Week 5
Monday, Oct. 9
Vikings 20, Bears 17 at Soldier Field
View exclusive images shot by the team photographer (IG: vikingsphotog) from the Oct. 9 game against the Bears.
Key stat
In a gritty, NFC North division matchup at Soldier Field on the *Monday Night Football *stage, the Vikings demonstrated that they could still run the ball, despite losing Dalvin Cook for the season the previous week. Minnesota rushed for 159 yards on 31 attempts, led by Jerick McKinnon, who recorded 16 carries for 95 yards.
Decisive moment
Minnesota's defense showed up in a big way in Chicago. With just over two minutes remaining in the game, Harrison Smith picked off Bears rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. The interception, which was Smith's fourth against the Bears, allowed the Vikings to control the clock with a six-play drive that set up Kai Forbath for a 26-yard field goal with just 12 seconds to go.
Star of the game
Sam Bradford attempted to make his return to the field after suffering a knee injury in Week 1, but he re-aggravated the injury and was replaced by Case Keenum in the second half. Keenum finished the night 17-of-21 passing for 140 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions for a passer rating of 110.3.
Quote of the day
"It's huge to get a win here. We dropped the ball last week at home against the Lions, and we have Green Bay coming to Minnesota next week, so this was a big one for us. We had to get back on track, starting the second quarter [of the season], we want to get in the win column." – Kyle Rudolph, who scored one of two Vikings touchdowns on the evening
Photo of the game
Rudolph and the Vikings celebrated his touchdown catch with a game of "Duck, Duck, Gray Duck" that went viral and sparked a national debate on the proper name of the children's game.
Week 6
Sunday, Oct. 15
Vikings 23, Packers 10 at U.S. Bank Stadium
View exclusive images shot by the team photographer (IG: vikingsphotog) from the Oct. 15 game against the Packers.
Key stat
The Vikings defense snagged three interceptions for the second time this season. Harrison Smith nabbed his second interception in as many games, while Trae Waynes and Xavier Rhodes also picked off Packers quarterback Brett Hundley.
Decisive moment
After the Packers tied the game at 7 with a Davante Adams touchdown catch, the Vikings answered right back. On the first play of the drive, Adam Thielen drew a 42-yard pass interference penalty that flipped the field position in Minnesota's favor. The Vikings drove down the field and capped off an 84-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown by Jerick McKinnon.
Quote of the day
"Discipline of what we are asked to do is big. We love playing. We all love playing. We love playing together and we love the coaches. We love coming to the sideline and getting hyped with them. There is still a lot of football left to be played, and we know that. We just have to continue getting better each week." – Smith
Star of the game
McKinnon scored both of Minnesota's touchdowns on the day, starting with a screen pass from Keenum that turned into a 27-yard touchdown reception. He led the Vikings in rushing yards with 69 on 15 carries, including his 3-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Photo of the game
Brian Robison recorded one of the Vikings four sacks of Hundley, who was limited to 18-of-33 passing for 157 yards and a passer rating of 39.6.
Week 7
Sunday, Oct. 22
Vikings 24, Ravens 16 at U.S. Bank Stadium
View exclusive images shot by the team photographer (IG: vikingsphotog) from the Oct. 22 game against the Ravens.
