53rd season in franchise history; final one in the Metrodome
The 2013 season was the Minnesota Vikings ' 53rd in the National Football League (NFL). 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 opened in 2016, took 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
Draft
Notes
^[a] The Vikings traded WR Percy Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for Seattle's first- and seventh-round selections (25th and 214th overall), and 2014 third-round selection (96th overall).[ 5]
^[b] The Vikings traded their second-, third- and seventh-round selections (52nd, 83rd and 229th overall), as well as the fourth-round pick they received from the Detroit Lions (102nd overall),[c] to the New England Patriots in exchange for New England's first-round selection (29th overall).[ 6]
^[c] The Vikings traded the 2012 fifth- and seventh-round selections (138th and 223rd overall) they received from the New England Patriots to the Detroit Lions in exchange for Detroit's 2012 seventh-round selection (219th overall) and 2013 fourth-round selection (102nd overall).[ 7]
^[d] During the 2012 NFL draft , the Vikings traded the 2012 seventh-round selection they received from the Cleveland Browns (211th overall) to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for Tennessee's 2013 sixth-round selection (176th overall).[ 8]
^[e] The Vikings traded the sixth-round selection they received from the Tennessee Titans (176th overall)[d] to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for Arizona's seventh-round selection (213th overall) and CB A. J. Jefferson .[ 7]
^[f] The Vikings traded their sixth-round selection (189th overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for the sixth-round selection they received from the Denver Broncos (196th overall) and the seventh-round selection they received from the Vikings via the New England Patriots (229th 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]
Signed and released players
Date signed
Player name
Position
Previous team
Contract terms
Date released
January 7, 2013
Joe Banyard
RB
Minnesota Vikings (re-signed)
2 years / $900,000 [RFC] [ 10]
August 31, 2013[ 44] [PS]
LaMark Brown
TE
August 26, 2013[ 58]
Bobby Felder
DB
October 28, 2013[ 44] [ 59]
Chase Ford
TE
October 29, 2013[ 44] [PS] [ 60]
Tyler Holmes
G
August 26, 2013[ 58]
Kevin Murphy
T
November 9, 2013[ 44] [PS] [ 29]
Chris Summers
WR
August 26, 2013[ 58]
January 9, 2013
T. J. Conley
P
New York Jets (2011)
2 years / $1.05 million[ 61] [ 62]
April 29, 2013[ 63]
Greg McCoy
CB
Arizona Cardinals
2 years / $900,000[ 10]
August 26, 2013[ 58]
February 11, 2013
Roderick Williams
CB
Edmonton Eskimos (CFL )
3 years / $1.485 million[ 64]
March 19, 2013
Seth Olsen
G/T
Indianapolis Colts
1 year / $650,000[ 65] [ 66]
September 9, 2013[ 67]
April 26, 2013
Lawrence Jackson
DE
Detroit Lions
1 year / $780,000[ 68]
August 26, 2013[ 58]
April 29, 2013
Jacob Lacey
CB
Detroit Lions
August 19, 2013[ 69]
April 30, 2013
Colin Anderson
TE
Furman
3 years / $1.49 million[ 55]
August 31, 2013[ 44]
Brandan Bishop
S
NC State
Nicholas Edwards
WR
Eastern Washington
May 6, 2013[ 70]
Darius Eubanks
S
Georgia Southern
August 31, 2013[ 44] [PS]
Erik Highsmith
WR
North Carolina
August 26, 2013[ 58]
Mark Jackson
OT
Glenville State
May 21, 2013[ 71]
Marquis Jackson
DE
Portland State
August 26, 2013[ 58]
Anthony McCloud
DT
Florida State
August 31, 2013[ 44]
Bradley Randle
RB
UNLV
August 26, 2013[ 58]
Rodney Smith
WR
Florida State
August 31, 2013[ 44] [PS]
Collins Ukwu
DE
Kentucky
James Vandenberg
QB
Iowa
August 26, 2013[ 58]
Camden Wentz
C
N.C. State
Jerodis Williams
RB
Furman
Nathan Williams
LB
Ohio State
August 6, 2013[ 72]
May 6, 2013
Adam Thielen
WR
Minnesota State-Mankato
3 years / $1.49 million[ 70] [ 73]
August 31, 2013[ 44] [PS]
Brandon Keith
OT
Arizona Cardinals (2011)
1 year / $715,000[ 70] [ 74]
May 29, 2013
Stanford Keglar
LB
Las Vegas Locomotives (UFL )
1 year / $630,000[ 75] [ 76]
June 27, 2013[ 77]
August 6, 2013
[ 72]
August 26, 2013[ 58]
August 20, 2013
Spencer Nealy
DE
Detroit Lions
[ 78]
August 31, 2013[ 44]
September 2, 2013
Tristan Okpalaugo
DE
Miami Dolphins
[ 79] [PS]
September 10, 2013[ 80]
September 4, 2013
Bradley Randle
RB
Minnesota Vikings (re-signed)
[PS]
September 10, 2013
Joe Banyard
RB
[ 80] [PS]
December 16, 2013[ 32]
September 11, 2013
Robert Steeples
CB
Miami Dolphins
[ 81] [PS]
December 21, 2013
October 9, 2013
Justin Trattou
DE
New York Giants
[ 48]
October 26, 2013[ 82]
October 18, 2013
Jacob Lacey
CB
Minnesota Vikings (re-signed)
[ 83]
October 22, 2013[ 23]
October 29, 2013
Justin Trattou
DE
[ 60]
November 2, 2013[ 26]
November 12, 2013
Spencer Nealy
DE
[ 84] [PS]
December 10, 2013[ 85]
November 13, 2013
Jamaal Johnson-Webb
OT
Chicago Bears
[ 86] [PS]
November 26, 2013[ 57]
November 25, 2013
Mike Remmers
OT
San Diego Chargers
[ 87]
December 14, 2013
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]
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Houston Texans
Game information
First 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.
Second 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.
Third quarter
HOU – Randy Bullock 21-yard field goal, 4:28. Tied 13–13. Drive: 15 plays, 90 yards, 6:33.
Fourth 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.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 2: at Buffalo Bills
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Blair Walsh 36-yard field goal, 0:05. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 5:51.
Second 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.
Third quarter
Fourth 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.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 3: at San Francisco 49ers
Game information
First 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.
Second 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.
Third 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.
Fourth 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.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 4: vs. Tennessee Titans
Preseason Week 4: Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Titans
3
14
3 3 23
Vikings
0
14
7 3 24
at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis , Minnesota
Game information
First quarter
TEN – Rob Bironas 28-yard field goal, 6:01. Titans 3–0. Drive: 18 plays, 70 yards, 8:59.
Second quarter
MIN – Matt Asiata 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 14:57. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:04.
TEN – Justin Hunter 17-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rob Bironas kick), 7:35. Titans 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 7:22.
MIN – Joe Banyard 11-yard pass from McLeod Bethel-Thompson (Blair Walsh kick), 2:29. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 5:06.
TEN – Jack Doyle 2-yard pass from Rusty Smith (Rob Bironas kick), 0:26. Titans 17–14. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 2:03.
Third 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.
Fourth 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.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Regular season
Schedule
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
NFL.com recap
1
September 8
at Detroit Lions
L 24–34
0–1
Ford Field
62,461
Recap
2
September 15
at Chicago Bears
L 30–31
0–2
Soldier Field
62,181
Recap
3
September 22
Cleveland Browns
L 27–31
0–3
Mall of America Field
63,672
Recap
4
September 29
Pittsburgh Steelers
W 34–27
1–3
Wembley Stadium (London, UK)
83,518
Recap
5
Bye
6
October 13
Carolina Panthers
L 10–35
1–4
Mall of America Field
63,963
Recap
7
at New York Giants
L 7–23
1–5
MetLife Stadium
79,314
Recap
8
October 27
Green Bay Packers
L 31–44
1–6
Mall of America Field
64,134
Recap
9
November 3
at Dallas Cowboys
L 23–27
1–7
AT&T Stadium
85,360
Recap
10
Washington Redskins
W 34–27
2–7
Mall of America Field
64,011
Recap
11
November 17
at Seattle Seahawks
L 20–41
2–8
CenturyLink Field
68,235
Recap
12
November 24
at Green Bay Packers
T 26–26 (OT)
2–8–1
Lambeau Field
77,871
Recap
13
December 1
Chicago Bears
W 23–20 (OT)
3–8–1
Mall of America Field
64,134
Recap
14
December 8
at Baltimore Ravens
L 26–29
3–9–1
M&T Bank Stadium
70,921
Recap
15
December 15
Philadelphia Eagles
W 48–30
4–9–1
Mall of America Field
64,087
Recap
16
December 22
at Cincinnati Bengals
L 14–42
4–10–1
Paul Brown Stadium
61,555
Recap
17
December 29
Detroit Lions
W 14–13
5–10–1
Mall of America Field
64,134
Recap
Team names in bold indicate the Vikings' divisional opponents.
# 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
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings
7
7
10 0 24
Lions
3
10
14 7 34
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
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings
7
14
3 6 30
Bears
14
10
0 7 31
at Soldier Field , Chicago, Illinois
Date : September 15Game time : 12:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Rain, 60 °F (16 °C)Game attendance : 62,181Referee : Ed Hochuli (85)TV announcers (Fox) : Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura OkminRecap , 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
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Browns
7
17
0 7 31
Vikings
7
10
7 3 27
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
Week 4: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
NFL International Series
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
Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 6: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Panthers
7
7
14 7 35
Vikings
0
3
0 7 10
at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : October 13Game time : 12:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : None (indoor stadium)Game attendance : 63,963Referee : Ron Winter (14)TV announcers (Fox) : Sam Rosen , Brian Billick and Laura OkminRecap , 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
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
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
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Packers
7
17
7 13 44
Vikings
7
10
0 14 31
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
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings
3
7
7 6 23
Cowboys
3
3
14 7 27
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
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Redskins
10
14
3 0 27
Vikings
7
7
14 6 34
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
Week 11: at Seattle Seahawks
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
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
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
Quarter
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Bears
3
3
14 0 0 20
Vikings
0
7
3 10 3 23
at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : December 1Game time : 12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : None (indoor stadium)Game attendance : 64,134Referee : Carl Cheffers (51)TV announcers (Fox) : Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura OkminRecap , 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
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings
0
3
3 20 26
Ravens
7
0
0 22 29
at M&T Bank Stadium , Baltimore, Maryland
Date : December 8Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Light snow, 33 °F (1 °C)Game attendance : 70,921Referee : Pete Morelli (135)TV announcers (Fox) : Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jennifer HaleRecap , 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, 0 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 twice in the final 2 minutes of 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
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Eagles
3
6
13 8 30
Vikings
7
10
10 21 48
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
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
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Lions
0
0
7 6 13
Vikings
7
0
0 7 14
at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : December 29Game time : 12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : None (indoor stadium)Game attendance : 64,134Referee : Tony Corrente (99)TV announcers (Fox) : Gus Johnson , Charles Davis and Kristina PinkRecap , Game book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
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 touchdown 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
Conference
#
Team
Division
W
L
T
PCT
DIV
CONF
SOS
SOV
STK
Division winners
1
Seattle Seahawks
West
13
3
0
.813
4–2
10–2
.490
.445
W1
2
Carolina Panthers
South
12
4
0
.750
5–1
9–3
.494
.451
W3
3
Philadelphia Eagles
East
10
6
0
.625
4–2
9–3
.453
.391
W2
4
Green Bay Packers
North
8
7
1
.531
3–2–1
6–5–1
.453
.371
W1
Wild cards
5
San Francisco 49ers
West
12
4
0
.750
5–1
9–3
.494
.414
W6
6
New Orleans Saints
South
11
5
0
.688
5–1
9–3
.516
.455
W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7
Arizona Cardinals
West
10
6
0
.625
2–4
6–6
.531
.444
L1
8[ a]
Chicago Bears
North
8
8
0
.500
2–4
4–8
.465
.469
L2
9
Dallas Cowboys
East
8
8
0
.500
5–1
7–5
.484
.363
L1
10[ b] [ c]
New York Giants
East
7
9
0
.438
3–3
6–6
.520
.366
W2
11[ d]
Detroit Lions
North
7
9
0
.438
4–2
6–6
.457
.402
L4
12
St. Louis Rams
West
7
9
0
.438
1–5
4–8
.551
.446
L1
13
Minnesota Vikings
North
5
10
1
.344
2–3–1
4–7–1
.512
.450
W1
14[ e]
Atlanta Falcons
South
4
12
0
.250
1–5
3–9
.553
.313
L2
15
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
South
4
12
0
.250
1–5
2–10
.574
.391
L3
16
Washington Redskins
East
3
13
0
.188
0–6
1–11
.516
.438
L8
Tiebreakers [ f]
^ Chicago defeated Dallas head-to-head (Week 14, 45–28 ).
^ The NY Giants and Detroit finished with a better conference record than St. Louis.
^ The NY Giants defeated Detroit head-to-head (Week 16, 23–20 (OT) ).
^ Detroit finished with a better conference record than St. Louis.
^ Atlanta finished with a better conference record than Tampa Bay.
^ 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
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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, 7 inactive, 6 practice squad
Statistics
Team leaders
* Vikings single season record .
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
^ a b c Goessling, Ben (May 14, 2013). "Minnesota Vikings sign three draft picks" . TwinCities.com . Pioneer Press. Retrieved May 14, 2013 .
^ Rotoworld (May 15, 2013). "Jeff Locke" . Rotoworld.com . NBC Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2013 .
^ Rotoworld (May 15, 2013). "Jeff Baca" . Rotoworld.com . NBC Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2013 .
^ Rotoworld (May 15, 2013). "Travis Bond" . Rotoworld.com . NBC Sports. Retrieved May 19, 2013 .
^ Sessler, Marc (March 11, 2013). "Vikings agree to trade Percy Harvin to 'Hawks for picks" . NFL.com . National Football League. Retrieved March 11, 2013 .
^ Rosenthal, Gregg (April 25, 2013). "Cordarrelle Patterson to Vikings after Pats trade pick" . NFL.com . National Football League. Retrieved April 26, 2013 .
^ a b Yotter, Tim (January 15, 2013). "2013 first-round draft order" . VikingUpdate.com . Microsoft. Retrieved January 23, 2013 .
^ Gower, Tom (April 28, 2012). "Tennessee Titans select DE Scott Solomon in seventh round" . TotalTitans.com . Archived from the original on October 7, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2013 .
^ Gates, Christopher (April 27, 2013). "2013 NFL Draft: Vikings Trade With Buccaneers" . SBNation.com . Vox Media. Retrieved April 27, 2013 .
^ a b c Wobschall, Mike (January 10, 2013). "Vikings Sign Punter Conley And DB/Returner McCoy To Futures Contracts" . Vikings.com . Minnesota Vikings Football. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013 .
^ 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 .
^ "Minnesota Vikings finalize 3-year, $7.5M contract with Pro Bowl fullback Jerome Felton" . Fox News . Fox News Network. Associated Press. March 18, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2013 .
^ Wilkening, Mike (March 12, 2013). "Vikings reach two-year deal with Erin Henderson" . ProFootballTalk . NBC Sports. Retrieved March 18, 2013 .
^ Rosenthal, Gregg (March 12, 2013). "Phil Loadholt, Minnesota Vikings strike contract" . NFL.com . National Football League. Retrieved March 18, 2013 .
^ Pelissero, Tom (March 13, 2013). "Jamarca Sanford cashed in with $5 million contract from Vikings" . 1500ESPN.com . Hubbard Broadcasting. Archived from the original on March 16, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2013 .
^ Pelissero, Tom (March 14, 2013). "Vikings give Jerome Simpson a raise, including $500K signing bonus" . 1500ESPN.com . Hubbard Broadcasting. Archived from the original on March 17, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2013 .
^ Yotter, Tim (March 22, 2013). "Safety Sendejo signs free-agent tender" . Scout.com . Fox Sports. Retrieved March 23, 2013 .
^ Pelissero, Tom (April 1, 2013). "Marvin Mitchell's deal modest again, keeping Vikings $5M under cap" . 1500ESPN.com . Hubbard Broadcasting. Archived from the original on March 17, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2013 .
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