Minnesota Vikings (10-6-0)
Vikings PK Walsh wins 2012 Golden Toe Award
Vikings rookie PK Blair Walsh was voted the 2012 Golden Toe winner as the NFL's top kicking specialist.
Lagging Vikings stadium funds concern lawmakers
A state lawmaker is growing concerned about the reliability of tax revenue that is supposed to help pay for construction of a new Vikings stadium.
Peterson wins PFW/PFWA MVP honors
Adrian Peterson is the winner of both the MVP and Comebacker Player of the Year awards, as voted by Pro Football Weekly and the PFWA.
Vikings thrived with fewer coaching errors
A sounder, smarter Vikings coaching staff was a big reason for the team's success in 2012.
Peterson's freakish healing will make others suffer
By healing so quickly and turning in his best season to date, Vikings RB Adrian Peterson has set an unfair standard for others' rehabilitations.
Expanding the playoffs a bad idea
Expanded playoffs? Bad idea if the wild-card games were a clue. Plus, how Leslie Frazier and Mike Shanahan handled QB decisions.
Harvin's role with Vikings remains unknown
Since WR Percy Harvin landed on injured reserve on Dec. 5, his future with the Vikings seriously has come into doubt.
Vikings DE Allen to have shoulder surgery
Vikings DE Jared Allen will have surgery this offseason to repair a torn labrum, according to Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com in Minnesota.
Packers show off depth in wild-card win over Vikings
The Packers reminded everyone of how dangerous they can be when they're at full strength Saturday night, overwhelming the Vikings 24-10.
Vikings' Ponder inactive; Webb starts vs. Packers
Vikings QB Christian Ponder is suffering from burisitis and will not play in the wild-card matchup against the Packers in Green Bay.
Friday injury report for wild-card round
Here is the Friday injury report for the wild-card weekend, showing to what degree injured players participated in their teams' practices.
Thursday's wild-card injury report
The injury report report for this weekend's wild-card action, as released by the NFL.
Running the 'Card table: Tom Danyluk's wildcard predictions
PFW columnist Tom Danyluk breaks down the wild-card round action and offers his predictions.
Lewis, Pagano highlight emotional weekend
Three of this year's wild-card games are whoppers, with the two Sunday games appearing to be quite fascinating.
Key matchup: Vikings QB Christian Ponder vs. Packers pass defense
Strange as it may sound given Adrian Peterson’s ability to take over a game, the Packers must focus on Vikings QB Christian Ponder.
PLAYER NEWS
Jennings, Greg (WR)
Jennings has agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings, becoming the latest Green Bay Packer to head across the border and join their bitter NFC North rivals. Jennings made his decision on Friday, giving the Vikings the No. 1 receiver they so desperately needed after trading Percy Harvin to Seattle.
Jennings caught 36 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns in eight games last season. He bolsters a thin receiving group that grew thinner when the Vikings traded star Percy Harvin to Seattle earlier this offseason. Jennings joins safety Darren Sharper, kicker Ryan Longwell and, of course, quarterback Brett Favre as high-profile Packers to defect to Minnesota. Like all the rest of them, Jennings will be looking to prove that his best days are not behind him.
Jennings caught 36 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns in eight games last season. He bolsters a thin receiving group that grew thinner when the Vikings traded star Percy Harvin to Seattle earlier this offseason. Jennings joins safety Darren Sharper, kicker Ryan Longwell and, of course, quarterback Brett Favre as high-profile Packers to defect to Minnesota. Like all the rest of them, Jennings will be looking to prove that his best days are not behind him.
Cassel, Matt (QB)
The Minnesota Vikings have signed free agent quarterback Matt Cassel. The Vikings announced the signing Friday, one day after agreeing to terms with the former Patriot and Chief to be the backup to starter Christian Ponder. Cassel was waived by Kansas City on Thursday with two years left on his contract.
Cassel led the Patriots to an 11-5 record in place of the injured Tom Brady in 2008. He was traded to Kansas City in 2009, made the Pro Bowl in 2010 and struggled the past two seasons. He threw six touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in nine games last year.
Cassel led the Patriots to an 11-5 record in place of the injured Tom Brady in 2008. He was traded to Kansas City in 2009, made the Pro Bowl in 2010 and struggled the past two seasons. He threw six touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in nine games last year.
Cassel, Matt (QB)
A person with knowledge of the deal says the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms with quarterback Matt Cassel. The Vikings and Cassel came to agreement on Thursday, the same day he was formally released by the Kansas City Chiefs with two years left on his contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal, first reported by Fox Sports, has not been announced.
Cassel spent the last four years in Kansas City. He completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,796 yards with six touchdowns and 12 interceptions in nine games last year.
Cassel spent the last four years in Kansas City. He completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,796 yards with six touchdowns and 12 interceptions in nine games last year.
Cassel, Matt (QB)
The Chiefs have cut ties with Cassel, who lost his starting job to Brady Quinn last season and then watched Kansas City trade for Alex Smith to be his replacement.
Cassel was the first major acquisition by the Chiefs under previous general manager Scott Pioli, and he was quickly given a six-year, $63 million contract. But after leading the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2010, Cassel struggled to live up to the same expectations.
Cassel was the first major acquisition by the Chiefs under previous general manager Scott Pioli, and he was quickly given a six-year, $63 million contract. But after leading the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2010, Cassel struggled to live up to the same expectations.
Jennings, Greg (WR)
The Minnesota Vikings are interested in Jennings, the latest Green Bay Packers free agent pursued by their NFC North rivals.
The agent for Jennings, Eugene Parker, told The Associated Press his client was visiting the Vikings on Thursday. ESPN first reported the trip. The 29-year-old Jennings is coming off a second straight injury-affected season so fantasy owners should beware.
The agent for Jennings, Eugene Parker, told The Associated Press his client was visiting the Vikings on Thursday. ESPN first reported the trip. The 29-year-old Jennings is coming off a second straight injury-affected season so fantasy owners should beware.
Simpson, Jerome (WR)
Simpson has signed with the Vikes.
The team announced the deal Wednesday, the day after NFL free agency began.
The team announced the deal Wednesday, the day after NFL free agency began.
Henderson, Erin (LB)
Henderson has signed with the Vikes.
The team announced the deal Wednesday, the day after NFL free agency began.
The team announced the deal Wednesday, the day after NFL free agency began.
Loadholt, Phil (T)
The Vikings re-signed Loadholt on Tuesday.
Loadholt has been the Vikings starter at right tackle for his whole career, missing only one game in four seasons.
Loadholt has been the Vikings starter at right tackle for his whole career, missing only one game in four seasons.
Jennings, Greg (WR)
The Green Bay Packers declined to use their franchise tag on Jennings, meaning the star wide receiver will become an unrestricted free agent next week.
The agent for Jennings, who ranks in the top 10 on the all-time Packers reception list, can begin speaking with other teams as soon as Saturday, although no deal can be signed until March 12, according to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report.
The agent for Jennings, who ranks in the top 10 on the all-time Packers reception list, can begin speaking with other teams as soon as Saturday, although no deal can be signed until March 12, according to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report.
Peterson, Adrian (RB)
Peterson had surgery for a sports hernia on Thursday. The Vikings made the announcement on their website and say they "expect a speedy recovery with no long-term concerns." Peterson had the procedure in Philadelphia.
Peterson, who also was named offensive player of the year after returning from a torn ACL to rush for 2,097 yards, was bothered by an abdominal injury for the last month of the season. He sat out the fourth quarter against Houston in December, which may have kept him from breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record.
Peterson, who also was named offensive player of the year after returning from a torn ACL to rush for 2,097 yards, was bothered by an abdominal injury for the last month of the season. He sat out the fourth quarter against Houston in December, which may have kept him from breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record.