2020 Minnesota Vikings season | |
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Owner | Zygi Wilf |
General manager | Rick Spielman |
Head coach | Mike Zimmer |
Home field | U.S. Bank Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 7–9 |
Division place | 3rd NFC North |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | RB Dalvin Cook WR Justin Jefferson |
All-Pros | WR Justin Jefferson (2nd team) |
Uniform | |
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The 2020 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 60th in the National Football League (NFL), their fifth playing home games at U.S. Bank Stadium and their seventh under head coach Mike Zimmer. This was the Vikings' first time since 2005 that long-time assistant Kevin Stefanski was not part of the Vikings coaching staff, as he left to become the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns on January 12, 2020. After going 1–5 in their first six games for the first time since 2013, the team failed to improve upon their 10–6 record from 2019 after a Week 11 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and failed to match their 10–6 record after a Week 14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention following a week 16 loss to the New Orleans Saints, and ultimately finished 7–9, their first losing season since 2014. The Vikings conceded 475 points during the season, the third-highest total in franchise history, although they also managed to score 430 points, also the third-most in team history. [1]
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The Vikings had a total of 15 selections in the 2020 NFL draft, a record number since the draft moved to a seven-round format in 1994. [31] Although they had lost their original fifth-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens in the trade for kicker/punter Kaare Vedvik prior to the 2019 season and their seventh-round pick in the trade that sent wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills earlier in the 2020 offseason, the Diggs trade gave the Vikings extra picks in the first, fifth and sixth rounds. They also had an extra pick in the seventh round after trading guard Danny Isidora to the Miami Dolphins at the start of the 2019 season, as well as one compensatory pick in the third round and two in the seventh as a result of free agency losses in 2019.
After taking LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson 22nd overall with the first-round pick they acquired from the Bills, [32] the Vikings traded their original first-round pick (25th overall) to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the 31st overall pick, as well as selections in the fourth and fifth rounds; [33] with the 31st overall pick, the Vikings took TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney. [34] The Vikings used their second-round pick on Boise State offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland, [35] then took Mississippi State cornerback Cameron Dantzler in the third round, [36] before trading their third-round compensatory pick to the New Orleans Saints for the Saints' remaining picks in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds. [37]
In the fourth round, the Vikings used the picks they acquired from the 49ers and Saints to select South Carolina defensive end D. J. Wonnum and Baylor defensive tackle James Lynch, before taking Oregon linebacker Troy Dye with their original fourth-round pick. [38] The Vikings traded the fifth-round pick they acquired from the Bills to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft, before using their remaining fifth-round selections on Temple Owls cornerback Harrison Hand and Miami (FL) wide receiver K. J. Osborn. [39] In the sixth round, the Vikings traded the other pick they acquired from the Bills—along with the seventh-round selection they got from the Dolphins—to the Ravens for another seventh-round pick and a fifth-round pick in 2021 before taking Oregon State offensive tackle Blake Brandel and Michigan safety Josh Metellus. [40] The Vikings then had four remaining picks in the seventh round, which they used on Michigan State Spartans defensive end Kenny Willekes, Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley, Mississippi State safety Brian Cole II and Washburn guard Kyle Hinton. [41]
Pro Bowler |
2020 Minnesota Vikings draft | ||||||
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Draft order | Player name | Position | College | Contract | Notes | |
Round | Selection | |||||
1 | 22 | Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU | 4 years, $13.123 million [42] | From Bills [A] |
25 | Traded to the San Francisco 49ers [B] | |||||
31 | Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU | 4 years, $10.991 million [45] | From 49ers [B] | |
2 | 58 | Ezra Cleveland | OT | Boise State | 4 years, $5.537 million [42] | |
3 | 89 | Cameron Dantzler | CB | Mississippi State | 4 years, $4.586 million [45] | |
105 | Traded to the New Orleans Saints [C] | Compensatory pick | ||||
4 | 117 | D. J. Wonnum | DE | South Carolina | 4 years, $4.046 million [42] | From 49ers [B] |
130 | James Lynch | DT | Baylor | 4 years, $3.985 million [42] | From Saints [C] | |
132 | Troy Dye | LB | Oregon | 4 years, $3.974 million [42] | ||
5 | 155 | Traded to the Chicago Bears [D] | From Bills [A] | |||
169 | Harrison Hand | CB | Temple | 4 years, $3.594 million [45] | From Saints [C] | |
170 | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens [E] | |||||
176 | K. J. Osborn | WR | Miami (FL) | 4 years, $3.563 million [42] | From 49ers [B] | |
6 | 201 | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens [F] | From Bills [A] | |||
203 | Blake Brandel | OT | Oregon State | 4 years, $3.46 million [42] | From Saints [C] | |
205 | Josh Metellus | S | Michigan | 4 years, $3.455 million [45] | ||
7 | 219 | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens [F] | From Dolphins [G] | |||
225 | Kenny Willekes | DE | Michigan State | 4 years, $3.395 million [45] | From Ravens [F] | |
239 | Traded to the Buffalo Bills [A] | |||||
244 | Nate Stanley | QB | Iowa | 4 years, $3.373 million [48] | From Saints [C] | |
249 | Brian Cole II | S | Mississippi State | 4 years, $3.37 million [45] | Compensatory pick | |
253 | Kyle Hinton | G | Washburn | 4 years, $3.37 million [42] | Compensatory pick |
Notes
Draft trades
Name | Position | College | Ref. |
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Brady Aiello | OL | Oregon | [50] |
Jake Bargas | TE | North Carolina | |
Dan Chisena | WR | Penn State | |
Nevelle Clarke | CB | UCF | |
Quartney Davis | WR | Texas A&M | |
Myles Dorn | CB | North Carolina | |
Jordan Fehr | LB | Appalachian State | |
Nakia Griffin-Stewart | TE | Pittsburgh | |
Tyler Higby | OL | Michigan State | |
Jake Lacina | OL | Augustana (SD) | |
Blake Lynch | LB | Baylor | |
David Moa | DT | Boise State |
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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The Vikings' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was canceled in late July due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [51]
Week | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | August 14 | Houston Texans | U.S. Bank Stadium | Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
2 | August 21 | at Cincinnati Bengals | Paul Brown Stadium | |
3 | August 30 | at Cleveland Browns | FirstEnergy Stadium | |
4 | September 3 | Seattle Seahawks | U.S. Bank Stadium |
The Vikings' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7. [51]
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Packers | 3 | 19 | 7 | 14 | 43 |
Vikings | 7 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 34 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information | ||
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This was the Vikings' first loss in their season opener since 2015. The 43 points scored by the Packers was the most the Vikings had conceded in a season opener in franchise history. [52] Wide receiver Adam Thielen scored two touchdowns for the first time since Week 5 of the 2019 season against the New York Giants. [53]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Vikings | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 11 |
Colts | 0 | 15 | 3 | 10 | 28 |
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Game information | ||
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This loss dropped the Vikings to 0–2 for the first time since 2013. Quarterback Kirk Cousins was intercepted three times on 26 pass attempts that included just 11 completions for 113 yards; he ended up with a passer rating of 15.9.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Titans | 6 | 3 | 16 | 6 | 31 |
Vikings | 7 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 30 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
Texans | 0 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 23 |
at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Vikings | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 26 |
Seahawks | 0 | 0 | 21 | 6 | 27 |
at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Falcons | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 40 |
Vikings | 0 | 0 | 7 | 16 | 23 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 7 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 28 |
Packers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 22 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Lions | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
Vikings | 13 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Vikings | 7 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 19 |
Bears | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Cowboys | 6 | 10 | 0 | 15 | 31 |
Vikings | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Panthers | 0 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 27 |
Vikings | 7 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 28 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
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Jaguars | 9 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 24 |
Vikings | 0 | 6 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 27 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Vikings | 0 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 14 |
Buccaneers | 0 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 26 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Bears | 10 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 33 |
Vikings | 7 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 27 |
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 7 | 7 | 13 | 6 | 33 |
Saints | 14 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 52 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information | ||
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With the loss, Minnesota was eliminated from the playoffs, clinching their first losing season since 2014 and only the second under head coach Mike Zimmer.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 7 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 37 |
Lions | 6 | 10 | 13 | 6 | 35 |
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Game information | ||
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NFC North | |||||||||
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W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
(1) Green Bay Packers | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 5–1 | 10–2 | 509 | 369 | W6 |
(7) Chicago Bears | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 6–6 | 372 | 370 | L1 |
Minnesota Vikings | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 5–7 | 430 | 475 | W1 |
Detroit Lions | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | 377 | 519 | L4 |
# | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
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Division leaders | |||||||||||
1 | Green Bay Packers | North | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .428 | .387 | W6 |
2 [a] | New Orleans Saints | South | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 6–0 | 10–2 | .459 | .406 | W2 |
3 [a] | Seattle Seahawks | West | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 4–2 | 9–3 | .447 | .404 | W4 |
4 | Washington Football Team | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 5–7 | .459 | .388 | W1 |
Wild cards | |||||||||||
5 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .488 | .392 | W4 |
6 | Los Angeles Rams | West | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 9–3 | .494 | .484 | W1 |
7 [b] | Chicago Bears | North | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .488 | .336 | L1 |
Did not qualify for the postseason | |||||||||||
8 [b] | Arizona Cardinals | West | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .475 | .441 | L2 |
9 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 5–7 | .504 | .366 | W1 |
10 [c] | San Francisco 49ers | West | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 3–3 | 4–8 | .549 | .448 | L1 |
11 [c] [d] | New York Giants | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 4–2 | 5–7 | .502 | .427 | W1 |
12 [d] | Dallas Cowboys | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .471 | .333 | L1 |
13 [e] | Carolina Panthers | South | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .531 | .388 | L1 |
14 [e] | Detroit Lions | North | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .508 | .350 | L4 |
15 | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 4 | 11 | 1 | .281 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .537 | .469 | L3 |
16 | Atlanta Falcons | South | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 2–10 | .551 | .391 | L5 |
Tiebreakers [f] | |||||||||||
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Category | Player(s) | Total |
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Passing yards | Kirk Cousins | 4,265 |
Passing touchdowns | Kirk Cousins | 35 |
Rushing yards | Dalvin Cook | 1,557 |
Rushing touchdowns | Dalvin Cook | 16 (tie) |
Receptions | Justin Jefferson | 88 * |
Receiving yards | Justin Jefferson | 1,400 ** |
Receiving touchdowns | Adam Thielen | 14 |
Points | Dalvin Cook | 108 |
Kickoff return yards | Ameer Abdullah | 352 |
Punt return yards | Chad Beebe | 42 |
Tackles | Eric Wilson | 122 |
Sacks | Yannick Ngakoue | 5.0 |
Interceptions | Harrison Smith | 5 |
Forced fumbles | Yannick Ngakoue | 2 |
Bold = League leader | ||
* = Franchise Rookie Record | ||
** = NFL Rookie Record |
Source: Minnesota Vikings' official website [54]
Category | Total yards | Yards per game | NFL rank (out of 32) |
---|---|---|---|
Passing offense | 2,059 | 228.8 | 22nd |
Rushing offense | 1,382 | 153.6 | 5th |
Total offense | 3,441 | 382.4 | 9th |
Passing defense | 2,411 | 267.9 | 27th |
Rushing defense | 1,041 | 115.7 | 15th |
Total defense | 3,452 | 383.6 | 24th |
Source: NFL.com [55]
Two Vikings players—running back Dalvin Cook and rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson—were selected for the 2021 Pro Bowl, [56] the team's lowest contribution to the event since 2014, when they had no Pro Bowlers. Cook received the most votes among NFC running backs to go to his second Pro Bowl (after his rookie season in 2017), [57] and only Russell Wilson received more votes out of any position in the NFC team, while Jefferson was the Vikings' first rookie wide receiver to be selected since Percy Harvin in 2009. [58]