Minnesota Vikings Regular Season Review

The Vikings (10-6) Finished the Regular Season as an NFC North Champs

The Vikings earned their playoff berth and clinched their first division title since 2000 with a 20-19 last-second victory at home over the New York Giants. It is the Vikings first NFC North championship since the division was realigned in 2002. The win also gave Minnesota its first 10-win season since 2000.

This season, the core of the Minnesota Vikings offense is their running attack led by Pro Bowl selection Adrian Peterson.

Running Back Adrian Peterson became the first Vikings running back in team history to lead the league in rushing when he finished with 1,760 rushing yards in 2008 (110.0 ypg). Peterson's 1,885 scrimmage yards also ranked 1st, and his 10 rushing touchdowns ranked tied for 8th.

Peterson finished 2nd with 42 rushes of 10+ yards, 2nd with 81 fi rst downs (22.3% of his carries), and tied for 4th among RBs with 200+ carries with a 4.8 yards per carry average.

Since entering the league last year, Peterson has rushed for 3,101 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. His 3,101 yards are the most in the NFL over the past 2 years and his 22 TDs are tied for the 2nd most.

Peterson's career average of 103.4 rushing yards per game in his 30 NFL contests ranks as the highest in the NFL from 2007-08. Only one other player in NFL history with 2,000+ yards has averaged 100+ yards a game for his career (Jim Brown - 104.3 avg./118 games).

While RB Adrian Peterson broke the team record for the most rushing yards in a single season in 2008, his counterpart quietly had a significant impact as well. In relief of Peterson, RB Chester Taylor rushed for 399 yards on 101 carries, an average of 3.96 yards per carry. Taylor also scored 4 touchdowns on the ground.

RB Chester Taylor led all NFL running backs and finished 6th among all players with 25 catches on 3rd down in 2008. Eleven of his 25 catches went for first downs, including an 11-yard TD in Week 15 at Arizona, and his average yards per 3rd down catch was 10.5 (260 yards). Taylor ranked 3rd on the Vikings roster with 45 catches for 399 yards and 2 touchdowns and added 399 yards and 4 TDs on the ground.

After taking over in Week 3, QB Gus Frerotte helped the Vikings to an 8-3 record over his 11 starts (left Week 14 due to injury). During that time, Frerotte completed 17 passes of 25+ yards, which ranked tied for 9th in the NFL from Weeks 3-14. Frerotte also threw 8 TDs of 20+ yards, which was 3rd in the league before Frerotte's injury.

Frerotte's yards per completion average of 12.12 was the 7th highest in the league, and his 99-yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian ranks as the longest pass in 2008 and tied for the longest in NFL history.

After stepping in for an injured QB Gus Frerotte in Week 14 at Detroit, QB Tarvaris Jackson completed 57 of 89 passes for 740 yards and 8 touchdowns with just 1 interception in the final 3 and a half games. He completed 64.0% of his passes while putting together a 115.4 passer rating during that time.

In Week 17 against the New York Giants, Jackson threw for his 2nd-highest passing total when he tallied 239 yards and 1 TD on 16-of-26 passing. In Week 14 at Arizona, Jackson earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors as he had his career-best passing performance, completing 11 of 17 passing attempts for 163 yards and 4 touchdowns. Jackson led the Vikings to 28 fi rst half points, 21 of which came on his throws of 41 yards, 11 yards and 6 yards. His QB rating on the day was 135.5. It was Jackson's first 4-TD performance. The following week he completed 22 of 36 passes for 233 yards and 2 scores. Jackson stepped in for Frerotte in Week 14 at Detroit and completed 8 of 10 passes for 105 yards and a TD. He fi nished with a QB rating of 143.8 as he led the Vikings to 17 second half points and a 20-16 victory. On the season, Jackson completed 88 of 149 passes (59.1%) for 1,056 yards and 9 touchdowns in 6 games. He also ran the ball 26 times for 139 yards (5.3 avg.)

After averaging just 18.8 points per game over the first 6 games (113 points), a total that ranked 24th in the NFL, the Vikings scored 266 points over the last 10 games, an average of 26.6 points per game. The team's 26.6 point average ranked as the 5th highest average in the NFL over the last 11 weeks, and among teams that played 10 games during that time, the Vikings 266 points ranked as the 3rd most in the league.

According to Stats, Inc., the Vikings finished 1st in the NFL with 18 touchdowns on plays of 20+ yards. Of those 18 explosive TDs, 13 came through the air, a total that also tied for 1st. The Vikings finished 3rd in the league with 23 rushes of 20+ yards, tied for 2nd with 5 rushing TDs of 20+ yards and were tied for 6th in the NFL with 63 plays of 20+ yards.

Vikings Defense

Under Head Coach Brad Childress, the Vikings defense has allowed only two 100-yard individual rushing performances in the past 48 games. Only St. Louis Rams RB Steven Jackson (12/31/06) and Green Bay Packers RB Ryan Grant (9/8/08) have reached the century mark during that time with 142 and 119 yards respectively.

Over the past 3 seasons (2006-08), the Vikings have given up a total of 3,400 rushing yards, which leads the league during that time. Opponents are averaging just 70.8 rushing yards per game. The Vikings became the first team since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger to rank #1 against the run in 3 consecutive seasons (2006-2008).

The Vikings defense tied for 4th in the NFL in giving up touchdowns on plays of 10+ yards. Minnesota gave up just 10 TDs on plays of 10 or more yards in 2008.

Minnesota's defense ranked #1 in the league in opponents runs of 10+ yards with 24 allowed in 2008. The Vikings did not give up a rushing TD of 10+ yards, which ranked tied for 1st, and they allowed just 10 passing TDs of 10+ yards, which ranked tied for 9th.

Minnesota Vikings (10-6) NFL 2008 Regular Season

 

NFL 2008 Game 1: Green Bay Packers 24, Minnesota Vikings 19

The Minnesota Vikings started the 2008 regular season with a 24-19 loss to NFC North rival Packers in Green Bay on Monday Night Football. The Packers beat the Vikings for the fifth consecutive time.

Aaron Rodgers threw for one touchdown and ran for another in his first career start. Rodgers finished 18-of-22 for 178 yards with one scoring pass and 0 interceptions against one of the NFC's top defensive units, Rodgers also rushed for 36 yards on six carries. Will Blackmon returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown and Ryan Grant rushed for 92 yards on 12 carries.

Tarvaris Jackson was 16-of-35 for 178 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Running back Adrian Peterson rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries for Minnesota.

The Vikings took a 3-0 lead on a 37-yard field goal by Longwell in beginning of the second quarter. The Packers then scored on back-to-back scoring drives. First, Rodgers connected with Greg Jennings on a 56-yard pass to the 6-yard line. Rodgers capped the drivew with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Hall for a 7-3 lead with 10:07 left in the half. On the Packers' next possession, Rodgers connected on a 25-yard pass to Driver to set up a 42-yard Mason Crosby field goal for a 10-3 lead.

A 27-yard Ryan Longwell field goal cut the Packers lead to 10-6 with 10:52 to play in the third quarter.

The Packers extended their lead to 17-6 when Blackmon returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown with 6:35 left in the third. Tarvaris Jackson led the Vikings on a 15-play, 79-yard drive, connecting with Sidney Rice on a 23-yard touchdown pass on a 4th-and-1 to make the score 17-12 after a failed two-point conversion. The Packers responded with a touchdown on Aaron Rodgers' one yard plunge to go up 24-12.

The Vikings Minnesota again mounted a lengthy drive, moving 80 yards in 11 plays to narrow the score to 24-19 on Peterson's 3-yard run with 2:39 left. However, after forcing the Packers to punt, the Vikings got the ball back with 1:51 left in the game, but a Packers interception sealed the victory for Green Bay.

NFL 2008 Game 2: Indianapolis Colts 18, Minnesota Vikings 15

The home team Minnesota Vikings built up a 9-0 halftime lead as Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell converted 3 field goals (45-yard, 27-yard and 53-yard). It marked the first time since October 2006 that the Colts were shut out in a first half of a game.

The Minnesota Vikings increased their lead in the 3rd quarter to 15-0 on two more Longwell field goals (46-yard and a 28-yard). Towards the end of the 3rd quarter, the Colts engineered a 6-play 80-yard drive in 2 minutes 45 seconds which culminated in a Joseph Addai a 1-yard TD run.

The Colts drew closer in the 4th quarter as QB Peyton Manning completed a 32-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Wayne and tied the score on the ensuing 2-point conversion run by RB Dominic Rhodes.

The Indianapolis Colts completed their rally as Adam Vinatieri converted the game-winning 47-yard field goal as time expired.

NFL 2008 Game 3: Minnesota Vikings 20, Carolina Panthers 10

The Carolina Panthers jumped out to a 10-0 advantage over the Vikings on the road, but fell victim to mistakes and turnovers while failing to generate a ground game for the first time this season. Quarterback Jake Delhomme was sacked five times and the Panthers committed 12 penalties in gaining 47 yards on the ground.

The Vikings generated a 19-play drive in the third and fourth quarters that lasted 11 minutes, 34 seconds and resulted in a 32-yard Ryan Longwell field goal.

NFL 2008 Game 4: Tennessee Titans 30, Minnesota Vikings 17

The Minnesota Vikings traveled to Tennessee to take on the Titans. RB Adrian Peterson had two rushing touchdowns, however the Vikings lost the game 30-17 as they turned the ball over four times.

NFL 2008 Game 5: Minnesota Vikings 30, SAINTS 27

NFL 2008 Game 6: Minnesota Vikings 12, LIONS 10

The Vikings handed the Lions their 5th losss of the season in Minnesota, 12-10.

QB Dan Orlovsky attempted to get something going for the Lions' offense; however, he was sacked out of bounds in the end zone for the safety by DE Jared Allen, handing the Vikings their first points of the game with the 2-0 score.

With 4:48 remaining in the second quarter the Lions attempted to get into the end zone in a 6-play, 48-yard drive highlighted by a RB Kevin Smith 50-yard run to the Minnesota 12-yard line; however, the Lions were unable to score a touchdown and settled for a K Jason Hanson 40-yard field goal at the two-minute warning.

With 8:32 remaining in the third quarter, the Lions scored as Orlovsky orchestrated a 10-play, 69-yard drive highlighted by a 37-yard pass to WR Calvin Johnson and capped with a 12-yard strike to Johnson in the end zone for the 10-2 Detroit lead. The Vikings attempted to respond to the score on the following drive; however, Lions CB Leigh Bodden intercepted a Frerotte pass intended for WR Aundrae Allison at the Detroit 45-yard line. The Lions attempted to capitalize on the pick, but went three-and-out. Minnesota quickly scored on the following drive as Frerotte connected with WR Bernard Berrian for the 86-yard touchdown to put the game within a point at 10-9.

The fourth quarter began with back-to-back turnovers as Lions' DE Corey Smith forced a Peterson fumble and Bodden came up with the recovery at the Detroit 38-yard line. On the first play of the next drive Orlovsky threw a 32-yard pass to Johnson; however, DE Ray Edwards forced the fumble and LB Ben Leber came up with the ball. Detroit challenged the play, but the call was upheld.

On the following drive Vikings K Ryan Longwell attempted a 38-yard field goal to gain the lead; however, DE Jared DeVries blocked the kick with 10:09 remaining in the fourth quarter to keep the Detroit 10-9 lead.

Minnesota took final possession with 4:41 remaining in the game and drove down to the Detroit 9-yard line for Longwell to kick a 26-yard field goal with 0:12 left securing the 12-10 Vikings victory.

NFL 2008 Game 7: Chicago Bears 48, Minnesota Vikings 41

NFL 2008 Game 8: Minnesota Vikings 28, TEXANS 21

NFL 2008 Game 9: Minnesota Vikings 28, PACKERS 27

Adrian Peterson ran for 192 yards on 30 carries, including a 29-yard touchdown with 2:22 remaining, as the Vikings came from behind for a 28-27 home victory over the Green Bay Packers. The win put a stop to the Packers 5-game winning streak over the Packers.

The Vikings took an early 7-0 lead as Gus Frerotte connected with Sidney Rice on a 3-yard TD pass that capped a 9-play 39-yard drive. The Packers tied the score in the first quarter on Ryan Grant's one yard TD run.

In the second quarter, the Viking scored 7 points, but in a very unorthodox way. First, Ryan Longwell kicked 54-yard field goal, then the Vikings pinned the Packers down in their endzone for two safeties. Packers kicker Mason Crosby cut the deficit to 14-10 with a 47-yard field goal with 22 seconds left in the first half.

In the 3rd quarter, the Vikings scored a touchdown when Gus Frerotte connected with Chester Taylor on a 47-yard TD pass that capped an 8-play 77 yard drive. However, the Packers responded by scoring two touchdowns in the 3rd quarter. The first TD came on Nick Collins interception which he returned for 59 yards and a touchdown, followed by 65-yard punt return for a TD by Will Blackmon. The Packers ended the 3rd quarter with a 24-21 lead.

In the 4th quarter, the Packers extended their lead to 27-21 on 40-yard Mason Crosby field goal, but then Adrian Peterson's 29-yard TD run put the Vikings ahead 28-27.

Packers kicker Mason Crosby missed a 52-yard field goal attempt in the closing seconds of the game as the kick sailed just wide.

NFL 2008 Game 10: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19, Minnesota Vikings 13

The visiting Minnesota Vikings fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 19-13. After a strong start the Vikings held a 13-6 halftime advantage but failed to put any points on the board in the second half and eventually succumbed to their hosts. The loss snapped a two game winning streak and dropped Minnesota to 5-5 on the year, but coupled with a Green Bay Packers victory over the Chicago Bears, the Vikings remained in a 3-way tie for 1st place in the NFC North.

The Vikings offense scored on 3 of their 5 possessions in the 1st half and controlled the clock. RB Adrian Peterson rushed for 71 yards on 13 carries in the half for an average of 5.5 yards. He, along with the entire Vikings offense, cooled off in the second half as Peterson finished the game with 85 yards on 19 carries (4.5 yard average).

QB Gus Frerotte finsihed passer rating of 105.8 completing 14 of 20 passing attempts for 138 yards and one touchdown. Like Peterson, his first half numbers stood out as he completed 7 of 9 passes for 73 yards and his one score.

The Vikings defense held the Buccaneers to 19 points, the final 3 resulting from a short field after a fumble from the kickoff return unit.

Though the Bucs set up in Minnesota's red zone on 5 separate occasions, the Vikings defense only allowed one touchdown, holding Tampa Bay to 4 field goals. The Vikings remain ranked 2nd in the league in rush defense despite giving up over 100 yards on the ground for only the 3rd time this season. LB Chad Greenway again led the way for Vikings with a game-high 17 (13 solo) tackles and the lone Vikings sack. Fellow LB Ben Leber recorded his league-leading 4th fumble recovery of the season after a combination of CB Cedric Griffi n and S Darren Sharper jarred the ball lose from Bucs running back Clifton Smith for the Vikings only takeaway of the game.

Vikings K Ryan Longwell converted both of his field goal attempts, the first from 43 yards and the second from 37 yards out.

NFL 2008 Game 11: Minnesota Vikings 30, JAGUARS 12

The Minnesota Vikings picked up their second road win of the season, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-12. The Jaguars outgained the Vikings 321 to 226, but five turnovers including two in the first 20 seconds were too much to overcome.

The victory was helped largely in part to a very early 14-0 lead just 1:41 into the game. The 2 touchdowns the Vikings scored in that period were the quickest in team history. The first of the two scores, a Napoleon Harris fumble return just :13 into the opening frame tied a team record for fastest score to start a game and quickest in team history on defense.

The Vikings offense, aided by takeaways on special teams and defense, did not have to have its biggest day producing yards, but instead relied on a balanced attack to close the game out. The running game racked up 122 yards and the air attack netted 104 for a total of 226 on the day. The Vikings held onto the ball for 20:50 of the final 30:00 minutes of the game, putting up their final 13 points during that span to seal the win.

RB Adrian Peterson led the way on the ground for the Vikings racking up 80 yards on 17 carries (4.7 avg.) and one touchdown on the day behind FB Naufahu Tahi. He ended the day passing the 2,500 yard mark for his short career and now has 1,180 this season, good for 2nd in the NFL. Peterson's counterpart RB Chester Taylor also found the end zone when he burst in for the Vikings second score of the day.

TE Visanthe Shiancoe was QB Gus Frerotte's favorite target on the afternoon as the two hooked up 3 times for 60 yards, including a 40-yard seam pass.

Vikings defenders were ball-hawking all day, forcing 5 turnovers - 3 fumbles and 2 interceptions -- and scoring a touchdown while only allowing 10 points. The Vikings also sacked Jaguars QB David Garrad a total of 4 times and limited the Jaguars talented running back tandem to just 35 yards.

LB Napoleon Harris recovered the Jags first fumble and brought it back 27 yards for the Vikings first touchdown of the day just 13 seconds into the action. On the Jaguars first possession of the third quarter CB Antoine Winfield knocked a ball loose that was recovered by S Darren Sharper. LB Dontarrious Thomas recovered the other Jaguars fumble while S Madieu Williams and CB Benny Sapp both recorded 4th quarter interceptions for the Vikings.

Vikings K Ryan Longwell had an impressive day going 3-for-3 on field goals including a 54-yard boot.

NFL 2008 Game 12: Minnesota Vikings 34, Chicago Bears 14

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the division rival Chicago Bears 34-14 in a battle for the top spot in the NFC North. With the win the Vikings took sole possession of 1st place in the division, evened the season series against the Bears and moved to 7-5 on the year.

The Vikings held the edge in all major statistical categories, including time of possession, passing yards, rushing yards and total yards, along with winning the always important turnover battle. The Vikings finished the month of November at 4-1.

The Vikings put together a balanced attack, rushing the ball 39 times for a total of 178 yards and throwing 25 times for 200 net yards.

QB Gus Frerotte completed 16 of his 25 passing attempts for 210 yards, including a 99-yard touchdown pass to WR Bernard Berrian. Berrian ended the night with a game-high 122 yards. Frerotte also completed long passes to both of his starting tight ends, with 20-yard strikes to TE Visanthe Shiancoe and TE Jim Kleinsasser.

RB Adrian Peterson continued his domination over the Bears, this time rushing 28 times for 131 yards (4.7 average) and a TD. Peterson has now rushed for 554 yards and 8 touchdowns in 4 career games versus Chicago. It was Peterson's 7th 100-yard game of the season and the 13th of his career.

Peterson also moved back into the league lead with 1,311 rushing yards on the season. He ranks 1st in yards per game, runs of 20 yards or more and is tied for the lead in runs of over 40 yards. RB Chester Taylor also added 46 yards and a TD on 10 carries. It was Taylor's 25th career TD.

The Vikings defense turned in another impressive performance allowing only 14 points, including 7 that came after a turnover gave the Bears the ball on the 4-yard line. Minnesota also picked off Bears' QB Kyle Orton 3 times on the night, ending a streak where Orton had completed 185 passes without an INT. CB Benny Sapp and LB Ben Leber both grabbed their 2nd interceptions of the year, while S Darren Sharper notched his fi rst. The Vikings turned each interception into points, scoring 2 touchdowns and adding a fi eld goal off the takeaways. DE Jared Allen also recorded 2.5 sacks on Orton, and with his teammates hurried the Bears signal caller another 9 times. Allen also led the team with 9 tackles (7 solo). Allen's 10.5 sacks ranks 3rd among DEs in sacks and 9th overall in the NFL. He also tied a record for most sacks in the fi rst season with the Vikings.

NFL 2008 Game 13: Minnesota Vikings 20, Detroit Lions 16

The Minnesota Vikings defeated division rival Lions 20-16 in Detroit.

After trailing the entire game against the winless Lions, the Vikings scored twice in the 4th quarter to grab the victory. With the win, the Vikings retained the top spot in the NFC North at 8-5, one game ahead of the 7-6 Chicago Bears.

Minnesota ended its 2008 divisional schedule with a respectable 4-2 record, and the team is now 5-1 since the bye weekend.

Despite a slow start in the first half, the Vikings offense found its rhythm scoring on 3 of its 4 possessions in the 2nd half, including 2 drives of 10 plays or more and a 90-yard touchdown drive.

After starting QB Gus Frerotte left the game shortly before halftime with a lower back injury, QB Tarvaris Jackson led the Vikings on two touchdown drives and another that resulted in a field goal. Jackson completed 8 of 10 attempts for 105 yards and a touchdown -- good for a 143.8 QB rating. His TD pass came on an 11-yard strike to TE Visanthe Shiancoe, who led all receivers on the day with 5 catches for 65 yards.

The Vikings other touchdown came when RB Chester Taylor, playing in his hometown, scampered for 17 yards into the end zone. He ran for 27 yards on 6 carries (4.5 average) and also caught 2 passes for 26 yards.

RB Adrian Peterson again rushed for over 100 yards (8th time this season) which tie a Viking team record. Peterson finished the day with 102 yards on 23 carries (4.4 average) and remains the NFL's leading rusher (1,413 yards).

The Vikings defense limited the Lions to only 16 points and a single TD.

The Vikings defense put the clamps on the Lions in the red zone as they surrendered only 6 points off 3 Lions possessions inside the 20-yard line.

Vikings defenders also stopped the Detroit Lions on two 4th down attempts. The Vikings 2nd ranked rushing defense held the Lions to 76 yards rushing. Lions QBs Daunte Culpepper and Drew Henson were sacked 4 times, twice by DE Jared Allen. Allen's sack total now sits at 12.5 on the season, which ties for most sacks among defensive linemen and defensive ends and ranks 4th overall in the NFL. DE Ray Edwards and DT Ellis Wyms recorded the other sacks. DT Kevin Williams led the team with 9 tackles (5 solo, 2 for a loss) while LB Chad Greenway had 8. \

K Ryan Longwell converted both field goal attempts, including one from 50 yards out. Longwell is 5-for-5 this season from 50 plus yards and is tied for 5th in the NFL in scoring. KR Darius Reynaud for the second week in a row took a kickoff back for 40+ yards when broke up the middle for 43.

NFL 2008 Game 14: Minnesota Vikings 35, Arizona Cardinals 14

The Minnesota Vikings went on the road and defeated the NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals 35-14. The Vikings put together a complete performance, scoring 4 times on offense and once on special teams while only allowing one touchdown defensively. With the win the Vikings remained one game ahead of the Chicago Bears in the NFC North.

The Vikings tallied 396 yards on offense, including 239 yards rushing and controlled the ball for 34.5 minutes. Adrian Peterson rushed for 165 rushing yards while quarterback Tarvaris Jackson threw four touchdowns passes in placed of injured quarterback Gus Frerotte. On the day, Jackson was 11 of 17 for 163 yards and a passer rating of 135.5.

Adrian Peterson compiled the 165 rushing yards on 28 carries for a 5.9 yard average. He continues to lead the NFL in rushing and total scrimmage yards.

The Vikings defense limited the NFL's best scoring offense to 7 points and just 43 yards on the ground. The Vikings sacked Cardinals QB Kurt Warner 4 times and hurried him 27 more times, knocking him down on 17 occasions.

NFL 2008 Game 15: Atlanta Falcons 24, Minnesota Vikings 17

The Minnesota Vikings fell to the Atlanta Falcons 24-17 at home, delaying their chance to clinch the NFC North division title. It was only the second time all season the Vikings lost at home (5-2). Four turnovers cost Minnesota as they outgained the Falcons by over 100 total yards and held the edge in the time of possession. The Vikings dropped to 9-6 on the year but remain in the driver's seat in the division.

The Vikings offense gained 350 yards of total offense and a season-high 12 explosive plays on the day, but missed opportunities to put more points on the board by fumbling the ball twice inside Atlanta territory and once inside the red zone.QB Tarvaris Jackson had a solid day behind center for the Vikings, completing 22 of 36 passing attempts for 233 yards and 2 touchdowns for a passer rating of 98.5. Jackson also scrambled out of the pocket 8 times for a career-high 76 yards, which tied RB Adrian Peterson for the game-high.

Jackson's main target on the day was TE Visanthe Shiancoe. Shiancoe had a career day, setting new marks in catches with 7 and touchdowns with 2 and recording his first career 100-yard game, finishing the day with a season-high 136 yards receiving.

The Vikings defense held Atlanta to under 225 total yards on the day, but were ultimately hurt by turnovers which gave the Falcon's offense 4 short fields on which to work. Vikings defenders also allowed a season-low 2 explosive plays and in the second half the Vikings forced 4 three-and-outs on 5 possessions.

Minnesota's #1 ranked rushing defense held Atlanta's #1 ranked rushing attack to under 100 yards on the day as they limited the league's second leading rusher, Michael Turner, to 70-yards on the ground. The secondary also kept rookie sensation QB Matt Ryan in check, giving up only 134 yards through the air. Falcon's Pro Bowl receiver Roddy White, who ranks 2nd in the league in receiving yards, was held to just 24 yards on 3 catches. The Vikings also sacked Ryan twice and hurried him 9 times. DEs Ray Edwards and Jared Allen led the way upfront for the Vikings defense, with Edwards recording both of the team's sacks along with 3 hurries and Allen leading the team with 4 QB hurries. LBs Chad Greenway and Ben Leber led the team in tackles with 10 (6 solo) and nine (6 solo) respectively.

K Ryan Longwell hit on his only field goal attempt, a 29-yarder, and converted both his point after tries. P Chris Kluwe punted once for 44 yards and the coverage team only allowed a 4-yard return.

NFL 2008 Game 16: Minnesota Vikings 20, New York Giants 19

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants 20-19 on a last-second K Ryan Longwell field goal.

The victory sealed the Vikings (10-6) postseason berth as the NFC North Division champions. It is the Vikings' first postseason appearance since the 2004 season, the team's first division title since 2000, and the team's first NFC North Championship since the NFC Central was realigned in 2002.

The Vikings offense utilized big plays to top the Giants. Minnesota's two touchdowns on the day came on a 67-yard touchdown run by RB Adrian Peterson and a 54-yard strike from QB Tarvaris Jackson to WR Bernard Berrian.

Peterson finished the day with 103 yards on 21 carries (4.9 average) and the one TD. He finished the regular season as the NFL's leading rusher with 1,760 yards. Peterson also became only the 5th player in NFL history to reach 3,000 yards in his fi rst 2 seasons.

Jackson would finish the afternoon 16-of-26 for 239 yards and a touchdown. His favorite targets were Berrian, who caught 4 passes for 81 yards and one touchdown, and WR Bobby Wade, who also caught 4 balls for a career-high 98 yards.

The Vikings defense held the Giants 7th-ranked offense to just 19 points. Minnesota's defenders sacked Giant's signal-callers twice on the day and hurried him another 5 times. LB Ben Leber led the way for Vikings defenders, recording 10 tackles (6 solo) and notching one of the 2 Vikings sacks. LB Chad Greenway had the other along with 7 total tackles (5 solo). Though he didn't record a sack, Pro Bowl DT Kevin Williams chipped into the pass rush with 4 quarterback hurries, while DE Jared Allen and DE Brian Robison each hurried Giants QBs twice.

Longwell continued his consistent kicking, improving to 6-for-6 on the year on field goals of 50+ yards with his 50-yard game winner. It was his 15th career game-winning kick and his 3rd of the 2008 season. Longwell also converted a 48-yard attempt earlier in the game. Chris Kluwe punted 4 times for 190 yards (47.5 avg.), including 2 that landed inside the 20 yard line.

In Minnesota's 20-19 victory, Longwell converted both field-goal attempts, including the game-winning 50-yarder as time expired to clinch the NFC North for the Vikings and, thus, earning NFC Player of the Week honors.

Trailing 19-17 and knowing that a win against the Giants would secure the NFC North title, Longwell kicked the game-winner from 50 yards out to send the Vikings into the playoffs. He also added a 48-yard field goal earlier in the game and was perfect on his two PAT attempts.

Maurice Hicks had a solid day returning kickoffs for the Vikings, taking 3 back for 110 yards (36.7 avg.).

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Minnesota Vikings Regular Season Review - NFL 2008