louis.
  5. ↑ Atlanta finished with a better conference record than Tampa Bay.
  6. ↑ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

Staff

2013 Minnesota Vikings staff
Front office
  • Owner/Chairman – Zygi Wilf
  • Owner/President – Mark Wilf
  • Owner/Vice Chairman – Leonard Wilf
  • General Manager – Rick Spielman
  • Vice President of Football Operations – Rob Brzezinski
  • Assistant General Manager – George Paton
  • Director of College Scouting – Scott Studwell
  • Assistant Director of College Scouting – Jamaal Stephenson

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive Coordinator – Bill Musgrave
  • Quarterbacks – Craig Johnson
  • Assistant Quarterbacks – Kevin Stefanski
  • Running Backs – James Saxon
  • Wide Receivers – George Stewart
  • Assistant Wide Receivers – Ryan Ficken
  • Tight Ends – Jimmie Johnson
  • Offensive Line – Jeff Davidson
  • Assistant Offensive Line – Ryan Silverfield
 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams Coordinator – Mike Priefer
  • Assistant Special Teams – Chris White

Strength and conditioning

  • Head Strength and Conditioning – Tom Kanavy
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Martin Streight
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Aaron McLaurin

Final roster

2013 Minnesota Vikings final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 Active, 8 Inactive, 6 Practice squad

Statistics

Team leaders

Category Player(s) Value
Passing yards Matt Cassel 1,807
Passing touchdowns Matt Cassel 11
Rushing yards Adrian Peterson 1,266
Rushing touchdowns Adrian Peterson 10
Receptions Greg Jennings 68
Receiving yards Greg Jennings 804
Receiving touchdowns Greg Jennings 4
Points Blair Walsh 121
Kickoff return yards Cordarrelle Patterson 1,393 *
Punt return yards Marcus Sherels 335
Tackles Chad Greenway 134
Sacks Jared Allen 11.5
Interceptions Chad Greenway 3
Forced fumbles Jared Allen
Jamarca Sanford 		2

League rankings

Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 32)
Passing offense 3,427 214.2 23rd
Rushing offense 2,081 130.1 8th
Total offense 5,508 344.2 13th
Passing defense 4,598 287.4 31st
Rushing defense 1,767 110.4 16th
Total defense 6,365 397.8 31st

References

  1. 1 2 3 Goessling, Ben (May 14, 2013). "Minnesota Vikings sign three draft picks". TwinCities.com. Pioneer Press. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  2. ↑ Rotoworld (May 15, 2013). "Jeff Locke". Rotoworld.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  3. ↑ Rotoworld (May 15, 2013). "Jeff Baca". Rotoworld.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  4. ↑ Rotoworld (May 15, 2013). "Travis Bond". Rotoworld.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  5. ↑ Sessler, Marc (March 11, 2013). "Vikings agree to trade Percy Harvin to 'Hawks for picks". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  6. ↑ Rosenthal, Gregg (April 25, 2013). "Cordarrelle Patterson to Vikings after Pats trade pick". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
  7. 1 2 Yotter, Tim (January 15, 2013). "2013 first-round draft order". VikingUpdate.com. Microsoft. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  8. ↑ Gower, Tom (April 28, 2012). "Tennessee Titans select DE Scott Solomon in seventh round". TotalTitans.com. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  9. ↑ Gates, Christopher (April 27, 2013). "2013 NFL Draft: Vikings Trade With Buccaneers". SBNation.com. Vox Media, Inc. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  10. 1 2 3 Wobschall, Mike (January 10, 2013). "Vikings Sign Punter Conley And DB/Returner McCoy To Futures Contracts". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  11. ↑ Thompson, Eric J. (March 12, 2013). "Free Agency: Vikings Re-Sign Backup Lineman Joe Berger To 1-Year Deal". Dailynorseman.com. Vox Media. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  12. ↑ Associated Press (March 18, 2013). "Minnesota Vikings finalize 3-year, $7.5M contract with Pro Bowl fullback Jerome Felton". Fox News. Fox News Network. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  13. ↑ Wilkening, Mike (March 12, 2013). "Vikings reach two-year deal with Erin Henderson". ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  14. ↑ Rosenthal, Gregg (March 12, 2013). "Phil Loadholt, Minnesota Vikings strike contract". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  15. ↑ Pelissero, Tom (March 13, 2013). "Jamarca Sanford cashed in with $5 million contract from Vikings". 1500ESPN.com. Hubbard Broadcasting. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  16. ↑ Pelissero, Tom (March 14, 2013). "Vikings give Jerome Simpson a raise, including $500K signing bonus". 1500ESPN.com. Hubbard Broadcasting. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  17. ↑ Yotter, Tim (March 22, 2013). "Safety Sendejo signs free-agent tender". Scout.com. Fox Sports. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  18. ↑ Pelissero, Tom (April 1, 2013). "Marvin Mitchell's deal modest again, keeping Vikings $5M under cap". 1500ESPN.com. Hubbard Broadcasting. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  19. ↑ Goessling, Ben (April 12, 2013). "Minnesota Vikings: A.J. Jefferson signs restricted free agent deal". TwinCities.com. MediaNews Group. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Vikings re-signed exclusive rights free agent T/G Troy Kropog". rotoworld.com. April 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  21. ↑ Alcaraz IV, Gil (April 22, 2013). "Minnesota Vikings re-sign CB/PR Marcus Sherels". RantSports.com. Rant Media Network, LLC. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  22. ↑ Bouda, Nate (October 17, 2013). "Vikings Place LB Desmond Bishop On Season-Ending IR". NFLTradeRumors.com. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  23. 1 2 Alper, Josh (October 22, 2013). "Vikings claim Shaun Prater, cut Jacob Lacey". NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Minnesota Vikings Contracts". Spotrac.com. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Chase Ford re-signs". KFFL.com. October 31, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  26. 1 2 "Vikings re-sign TE, drop DE again". The SportsXchange. YahooSports.com. November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  27. ↑ Tomasson, Chris (November 4, 2013). "Minnesota Vikings sign Justin Trattou. Again.". TwinCities.com. Pioneer Press. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  28. ↑ Zinski, Dan (November 7, 2013). "Vikings Add Kevin Murphy From Practice Squad, Waive Audie Cole". The Viking Age. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  29. 1 2 Gates, Christopher (November 9, 2013). "The Minnesota Vikings Have Re-Signed OMG AUDIE COLE". The Daily Norseman. SB Nation.com. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  30. ↑ Carlson, Adam (November 11, 2013). "Vikings Sign Kevin Murphy Back To Practice Squad". TheVikingAge.com. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  31. ↑ Tomasson, Chris (December 11, 2013). "Vikings re-sign running back Bradley Randle". TwinCities.com. Pioneer Press. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  32. 1 2 "Vikings – Mike Remmers re-signed". KFFL.com. December 16, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  33. 1 2 "Vikings – Two re-signed". KFFL.com. December 18, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  34. ↑ Goessling, Ben (March 4, 2013). "Minnesota Vikings release Michael Jenkins, freeing cap space as free agency looms". TwinCities.com. MediaNews Group. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  35. ↑ "Patriots sign free agent WR Michael Jenkins". Patriots.com. New England Patriots. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  36. ↑ Wesseling, Chris (March 12, 2013). "Antoine Winfield released by Minnesota Vikings". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  37. ↑ Copeland, Kareem (April 12, 2013). "Antoine Winfield, Seattle Seahawks strike contract". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  38. ↑ Associated Press (March 14, 2013). "Cardinals agree to 3-year contract with LB Jasper Brinkley". washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  39. ↑ Associated Press (March 15, 2013). "Chiefs add veteran offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz to bolster depth". Fox News. Fox News Network. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  40. ↑ "Transactions". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
  41. ↑ Associated Press (May 6, 2013). "Chris Kluwe cut by Vikings". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  42. ↑ Katzowitz, Josh (May 16, 2013). "Report: Punter Chris Kluwe signs one-year deal with Raiders". CBSSports.com. SportsLine.com, Inc. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  43. ↑ Florio, Mike (June 10, 2013). "Bears bring back Aromashodu". ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  44. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Hasan, Arif (August 31, 2013). "Minnesota Vikings Release Final 53-Man Roster, Final Cuts". DailyNorseman.com. SB Nation. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  45. ↑ "Vikings reach injury settlement with DE Reed". Scout.com. Fox Sports. September 9, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  46. ↑ "Vikings waive DeMarcus Love after 4-game suspension ends". TwinCities.com. Pioneer Press. October 1, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  47. ↑ "Vikings Release McLeod Bethel-Thompson To Make Room For Josh Freeman". DailyNorseman.com. SB Nation. October 8, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  48. 1 2 3 Yotter, Tim (October 9, 2013). "Notebook: Vikings lose QB, sign DE". VikingsUpdate.com. Scout.com. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  49. ↑ Archer, Todd (November 6, 2013). "Cowboys make roster moves". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  50. ↑ Fisher, Rob (November 14, 2013). "Panthers add LB Dan Connor, G Travis Bond". YardBarker.com. FoxSports.com. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  51. ↑ Alper, Josh (November 25, 2013). "Vikings release A.J. Jefferson after Monday morning arrest". NBCSports.com. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  52. ↑ Pelissero, Tom (March 18, 2013). "Matt Cassel's deal with #Vikings". Twitter. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  53. ↑ Pelissero, Tom (March 18, 2013). "Greg Jennings' contract with Vikings includes $17.8 million guaranteed". 1500ESPN.com. Hubbard Broadcasting. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  54. ↑ "Vikings announce deals with 16 undrafted rookies". NBCSports.com. WordPress.com. April 30, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
  55. 1 2 Pelissero, Tom (May 6, 2013). "Fullback Zach Line got largest bonus among Vikings' undrafted rookies". 1500espn.com. Hubbard Broadcasting. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  56. ↑ Sorgi, Jay (June 24, 2013). "Report: Former Packers LB Bishop to join Vikings". 620WTMJ.com. Journal Broadcast Group. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  57. 1 2 Tomasson, Chris (November 26, 2013). "Vikings add cornerback Kip Edwards to practice squad". TwinCities.com. Pioneer Press. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  58. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Craig, Mark (August 26, 2013). "Vikings release 13 players". StarTribune.com. Star Tribune. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  59. ↑ Krammer, Andrew (October 26, 2013). "Vikings Release Bobby Felder From Injured Reserve". 1500ESPN.com. Hubbard Broadcasting Inc. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  60. 1 2 Wilson, Aaron (October 29, 2013). "Vikings cut Chase Ford, re-sign Justin Trattou". NationalFootballPost.com. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  61. ↑ Pelissero, Tom (January 9, 2013). "With Chris Kluwe facing surgery, Vikings sign punter T.J. Conley". 1500ESPN.com. Hubbard Broadcasting. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  62. ↑ "T.J. Conley – Current Salary Information". Spotrac.com. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  63. ↑ Yotter, Tim (April 29, 2013). "Vikings release punter T.J. Conley". Scouts.com. FoxSports.com. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  64. ↑ "Roderick Williams". Rotoworld. NBC Sports Digital. February 11, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  65. ↑ "Vikings sign offensive lineman and Minnesota native Seth Olsen". Associated Press. Fox News. March 19, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  66. ↑ "Seth Olsen current salary information". Spotrac.com. March 19, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  67. ↑ "Vikings reach injury settlement with OL Olsen". Scout.com. Fox Sports. September 9, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  68. ↑ "Lawrence Jackson, Jacob Lacey took minimum deals with $65K in bonuses". 1500ESPN.com. Hubbard Broadcasting. April 30, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  69. ↑ "Vikes cut Lacey; Floyd has 'minor' knee operation". Associated Press. YahooSports.com. August 19, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  70. 1 2 3 Wiederer, Dan (May 6, 2013). "Vikings sign Mankato receiver Adam Thielen, tackle Brandon Keith". StarTribune.com. Star Tribune. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  71. ↑ Pelissero, Tom (May 21, 2013). "Vikings waive rookie tackle Mark Jackson, who got a $3K bonus". 1500ESPN.com. Hubbard Broadcasting. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  72. 1 2 Wiederer, Dan (August 6, 2013). "Vikings release linebacker Nathan Williams, sign Stanford Keglar". StarTribune.com. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  73. ↑ "Adam Thielen". Rotoworld. NBC Sports Digital. May 2, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  74. ↑ "Brandon Keith". Rotoworld. NBC Sports Digital. May 6, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  75. ↑ Wilkening, Mike (May 29, 2013). "Vikings sign linebacker Stanford Keglar". NBCSports.com. WordPress.com. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  76. ↑ "Stanford Keglar". Rotoworld. NBC Sports Digital. May 29, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  77. ↑ Gantt, Darin (June 27, 2013). "Vikings make Bishop official, cut Keglar". ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  78. ↑ Krammer, Andrew (August 20, 2013). "Vikings sign rookie defensive lineman Spencer Nealy". 1500ESPN.com. Hubbard Broadcasting. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  79. ↑ Hartstein, Larry (September 2, 2013). "Vikings add Tristan Okpalaugo to practice squad". CBSSports.com. CBS Broadcasting Inc. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  80. 1 2 Yotter, Tim (September 10, 2013). "Vikings re-sign Banyard to practice squad". Scout.com. Fox Sports. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  81. ↑ Jarrett, Candace (September 12, 2013). "Florissant Native Robert Steeples Signs with Minnesota Vikings". Florissant.Patch.com. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  82. ↑ Krammer, Andrew (October 26, 2013). "Vikings waive DE Justin Trattou, add TE Chase Ford from practice squad". 1500ESPN.com. Hubbard Broadcasting Inc. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  83. ↑ Wilkening, Mike (October 18, 2013). "Vikings re-sign Jacob Lacey". NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  84. ↑ Tomasson, Chris (November 12, 2013). "Minnesota Vikings add Spencer Nealy to practice squad". TwinCities.com. Pioneer Press. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  85. ↑ Tomasson, Chris (December 10, 2013). "Vikings terminate Spencer Nealy from practice squad". TwinCities.com. Pioneer Press. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  86. ↑ Birdsong, Nick (November 13, 2013). "Former Alabama A&M OL Jamaal Johnson-Webb signs with Vikings' practice squad (report)". al.com. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  87. ↑ Carlson, Adam (November 25, 2013). "Vikings Sign Mike Remmers". TheVikingAge.com. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  88. ↑ "Vikings Announce 2013 Preseason Schedule". vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. April 4, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  89. ↑ "2013 Conference Standings". NFL.com. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
  90. ↑ "2013 NFL playoff picture". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 8, 2013.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2013 Minnesota Vikings season.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/19/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.