Vikings

Follow along as the Vikings take on the Giants for the right to advance to the divisional round.

On third and short, Kevin O'Connell dialed up a reverse to Justin Jefferson and a throw back across the field to Kirk Cousins. Daniel Jones went 2 for 2 as a passer and scrambled twice for 22 yards, and Saquon Barkley ran for a 28-yard touchdown on a toss play to tie the score. The Giants just went 81 yards on four plays to take the lead with a Daniel Jones touchdown pass to Isaiah Hodgins. Cousins went 7 of 7 for 54 yards on the drive, hitting Justin Jefferson four times. 0:00 — The Vikings just went for it on 4th and 2 from the Giants' 43 and converted, with Kirk Cousins hitting T.J. The Giants just drove 75 yards on six plays to expand their lead back to ten. 14:23 — Another punt from the Vikings after Kirk Cousins threw it away on third down. They punt it back to the Giants and now need a stop in the worst way. in the back of the end zone. 1:44 — Kirk Cousins just threw short of the sticks with the season on the line on 4th and 8. That forces them to settle for a field goal to tie the game. The following offseason, the Vikings moved on from Keenum and signed Kirk Cousins to a big free agent deal, believing he could put them over the top.

The Giants' TD was a quick answer from New York after Minnesota marched 65 yards for a score on its opening drive.

Barkley was untouched on his touchdown run. He followed pulling center [Jon Feliciano](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2512577/jon-feliciano) and reached the sideline. It was a quick answer from New York after Minnesota marched 65 yards for a score on its opening drive.

NFL Super Wild Card Weekend continues Sunday with the Ravens battling the Bengals. Here are the top plays!

[ National Football League](/stories/nfl/odds-jaguars-stun-chargers-one-of-the-worst-bad-beats) [Allen took a huge sack](https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1614737652317818881?s=20&t=-W8NtyUphyxJrHFs_1MYNg) on third down, but the Dolphins came up just short on their next possession, turning the ball over on downs. [Gabe Davis](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/gabriel-davis-player) up the middle for a 19-yard pickup that was originally deemed an incomplete pass. [Buffalo Bills 34, Miami Dolphins 31](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/afc-wild-card-playoffs-miami-dolphins-vs-buffalo-bills-jan-15-2023-game-boxscore-10022) [2-yard score](https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1614779479569895429) to give N.Y. But after going three-and-out to open the second half, the Dolphins snatched the ball away from Allen as well as the lead. The turnover resulted in a field goal for Miami, which closed the gap slightly, 17-6, late in the second quarter. The drive ended in another field goal, as Miami made it an eight-point game, 17-9. Allen fumbled on a short scramble, but the ball went out of bounds in the process. First, Hodgins came up with a 19-yard pickup to move the sticks. Just like that, it was a three-point game once again, 24-21, midway through the third quarter. The Giants made a statement on their ensuing drive.

Sports betting sites offer wagers on the moneyline, spread, total, player props and parlays for the Giants vs. Vikings Wild Card game.

The Minnesota Vikings will be without defensive back Cam Danzler for Sunday's NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium.

A win, and the Vikings head west for the NFC Divisional Playoffs next weekend after the San Francisco 49ers beat the Seattle Seahawks 41-23. With Bradbury back, the offensive line gets some stability with Brian O’Neill and Austin Schlottmann both on injured reserve. Dantzler did not practice all week, and has been listed on the team’s injury report with an ankle issue.

Cameron Dantzler is inactive for the Vikings after dealing with a serious personal matter this week.

Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all offseason long. Dantzler was surpassed in the starting lineup by Duke Shelley earlier this season. The NFL's active co-leader in interceptions — he's tied at 34 with teammate Patrick Peterson and New England's Devin McCourty — is still searching for his first postseason INT.

The Vikings won't have cornerback Cameron Dantzler for Sunday's wild card playoff game. He is inactive. Dantzler missed practice all week with a personal ...

[Rodarius Williams](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/63938/rodarius-williams), running back Jashaun Corbin, linebacker [Micah McFadden](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/67825/micah-mcfadden), offensive guard [Wyatt Davis](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/63795/wyatt-davis), offensive guard [Jack Anderson](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/63973/jack-anderson), receiver Kalil Pimpleton and defensive tackle Henry Mondeaux are the players not dressed for the Giants. [Esezi Otomewo](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/67789/esezi-otomewo), running back [Ty Chandler](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/67582/ty-chandler), defensive tackle [Ross Blacklock](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/60127/ross-blacklock) and outside linebacker [Luiji Vilain](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/67990/luiji-vilain). [Adoree' Jackson](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/12376/adoree-jackson) is set to play for the first time since hurting his knee in Week 11. [Harrison Smith](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/9651/harrison-smith) (knee) and RB [Kene Nwangwu](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/63855/kene-nwangwu) (illness) both are active. [Garrett Bradbury](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/51635/garrett-bradbury), who will play his first game since Dec. [Cameron Dantzler](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/60144/cameron-dantzler) for Sunday’s wild card playoff game.

Smith — the longest-tenured Vikings player in his 11th season — starts his seventh playoff game on Sunday against the Giants.

[The Giants defense is relatively healthy](https://www.startribune.com/what-the-new-york-giants-are-saying-secondary-back-at-full-strength-minnesota-vikings/600243364/) with the return of top cornerback Adoree' Jackson. Brandel is wearing a brace on the right knee that suffered a MCL sprain on Dec. Safety Harrison Smith and edge rusher Za'Darius Smith will return to the lineup, as anticipated, for a Vikings defense that is essentially at full strength for Sunday afternoon's NFC wild-card game against the Giants. Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said he picked veterans from each part of the defense to keep younger players focused, isolating Tomlinson as that veteran among defensive linemen. "Just to make sure guys are going through the same routine with the game plan," Tomlinson said this week. The Vikings also activated tackle Blake Brandel from injured reserve after he returned to practice this week.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Daniel Jones passed for 301 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 78 yards in his first care...

Vikings: LB Brian Asamoah II (concussion) was injured covering a kickoff late in the second quarter. Giants: OLB Azeez Ojulari (quadriceps) was hurt in the second quarter and ruled out at halftime. Hockenson after a 3-yard catch on a pass from Kirk Cousins at midfield on fourth-and-8 to force a turnover on downs with 1:44 to go and no timeouts left for the Vikings. They left behind some crucial points, though, when Cousins ran successful sneak on fourth-and-1 at the 15 that was negated by a false start on left tackle Christian Darrisaw. “There were real tears in there,” O’Connell said outside the locker room. for a short touchdown pass that brought the Vikings within three at 24-21.

The Giants' fourth-quarter stop ended the Vikings' streak of victories in one-score games and gave the N.F.L. playoffs its first upset by a lower-seeded ...

The Vikings struggled to contain Jones on scrambles and designed runs, and the quarterback took off on the ground on the first drive of the second quarter. With time winding down for two teams that had built their seasons on thrilling comebacks, things tightened the rest of the way. On the Vikings’ next drive, a false start penalty negated a successful fourth-down attempt, but Greg Joseph kicked a 38-yard field goal with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game, tying the score at 24. The teams traded touchdowns on their opening possessions — a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Cousins and a 28-yard scamper by Barkley. The Giants had not appeared in the postseason since 2016, and they justifiably ranked near the bottom of most pundits’ power rankings in August. postseason, the Giants ended the thrilling season of the Vikings, who had won an N.F.L.-record 11 one-score games.

MINNEAPOLIS — Fourth-and-8 with less than two minutes remaining, Kirk Cousins threw a pass to T.J. Hockenson that gained 3 yards.

Minnesota gave up a 14-yard pass to Slayton after an incompletion to start the drive. The play before was just as critical: Osborn reeled in a contested catch for a gain of 11 to help Minnesota bounce back from a third-and-13. He found an opening in the defense for a gain of 18. 4-for-5 on third downs: New York converted its first third down attempt of the game, picking up third-and-7 with a 9-yard completion. The nifty throw-and-catch occurred four plays after New York nearly intercepted Cousins on a deflected pass down the field. View pregame photos of the Vikings ahead of the Wild Card matchup vs. New York answered with a 12-play drive that included a fourth-and-1 conversion to advance the ball to the Minnesota 5. 24, on the way to a 13-4 mark that had earned the Vikings the No. With the fresh set of downs, Jones found Darius Slayton for 22 before adding a 15-yard scramble that preceded Barkley's score. A pass down the middle to K.J. It was obviously tight coverage, so [he] didn't have a chance to pull away, but I was probably going to go down and take a sack if I didn't put it out there." The defended the play well, and you've got to give them credit.

The New York Giants upset the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday to advance to the NFC Divisional Round for the first time since their Super Bowl-winning 2011 ...

[Christian Darrisaw](https://www.nfl.com/players/christian-darrisaw/)'s false start on fourth-and-1 earlier in the game, and an inability to keep Jones from gaining a first down in multiple fourth-down situations. Most of this roster is good enough to get back to this spot next season, but with the Packers failing to reach the postseason, this has to feel like a bit of a waste to Minnesota. New York's front four was a pressure-creating machine Sunday, with [Dexter Lawrence](https://www.nfl.com/players/dexter-lawrence/)(eight), [Leonard Williams](https://www.nfl.com/players/leonard-williams/)(seven) and [Kayvon Thibodeaux](https://www.nfl.com/players/kayvon-thibodeaux/)(six) harassing Cousins to the tune of 21 combined QB pressures and 14 hits on Cousins. And they'll also have to massage their salaries in order to get under the cap in 2023, which could include a departure of mainstays Osborn](https://www.nfl.com/players/k-j-osborn/)wide open for a touchdown in the final minute of the half. In what felt like a heavyweight title fight, the Vikings and Giants traded blows for much of the game, remaining within 10 points of each other throughout the duration of the game. But for the first time this season, Cousins and the Vikings couldn't win the tight one. The arrival of the postseason spelled the end of that run. [Saquon Barkley](https://www.nfl.com/players/saquon-barkley/), [Isaiah Hodgins](https://www.nfl.com/players/isaiah-hodgins/)and [Darius Slayton](https://www.nfl.com/players/darius-slayton/), who had a great day that was almost ruined by a late drop on third down. Daboll coached aggressively, going for it on fourth-and-1 on multiple occasions and directing his players to push [Daniel Jones](https://www.nfl.com/players/daniel-jones-x5302/)across the line to gain. Instead of existing as the butt of far too many jokes, Jones has become a viable quarterback for New York and saved his best for the playoffs. The Giants proved they weren't just happy to be there, but wanted to win, and win they did, taking down the third-seeded Vikings in their home by finishing with a seven-minute advantage in time of possession, compiling scoring drives that ranged from four plays to 20, and avoiding crushing mistakes.

The Giants engineered an upset over the Vikings, and then went even harder on social media.

[Daniel Jones](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3917792/daniel-jones) went 24-for-35 for 301 yards passing and two touchdowns in his team's [31-24 wi](/nfl/game/_/gameId/401438001)n. The Giants only punted once the entire game, and while the Vikings tied things up early in the fourth quarter, a [Saquon Barkley](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3929630/saquon-barkley) touchdown run five minutes later proved to be the deciding factor. [New York Giants](/nfl/team/_/name/nyg/new-york-giants) beat the [Minnesota Vikings](/nfl/team/_/name/min/minnesota-vikings) in a stunning playoff upset ...

With the game on the line, Kirk Cousins' completion to T.J. Hockenson was well short of the sticks in the Vikings' loss to the Giants, leaving plenty to ...

"(Cousins) knew it was fourth down, and he wanted to make sure he put the ball in play. "Looking back on it, maybe I could have been more (clear and said), 'Hey, this is where you want the ball to be.'" O'Connell has been there less than a year, but he seems to have the concept of "Minnesota nice" down cold. Jefferson's final catch was a 4-yard reception with 3:11 left in the third quarter. (have) a chance to win the football game (by) pushing the ball downfield. But I felt like I was going to go down and take a sack and put it out." The stage was set in Sunday's Super Wild Card Weekend meeting for Cousins and the Vikings to go down the field again. "On that fourth down, (we were) just trying to get some eligibles vertical and the ball ended up going underneath," O'Connell said. "But the intent was to try to … [Justin (Jefferson)](https://www.nfl.com/players/justin-jefferson/) and didn't feel good about putting it up to Justin. "I saw single-high (coverage) and tried to work For all the guff [Kirk Cousins](/players/kirk-cousins/) takes, he also led the NFL in game-winning drives this season with eight.

Kirk Cousins threw short of the sticks on the game-deciding fourth down play. The season is over.

Losing in that fashion, at home, in the first round of the playoffs wasn't in the plans. In the end, Cousins and the Vikings' offense came up short. There wasn't a ton of pressure generated by the defense, and Jones had all kinds of room to escape the pocket and run when pressure did arrive. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all offseason long. In between Vikings touchdown drives at the start and end of the half, the Giants went on a 17-0 run. It didn't work, and the Giants followed it up by marching down the field for a touchdown. Saquon Barkley sprinted for a 28-yard score to tie the game at seven, and a 47-yard reception by Darius Slayton set up a touchdown catch by Isaiah Hodgins on the Giants' second drive. The Vikings' veteran-heavy defense just seemed to be a step slow at all times. A Darius Slayton drop forced the Giants to punt it back to the Vikings, who trailed by a touchdown with three minutes left. Taking advantage of the attention the Giants were paying to Justin Jefferson, Hockenson shredded their secondary for 129 yards on ten catches. Facing a fourth and 8 with the game — and the season — on the line, Kirk Cousins threw short of the sticks to T.J. Hockenson, who was tackled to end the game.

The season for the Minnesota Vikings is over as they lost 31-24 to the New York Giants in disappointing fashion. The Vikings played well to start the game, ...

When your season comes down to a single play, you absolutely have to give your team a chance to succeed. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins did not do that.

[NFL fans were not exactly pleased](https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/kirk-cousins-vikings-giants-fourth-down-pass-reaction-video-fans) with Cousins' pass, either. He had a way better chance just throwing the ball up to a defended Justin Jefferson than whatever happened on that play. Needing eight yards to pick up the first down, Cousins instead checked down to T.J.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins put up some solid stats in Sunday's NFC Wild Card Game against the New York Giants, but his final pass of the day ...

However, his decision to throw a short pass on a potential game-tying drive destroyed Minnesota's chances of continuing its postseason run. Hockenson, but a defender was right next to him and stopped him well short of the first-down marker to seal a 31-24 loss for Minnesota in front of its home fans at U.S. With the Vikings' season on the line late in the fourth quarter, Cousins threw a checkdown pass on fourth down.

Find out more about the Giants versus Vikings wild-card game, how to watch, keys to the game and more.

[NFL](https://theathletic.com/nfl/) postseason history with 300-plus passing yards, two-plus passing touchdowns and 70-plus rushing yards in a playoff game. [Inside Giants coach Brian Daboll’s ‘genius’ process for assembling all-star staff](https://theathletic.com/4079649/2023/01/13/giants-brian-daboll-coaching-staff/) [Vikings offensive line has big task ahead vs. [Eagles](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/eagles/)in the NFC divisional round. Pass-catchers were wide open in the flat and on crossing routes — all over the field. Here’s what you need to know: [Saquon Barkley](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/saquon-barkley-NJxDrUdY0dwJPjnk/)’s second touchdown of the game gave the Giants a 31-24 lead with 7:47 to play. The nose tackle has been the Giants’ centerpiece all season long and has played in every game save being rested the final regular season finale. He was quiet in the second half, with the Vikings really upping the coverage on him. But he came up clutch with a go-ahead touchdown with under eight minutes remaining in the game. But Slayton had a huge drop at a critical point that gave the ball back to the Vikings for one final drive attempt. Playing in the playoffs. A big thanks to his receivers who found openings and for the most part held on to balls. [Richie James](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/richie-james-a2Img7UYkqdaLBzv/) with smart footwork after a reception or Slayton or [Isaiah Hodgins](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/isaiah-hodgins-Cmd8tt6f4oRlPw8g/) — who joined the team over the Week 9 bye — the receiving corps showed a consistency that it lacked early in the season.

Cousins, running out of time to throw, checked it down to T.J. Hockenson on fourth down.

This time, with a chance to go tie the game, he didn't get it done. It's especially hard to believe when one of those potential targets is Jefferson, the NFL's leading receiver and a player with a very strong argument as the best in the world at his position. "I had thrown short of the sticks on a few occasions in the game and even going back a few weeks and just felt like throwing short of the sticks isn’t the end of the world," Cousins said. But throwing it up to one of his receivers would at least have created the possibility of a spectacular play to extend the game. But yeah, looking back on it, I maybe could’ve just been a little bit more, ‘Hey, this is kind of where you want the ball to go,’ but I want Kirk to be able to play. "As a play caller, you’re not going to call a primary concept where somebody’s short of the sticks to gain, especially on fourth down," O'Connell said. On the following play, with the season on the line, Cousins checked it down to T.J. Obviously, Hockenson wasn't the first read on that play — and it's fair to question why he was running a three-yard route at all. The third and 8 isn't the play that will be talked about for a long time, though. That’s really the play that I want back is the third and 8." As was the case all season, it was going to come down to a couple critical plays in crunch time. The defense, which allowed 431 yards and gave up five scoring drives, was the bigger issue, putting all kinds of pressure on the offense to be nearly flawless in order to keep pace on the scoreboard.

The play occurred just inside the 2-minute warning. After a pass to K.J. Osborn on third-and-8 got broken up by Giants CB Cor'Dale Flott, the Vikings had one ...

I was watching some of the routes down the field to kind of materialize, and the pocket may or may not have been collapsing on him," O'Connell said. "And I wasn't able to do that." "I had thrown short of the sticks a few occasions in the game, and even going back a few weeks, I just felt like throwing short of the sticks wouldn't be the end of the world. Hockenson was one of three Minnesota tight ends to get their hands on the ball Sunday, joining Johnny Mundt (a 12-yard catch) and Irv Smith, Jr., who caught a 3-yard touchdown pass. "They did what everybody does," Jefferson said of the Giants defenders. "And then when I went to progress, I just felt like I was about to get sacked and felt like, 'I've got to put the ball in play. It was right on him in the sense that the DB was able to break it up, but if the ball's out front, the DB can't do that in man coverage." "Third-and-8 is the one I want back," he said. "But yeah, it's a tough one. "If it's third down, and you can catch, convert and make it fourth-and-2-or-3, that's OK," he said. "Looking back on it, [the conversation] may have been just a little more, 'Hey, this is where you want the ball to go,' but I want Kirk to play. It just didn't open up for Kirk, and that's on me."

Cheering through the end of the Vikings' season, one superfan knows there's community even in the loss.

It's ridiculous," Nelson said. I can't believe it," Cheryl Nelson said. The Vikings have been a part of Nelson's life since her family moved to Minnesota from Wisconsin in 1968, when she was a teenager. "We cannot lose at home. She became friends with the community of other rabid Vikings fans on Twitter. As the team's hopes sank after the Vikings' 31-24 home playoff loss to the New York Giants, Nelson and her family kept cheering from Willy McCoy's bar in Ramsey, and she'll keep shouting for the Vikings next year.

Daniel Jones made history while leading the New York Giants to an upset win over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC wild card game on Sunday.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) walks off the field at the end of an NFL wild card playoff game. Anthony Souffle, Star Tribune.

Hockenson (87) pushes off of New York Giants safety Tony Jefferson (36) as he gains yards in the second quarter.Anthony Souffle, Star TribuneMinnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) throws the ball back to Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) in the first quarter.Anthony Souffle, Star TribuneNew York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) picked up first down on a sneak in the fourth quarter.Jerry Holt, Star TribuneMinnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) tackles New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) for a completed pass during the fourth quarter.Elizabeth Flores, Star TribuneNew York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) scores a touchdown in the first quarter.Anthony Souffle, Star TribuneNew York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) kicks a field goal in the second quarter.Anthony Souffle, Star TribuneMinnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) breaks a pass intended for New York Giants tight end Lawrence Cager (83) just short of the end zone during the second quarter.Elizabeth Flores, Star TribuneMinnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) points to quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) after a completion in the third quarter.Anthony Souffle, Star TribuneMinnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell greets New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll at the end of an NFL wild card playoff game.Anthony Souffle, Star TribuneVikings fans at the end of the of an NFL wild card playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants.Carlos Gonzalez, Star TribuneVikings fans at the end of the of an NFL wild card playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants.Carlos Gonzalez, Star TribuneVikings fans at the end of the of an NFL wild card playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants.Carlos Gonzalez, Star TribuneJustin Jefferson took a selfie with Gabe Stone, 28, of Queens, NY before an NFL wild card playoff game.Carlos Gonzalez, Star TribuneDanielle Hunter (99) and Za'Darius Smith (55) run out together during team introductionsCarlos Gonzalez, Star TribuneHeather Olson and Catherine Wulffleff, 6, of Woodbury during team introductions.Carlos Gonzalez, Star TribuneMinnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson’s daughter Parker Peterson, 3, looks up as Justin Jefferson greets people.Elizabeth Flores, Star TribuneLudacris performs during halftime.Elizabeth Flores, Star Tribune Cloud, is comforted by his mom Tiffany Solano after the Vikings’ 31-24 loss.Jerry Holt, Star TribuneMinnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) barely breaks the grasps of New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) during the fourth quarter.Elizabeth Flores, Star TribuneMinnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks to break from the New York Giants defense during the second quarter.Elizabeth Flores, Star TribuneMinnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) argues a pass after he tackles New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) for a completed pass during the fourth quarter.Elizabeth Flores, Star TribuneNew York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) breaks up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) during the third quarter.Elizabeth Flores, Star TribuneVikings head coach Kevin O'Connell at the end of the game an NFL wild card playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants.Carlos Gonzalez, Star TribuneHarrison Smith (22) and Josh Metellus (44) sit on the bench at the end of an NFL wild card playoff game.Carlos Gonzalez, Star TribuneMinnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) got to the one yard line as New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) played defense in the first quarter.Jerry Holt, Star TribuneMinnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) scored on a sneak in the first quarter.Jerry Holt, Star TribuneK.J. (84) catches a ball in the end zone for a touchdown despite pressure fro New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) during the third quarter.Elizabeth Flores, Star TribuneVikings head coach Kevin O'Connell reacts after a touchdown in the third quarter.Carlos Gonzalez, Star TribuneMinnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Osborn (17) celebrates after a touchdown in the second quarter.Carlos Gonzalez, Star TribuneMinnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr.

Get a recap of the New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings football game.

Cousins was more upset by his placement on the third-and-8 pass to The Giants (10-7-1) advanced to play No. “There was always belief. [touchdown passes to ](https://www.giants.com/video/best-of-daniel-jones-from-wild-card-victory-over-vikings) [Isaiah Hodgins](http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4242540/isaiah-hodgins) and [Daniel Bellinger](http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4361516/daniel-bellinger). "We’re supposed to go to the playoffs. Osborn](http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3916566/kj-osborn) — who had a first-half touchdown catch — that was knocked down by [Cor'Dale Flott](http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4429607/cor'dale-flott). [Stefon Diggs](http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2976212/stefon-diggs) gave the Vikings a 29-24 victory over New Orleans in the divisional round, Cousins finally got a postseason game in Minnesota in his fifth season with the team. They converted seven of 13 third downs and had their way with a Vikings defense that has been We’re supposed to be a winning team. Hockenson](http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4036133/tj-hockenson) at midfield after a 3-yard reception from [Kirk Cousins](http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/14880/kirk-cousins) on fourth-and-8 to force a turnover on downs with 1:44 to go and no timeouts left for the Vikings (13-5). [Darius Slayton](http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3916945/darius-slayton) said. [Daniel Jones](http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3917792/daniel-jones) played at a level well beyond his experience.

Minnesota Vikings' Kirk Cousins throws during the second half of an NFL wild card football game against the New York Giants Sunday in Minneapolis. Bruce ...

It’s a privilege to play here and to play with that group and those coaches,” Cousins said. Especially the way this team has gone all year, you expect to find a way," he said. “This team was as competitive as any group, as I’ve been around from a standpoint of each and every time, they took the field with the expectation to win, it did not always go our way, but these guys battled for 13 wins,” O’Connell said. And he said all parts of the team could improve next season. The Vikings managed to tie the game at one point. And from then on, the Vikings tried to catch the Giants, but fell short for most of the game.

The Vikings lost 31-24 to the New York Giants and there's only one person to blame, according to Skip Bayless. No, not Ed Donatell and his abysmal defense, ...

Also, as it turns out he didn't "throw it to the Giants" on Sunday. he'll throw it to the Giants." No, not Ed Donatell and his abysmal defense, but Kirk Cousins.

Harrison Smith, Adam Thielen, Eric Kendricks and Danielle Hunter are among the key figures who will be under the microscope this offseason.

While Smith is under contract for two more seasons, Hunter is likely going to need a new deal before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2024. Harrison Smith carries a $19.2 million cap hit in 2023, according to Over The Cap. Will the Vikings pay that in Thielen's age-33 season after coming off a year in which he averaged just 42 yards per game? Meanwhile, there's all-world wide receiver Justin Jefferson due to make $4.1 million next season. Kendricks' PFF coverage grade was 49th of 54 linebackers under the same guidelines. Some of the decisions general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell will have to make involve popular players who are aging and expensive.

Hollowing is the prevailing effect, and it probably will be for coaches, players, staff and fans for some time. Here's how Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell ...

The Vikings have laid a foundation on which to build from going forward, and I don't think the memory of Sunday will fade for some time. This moved Kendricks a couple of steps in the opposite direction of Barkley's path and enabled the gain to be longer. That left Jones an opportunity to escape the pocket and scramble for a gain of 8 on third-and-2. I think the credit on that particular play goes to a design by the Giants. Those were exciting to watch, and seeing the sports media coverage of the team was enjoyable. This group of players and coaches, and the new front office, was quite a band of overachievers. Osborn a little more on the third-and-8 play that preceded a throw to T.J. We gave up too many points and too many yards on the ground and in the air. Gave up a TD return to the Packers and had way, way too many long returns in the 40-plus and higher range; at least one time we gave up two or more 40-plus yard kickoff returns in the same game. The whole thing was the polar opposite of last season when we couldn't make a clutch play to win a game or seal a game for virtually the entire 2021 season. Once the raw emotions fade and allow for more reflection, we'll look back on a team that was incredibly fun to follow. "You've got to give the Giants a lot of credit," O'Connell added.

Throughout the 13-4 regular season there were two schools of thought for the Vikings coaches, players, and, yes, their long-suffering fans. One was the record ...

Shortly after the Vikings had squared the game, the Giants went 67 yards on 12 plays and went ahead for good on a two-yard TD run by Barkley midway through the fourth quarter. It was first-and-20, and it should have given Minnesota the opportunity to set the tone. The Vikings would fall behind 24-14 before tying the score on a Kirk Cousins TD pass to Irv Smith and a Greg Joseph field goal. That was nothing new, as the Vikings have been one of the softest and most yielding defenses in the league for the last three seasons. On the next possession, the Giants were even more impressive, going 81 yards in 4 plays that culminated with a Jones 14-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Hodgins. The other was that the record was an illusion.

The Vikings will get a better draft pick in return for the T.J. Hockenson trade after losing to the Giants in the Wild Card round.

However, if the Vikings don’t win a playoff game, that pick remains a 2024 fourth-round pick. The condition: if the Vikings win a playoff game, that conditional pick drops to a 2024 fifth-round pick. That means the pick will stay a fourth-round pick.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins had a tough time dealing with the wild-card loss to the New York Giants on Sunday night after a solid ...

We responded to adversity, and he's a heck of a leader for us. [Cousins was 31-of-39](https://www.foxnews.com/category/person/kirk-cousins) for 273 yards and two touchdowns. [Minnesota Vikings](https://www.foxnews.com/category/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings) quarterback Kirk Cousins played as well as he could have in the team’s 31-24 playoff loss to the New York Giants on Sunday and he took the defeat pretty hard. He was one of the reasons why I believe we didn't lose two games in a row. I thought he competed each and every week to put our offense in a position to have success, and he was always our leader each and every week. "You want them all back, and you just don't know, and I think that unknown is always tough."

The Minnesota Vikings unexpected 13-4 NFC North-winning season ended Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium after a loss to the New York Giants.

The Vikings were 12-1 (.923) in 2022 when they forced at least one turnover. Ed Donatell’s defense crumbled on the grandest stage of the Vikings 2022 campaign. In the end, the 2022 Kevin O’Connell-led Vikings The NFL is a cold business at times, and this is an example. If you don’t think Minnesota’s defense was the number-one-with-a-bullet problem Sunday, you are a slave to false Cousins-related narratives. He [hosts a podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/1H3kFzY5E2DSBGfCaOv1WY) with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with [Raun Sawh](https://twitter.com/TCBrowner651) and [Sal Spice](https://twitter.com/SalSpice). Listen, the Vikings QB1 played tremendously against the Giants, but all anyone will remember is Cousins’ desperate decision to throw “short of the sticks” with the game on the line. It’s the nature of the “QB Wins” beast. They have not exited the Divisional Round of the postseason, only got there once, and Cousins is paid handsomely to lead the team deeper than home Wildcard exits. Last offseason, the Vikings welcomed a new general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and head coach, Kevin O’Connell. Bank Stadium after a loss to the New York Giants. The Minnesota Vikings unexpected 13-4 NFC North-winning season ended Sunday at U.S.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins called Sunday's playoff exit at the hands of the Giants "probably the toughest loss I've had in my career," noting Minnesota's ...

"Looking back on it, maybe I could have been a little bit more, 'Hey, this is where you want the ball to go.' But I want Kirk to be able to play and be free out there to make good decisions. "The intent as a playcaller is you're not going to call a primary concept where somebody's short of the sticks, especially if it's fourth down," O'Connell said. There's always a play that could be better." And then when I went to progress, I just felt like I was about to get sacked, and I felt like I've got to put the ball in play. On the other, he led eight fourth-quarter comebacks among the Vikings' NFL-record 11 one-score wins, and he had a chance at another Sunday against the Giants. It was obviously tight coverage so he didn't have a chance to pull away. Giants safety [Xavier McKinney](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4241470/xavier-mckinney) tackled Hockenson after a 3-yard gain with 1:44 remaining. Hockenson](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4036133/tj-hockenson) on fourth-and-8 near midfield. In some ways, Cousins put together his best game of the season Sunday. [Minnesota Vikings](/nfl/team/_/name/min/minnesota-vikings) quarterback [Kirk Cousins](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/14880/kirk-cousins). "Thirteen wins, I haven't really sniffed that before," Cousins said. "It hurts," Cousins said.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings won 11 one-score games during the regular season. They did it in all sorts of ways, from throwing game-winning ...

“We're grateful to have a guy who's that capable, and we're going to give him a lot of opportunities.” But the way that it ended was not particularly fresh considering they have won only a single playoff game since the Minneapolis Miracle. Going into the game multiple players noted the fact that rosters usually change quite a bit from year to year and this group might not be together much longer. “I had thrown short of the sticks on a few occasions in the game and even going back a few weeks and just felt like just throwing it short of the sticks isn't the end of the world. “I think Ed (Donatell) tried to do the best he could this year across the board, installing the defense and the scheme that we had kind of manifested together and hoped that it would come to life,” O’Connell said. They have rarely been successful and Sunday’s throw from Jefferson to Cousins on third-and-1 on the second drive of the game was no different. “We wanted to try to get a rush, change the game with some of our playmakers up there, but not let him get out and have an impact.. “They didn't bring as much pressure tonight, it was more so a story of coverage, double teams,” O’Connell said. It might not have been different coverage from previous outings but O’Connell noted that the overall defensive approach from the Giants was changed up a bit. “They did what everybody else does,” said Jefferson, who was double teamed and followed by corner Adoree Jackson for most of the day. They did come up with a key stop to set up a potential tying drive but that came via a drop by a wide-open Slayton. They did it in all sorts of ways, from throwing game-winning touchdowns to causing key turnovers to getting a bevy of red zone stops to kicking a 61-yard field goal.

The Vikings have crashed out of the 2023 NFL Playoffs, so let's take an early look at three free agents they could target this offseason.

Minnesota doesn’t have many options available to begin with, and they could be losing Patrick Peterson in free agency this offseason as well, so it’s clear that making a push for Sutton would make a lot of sense. The lasting memory that fans are going to have of the Vikings this season is them getting torched in the air by Daniel Jones and a beat up Giants passing attack. Ogunjobi can play against both the run and the pass, although Minnesota would be adding him with the intent of shoring up their run defense. Adding Agholor as a complementary deep threat alongside Jefferson and Osborn makes a lot of sense, and this could be a cost effective move that pays dividends for Minnesota. The Vikings have one of the better wide receiver corps in the NFL right now, but that’s not to say they couldn’t use some help. On one hand, it’s tough to complain too much about the Vikings season considering how they went 13-4 and earned the three seed in the NFC.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley ignites his afterburners on a 28-yard touchdown run on the Giants' opening drive of the NFC Wild Card Game against ...

It didn't matter if they were down double digits in the fourth quarter or if their opponent needed one play to seal the game. Minnesota kept fighting and got ...

Staying on brand, the Vikings allowed 31 points and 431 yards to a Giants team that is far from explosive. The Vikings will be hoping to see more from a couple rookie defensive backs that landed on Injured Reserve (safety Lewis Cine and cornerback Andrew Booth, Jr.) but there should be more moves coming to help an underwhelming secondary. "He's a really good football player, in this offense, in this system, the Y, the tight end will always, especially someone of T.J.'s ability, will always have a big role," Cousins said. They ranked 28th in scoring defense this season and that unit tended to be most vulnerable against the best teams on Minnesota's schedule. "We wanted to try to get a rush, change the game with some of our playmakers up there, but not let him get out and have an impact. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson had a strong start Sunday, following up his 12-catch, 133-yard, one-score game against the Giants in Week 16 with five receptions for 37 yards in the first quarter. Hockenson answered his 13-catch, 109-yard, two-score outing against the Giants in Week 16 with 10 receptions for 129 yards. "They did what everybody else does," Jefferson said, who was double teamed and followed by corner Adoree' Jackson for most of the day. "They didn't bring as much pressure [tonight]; it was more so a story of coverage, double teams," O'Connell said. Minnesota also didn't force a turnover Sunday after recording two in its previous meeting against the Giants. "We talked about it throughout the week, we wanted to try to keep him in the pocket," O'Connell said. This time he tied his eighth highest total with 301 yards through the air.

They drifted about and exchanged embraces, pats on the shoulders and shared nods of understanding. Justin Jefferson autographed jersey after jersey while ...

"It's always about the guys in the locker room. "A great bunch of dudes," he added. "But you always have your hat, you know, you put in the work and can hang your hat on the work you put in throughout the week and everything like that, so I'm just happy I've got experience with these guys in the locker room. "As I was emotional yesterday, you kind of get your wits about you, the tears dry up and then you look up and make eye contact with someone and you realize, 'I don't know what the future holds for us and them,' " Phillips said. "I said it since the day I first talked to you guys. "You want to be able to look back on those memories and see all we accomplished together." "It's difficult to know the possibility is there that you don't get to play with them moving forward." "When I came in, they were great guys, welcomed you in with open arms and you'd try to get to know each other on a personal level, more than just the basics of football and being out here every day. and joking around and just putting in the work together … "Just because we know the type of guys we have in this locker room, the staff that's been put together, this organization – how much effort they've put in to help us be at our best," Thielen said. You want to talk about life, you want to talk about where you're from and how you got here, so that's how it starts. "It's one of the closest teams I've been around, so it's definitely tough to get this type of loss, just knowing that we're so close as a team and that we wanted to be on that Super Bowl platform."

The Vikings went 13-4 but lost in the first round of the NFL playoffs. What are their options this offseason? What's the recipe for building them into ...

Hockenson](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/tj-hockenson-player) ended up being a pretty lethal combination, with [Dalvin Cook](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/dalvin-cook-player) helping to get the play-action game going. Left tackle [Christian Darrisaw](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/christian-darrisaw-player) missed some of that same time, as well, and right tackle Brian O'Neill was lost for the season in Week 17 during the Packers game. The good news is, and I know most Vikings fans are going to hate to hear this, but Minnesota is close. Especially when this looks to be a decent enough cornerback class (especially at the top) coming out of college? [Patrick Peterson](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/patrick-peterson-player) is due to be a free agent this offseason. [Adam Thielen](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/adam-thielen-player) could be another, which would undoubtedly handicap the offense. They are estimated to be $8 million over the salary cap going into next season and have just four picks in this year's draft. Minnesota failed to record a takeaway for the first time since their loss to the [Green Bay Packers](https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/green-bay-packers-team) in Week 17. Following the game, O'Connell wouldn't entertain any talk of making a change at the coordinator level, but you have to think it's on the table. I haven't had to live the reality of "pulling a Vikings" for a long period of time. The saving grace for the Vikings in the regular season was that their defense could still generate takeaways.

EAGAN, Minn. — The end hit harder for the Minnesota Vikings than usual, a season of exhilarating finishes and exceeded expectations smudged by this quick ...

The money comes with the job.” There’s no guaranteed salary left on his contract, only prorated signing bonus portions that come with about $6.2 million in dead money if he were to be released prior to the start of free agency. “The biggest difference is the culture around here,” Cook said. “It’s definitely going to be tough not seeing some of these faces in the locker room next year.” “Eric has a crazy, crazy ability to know what’s coming,” linebacker Jordan Hicks said. [The group slipped even more](https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-vikings-new-york-giants-nfl-sports-daniel-jones-b7ff456f2ed9e101efd2ec3494faf5e7) under defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, putting his status with the team in doubt.

The Minnesota Viking's year ended the exact way we all thought it would. Embarrassment. The team that tried so hard to convince you they weren't frauds.

When you stack all of that on top of their disaster of a draft in 2022 and they’re pending first place schedule this team is headed straight for the toilet. With a quarterback on way too big of a guaranteed deal and a bunch of veterans about to be cut, this team is headed for a rebuild. The team that tried so hard to convince you they weren’t frauds were indeed the most fraudulent 13 win team in the history of the NFL.

Sunday was the perfect microcosm of the 2022 Minnesota Vikings. They played a close game as their defense bled yards again. The Vikings were 11-0 in.

It was his third-highest output in the entire season. The Giants were much more intentional in getting him to use his legs on Sunday. His previous high in a victory was 217 yards against the Packers in Week 5. It was the fifth time the Vikings failed to force a turnover all season. Hockenson](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HockTJ00.htm?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=zonecoverage.com&utm_campaign=2023-01-16_pfr) torched the New York Giants for the second time in four games, catching 10 passes for 129 yards. Two additional drives that didn’t end in points came at the end of each half as New York opted for kneel-downs. Minnesota allowed the Giants to control the ball and eat up yardage. [Kirk Cousins](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CousKi00.htm?utm_medium=linker&utm_source=zonecoverage.com&utm_campaign=2023-01-16_pfr) is taking a lot of the blame for throwing that pass. This was the product of completing 31 of 39 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns through the air. The Giants did all they could to hold him in check. Because of this, Cousins checked down to Hockenson, who was five yards short of the first-down marker. The Vikings were 11-0 in one-score games during the regular season.

The Vikings GM needs to steer offseason change the way coach Kevin O'Connell coaxed a 13-win season out of this roster.

This has to happen, and Adofo-Mensah and his staff need to find a way to accommodate the large contracts of Jefferson and Cousins. Adofo-Mensah needs more explosiveness and a defensive staff that can develop players. Dalvin Cook was healthy and productive this season, but he's no longer the centerpiece of the offense. Go back and look at the talent Tony Dungy had to work with when he made the Vikings a defensive powerhouse in the 1990s. Spielman's strength was finding great athletes and having a coaching staff that could develop them. 2 receiver will have to be brought in from the outside. - Work with O'Connell in hiring a new defensive coordinator who will be able to manage the transition from old, savvy veterans to young, more explosive athletes. Osborn should be the new No. - Sign Justin Jefferson to a large contract. In Adofo-Mensah's first offseason, he produced just one starter in the draft, guard Ed Ingram, and just one impact free agent, Za'Darius Smith. Bank Stadium, Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah chatted with an old friend in the press box. Adofo-Mensah was wearing loafers with no socks.

Coach Kevin O'Connell reminded players in an exit meeting of all the team accomplished, but an uncertain offseason lies ahead with nearly $20 million in cap ...

"When we're on our way, we'll be able to look back on those memories and see all that we accomplished together." By the time Jefferson returns for his fourth season, the Vikings' roster could go through a number of changes. He said Monday the contract discussion "comes with the success," adding, "They pay me whatever they pay me. He is eligible to receive a contract extension before his fourth season and could command a deal worth more than $30 million per season. That's the success of the season. The lights in the Vikings' indoor fieldhouse were a little dimmer than usual, the halls eerily quiet as players exited team meetings and departed to begin their offseasons.

Vikings superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson is three years into his NFL career, which means he's now eligible to sign a contract extension this ...

Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all offseason long. Technically, the Vikings can have Jefferson under contract for two more seasons on his current deal. The money comes with the job." Jefferson made a third consecutive Pro Bowl, added a first team All-Pro nod to his two second team selections, and is the favorite to be named the NFL's offensive player of the year. Last offseason, the Dolphins signed Tyreek Hill to a four-year, $120 million deal, the Raiders gave Davante Adams a five-year, $140 million contract, and the Eagles signed A.J. "It comes with the success, it comes with the job.