2012 Minnesota Vikings season

The 2012 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 52nd in the National Football League, as well as their second full season under head coach Leslie Frazier. They looked to improve upon their 3–13 season the year before, and did so after defeating the Tennessee Titans in Week 5; their win over the Houston Texans in Week 16 made this their first winning season since 2009. The Vikings also made the playoffs for the first time since 2009 with a Week 17 win over the Green Bay Packers to give them a 10–6 regular season record, but were defeated by the same opponents in the Wild Card playoff round the following week. Adrian Peterson was named the league's Most Valuable Player after rushing for 2,097 yards, just nine yards short of breaking the single-season record held by Eric Dickerson since 1984.

2012 Minnesota Vikings season
Owner	Zygi Wilf
Head coach	Leslie Frazier
Home field	Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Results
Record	10–6
Division place	2nd NFC North
Playoff finish	Lost Wild Card Playoffs (at Packers) 10–24
Pro Bowlers	7 RB Adrian Peterson FB Jerome Felton DE Jared Allen (bench) K Blair Walsh LB Chad Greenway (replacement) TE Kyle Rudolph (replacement) OT Matt Kalil (replacement)
AP All-Pros	4 RB Adrian Peterson (first team) FB Jerome Felton (second team) LB Chad Greenway (second team) K Blair Walsh (first team)
Team MVP	Adrian Peterson
Uniform

On May 10, 2012, the Minnesota State Legislature approved a bill for a new stadium for the team that would see a new facility (later named U.S. Bank Stadium) constructed by 2016 and ensure the Vikings' presence in Minneapolis through the year 2046.[1] The bill was signed by Governor Mark Dayton on May 14,[2] and approved by the Minneapolis City Council by a vote of 7–6 on May 25.[3][4]

Offseason

Adrian Peterson rushed to a new career franchise record against Jacksonville in week 1, overtaking Robert Smith's 6,818 rushing yards

Pre-draft transactions

The first major transactions of the 2012 offseason were the releases of veteran guards Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera, and CB Cedric Griffin on March 10, as the Vikings began rebuilding their offensive line and secondary. Three days later, the team re-signed perennial backup QB Sage Rosenfels and DT Letroy Guion off their unrestricted free agents list. This was followed up with the signing of the Seattle Seahawks' unrestricted free agent TE John Carlson on a five-year contract.

The next week, the team brought in FB Jerome Felton, also an unrestricted free agent, from the Indianapolis Colts. They then released DT Remi Ayodele on March 21, but re-signed DT Fred Evans. March 26 was a big day for signings by the Vikings, with the re-signings of WR Devin Aromashodu and LB Erin Henderson, as well as the free agent acquisitions of CB Zack Bowman from the Chicago Bears and T Geoff Schwartz from the Carolina Panthers.

April saw very few transactions go through in anticipation of the 2012 NFL Draft at the end of the month. Nevertheless, the Vikings signed LB Marvin Mitchell and WR Jerome Simpson, despite the fact that Simpson would miss the first three games of the season for a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Draft

Pro Bowler

2012 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft order		Player name	Position	College	Contract	Notes
Round	Overall
1	3	Traded to the Cleveland Browns^[a]
	4	Matt Kalil	T	USC	4 years[5]	From Browns^[a]
	29	Harrison Smith	S	Notre Dame	4 years[6]	From Ravens^[b]
2	35	Traded to the Baltimore Ravens^[b]
3	66	Josh Robinson	CB	Central Florida	4 years[7]
4	98	Traded to the Baltimore Ravens^[b]
	118	Jarius Wright	WR	Arkansas	4 years[7]	From Falcons via Browns^[a]
	128	Rhett Ellison	FB	USC	4 years[7]	Compensatory pick^[c]
	134	Greg Childs	WR	Arkansas	4 years[7]	Compensatory pick^[c]
5	138	Traded to the Detroit Lions^[d]
	139	Robert Blanton	S	Notre Dame	4 years[7]	From Browns^[a]
6	173	Traded to the Washington Redskins^[e]
	175	Blair Walsh	K	Georgia	4 years[7]	From Browns^[f]
7	210	Audie Cole	ILB	NC State	4 years[7]
	211	Traded to the Tennessee Titans^[g]				From Browns^[a]
	219	Trevor Guyton	DE	California	4 years[7]	From Seahawks via Lions^[d]
	223	Traded to the Detroit Lions^[d]				From Eagles via Patriots^[d]

Brian Robison and the Vikings defense against the Jacksonville Jaguars, September 9

Notes:

^{^[a]} Cleveland traded their first-round selection (4th overall), fourth-round selection (118th overall), fifth-round selection (139th overall), and seventh-round selection (211th overall) to move up one spot to the third overall selection and draft RB Trent Richardson.

^{^[b]} Minnesota traded their second-round selection (35th overall) and fourth-round selection (98th overall) to Baltimore to move up six spots to 29th overall selection and make this pick.

^{^[c]} Minnesota was awarded two compensatory picks for the loss of free agents Ray Edwards, Ben Leber, Tarvaris Jackson, and Sidney Rice.

^{^[d]} Detroit traded their seventh-round selection (219th overall) and 2013 fourth-round selection (102nd overall) to Minnesota for their fifth-round selection (138th overall) and the seventh-round selection (223rd overall) that they received from New England in the trade for Randy Moss in 2010.

^{^[e]} Minnesota traded their sixth-round selection (173rd overall) to Washington for QB Donovan McNabb.

^{^[f]} Cleveland traded their sixth-round selection (175th overall) to Minnesota in exchange for DE Jayme Mitchell.[8]

^{^[g]} Tennessee traded their 2013 sixth-round selection (176th overall) to Minnesota for the seventh-round selection (211th overall) that they received in the first-round trade with Cleveland.^[a] Minnesota later traded the pick they received from Tennessee to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a seventh-round pick and CB A. J. Jefferson.

Post-draft transactions

With the 2012 Draft over, the Vikings resumed their transactions in May, signing a number of undrafted free agents to their roster, and releasing RB Caleb King, following a short jail term. With the drafting of Blair Walsh, veteran kicker Ryan Longwell found himself surplus to requirements for the Vikings and he was released on May 7. By the start of June, all of the Vikings draft selections (with the exception of T Matt Kalil) had been signed to long-term contracts.

Preseason

Schedule

This was the first year the Vikings used a TV/radio simulcast for their preseason games.

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	NFL.com recap
1	August 10	at San Francisco 49ers	L 6–17	0–1	Candlestick Park	Recap
2	August 17	Buffalo Bills	W 36–14	1–1	Mall of America Field	Recap
3	August 24	San Diego Chargers	L 10–12	1–2	Mall of America Field	Recap
4	August 30	at Houston Texans	L 24–28	1–3	Reliant Stadium	Recap

Week 1: at San Francisco 49ers

Preseason Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	3	0	0	6
49ers	7	10	0	0	17

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

• Date: August 10
• Game time: 8:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Sunny, 60 °F (16 °C)
• Game attendance: 69,732
• Referee: Jim Core ()
• TV announcers (WUCW-23): Paul Allen, Pete Bercich, Greg Coleman and Ben Leber
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 39-yard field goal, 12:34. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 2:26. SF – Brett Swain 4-yard pass from Alex Smith (Giorgio Tavecchio kick), 5:13. 49ers 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 84 yards, 7:21. Second quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 26-yard field goal, 14:06. 49ers 7–6. Drive: 13 plays, 68 yards, 6:07. SF – Colin Kaepernick 78-yard run (Giorgio Tavecchio kick), 13:38. 49ers 14–6. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:28. SF – Giorgio Tavecchio 29-yard field goal, 1:56. 49ers 17–6. Drive: 12 plays, 47 yards, 6:29. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter No scoring plays Passing MIN – Christian Ponder – 4/9, 80 yards SF – Scott Tolzien – 10/13, 84 yards Rushing MIN – Toby Gerhart – 5 rushes, 31 yards SF – Colin Kaepernick – 3 rushes, 92 yards, TD Receiving MIN – Stephen Burton – 1 rec, 52 yards SF – Chris Owusu – 3 rec, 35 yards

Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills

Preseason Week 2: Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	0	7	7	0	14
Vikings	10	6	3	17	36

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

• Date: August 17
• Game time: 7:00 p.m.
• Game weather: None (domed stadium)
• Game attendance: 56,430
• Referee: Robert Frazer (36)
• TV announcers (KARE-11): Paul Allen, Pete Bercich, Greg Coleman and Ben Leber
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Jerome Felton 1-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 11:04. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:56. MIN – Blair Walsh 22-yard field goal, 1:39. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 13 plays, 50 yards, 6:20. Second quarter BUF – Donald Jones 31-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rian Lindell kick), 8:51. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 61 yards, 3:13. MIN – Blair Walsh 47-yard field goal, 5:40. Vikings 13–7. Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 3:11. MIN – Blair Walsh 45-yard field goal, 0:27. Vikings 16–7. Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 0:30. Third quarter BUF – Tashard Choice 1-yard run (Rian Lindell kick), 13:25. Vikings 16–14. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:35. MIN – Blair Walsh 40-yard field goal, 4:49. Vikings 19–14. Drive: 12 plays, 64 yards, 6:07. Fourth quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 30-yard field goal, 3:37. Vikings 22–14. Drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 2:55. MIN – Audie Cole 20-yard interception return (Blair Walsh kick), 3:18. Vikings 29–14. MIN – Audie Cole 30-yard interception return (Blair Walsh kick), 3:05. Vikings 36–14. Passing BUF – Vince Young – 8/14, 123 yards MIN – Christian Ponder – 10/13, 136 yards, TD Rushing BUF – Fred Jackson – 5 rushes, 27 yards MIN – Joe Webb – 2 rushes, 64 yards Receiving BUF – T. J. Graham – 2 rec, 69 yards MIN – Emmanuel Arceneaux – 2 rec, 50 yards

Week 3: vs. San Diego Chargers

Preseason Week 3: San Diego Chargers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	3	0	6	12
Vikings	0	3	0	7	10

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

• Date: August 24
• Game time: 7:00 p.m.
• Game weather: None (domed stadium)
• Game attendance: 62,800
• Referee: Wayne Elliott (28)
• TV announcers (KARE-11): Paul Allen, Pete Bercich, Greg Coleman and Ben Leber
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter SD – Nate Kaeding 50-yard field goal, 4:55. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 37 yards, 6:49. Second quarter SD – Nick Novak 34-yard field goal, 10:23. Chargers 6–0. Drive: 7 plays, 15 yards, 2:10. MIN – Blair Walsh 29-yard field goal, 0:08. Chargers 6–3. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 1:17. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter SD – Nate Kaeding 54-yard field goal, 8:40. Chargers 9–3. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:26. MIN – Matt Asiata 1-yard pass from Sage Rosenfels (Blair Walsh kick), 1:50. Vikings 10–9. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 4:14. SD – Nick Novak 45-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 12–10. Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 1:50. Passing SD – Charlie Whitehurst – 8/18, 80 yards MIN – Christian Ponder – 9/16, 115 yards Rushing SD – Edwin Baker – 13 rushes, 35 yards MIN – Matt Asiata – 9 rushes, 48 yards Receiving SD – Micheal Spurlock – 3 rec, 46 yards MIN – Percy Harvin – 2 rec, 53 yards

Week 4: at Houston Texans

Preseason Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	0	10	14	0	24
Texans	7	7	14	0	28

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

• Date: August 30
• Game time: 6:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Fair, 71 °F (22 °C)
• Game attendance: 71,116
• Referee: Donovan Briggans (12)
• TV announcers (KARE-11): Paul Allen, Pete Bercich, Greg Coleman and Ben Leber
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter HOU – Justin Forsett 3-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 12:01. Texans 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 2:59. Second quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 36-yard field goal, 14:11. Texans 7–3. Drive: 14 plays, 64 yards, 7:24. HOU – DeVier Posey 80-yard pass from John Beck (Shayne Graham kick), 4:21. Texans 14–3. Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 0:20. MIN – Devin Aromashodu 58-yard pass from Sage Rosenfels (Blair Walsh kick), 0:33. Texans 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 89 yards, 0:47. Third quarter HOU – Trindon Holliday 76-yard punt return (Shayne Graham kick), 13:26. Texans 21–10. MIN – Jarius Wright 59-yard pass from McLeod Bethel-Thompson (Blair Walsh kick), 11:22. Texans 21–17. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 2:04. HOU – Justin Forsett 5-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 7:27. Texans 28–17. Drive: 5 plays, 32 yards, 2:25. MIN – Jordan Todman 76-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 6:55. Texans 28–24. Drive: 2 plays, 76 yards, 0:32. Fourth quarter No scoring plays Passing MIN – McLeod Bethel-Thompson – 15/29, 193 yards, TD HOU – John Beck – 6/10, 149 yards, TD Rushing MIN – Jordan Todman – 10 rushes, 114 yards, TD HOU – Justin Forsett – 13 rushes, 114 yards, 2 TD Receiving MIN – Jarius Wright – 6 rec, 122 yards, TD HOU – DeVier Posey – 2 rec, 93 yards, TD

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	NFL.com recap
1	September 9	Jacksonville Jaguars	W 26–23 (OT)	1–0	Mall of America Field	Recap
2	September 16	at Indianapolis Colts	L 20–23	1–1	Lucas Oil Stadium	Recap
3	September 23	San Francisco 49ers	W 24–13	2–1	Mall of America Field	Recap
4	September 30	at Detroit Lions	W 20–13	3–1	Ford Field	Recap
5	October 7	Tennessee Titans	W 30–7	4–1	Mall of America Field	Recap
6	October 14	at Washington Redskins	L 26–38	4–2	FedExField	Recap
7	October 21	Arizona Cardinals	W 21–14	5–2	Mall of America Field	Recap
8	October 25	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	L 17–36	5–3	Mall of America Field	Recap
9	November 4	at Seattle Seahawks	L 20–30	5–4	CenturyLink Field	Recap
10	November 11	Detroit Lions	W 34–24	6–4	Mall of America Field	Recap
11	Bye
12	November 25	at Chicago Bears	L 10–28	6–5	Soldier Field	Recap
13	December 2	at Green Bay Packers	L 14–23	6–6	Lambeau Field	Recap
14	December 9	Chicago Bears	W 21–14	7–6	Mall of America Field	Recap
15	December 16	at St. Louis Rams	W 36–22	8–6	Edward Jones Dome	Recap
16	December 23	at Houston Texans	W 23–6	9–6	Reliant Stadium	Recap
17	December 30	Green Bay Packers	W 37–34	10–6	Mall of America Field	Recap

Team names in bold indicate Vikings' home games.

Week 1: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week One: Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Jaguars	3	6	3	11	0	23
Vikings	0	7	7	9	3	26

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

• Date: September 9
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: None (domed stadium)
• Game attendance: 56,607
• Referee: Robert Dalton (22)
• TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter JAC – Josh Scobee 19-yard field goal, 2:52. Jaguars 3–0. Drive: 17 plays, 77 yards, 9:22. Second quarter JAC – Marcedes Lewis 1-yard pass from Blaine Gabbert (kick blocked), 5:21. Jaguars 9–0. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 7:09. MIN – Adrian Peterson 3-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 0:41. Jaguars 9–7. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 1:47. Third quarter MIN – Adrian Peterson 2-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 9:42. Vikings 14–9. Drive: 4 plays, 44 yards, 1:54. JAC – Josh Scobee 26-yard field goal, 4:40. Vikings 14–12. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 1:25. Fourth quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 20-yard field goal, 14:09. Vikings 17–12. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:31. JAC – Josh Scobee 47-yard field goal, 9:35. Vikings 17–15. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 4:34. MIN – Blair Walsh 42-yard field goal, 5:33. Vikings 20–15. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 4:02. JAC – Cecil Shorts 39-yard pass from Blaine Gabbert (Blaine Gabbert pass to Justin Blackmon), 0:20. Jaguars 23–20. Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 0:58. MIN – Blair Walsh 55-yard field goal, 0:00. Tied 23–23. Drive: 3 plays, 32 yards, 0:20. Overtime MIN – Blair Walsh 38-yard field goal, 11:06. Vikings 26–23. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 3:54. Top passers JAC – Blaine Gabbert – 23/39, 260 yards, 2 TD MIN – Christian Ponder – 20/27, 270 yards Top rushers JAC – Maurice Jones-Drew – 19 rushes, 77 yards MIN – Adrian Peterson – 17 rushes, 84 yards, 2 TD Top receivers JAC – Cecil Shorts – 4 rec, 74 yards, TD MIN – Percy Harvin – 6 rec, 84 yards

Week 2: at Indianapolis Colts

Week Two: Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	3	0	14	20
Colts	7	10	3	3	23

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

• Date: September 16
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Sunny, 72 °F (22 °C)
• Game attendance: 63,912
• Referee: Donald King (60)
• TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 51-yard field goal, 7:48. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 44 yards, 7:12. IND – Dwayne Allen 3-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Adam Vinatieri kick), 0:49. Colts 7–3. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 6:59. Second quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 29-yard field goal, 11:38. Colts 7–6. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 4:11. IND – Adam Vinatieri 26-yard field goal, 1:49. Colts 10–6. Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 4:13. IND – Reggie Wayne 30-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Adam Vinatieri kick), 0:07. Colts 17–6. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 1:04. Third quarter IND – Adam Vinatieri 45-yard field goal, 7:06. Colts 20–6. Drive: 14 plays, 53 yards, 7:54. Fourth quarter MIN – Stephen Burton 7-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 5:07. Colts 20–13. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 5:03. MIN – Kyle Rudolph 6-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 0:31. Tied 20–20. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 2:19. IND – Adam Vinatieri 53-yard field goal, 0:08. Colts 23–20. Drive: 4 plays, 45 yards, 0:23. Top passers MIN – Christian Ponder – 27/35, 245 yards, 2 TD IND – Andrew Luck – 20/31, 224 yards, 2 TD Top rushers MIN – Adrian Peterson – 16 rushes, 60 yards IND – Donald Brown – 16 rushes, 45 yards Top receivers MIN – Percy Harvin – 12 rec, 104 yards IND – Donnie Avery – 9 rec, 111 yards

Week 3: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week Three: San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	0	3	10	0	13
Vikings	7	10	0	7	24

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

• Date: September 23
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: None (domed stadium)
• Game attendance: 57,288
• Referee: Ken Roan (86)
• TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Kyle Rudolph 1-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 7:20. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 16 plays, 82 yards, 7:40. Second quarter SF – David Akers 29-yard field goal, 12:13. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 13 plays, 54 yards, 5:40. MIN – Christian Ponder 23-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 5:29. Vikings 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:44. MIN – Blair Walsh 52-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 17–3. Drive: 9 plays, 33 yards, 0:52. Third quarter SF – David Akers 29-yard field goal, 12:46. Vikings 17–6. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 2:14. SF – Vernon Davis 1-yard pass from Alex Smith (David Akers kick), 6:17. Vikings 17–13. Drive: 9 plays, 86 yards, 5:00. Fourth quarter MIN – Kyle Rudolph 2-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 14:17. Vikings 24–13. Drive: 12 plays, 86 yards, 7:00. Top passers SF – Alex Smith – 24/35, 204 yards, TD, INT MIN – Christian Ponder – 21/35, 198 yards, 2 TD Top rushers SF – Frank Gore – 12 rushes, 63 yards MIN – Adrian Peterson – 25 rushes, 86 yards Top receivers SF – Mario Manningham – 5 rec, 56 yards MIN – Percy Harvin – 9 rec, 89 yards

Week 4: at Detroit Lions

Week Four: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	10	3	7	0	20
Lions	3	3	0	7	13

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

• Date: September 30
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: None (domed stadium)
• Game attendance: 63,616
• Referee: Clete Blakeman (34)
• TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Percy Harvin 105-yard kickoff return (Blair Walsh kick), 14:48. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:12. DET – Jason Hanson 40-yard field goal, 13:06. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 4 plays, 58 yards, 1:42. MIN – Blair Walsh 49-yard field goal, 1:16. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:53. Second quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 27-yard field goal, 8:14. Vikings 13–3. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 4:56. DET – Jason Hanson 31-yard field goal, 1:46. Vikings 13–6. Drive: 14 plays, 67 yards, 6:28. Third quarter MIN – Marcus Sherels 77-yard punt return (Blair Walsh kick), 13:09. Vikings 20–6. Fourth quarter DET – Matthew Stafford 1-yard run (Jason Hanson kick), 2:56. Vikings 20–13. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 3:12. Top passers MIN – Christian Ponder – 16/26, 111 yards DET – Matthew Stafford – 30/51, 319 yards Top rushers MIN – Adrian Peterson – 21 rushes, 102 yards DET – Mikel Leshoure – 13 rushes, 26 yards Top receivers MIN – Jerome Simpson – 4 rec, 50 yards DET – Joique Bell – 6 rec, 72 yards

• 
  Minnesota playing at Detroit, September 30
• 
  Josh Robinson and Calvin Johnson

Week 5: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week Five: Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Titans	0	0	0	7	7
Vikings	7	6	10	7	30

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

• Date: October 7
• Game time: 3:25 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: None (domed stadium)
• Game attendance: 57,652
• Referee: Jeff Triplette (42)
• TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Percy Harvin 4-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 2:31. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 91 yards, 4:59. Second quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 42-yard field goal, 10:27. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards, 0:57. MIN – Blair Walsh 36-yard field goal, 1:52. Vikings 13–0. Drive: 12 plays, 77 yards, 5:42. Third quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 26-yard field goal, 5:07. Vikings 16–0. Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 6:24. MIN – Percy Harvin 10-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 0:05. Vikings 23–0. Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 3:31. Fourth quarter TEN – Jared Cook 10-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck (Rob Bironas kick), 10:35. Vikings 23–7. Drive: 12 plays, 77 yards, 4:30. MIN – Kyle Rudolph 15-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 6:38. Vikings 30–7. Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 3:57. Top passers TEN – Matt Hasselbeck – 26/43, 200 yards, TD MIN – Christian Ponder – 25/35, 258 yards, 2 TD Top rushers TEN – Chris Johnson – 15 rushes, 24 yards MIN – Adrian Peterson – 17 rushes, 88 yards Top receivers TEN – Kendall Wright – 9 rec, 66 yards MIN – Percy Harvin – 8 rec, 108 yards, TD

Week 6: at Washington Redskins

Week Six: Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	9	0	3	14	26
Redskins	0	17	7	14	38

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

• Date: October 14
• Game time: 4:25 p.m. EDT/3:25 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Sunny, 74 °F (23 °C)
• Game attendance: 78,476
• Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
• TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 20-yard field goal, 11:31. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 3:29. MIN – Blair Walsh 27-yard field goal, 6:18. Vikings 6–0. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 3:16. MIN – Blair Walsh 27-yard field goal, 1:47. Vikings 9–0. Drive: 7 plays, 26 yards, 3:46. Second quarter WAS – Kai Forbath 50-yard field goal, 10:51. Vikings 9–3. Drive: 13 plays, 48 yards, 5:56. WAS – Alfred Morris 1-yard run (Kai Forbath kick), 2:27. Redskins 10–9. Drive: 11 plays, 90 yards, 6:36. WAS – Darrel Young 6-yard pass from Robert Griffin III (Kai Forbath kick), 2:14. Redskins 17–9. Drive: 1 play, 6 yards, 0:06. Third quarter WAS – Robert Griffin III 7-yard run (Kai Forbath kick), 9:37. Redskins 24–9. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:23. MIN – Blair Walsh 37-yard field goal, 4:18. Redskins 24–12. Drive: 11 plays, 42 yards, 5:19. Fourth quarter WAS – Madieu Williams 24-yard interception return (Kai Forbath kick), 12:40. Redskins 31–12. MIN – Michael Jenkins 9-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Christian Ponder–Kyle Rudolph pass), 8:02. Redskins 31–20. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:38. MIN – Kyle Rudolph 1-yard pass from Christian Ponder (pass failed), 3:36. Redskins 31–26. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 2:42. WAS – Robert Griffin III 76-yard run (Kai Forbath kick), 2:43. Redskins 38–26. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 0:53. Top passers MIN – Christian Ponder – 35/52, 352 yards, 2 TD WAS – Robert Griffin III – 17/22, 182 yards, TD Top rushers MIN – Adrian Peterson – 17 rushes, 79 yards WAS – Robert Griffin III – 13 rushes, 138 yards, 2 TD Top receivers MIN – Percy Harvin – 11 rec, 133 yards WAS – Fred Davis – 3 rec, 46 yards

Week 7: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week Seven: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	7	0	7	14
Vikings	7	7	7	0	21

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

• Date: October 21
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: None (domed stadium)
• Game attendance: 61,068
• Referee: Terry McAulay (77)
• TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Adrian Peterson 13-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 8:38. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 88 yards, 2:57. Second quarter ARI – LaRod Stephens-Howling 3-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 12:41. Tied 7–7. Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards, 2:10. MIN – Percy Harvin 3-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 6:26. Vikings 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 6:15. Third quarter MIN – Harrison Smith 31-yard interception return (Blair Walsh kick), 14:03. Vikings 21–7. Fourth quarter ARI – Andre Roberts 6-yard pass from John Skelton (Jay Feely kick), 1:48. Vikings 21–14. Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 2:08. Top passers ARI – John Skelton – 25/36, 262 yards, TD MIN – Christian Ponder – 8/17, 58 yards, TD Top rushers ARI – LaRod Stephens-Howling – 20 rushes, 104 yards, TD MIN – Adrian Peterson – 23 rushes, 153 yards, TD Top receivers ARI – Andre Roberts – 7 rec, 103 yards, TD MIN – Percy Harvin – 4 rec, 37 yards, TD

Week 8: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Eight: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Buccaneers	10	10	10	6	36
Vikings	0	10	7	0	17

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

• Date: October 25
• Game time: 7:20 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: None (domed stadium)
• Game attendance: 60,860
• Referee: Ron Winter (14)
• TV announcers (NFLN^[a]): Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock and Alex Flanagan
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter TB – Connor Barth 28-yard field goal, 9:48. Buccaneers 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 1:48. TB – Erik Lorig 1-yard pass from Josh Freeman (Connor Barth kick), 3:34. Buccaneers 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 4:33. Second quarter TB – Connor Barth 40-yard field goal, 12:20. Buccaneers 13–0. Drive: 10 plays, 32 yards, 4:20. MIN – Percy Harvin 18-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 9:39. Buccaneers 13–7. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:41. TB – Mike Williams 3-yard pass from Josh Freeman (Connor Barth kick), 4:30. Buccaneers 20–7. Drive: 6 plays, 37 yards, 2:38. MIN – Blair Walsh 51-yard field goal, 1:40. Buccaneers 20–10. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 2:50. Third quarter TB – Doug Martin 64-yard pass from Josh Freeman (Connor Barth kick), 13:39. Buccaneers 27–10. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:21. TB – Connor Barth 38-yard field goal, 7:50. Buccaneers 30–10. Drive: 8 plays, 38 yards, 4:22. MIN – Adrian Peterson 64-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 7:28. Buccaneers 30–17. Drive: 2 plays, 64 yards, 0:22. Fourth quarter TB – Doug Martin 1-yard run (pass failed), 7:03. Buccaneers 36–17. Drive: 16 plays, 87 yards, 9:09. Top passers TB – Josh Freeman – 19/36, 262 yards, 3 TD MIN – Christian Ponder – 19/35, 251 yards, TD Top rushers TB – Doug Martin – 29 rushes, 135 yards, TD MIN – Adrian Peterson – 15 rushes, 123 yards, TD Top receivers TB – Doug Martin – 3 rec, 79 yards, TD MIN – Percy Harvin – 7 rec, 90 yards, TD

Week 9: at Seattle Seahawks

Week Nine: Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	7	10	3	0	20
Seahawks	14	6	7	3	30

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

• Date: November 4
• Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST/1:05 p.m. PST
• Game weather: Cloudy, 60 °F (16 °C)
• Game attendance: 67,584
• Referee: Jerome Boger (23)
• TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Adrian Peterson 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 13:15. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:45. SEA – Golden Tate 6-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 8:52. Tied 7–7. Drive: 3 plays, 17 yards, 1:23. SEA – Sidney Rice 11-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Steven Hauschka kick), 3:15. Seahawks 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 4:05. Second quarter MIN – Adrian Peterson 4-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 11:46. Tied 14–14. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:29. MIN – Blair Walsh 36-yard field goal, 5:25. Vikings 17–14. Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 3:49. SEA – Golden Tate 11-yard pass from Russell Wilson (kick blocked), 0:44. Seahawks 20–17. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 4:41. Third quarter SEA – Marshawn Lynch 3-yard run (Steven Hauschka kick), 4:09. Seahawks 27–17. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 6:15. MIN – Blair Walsh 55-yard field goal, 1:47. Seahawks 27–20. Drive: 6 plays, 44 yards, 2:22. Fourth quarter SEA – Steven Hauschka 40-yard field goal, 6:23. Seahawks 30–20. Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 5:26. Top passers MIN – Christian Ponder – 11/22, 63 yards SEA – Russell Wilson – 16/24, 173 yards, 3 TD Top rushers MIN – Adrian Peterson – 17 rushes, 182 yards, 2 TD SEA – Marshawn Lynch – 26 rushes, 124 yards, TD Top receivers MIN – Jerome Simpson – 1 rec, 14 yards SEA – Sidney Rice – 4 rec, 54 yards, TD

Week 10: vs. Detroit Lions

Week Ten: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	0	3	7	14	24
Vikings	10	3	3	18	34

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

• Date: November 11
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: None (domed stadium)
• Game attendance: 64,059
• Referee: Pete Morelli (135)
• TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Jarius Wright 3-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 7:52. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 3:31. MIN – Blair Walsh 48-yard field goal, 5:41. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, −5 yards, 1:57. Second quarter DET – Jason Hanson 41-yard field goal, 11:07. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 6:47. MIN – Blair Walsh 23-yard field goal, 4:41. Vikings 13–3. Drive: 13 plays, 81 yards, 6:26. Third quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 23-yard field goal, 5:11. Vikings 16–3. Drive: 9 plays, 43 yards, 4:53. DET – Brandon Pettigrew 16-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Jason Hanson kick), 2:55. Vikings 16–10. Drive: 4 plays, 81 yards, 2:16. Fourth quarter MIN – Kyle Rudolph 20-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Adrian Peterson run), 14:15. Vikings 24–10. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 3:40. DET – Titus Young 1-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Jason Hanson kick), 11:32. Vikings 24–17. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:43. MIN – Adrian Peterson 61-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 8:06. Vikings 31–17. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 1:07. MIN – Blair Walsh 33-yard field goal, 4:36. Vikings 34–17. Drive: 5 plays, 30 yards, 3:16. DET – Calvin Johnson 11-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Jason Hanson kick), 1:53. Vikings 34–24. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 2:43. Top passers DET – Matthew Stafford – 28/42, 329 yards, 3 TD MIN – Christian Ponder – 24/32, 221 yards, 2 TD Top rushers DET – Mikel Leshoure – 13 rushes, 43 yards MIN – Adrian Peterson – 27 rushes, 171 yards, TD Top receivers DET – Calvin Johnson – 12 rec, 207 yards, TD MIN – Jarius Wright – 3 rec, 65 yards, TD

• 
  Chris Kluwe, Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen at the coin flip

Week 12: at Chicago Bears

Week Twelve: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	0	7	0	10
Bears	10	15	3	0	28

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

• Date: November 25
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 41 °F (5 °C)
• Game attendance: 62,306
• Referee: Scott Green (19)
• TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 40-yard field goal, 12:17. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 0:50. CHI – Michael Bush 1-yard run (Robbie Gould kick), 7:17. Bears 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 2:50. CHI – Robbie Gould 47-yard field goal, 0:32. Bears 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 25 yards, 5:13. Second quarter CHI – Michael Bush 1-yard run (Adam Podlesh run), 4:01. Bears 18–3. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 7:59. CHI – Matt Spaeth 13-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), 1:48. Bears 25–3. Drive: 1 play, 13 yards, 0:07. Third quarter MIN – Kyle Rudolph 2-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 10:44. Bears 25–10. Drive: 5 plays, 40 yards, 2:01. CHI – Robbie Gould 46-yard field goal, 3:57. Bears 28–10. Drive: 12 plays, 51 yards, 6:47. Fourth quarter No scoring plays Top passers MIN – Christian Ponder – 22/43, 159 yards, TD CHI – Jay Cutler – 23/31, 188 yards, TD Top rushers MIN – Adrian Peterson – 18 rushes, 108 yards CHI – Michael Bush – 21 rushes, 60 yards, 2 TD Top receivers MIN – Kyle Rudolph – 5 rec, 55 yards, TD CHI – Brandon Marshall – 12 rec, 92 yards

Week 13: at Green Bay Packers

Week Thirteen: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	0	14	0	0	14
Packers	10	0	10	3	23

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

• Date: December 2
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Cloudy, 45 °F (7 °C)
• Game attendance: 70,567
• Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
• TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter GB – James Jones 32-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 11:26. Packers 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:34. GB – Mason Crosby 30-yard field goal, 4:07. Packers 10–0. Drive: 12 plays, 52 yards, 5:56. Second quarter MIN – Kyle Rudolph 7-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 12:18. Packers 10–7. Drive: 14 plays, 71 yards, 6:49. MIN – Adrian Peterson 82-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 5:08. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 3 plays, 91 yards, 1:27. Third quarter GB – Mason Crosby 47-yard field goal, 7:47. Vikings 14–13. Drive: 12 plays, 51 yards, 6:04. GB – James Starks 22-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 2:12. Packers 20–14. Drive: 4 plays, 51 yards, 1:53. Fourth quarter GB – Mason Crosby 31-yard field goal, 4:00. Packers 23–14. Drive: 18 plays, 73 yards, 11:00. Top passers MIN – Christian Ponder – 12/25, 119 yards, TD GB – Aaron Rodgers – 27/35, 286 yards, TD Top rushers MIN – Adrian Peterson – 21 rushes, 210 yards, TD GB – James Starks – 15 rushes, 66 yards, TD Top receivers MIN – Kyle Rudolph – 6 rec, 51 yards, TD GB – Randall Cobb – 6 rec, 62 yards

Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears

Week Fourteen: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	7	0	7	14
Vikings	14	0	7	0	21

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

• Date: December 9
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: None (domed stadium)
• Game attendance: 64,134
• Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
• TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Adrian Peterson 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 11:53. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:07. MIN – Adrian Peterson 1-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 8:42. Vikings 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 5 yards, 1:07. Second quarter CHI – Alshon Jeffery 23-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), 1:52. Vikings 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 3:41. Third quarter MIN – Harrison Smith 56-yard interception return (Blair Walsh kick), 3:27. Vikings 21–7. Fourth quarter CHI – Brandon Marshall 16-yard pass from Jason Campbell (Robbie Gould kick), 1:48. Vikings 21–14. Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 2:02. Top passers CHI – Jay Cutler – 22/44, 260 yards, TD MIN – Christian Ponder – 11/17, 91 yards Top rushers CHI – Matt Forté – 13 rushes, 85 yards MIN – Adrian Peterson – 31 rushes, 154 yards, 2 TD Top receivers CHI – Brandon Marshall – 10 rec, 160 yards, TD MIN – Michael Jenkins – 4 rec, 36 yards

Week 15: at St. Louis Rams

Week Fifteen: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	7	23	3	3	36
Rams	0	7	0	15	22

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: December 16
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: None (domed stadium)
• Game attendance: 55,751
• Referee: Alberto Riveron (57)
• TV announcers (Fox): Gus Johnson, Charles Davis and Kristina Pink
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Christian Ponder 5-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 7:07. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 5:38. Second quarter STL – Brian Quick 4-yard pass from Sam Bradford (Greg Zuerlein kick), 12:39. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 3:36. MIN – Adrian Peterson 82-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 12:21. Vikings 14–7. Drive: 1 play, 82 yards, 0:18. MIN – Blair Walsh 50-yard field goal, 9:11. Vikings 17–7. Drive: 4 plays, −4 yards, 1:41. MIN – Everson Griffen 29-yard interception return (Blair Walsh kick), 8:25. Vikings 24–7. MIN – Blair Walsh 38-yard field goal, 3:11. Vikings 27–7. Drive: 10 plays, 48 yards, 3:18. MIN – Blair Walsh 42-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 30–7. Drive: 5 plays, 29 yards, 1:00. Third quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 53-yard field goal, 5:56. Vikings 33–7. Drive: 10 plays, 25 yards, 5:16. Fourth quarter STL – Danny Amendola 6-yard pass from Sam Bradford (Greg Zuerlein kick), 13:39. Vikings 33–14. Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards, 7:17. STL – Lance Kendricks 6-yard pass from Sam Bradford (Sam Bradford–Danny Amendola pass), 7:48. Vikings 33–22. Drive: 5 plays, 88 yards, 2:05. MIN – Blair Walsh 51-yard field goal, 5:31. Vikings 36–22. Drive: 5 plays, 47 yards, 2:17. Top passers MIN – Christian Ponder – 17/24, 131 yards STL – Sam Bradford – 35/55, 377 yards, 3 TD Top rushers MIN – Adrian Peterson – 24 rushes, 212 yards, TD STL – Steven Jackson – 13 rushes, 73 yards Top receivers MIN – Jerome Simpson – 4 rec, 27 yards STL – Brandon Gibson – 6 rec, 76 yards

Week 16: at Houston Texans

Week Sixteen: Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	7	6	3	7	23
Texans	3	0	3	0	6

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

• Date: December 23
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
• Game attendance: 71,688
• Referee: John Parry (132)
• TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter HOU – Shayne Graham 51-yard field goal, 10:50. Texans 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 4:10. MIN – Kyle Rudolph 3-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 6:19. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, 4:31. Second quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 56-yard field goal, 8:15. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 41 yards, 5:21. MIN – Blair Walsh 41-yard field goal, 0:37. Vikings 13–3. Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 1:02. Third quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 39-yard field goal, 11:31. Vikings 16–3. Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 3:29. HOU – Shayne Graham 33-yard field goal, 0:26. Vikings 16–6. Drive: 11 plays, 46 yards, 5:17. Fourth quarter MIN – Toby Gerhart 3-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 4:44. Vikings 23–6. Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 6:01. Top passers MIN – Christian Ponder – 16/30, 174 yards, TD HOU – Matt Schaub – 18/32, 178 yards Top rushers MIN – Adrian Peterson – 25 rushes, 86 yards HOU – Ben Tate – 4 rushes, 17 yards Top receivers MIN – Jarius Wright – 5 rec, 53 yards HOU – Andre Johnson – 7 rec, 97 yards

Week 17: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week Seventeen: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	0	10	14	10	34
Vikings	10	10	7	10	37

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

• Date: December 30
• Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
• Game weather: None (domed stadium)
• Game attendance: 64,134
• Referee: Mike Carey (94)
• TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 54-yard field goal, 10:47. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 41 yards, 4:13. MIN – Adrian Peterson 7-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 5:44. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:30. Second quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 37-yard field goal, 14:51. Vikings 13–0. Drive: 11 plays, 34 yards, 4:42. GB – Greg Jennings 3-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 4:01. Vikings 13–7. Drive: 12 plays, 42 yards, 5:06. MIN – Jarius Wright 8-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 1:07. Vikings 20–7. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 2:54. GB – Mason Crosby 51-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 20–10. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 1:07. Third quarter GB – Greg Jennings 5-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 11:56. Vikings 20–17. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:04. MIN – Adrian Peterson 2-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 4:00. Vikings 27–17. Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 4:17. GB – James Jones 8-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 2:04. Vikings 27–24. Drive: 4 plays, 87 yards, 1:56. Fourth quarter GB – Mason Crosby 40-yard field goal, 12:21. Tied 27–27. Drive: 8 plays, 28 yards, 2:39. MIN – Michael Jenkins 3-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Blair Walsh kick), 7:54. Vikings 34–27. Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 4:27. GB – Jordy Nelson 2-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 2:54. Tied 34–34. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 5:00. MIN – Blair Walsh 29-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 37–34. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 2:54. Top passers GB – Aaron Rodgers – 28/40, 365 yards, 4 TD MIN – Christian Ponder – 16/28, 234 yards, 3 TD Top rushers GB – DuJuan Harris – 14 rushes, 70 yards MIN – Adrian Peterson – 34 rushes, 199 yards, TD Top receivers GB – Greg Jennings – 8 rec, 120 yards, 2 TD MIN – Jarius Wright – 3 rec, 90 yards, TD

Adrian Peterson rushed for 199 yards, coming up nine yards short of breaking the single season record by Eric Dickerson. This included 5 rushes for 36 yards on the final drive to set up the winning field goal by Blair Walsh. This game was rated #3 on the Top 20 NFL Games of 2012 on NFL.com as AP2K.[9]

• 
  Blair Walsh and Larry Dean line up to kick off against Green Bay, December 30
• 
  Vikings players before the game
• 
  Adrian Peterson is tackled
• 
  Peterson rushes against Green Bay
• 
  Aaron Rodgers is sacked by Everson Griffen
• 
  Kyle Rudolph running in the week 17 contest
• 
  Chris Kluwe and Blair Walsh, December 30
• 
  Green Bay at Minnesota, week 17

Standings

NFC North
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
^(3) Green Bay Packers	11	5	0	.688	5–1	8–4	433	336	L1
^(6) Minnesota Vikings	10	6	0	.625	4–2	7–5	379	348	W4
Chicago Bears	10	6	0	.625	3–3	7–5	375	277	W2
Detroit Lions	4	12	0	.250	0–6	3–9	372	437	L8

Postseason

Schedule

Playoff round	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	NFL.com recap
WC	January 5	at Green Bay Packers	L 10–24	0–1	Lambeau Field	Recap

NFC Wild Card Round: at Green Bay Packers

NFC Wild Card Round: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	0	0	7	10
Packers	7	10	7	0	24

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

• Date: January 5
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Cloudy, 29 °F (−2 °C)
• Game attendance: 71,548
• Referee: Scott Green (19)
• TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Blair Walsh 33-yard field goal, 9:26. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 5:34. GB – DuJuan Harris 9-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 0:28. Packers 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 5:43. Second quarter GB – Mason Crosby 20-yard field goal, 3:25. Packers 10–3. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 5:01. GB – John Kuhn 3-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 0:38. Packers 17–3. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 1:10. Third quarter GB – John Kuhn 9-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 9:25. Packers 24–3. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:35. Fourth quarter MIN – Michael Jenkins 50-yard pass from Joe Webb (Blair Walsh kick), 3:39. Packers 24–10. Drive: 3 plays, 66 yards, 0:36. Passing MIN – Joe Webb – 11/30, 180 yards, TD GB – Aaron Rodgers – 23/33, 274 yards, TD Rushing MIN – Adrian Peterson – 22 rushes, 99 yards GB – DuJuan Harris – 17 rushes, 47 yards, TD Receiving MIN – Michael Jenkins – 3 rec, 96 yards, TD GB – Greg Jennings – 4 rec, 61 yards

Having secured the NFC's #6 seed, the Vikings traveled to Lambeau Field for a rematch with the Packers. With the two teams meeting in the playoffs for only the second time ever, Blair Walsh capped the game's opening drive with a field goal to put the Vikings 3–0 up. However, the Packers then scored 24 unanswered points to take a 24–3 lead in the 3rd quarter. The Vikings tried to rally a comeback with a touchdown to make it 24–10, but it was too little, too late as time ran out for Minnesota.

Statistics

Team leaders

Category	Player(s)	Value
Passing yards	Christian Ponder	2,935
Passing touchdowns	Christian Ponder	18
Rushing yards	Adrian Peterson	2,097 *
Rushing touchdowns	Adrian Peterson	12
Receiving yards	Percy Harvin	677
Receiving touchdowns	Kyle Rudolph	9
Points	Blair Walsh	141
Kickoff return yards	Percy Harvin	574
Punt return yards	Marcus Sherels	287
Tackles	Chad Greenway	148
Sacks	Jared Allen	12.0
Interceptions	Harrison Smith Antoine Winfield	3
Forced fumbles	Jamarca Sanford	4

• Vikings single season record.

League rankings

Category	Total yards	Yards per game	NFL rank (out of 32)
Passing offense	2,751	171.9	31st
Rushing offense	2,634	164.6	2nd
Total offense	5,385	336.6	20th
Passing defense	3,908	244.2	24th
Rushing defense	1,692	105.8	11th
Total defense	5,600	350.0	16th

Pro Bowl

Four Minnesota Vikings players were selected for the 2013 Pro Bowl: two on offense (running back partners Adrian Peterson and Jerome Felton), one on defense (DE Jared Allen) and one special teamer (K Blair Walsh). Of these, Peterson, Felton and Walsh were selected as starters, with Allen going as a reserve.[10]

With the withdrawal of Dallas Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware on January 10 because of a shoulder injury, Vikings LB Chad Greenway was called up to the NFC roster as a replacement.[11] TE Kyle Rudolph was also added to the NFC roster for his first Pro Bowl two weeks later after Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez dropped out due to injury.[12] Rookie Matt Kalil was also added later as a replacement for the Washington Redskins' tackle, Trent Williams, yet another casualty of injury.[13] Rudolph was named the game's MVP.

Staff

2012 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 Head Coach – Leslie Frazier Special Assistant to the Head Coach/Linebackers – Mike Singletary Assistant to the Head Coach – Cameron Turner 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 Defensive Coordinator – Alan Williams Defensive Line – Brendan Daly Assistant Defensive Line – Diron Reynolds Linebackers – Fred Pagac Defensive Backs/Secondary – Joe Woods Defensive Assistant – Jeff Imamura Special teams coaches Special Teams Coordinator – Mike Priefer Assistant Special Teams – Chris White Strength and conditioning Head Athletic Trainer/Director of Sports Medicine – Eric Sugarman Strength and Conditioning – Tom Kanavy Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Martin Streight Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Aaron McLaurin

Roster

2012 Minnesota Vikings final roster

	Quarterbacks  4 McLeod Bethel-Thompson  7 Christian Ponder 14 Joe Webb Running backs 48 Matt Asiata FB/RB 42 Jerome Felton FB 32 Toby Gerhart 28 Adrian Peterson Wide receivers 19 Devin Aromashodu 11 Stephen Burton 84 Michael Jenkins 81 Jerome Simpson 17 Jarius Wright Tight ends 89 John Carlson 40 Rhett Ellison 82 Kyle Rudolph		Offensive linemen 61 Joe Berger C/G 63 Brandon Fusco C/G 74 Charlie Johnson G/T 75 Matt Kalil T 78 Troy Kropog T 71 Phil Loadholt T 76 Geoff Schwartz G/T 65 John Sullivan C Defensive linemen 69 Jared Allen DE 99 Christian Ballard DT 90 Fred Evans DT 97 Everson Griffen DE 98 Letroy Guion DT 92 George Johnson DE 91 D'Aundre Reed DE 96 Brian Robison DE 93 Kevin Williams DT		Linebackers 54 Jasper Brinkley MLB 57 Audie Cole MLB 51 Larry Dean OLB 52 Chad Greenway OLB 50 Erin Henderson OLB 58 Tyrone McKenzie MLB 55 Marvin Mitchell OLB Defensive backs 36 Robert Blanton SS 27 Brandon Burton CB 20 Chris Cook CB 24 A. J. Jefferson CB 41 Mistral Raymond SS 21 Josh Robinson CB 33 Jamarca Sanford FS 34 Andrew Sendejo FS 35 Marcus Sherels CB 22 Harrison Smith FS 26 Antoine Winfield Sr. CB Special teams  5 Chris Kluwe P 46 Cullen Loeffler LS  3 Blair Walsh K		Reserve lists 85 Greg Childs WR (IR) 12 Percy Harvin WR (IR) 73 DeMarcus Love OT (IR) 39 Nicholas Taylor CB (IR) Practice squad 62 Chase Baker DT 23 Joe Banyard RB 87 LaMark Brown WR/TE 31 Bobby Felder CB 89 Chase Ford TE 66 Tyler Holmes G/T 68 Kevin Murphy OT 15 Chris Summers WR Rookies in italics 53 active, 4 inactive, 8 practice squad

Notes and references

1. "New Minnesota Vikings stadium law heads to governor amid questions over state's financing". CBSNews.com. CBS Interactive. May 11, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
2. "Dayton Signs $975M Vikings Stadium Bill". CBS Minnesota. CBS Broadcasting. May 14, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
3. Melo, Frederick (May 24, 2012). "Vikings stadium wins Minneapolis City Council's final approval". TwinCities.com. Digital First Media. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
4. "City Council's Final Vote In Favor Of Stadium, 7-6". CBS Minnesota. CBS Broadcasting. May 25, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
5. Fowler, Jeremy (July 27, 2012). "Minnesota Vikings sign Matt Kalil". TwinCities.com. MediaNews Group. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
6. "Harrison Smith signs rookie contract; was Vikings first-round pick". SportingNews.com. May 31, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
7. "Minnesota Vikings – Player Contract Information". Rotoworld.com. NBC Sports Digital. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
8. Florjancic, Matt (March 26, 2012). ""Browns awarded four compensatory picks"". ClevelandBrowns.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-08-12. Retrieved 2013-11-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
10. "2013 Pro Bowl rosters: AFC, NFC". NFL.com. National Football League. December 26, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
11. Pelissero, Tom (January 10, 2013). "Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway added to NFC Pro Bowl roster". 1500ESPN. Hubbard Broadcasting. Archived from the original on February 14, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
12. "Rudolph Selected To First Pro Bowl". vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. January 22, 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-01-26. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
13. "Kalil Selected To His First Pro Bowl". vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. January 25, 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-03-13. Retrieved January 26, 2013.

External links

• Minnesota Vikings official website
• 2012 Minnesota Vikings at ESPN
• 2012 Minnesota Vikings at Pro Football Reference