BRIAN HALL
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, left, runs from Chicago Bears defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (96) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings' offense can't make up for depleted defense

By Brian Hall Dec. 21, 2020 06:29 PM EST
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Running back Dalvin Cook and coach Mike Zimmer each

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler (27) intercepts a pass intended for Chicago Bears tight end J.P. Holtz (81) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Defense, play at home ultimately doom Vikings' playoff hopes

By Brian Hall Dec. 20, 2020 07:19 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After rushing for 132 yards, the most allowed by Chicago

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) gets upended by Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (90) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Vikings' miscues have them on outside of playoffs, again

By Brian Hall Dec. 14, 2020 05:33 PM EST
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Five wins in six weeks had put the Minnesota Vikings into

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, right, dives for extra yardage ahead of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tre Herndon, left, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Jefferson's rookie season stacks up with the best, even Moss

By Brian Hall Dec. 07, 2020 06:46 PM EST
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Hall of Famer Randy Moss splashed on the scene in 1998 for

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mike Glennon (center) is tackled for a safety by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Mistakes abound as Jaguars collapse again in 27-24 OT loss

By Brian Hall Dec. 06, 2020 07:19 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When Joe Schobert reached the end zone after his 43-yard

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) dives past Carolina Panthers cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver (23) to score his second touchdown of the day in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP)
Vikings' timely defensive stops keep playoff hopes alive

By Brian Hall Nov. 30, 2020 07:07 PM EST
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Even without receiver Adam Thielen, the Minnesota Vikings’

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen is congratulated by teammate Dakota Dozier (78) after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Vikings could be without the touchdown prowess of Thielen

By Brian Hall Nov. 25, 2020 05:56 PM EST
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — On a Minnesota offense that features Dalvin Cook, who leads

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Stafford cleared to play, can't finish Lions' 34-20 loss

By Brian Hall Nov. 08, 2020 06:44 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford spent the

Minnesota Vikings' Harrison Hand stops Green Bay Packers' A.J. Dillon during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Cornerback crunch presents challenges for Zimmer, Vikings

By Brian Hall Nov. 04, 2020 05:51 PM EST
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — After Green Bay star Davante Adams caught the first of his

Minnesota Vikings' Alexander Mattison (25) is chased by Seattle Seahawks' Ryan Neal during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Mattison ready to step in for Vikings if Cook can't play

By Brian Hall Oct. 14, 2020 05:35 PM EDT
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — When Dalvin Cook hurt his groin and left for the locker

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) walks off the field after the team's NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Monday, Dec. 23, 2019, in Minneapolis. The Packers won 23-10. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Cousins struggles as Vikings' offense slips in 23-10 loss

By Brian Hall Dec. 24, 2019 01:44 AM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Asked during the week about Kirk Cousins’ winless mark on

Minnesota Vikings running back Mike Boone, right, reacts with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Surging Vikings solidify spot in playoff race

By Brian Hall Dec. 16, 2019 07:57 PM EST
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — When the Minnesota Vikings lost at Chicago in Week 4, there

Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough is sacked by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
After strong Blough debut, Vikes say 'whoa' in win vs. Lions

By Brian Hall Dec. 08, 2019 07:17 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The first three plays for David Blough and the Detroit Lions

Minnesota Vikings safety Jayron Kearse, right, breaks up a pass intended for Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 27-23. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Broncos defense collapses again in 27-23 loss to Vikings

By Brian Hall Nov. 17, 2019 07:10 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The defense that has long been the backbone of the Denver

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) struggles for extra yardage as Bisi Johnson (81) helps against a tackle attempt by Dallas Cowboys' Darian Thompson (23) during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
He’s cooking: Vikings RB’s recipe is speed, strength, vision

By Brian Hall Nov. 13, 2019 05:10 PM EST
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Tackling Dalvin Cook has been a challenge this season. The

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) can't reach an overthrown pass as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland (21) defends, during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Offensive balance missing early in Vikings' loss to Chiefs

By Brian Hall Nov. 04, 2019 07:11 PM EST
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Facing the 30th-ranked run defense in the NFL and featuring

FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2018 file photo Minnesota Vikings safety Jayron Kearse warms up before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago. Kearse has been arrested in Minneapolis on suspicion of driving while impaired and with a loaded gun. The Minnesota State Patrol says a trooper stopped Kearse just before 4 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 after seeing a Mercedes drive around a barricade onto a closed portion of Interstate 94 and "observed signs of alcohol impairment." (AP Photo/David Banks, file)
Vikings S Jayron Kearse apologizes for weekend arrest

By Brian Hall Oct. 28, 2019 07:21 PM EDT
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Jayron Kearse returned to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins reacts after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Balance leads to breakout for Vikings offense, Kirk Cousins

By Brian Hall Oct. 21, 2019 08:14 PM EDT
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — With a chance to drain the clock and preserve Sunday's win at

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) is injured as he fumbles and is pulled down by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter and Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) watches during the half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Everson Griffen's return to form energizes Vikings defense

By Brian Hall Oct. 09, 2019 07:05 PM EDT
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Everson Griffen burst from his three-point stance and appeared

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Chicago. The Bears won 16-6. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Cousins, passing game still missing when Vikings need them

By Brian Hall Sep. 30, 2019 05:44 PM EDT
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Even as the Minnesota Vikings had league-leading rushing totals