2007 Minnesota Vikings season

"at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
*Game time: 1:05 p.m. EST/12:05 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Game played indoors
*TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel (play-by-play) and Dan Dierdorf (color commentator)
* Game attendance: 63,043
* Referee: Mike Carey

Hoping to rebound from their home loss to the Eagles, the Vikings stayed at home and played a Week 9 interconference game against the San Diego Chargers. In the first quarter, Minnesota trailed early as Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson got a 1-yard TD run. The Vikings responded with RB Adrian Peterson getting a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the period was mainly scoreless until the final play of the half when kicker Ryan Longwell's 57-yard field goal attempt was short and San Diego CB Antonio Cromartie returned it 109 yards for a touchdown, which became the longest play in NFL history.

In the third quarter, Minnesota was the only team to score as Peterson got a 64-yard TD run, along with QB Brooks Bollinger completing a 40-yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice. In the fourth quarter, the Chargers tried to comeback as kicker Nate Kaeding hit a 36-yard field goal. The Vikings pulled away as Peterson broke a 46-yard TD run and RB Chester Taylor punched in a 2-yard score.

With the win, the Vikings improved to 3-5. Adrian Peterson had 30 carries for an NFL single game record 296 rushing yards, along with 3 touchdowns.

QB Tarvaris Jackson (6/12 for 63 yards), who originally got the start, left the game in the second quarter after suffering a concussion.

Week 10: at Green Bay Packers

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Vikings
R1=0
R2=0
R3=0
R4=0
RT=0
Home=Packers
H1=7
H2=6
H3=14
H4=7
HT=34"at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
*Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 49°F
*TV announcers (FOX): Dick Stockton (play-by-play) and Brian Baldinger
* Game attendance: 70,945
* Referee: Gerry Austin

Playing their first road game in three weeks, the Vikings traveled to Lambeau Field to play their long-time rivals, the Green Bay Packers.

In the first half, a 30-yard run by Ryan Grant would give the Packers a 7-0 lead, and two field goals by Mason Crosby (a 39-yard field goal midway through the 2nd quarter and a 24-yard field goal at the end of the half) would provide all the first half scoring, as the Vikings went to the locker room trailing 13-0.

The Packers completed the shutout with Brett Favre throwing a pair of third quarter touchdown passes, one to Donald Lee and one to Ruvell Martin. Martin would score again in the 4th quarter. The Vikings were shut out 34-0, the first time the Vikings had been shut out in the regular season since 1991 [ [http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/scoring] ] .

Adrian Peterson suffered a knee injury in the 3rd quarter and left the game.

With the loss, Minnesota fell to 3-6.

Week 11: vs. Oakland Raiders

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Raiders
R1=3
R2=16
R3=0
R4=3
RT=22
Home=Vikings
H1=9
H2=10
H3=3
H4=7
HT=29"at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
*Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
*Game weather: Indoors
*TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg (play-by-play) and Randy Cross (color commentator)
* Game attendance: 62,960
* Referee: Jeff Triplette

Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the Packers, the Vikings Week 11 opponent was the Oakland Raiders along with former Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper. Minnesota scored first as RB Chester Taylor got a 10-yard TD run, along with a safety (due to Culpepper committing a penalty while in his own endzone). The Raiders would get on the board with kicker Sebastian Janikowski getting a 42-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Vikings added on to their lead as kicker Ryan Longwell hit a 30-yard field goal, yet Oakland took the lead with Culpepper completing a 10-yard TD pass to TE John Madsen, along with Janikowski kicking a 30-yard field goal. Minnesota regained the lead with Taylor getting a 38-yard TD run, while the Raiders finished the half with Janikowski kicking a 49-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the Vikes improved their lead with Longwell kicking a 38-yard field goal for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota pulled away with Taylor getting a 6-yard TD run. Oakland's only response would be Janikowski hitting a 52-yard field goal.

With the win, the Vikings improved to 4-6.

For Chester Taylor, this game marked the first time in his career that he had 3 touchdowns in one game.

Week 12: vs New York Giants

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Vikings
R1=14
R2=10
R3=3
R4=14
RT=41
Home=Giants
H1=7
H2=0
H3=3
H4=7
HT=17"at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota, EST/12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 46°F (Sunny)
*TV announcers (FOX): Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Daryl Johnston (color commentator), & Tony Siragusa (sideline reporter)
* Game attendance: 78,591
* Referee: Walt Anderson

Coming off their home win over the Raiders, the Vikings scored first as QB Tarvaris Jackson completed a 60-yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice. The Giants would respond with RB Reuben Droughns getting a 1-yard TD run. Minnesota regained the lead with safety Darren Sharper returning an interception 20 yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, the Vikings continued their scoring as RB Chester Taylor got an 8-yard TD run, while kicker Ryan Longwell managed to get a 46-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, New York tried to come back as kicker Lawrence Tynes hit a 26-yard field goal. Minnesota answered with Longwell kicking a 26-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Vikings pulled away with safety Dwight Smith returning an interception 93 yards for a touchdown, along with LB Chad Greenway returning an interception 37 yards for a touchdown. The Giants' only response would be QB Eli Manning's 6-yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress.

With the win, the Vikings improved to 5-6.

Minnesota's league-worst pass defense had a big game as they intercepted Eli Manning four times (1 from Sharper, 2 from Smith, & 1 from Greenway), with three of them getting returned for touchdowns (which is the most since the 1984 Seahawks returned 4 picks in one game). It set a franchise record for the most interception return yards in one game with 169.

Week 13: vs. Detroit Lions

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Lions
R1=3
R2=7
R3=0
R4=0
RT=10
Home=Vikings
H1=7
H2=28
H3=7
H4=0
HT=42"at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
*Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Indoors
*TV announcers (FOX): Dick Stockton (play-by-play) and Brian Baldinger
* Game attendance: 62,996
* Referee: Larry Nemmers

Coming off their road win over the Giants, the Vikings went home for a Week 13 divisional rematch with the Detroit Lions. In the first quarter, Minnesota scored first as RB Chester Taylor completed a 2-yard TD run. The Lions would reply with kicker Jason Hanson hitting a 37-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Minnesota answered with rookie RB Adrian L. Peterson getting a 16-yard TD run. Detroit would respond with QB Jon Kitna completing a 1-yard TD pass to TE/FB Casey Fitzsimmons. Afterwards, the Vikings immediately scored with rookie WR Aundrae Allison returning a kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown (a franchise best), while QB Tarvaris Jackson completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR Bobby Wade and a 2-yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice. In the third quarter, Peterson added a 13-yard TD run.

With the win, the Vikings improved to 6-6.

This was the first time since their 15-1 season of 1998 that they were able to get 40+ points in back-to-back games.

Week 14: at San Francisco 49ers

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Vikings
R1=10
R2=17
R3=0
R4=0
RT=27
Home=49ers
H1=0
H2=0
H3=7
H4=0
HT=7"at Bill Walsh Field at Monster Park, San Francisco, California"
*Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST/03:05 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 53°F (Sunny & Clear)
*TV announcers (FOX): Matt Vasgersian (play-by-play) & J.C. Pearson (color commentator)
* Game attendance: 68,050
* Referee: Peter Morelli

After their home win over the Lions, the Vikings flew to Bill Walsh Field at Monster Park for a Week 14 contest with the San Francisco 49ers. In the first quarter, Minnesota scored first as DT Kevin Williams returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown, along with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 48-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Vikings added to their lead as QB Tarvaris Jackson completed a 19-yard TD pass to WR Robert Ferguson. Longwell hit a 46-yard field goal, and RB Chester Taylor completed an 84-yard TD run. In the third quarter, the 49ers would get their only score of the game as QB Shaun Hill completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Arnaz Battle.

With the win, Minnesota improved to 7-6.

Rookie RB Adrian Peterson ended the day with a career-low 3 yards rushing on 14 carries.

Week 15: vs. Chicago Bears

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Bears
R1=3
R2=10
R3=0
R4=0
RT=13
Home=Vikings
H1=0
H2=6
H3=6
H4=8
HT=20"at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota"
* Game time: 8:30 PM EST/7:30 PM CST
* Game weather: Indoors
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Ron Jaworski, Tony Kornheiser (color commentators), Michele Tafoya, & Suzy Kolber (sideline reporters)
* Game attendance: 63,800
* Referee: Tony Corrente

After the west coast win over the 49ers, the Vikings went home for a Week 15 Monday night NFC North rematch with the Chicago Bears. Chicago's kicker Robbie Gould kicked a 29-yard field goal for the only score of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Minnesota responded with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 42-yard field goal. Chicago would take the halftime lead with Gould kicking a 47-yard field goal and FB Jason McKie getting a 1-yard TD run.

In the third quarter, the Vikings started to rally as rookie RB Adrian Peterson got a 1-yard TD run (with a failed PAT) for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Vikings took the lead as Peterson got an 8-yard TD run. The Bears were unable to score in the second half.

With the win, the Vikings improved to 8-6.

Scoring Summary

Bears - Qtr 1 10:41 R.Gould 29 yd. Field Goal (4-3, 1:29) 3-0

Vikings - Qtr 2 10:07 R.Longwell 42 yd. Field Goal (6-38, 2:20) 3-3

Bears - Qtr 2 6:57 R.Gould 47 yd. Field Goal (8-14, 3:10) 6-3

Bears - Qtr 2 0:30 J.McKie 1 yd. run (R.Gould kick) (2-12, 0:13) 13-3

Vikings - Qtr 2 0:00 R.Longwell 48 yd. Field Goal (4-43, 0:30) 13-6

Vikings - Qtr 3 10:29 A.Peterson 1 yd. run (kick failed, wl) (4-73, 2:08) 13-12

Vikings - Qtr 4 10:56 A.Peterson 8 yd. run (B.Bollinger run) (11-65, 6:18) 13-20

Week 16: vs. Washington Redskins

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Redskins
R1=9
R2=13
R3=3
R4=7
RT=0
Home=Vikings
H1=0
H2=0
H3=7
H4=14
HT=0"at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota"
* Game time: 8:15 PM EST/7:15 PM CST
* Game weather: Indoors
* TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels (play-by-play), John Madden(color commentator), & Andrea Kremer (sideline reporter)
* Game attendance: 63,634
* Referee: Bill Leavy

After the Monday night win over the Bears, the Vikings hosted the Washington Redskins. With a win, the Vikings would clinch an NFC playoff berth. The Redskins also needed a win to avoid elimination. Washington scored the only points in the first half, leading 22-0 at halftime on a safety and three touchdowns. Passes by Todd Collins to Chris Cooley and Santana Moss as well as a pass from Clinton Portis to Antwaan Randle El completed the scoring. After a field goal by Washington's Shaun Suisham to start the second half at 25-0, Minnesota answered with two touchdowns by Tarvaris Jackson: one a short pass to Jim Kleinsasser, the other a 6 yard quarterback rush. Each team would score an additional touchdown in the fourth quarter, bringing the final score to 32-21.

With the loss, the Vikings fell to 8-7, matching the Redskins' win-loss record. In order to secure a playoff spot, the Vikings need a win in Denver in week 17, as well as a loss by the Redskins against Dallas. Because of this loss in week 16, if Washington wins its last game, the Vikings will be eliminated from the playoffs regardless of the outcome of the Denver game.

Scoring Summary

Redskins - Qtr 1 10:51 T. Richardson tackled in endzone for safety 2-0

Redskins - Qtr 1 7:32 T. Collins pass of 33 yds (Suisham kick) (7-67, 3:19) 9-0

Redskins - Qtr 2 7:50 T. Collins pass of 32 yds (Suisham kick) (2-32, 0:11) 16-0

Redskins - Qtr 2 0:49 C. Portis pass of 15 yds (2-pt. conv. failed) (10-80, 3:30) 22-0

Redskins - Qtr 3 6:55 S. Suisham 26 yd. Field Goal (10-56, 4:53) 25-0

Vikings - Qtr 3 2:59 T. Jackson 2 yd. pass (R. Longwell kick) (7-77, 3:58) 25-7

Vikings - Qtr 4 10:24 T. Jackson 6 yd. run (R. Longwell kick) (9-51, 4:31) 25-14

Redskins - Qtr 4 5:12 C. Portis 13 yd. run (Suisham kick) (9-75, 5:12) 32-14

Vikings - Qtr 4 2:04 T. Jackson 1 yd run (R. Longwell kick) (13-72, 3:08) 32-21

Week 17: at Denver Broncos

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Vikings
R1=0
R2=3
R3=0
R4=16
R5=0
RT=19
Home=Broncos
H1=0
H2=14
H3=3
H4=2
H5=3
HT=22"at Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado"
* Game time: 4:15 PM EST/3:15 PM CST
* Game weather: 36°F (Partly cloudy, windy)
* "'TV announcers (FOX): Sam Rosen (play by play), Tim Ryan (color commentator)
* Game attendance: 76,084
* Referee: Jerome BogerIn the final game of the season, the Vikings lost in overtime to the Broncos. Trailing in the fourth quarter by 16, Minnesota was able to score two touchdowns (both passes from Tarvaris Jackson to Bobby Wade), and complete two two point conversions, (both quarterback runs by Jackson) to tie the game at 19. In overtime, the Vikings had the ball first, but on the second play of their drive, Jackson was hit by Alvin McKinley and fumbled. The ball was recovered by Elvis Dumervil on Minnesota's 13 yd line. Jason Elam kicked a 30 yard game winning field goal.

Minnesota was eliminated from playoff contention based on the Redskins' victory over the Dallas Cowboys 27-6. The Vikings final record was 8-8.

Scoring summary

Vikings - Qtr 2 - 14:51 - 22 yd field goal by Ryan Longwell (13-56, 6:05) 3-0

Broncos - Qtr 2 - 11:25 - Jay Cutler 15 yd pass to Brandon Marshall (Elam kick) (6-74, 3:26) 3-7

Broncos - Qtr 2 - 1:54 - Cutler 2 yd pass to Tony Scheffler (Elam kick) (7-48, 4:09), 3-14

Broncos - Qtr 3 - 7:35 - Elam 43 yd field goal (13-52, 6:23) 3-17

Broncos - Qtr 4 - 13:13 - Vikings penalty in own endzone, resulting in safety 3-19

Vikings - Qtr 4 - 5:18 - Jackson 5 yd pass to Bobby Wade (2 pt conversion) (8-69, 2:46), 11-19

Vikings - Qtr 4 - 2:1 - Jackson 22 yd pass to Bobby Wade (2 pt conversion) (5-65, 1:51), 19-19

Broncos - OT - 14:08 - Elam 30 yd field goal (only play of drive) 19-22

Pro Bowl selections

The Vikings had seven players selected to the 2008 Pro Bowl. [http://wcco.com/sports/nfl.pro.bowl.2.613687.html] Starting on offense are RB Adrian Peterson, fullback Tony Richardson and offensive guard Steve Hutchinson. Starting at defense are defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams as well as strong safety Darren Sharper. The reserve center is Matt Birk. Only one team, the Dallas Cowboys, has more starters (7). Besides the 7 named players for Minnesota, kicker Ryan Longwell was named a first alternate, and special teams player Heath Farwell and left tackle Bryant McKinnie were named second alternates.

Draft Position

The Vikings finished the season tied with Arizona, Houston and Philadelphia. Because of the "Strength of Schedule" rule, they had the 17th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft (after Arizona but ahead of Houston and Philadelphia).

Notes and references

ources

*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Atlanta Falcons At Minnesota Vikings |url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29201/MIN_Gamebook.pdf |publisher=National Football League |date=2007-09-09 |accessdate=2007-09-16
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Minnesota Vikings At Detroit Lions |url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29220/DET_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Minnesota Vikings At Kansas City Chiefs|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29230/KC_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29249/MIN_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29272/CHI_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29285/DAL_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29302/MIN_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: San Diego Chargers at Minnesota Vikings|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29315/MIN_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Minnesota Vkings at Green Bay Packers|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29326/GB_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29348/MIN_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29364/NYG_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29376/MIN_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49'ers|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29397/SF_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29418/MIN_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29427/MIN_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web | title=National Football League Game Summary: Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29448/DEN_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=National Football League |date=2007-12-31 |accessdate=2007-12-31
*cite web |title=NFL game previews for Week 1 |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-09-06-week-1-preview_N.htm |publisher="USA Today" |date=2007-09-06 |accessdate=2007-09-16
*cite web |title=Week 2 game previews |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-09-13-week-2-preview_N.htm |publisher="USA Today" |date=2007-09-13 |accessdate=2007-09-16