Rivalries- Minnesota Vikings On SI

Rivalries

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell surveys the field during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.

Kevin O'Connell calls Vikings 'a special group' in latest locker room speech

The Vikings are now 8-2 for the second time in the last three years.

Game Day

Kevin O'Connell calls Vikings 'a special group' in latest locker room speech

The Vikings are now 8-2 for the second time in the last three years.

Recent Articles

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safeties Harrison Smith, right, Cam Bynum, left, and Josh Metellus during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Nov. 27, 2023.

News

Vikings-Bears Week 12 predictions from the Vikings On SI staff

Can Minnesota win its fourth straight on Sunday?

Nov 10, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) rushes the ball against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

Injuries

Vikings-Bears final injury reports: Swift, Allen questionable for Chicago

It could be a big Sunday in Chicago for tight end T.J. Hockenson, who is expected to see his snap count increase with the revelation that fellow tight end Josh Oliver is officially doubtful with wrist and ankle injuries.

Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back D'Onta Foreman (21) looks for running room in the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

News

NFC North roundtable Week 12: Best free agents, biggest keys to win

Week 12 in the NFC North features a showdown in Chicago between the Bears and Vikings, the Lions visiting the feisty Colts and the Packers in a rematch of last year's NFC title game against the 49ers at Lambeau Field.

Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell shakes hands after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

News

Discussing biggest NFC threats to Lions, Vikings not mentioned by Dan Orlovsky

Dan Orlovsky seemingly forgot Minnesota when discussing the NFC's best teams.

Nov 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) rolls out during the first quarter of their game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, November 17, 2024 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

News

Caleb Williams prepared to take shots against aggressive Vikings defense

Brian Flores puts his high-flying defense up against a 'super talented' Caleb Williams on Sunday

Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell (left) shakes hands with Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus after their game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

News

Matthew Coller: Battle of the builds takes center stage in Vikings-Bears

Life comes at you fast in the NFL, huh. In 2022, the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears both underwent complete overhauls of their organizational leadership.

Nov 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at Soldier Field.

News

Vikings-Bears preview: Three things to know about Caleb Williams, Chicago

The Vikings are looking to extend their winning streak and the Bears' losing streak.

Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell waves to fans as he walks off the field following a 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

News

Broadcasters, TV channel announced for Week 12 Vikings-Bears game

The NFC North showdown will be broadcast on FOX with Kevin Kugler handling play-by-play duties and Daryl Johnston as the lead analyst on the call this weekend.

Nov 17, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.

News

Vikings might be on postseason collision course with Kirk Cousins, Falcons

The latest NFC playoff picture has the Vikings headed to Atlanta in the wild card round.

Nov 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) has his field goal blocked at the end of the game as the Green Bay Packers celebrate at Soldier Field.

Rivalries

NFC North race remains tight as Lions, Vikings, Packers all win in Week 11

The Vikings are still one game behind Detroit and one game up on Green Bay.

Nov 10, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Detroit Lions place kicker Jake Bates (39) celebrates after kicking a field goal with time expiring to give the Lions a win over the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.

News

NFC playoff picture: Vikings in a good spot, but catching Lions will be tough

Detroit just continues to find ways to win games.

NFL Cleveland Browns defensive end Za'Darius Smith

Rivalries

'The Skol was big': Za'Darius Smith excited for revenge game against Vikings

Long live the memories of Za'Darius Smith in purple and gold. He was a fierce pass rusher for the Vikings in 2022, but he only stayed for one season of the three-year, $42 million deal he signed to come to Minnesota.

Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) in the tunnel against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

News

Ex-Vikings Pro Bowler joining NFC North rival to kick off deadline day

Za'Darius Smith's third spot on his tour of the division brings him to the Lions.

Kirk Cousins and Mike Zimmer will face off this weekend for the first time since Zimmer's Vikings tenure ended after the 2021 season.

News

Ex-Vikings Kirk Cousins, Mike Zimmer set to face off Sunday in Atlanta

Cousins and Zimmer were together for four years in Minnesota.

Sep 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates his sack against the Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Rivalries

NFC North Week 9 roundtable: Unsung heroes of Vikings, Lions, Packers, Bears

It's Week 9 of the NFL season and we're going around the NFC North with our On SI colleagues to answer two questions. First, we asked writers to identify an unsung hero. Second, we asked writers to explain one major key to victory this week.

Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Fans gather in front of U.S. Bank Stadium before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Rivalries

Vikings great John Randle compares Packers fans in Minnesota to an ‘open sore’

One of the greatest Vikings of all time feels the fanbase's pain. John Randle was a guest of Kay Adams on Up & Adams and was asked whether or not Minnesota has the most tortured NFL fanbase.

Oct 27, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes the ball as Chicago Bears defensive end Darrell Taylor (52) chases during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium.

News

Vikings stay off the bottom of NFC North as Bears lose on a Hail Mary

The Vikings very nearly wound up in last place in the division, but then magic happened.

Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions fans celebrate the win against the Minnesota Vikings after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. With the win the Detroit Lions clinched the NFC North. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Reactions

NFC North roundtable: Vikings, Lions, Packers, Bears and the case for the Super Bowl

In our Week 8 NFC North roundtable, our On SI colleagues were asked to state the case for their team to make it to the Super Bowl and to provide the biggest key to leaving the gridiron with a victory in Week 8. Let's dive into the answers...

Stephen A. Smith pointing out a mistake on the graphic showing the Packers as the fifth best team in the NFL, instead of the Vikings.

Reactions

Ope, Stephen A. Smith is just gonna fix that Packers-over-Vikings error

Stephen A. Smith revealed his weekly top-5 teams in the NFL on the Tuesday edition of First Take, which featured the Vikings coming in at No. 5. However, it wasn't initially that way.

Reactions

Vikings should've done what Dan Campbell likely would've done late in Sunday's game

One could argue that Kevin O'Connell didn't live up to Minnesota's "Bold North" mantra on Sunday when he elected to punt the ball back to Detroit rather than go for the kill while leading 29-28.

Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) prepares for the snap against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.

News

Brian Flores and the Vikings' defense have a Lions problem

The Vikings are now 0-3 against the Lions since Flores took over last year.

Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) celebrates his touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Rivalries

Lions troll Vikings by playing Lil Yachty's 'Minnesota' in locker room after win

The Vikings didn't need any additional motivation for January's rematch, but they got some anyways.

Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Reactions

Matthew Coller: Looking at the 'self-inflicteds' of Vikings loss to Lions

In the case of the Minnesota Vikings’ 31-29 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, head coach Kevin O’Connell was left stewing over a handful of mistakes that opened the door for Detroit to come out on top.

Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) returns a fumble 36 yards for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Reactions

Looking ahead: Vikings have edge over Lions, Packers, Bears in NFC North race

At 5-1, the Vikings are tied with the Lions but sit in second place in the NFC North due to the head-to-head tiebreaker. What's going to be very interesting to watch over the next two months, however, is how many wins the Vikings pile up.