Week 10
Sunday, Nov. 12
Vikings 38, Redskins 30 at FedEx Field
View game action images as the Vikings take on the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Sunday.
Key stat
The scoreboard ended with a 38 next to the Vikings, as Minnesota ended up with its highest point total of the season. And while the offense produced plenty of big highlights (four passing plays went for 38 yards or more), it was a dominant red-zone effort that led the way to a win. In their first game after harping on red-zone success at practice, the Vikings scored touchdowns on all five trips inside the 20-yard line. The 5-for-5 performance paved the way for Minnesota's fifth-straight win.
Decisive moment
The Vikings trailed by three when Case Keenum connected with Adam Thielen for a 7-yard touchdown pass with just under two minutes remaining in the first half. Mackensie Alexander then notched the first pick of his career on Washington's next offensive play, which led to a 1-yard touchdown catch by tight end David Morgan. Minnesota then got the ball to start the second half and went 72 yards in six plays, capped off by a Jarius Wright touchdown reception. In the span of 4:27 of game time, Minnesota scored 21 points and grabbed a 35-17 lead.
Star of the game
In a season in which Thielen produced the best numbers of his career, the Vikings wide receiver had his most prolific game of 2017. Thielen had eight catches for a season-high 166 yards and a touchdown, helping lead the way for a Minnesota offense that racked up 406 total yards. He had receptions of 49, 38 and 38 yards in the nation's capital.
Quote of the day
"Just running out of that locker room, being able to stand next to those guys on the sideline for the National Anthem, it just all boiled up. I kind of screamed a little on the sideline after I said my prayer in the end zone. Then when I got on the sideline, I was like, 'Man, this is really about to happen.' Today was a great moment for my personal life, but it was an even better moment for this team. They got out there and competed, and we won a big game we needed to win on the road." — Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, on his pregame emotions after being active for a game for the first time in 21 months
Photo of the game
Alexander's first career pick came at a crucial time, as his interception off Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins helped spark a 21-point surge for the Vikings. A second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Alexander did not have an interception during his rookie season or during his college career at Clemson.
Week 11
Sunday, Nov. 19
Vikings 24, Rams 7 at U.S. Bank Stadium
View exclusive images shot by the team photographer (IG: vikingsphotog) from the Nov. 19 game against the Rams.
Key stat
While Todd Gurley had a touchdown run against the Vikings, he gained just 37 yards on 15 carries as Los Angeles gained just one first down on the ground. The Rams running back* *has garnered MVP consideration after he rushed for a league-high 13 touchdowns and ran for 1,305 yards, the second-most yards in the NFL.
Decisive moment
With the game tied at 7, Los Angeles faced third-and-4 from Minnesota's 11-yard line and appeared in position to take the lead. But Anthony Harris turned the tide as his hit on Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp at the 1-yard line jarred the ball loose, and the safety recovered the fumble. The sequence was the closest the Rams would get to the end zone for the rest of the game.
Quote of the day
"That was big time. He made a heck of a play at the goal line. That's seven points coming off the board there. You never know what happens if they go up 14-7 at the time." — Vikings safety Harrison Smith on Harris' forced fumble and recovery
Star(s) of the game
Credit the big boys for this one. While the focus entering the game was on the Rams defensive playmakers, the Vikings offensive line of Riley Reiff, Nick Easton, Pat Elflein, Joe Berger and Rashod Hill didn't allow a single sack. They also paved the way as Minnesota ran for a season-high 171 yards on the ground, including 95 yards and two scores by Vikings running back Latavius Murray.
Photo of the game
Adam Thielen was off to the races on this 65-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. The Vikings led by a touchdown with just over 10 minutes left when Thielen beat his man in single coverage and scampered down the field for his longest touchdown catch of the season.
Week 12
Thursday, Nov. 23
Vikings 30, Lions 23 at Ford Field
View exclusive images shot by the team photographer (IG: vikingsphotog) from the Nov. 23 game against the Lions.
Key stat
Minnesota's win streak reached seven games with the win in Detroit, as the Vikings moved to 9-2 on the season. But the victory in Detroit was massive in terms of the NFC North race as the Lions dropped to 6-5 with the loss. The Minnesota victory put some distance between the Vikings and Lions as Minnesota avenged an early-season loss to Detroit by grabbing a three-game lead in the division. The Vikings eventually won the NFC North, and the Lions missed the playoffs.
Decisive moment
The Vikings led 20-10 at halftime and looked to open the second half with some momentum. Minnesota made quite the statement as the Vikings went 75 yards on four straight runs to power through the Detroit defense. Latavius Murray opened the sequence with a 46-yard run before Jerick McKinnon notched 27 yards on back-to-back runs. Murray then plunged into the end zone from 2 yards out for a key touchdown that wound up being Minnesota's final trip to the end zone on Thanksgiving Day.
Quote of the day
"We got in there and fought. I like this football team, they're a bunch of fighters. They compete. When things go bad, they don't panic, they just keep — we almost panicked a couple times today, but we settled down and we got back to it. So, anyway, it was a good game, and I'm glad that we won." — Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer
Star of the game
Case Keenum was his usual efficient and productive self against the Lions. The Vikings quarterback completed 21 of 30 passes (70 percent) for 282 yards with a pair of touchdown passes (both to tight end Kyle Rudolph) and no interceptions in the nationally televised game. Keenum also showed off his legs as he scored on a 9-yard run, his first and only rushing touchdown of the season.
Photo of the game
The Vikings were fit for a feast on Thanksgiving Day as Keenum and his teammates celebrated the quarterback's second-quarter rushing touchdown run by pigging out in the end zone. Stefon Diggs made sure the turkey was on the center of the plate as the Vikings offense chowed down in a road division win.
Week 13
Sunday, Dec. 3
Vikings 14, Falcons 9 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
View exclusive images shot by the team photographer (IG: vikingsphotog) from the Dec. 3 game against the Falcons.
Key stat
Perhaps the most intriguing storyline entering the Week 13 contest between the Vikings and Falcons was that both teams entered the game as the top two third-down offenses in the NFL. And while Minnesota had the second-best third-down offense, the Vikings also countered with the league's best third-down defense. That aspect of the game was no contest as the Falcons went 1 for 10 on third down at home. Atlanta converted its first third-down try but didn't move the chains the rest of the way.
Decisive moment
A thrown red flag made all the difference for the Vikings. Minnesota led 7-6 early in the third quarter when Atlanta appeared to convert a third down with an 18-yard pass to Mohamed Sanu down to the Vikings 11-yard line. Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer challenged the catch, and was successful in getting the play overturned. Atlanta settled for a field goal and the lead, but the Falcons wouldn't score again. Minnesota grabbed the advantage on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter as the Vikings notched their eighth consecutive win.
Quote of the day
"We had great play calls, I thought [Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur] did a great job calling the game, and guys making plays and getting open. The second half, you know the whole game, I thought they did a great job." — Keenum on going 13-for-13 on pass attempts in the second half
Star of the game
Xavier Rhodes proved once again why he's one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Matched up against Julio Jones (who a week earlier had 12 catches for 253 yards and two scores) for most of the day, the Vikings cornerback limited the Falcons All-Pro wide receiver to a pair of receptions for 24 yards.
Photo of the game
Atlanta had just burned its final timeout when the Vikings faced third-and-4 on the Falcons 43-yard line. Keenum looked Thielen's way as the Pro Bowl wide receiver easily beat his man on a slant to pick up 22 yards and a first down. While Thielen was fired up, his catch helped ice the game for Minnesota. A pair of Murray runs and three Keenum kneel-downs later, and the Vikings had beaten the defending NFC champions.
