Minnesota Vikings (10-6-0)
NFC North Spin cycle: Packers, Vikings in, Bears left out
The Vikings earned a rematch with Green Bay in the wild-card playoffs but the Bears have nothing to show for 10 regular-season wins.
Week 17 Players of the Week
This week, PFW selects Alfred Morris, Everson Griffen and Darius Reynaud as its Players of the Week.
Peterson misses record, but leads Vikings to playoffs
Adrian Peterson came within 9 yards of Eric Dickerson's rushing record, finishing with 199 yards and powering the Vikings into the playoffs, 37-34 over Green Bay.
Week 16 Players of the Week
This week, PFW selects Russell Wilson, Geno Atkins and Blair Walsh as its Players of the Week.
Week 17 playoff scenarios
Seeding is up for grabs in the AFC, while five teams fight for two spots in the NFC playoffs in Week 17.
NFC North Spin cycle: Packers roll, Vikes control fate
The Packers might have wrapped up the North, but the Vikings' win Sunday means they control their fate in Week 17.
Redskins-Cowboys flexed to prime time in Week 17
The Week 17 game between the Redskins and Cowboys for the NFC East title has been flex into the primetime slot.
Vikings upset Texans 23-6
Christian Ponder threw a touchdown pass, Toby Gerhart added a score and Blair Walsh kicked three field goals in the Vikings' win over the Texans.
Vikings figure to look different at receiver
After this season, the receiver position is set to undergo a facelift in Minnesota, with Percy Harvin's return still to be determined.
Week 15 Players of the Week
This week, PFW selects Adrian Peterson, J.J. Watt and Blair Walsh as its Players of the Week.
Peterson, Watt make MVP cases, rally contenders
In what might be one of the few true head-to-head battles for MVP either Adrian Peterson or J.J. Watt might have the chance to earn the award in Week 16.
NFC North Spin cycle: Packers' win has Bears on outside looking in
The Packers continued their dominance over the Bears, sweeping the season series and clinching first place in the NFC North.
Peterson runs for 212, Vikings top Rams
Adrian Peterson ran for a season-best 212 yards, and the Vikings spoiled the Rams' home finale Sunday with a 36-22 win.
Vikings defense taking strides toward improving
The Vikings' defense isn't great statistically, but it's making plays when it needs to more consistently than last season.
Key matchup: Vikings D-line vs. Rams O-line
Here's a look at the key matchup in St. Louis with the Vikings and Rams both in serious need of a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive.
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.
