So, the 2025-2026 NFL regular season has finally wrapped up for the Purple and Gold. Honestly, if you blinked during the middle of the season, you might’ve missed one of the weirdest streaks in recent franchise history. The Minnesota Vikings score in the season finale against the Green Bay Packers—a crisp 16-3 victory—is the kind of result that looks great on paper but tells a much more complicated story once you actually dig into the tape.
It was January 4, 2026. A frigid day in Minneapolis, though obviously, everyone was cozy inside the climate-controlled U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings entered the game with their playoff hopes essentially extinguished, but there’s no such thing as a "meaningless" game when the Packers are in town. Green Bay had already locked up a wildcard spot, and it showed. They played like a team with one eye on the plane ride home.
Breaking Down the Minnesota Vikings Score
The scoreboard at the end of four quarters read Minnesota 16, Green Bay 3. It wasn't exactly a high-flying offensive masterclass. If you were looking for a shootout, you were in the wrong place. This was "Big Ten" style football played on a professional turf.
Will Reichard was basically the MVP of the afternoon. He nailed three field goals—from 43, 25, and 37 yards—providing the bulk of the scoring. The lone touchdown of the game came from the fan-favorite, fullback C.J. Ham. He plunged into the end zone from one yard out in the second quarter, a classic "hammer" play that sent the 66,606 people in attendance into a frenzy.
The defensive side of the ball was where the real story lived. Minnesota’s defense absolutely suffocated whatever version of the Packers' offense showed up. Green Bay managed a pathetic 121 total yards. To put that in perspective, Justin Jefferson alone had 101 receiving yards. The Vikings' defense racked up four sacks and held Green Bay to just 12 first downs. It was a complete defensive lockdown.
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The J.J. McCarthy Situation
You can't talk about this score without mentioning the quarterback situation. J.J. McCarthy looked sharp early on. He was zipping the ball, including a beautiful 26-yard strike to Jalen Nailor. He even set up the Ham touchdown with some savvy pocket movement. But then, the nightmare scenario happened again. McCarthy went down with an injury in the first half and didn't return.
It felt like a punch to the gut for a fan base that has seen this movie way too many times. Kevin O'Connell mentioned in the post-game presser that it was a "frustrating" way to end a season where McCarthy had shown so much growth. The kid finished the game with 181 passing yards before exiting, which isn't huge, but the efficiency was there.
Why This Win Actually Matters (Sorta)
You might look at a 9-8 record and a third-place finish in the NFC North and think, "Who cares?" But this win over Green Bay was the fifth straight victory for Minnesota. They finished the season on a heater.
- Momentum for 2026: Ending on a five-game win streak changes the entire vibe of the facility during the offseason.
- Draft Position: This win actually pushed them down the draft board slightly, which some fans hate, but you never play to lose against the Packers.
- Justin Jefferson's Legacy: JJ officially crossed the 1,000-yard mark for the season during this game. In a year with rotating quarterbacks and offensive line struggles, that’s borderline legendary.
The Packers were resting some starters, sure. Jordan Love didn't play the whole game, and they were clearly trying to avoid injuries before the Wildcard round. But a 16-3 score in a division rivalry always tastes sweet, regardless of who is under center for the other guys.
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Real Talk on the Stats
The yardage gap was hilarious. Minnesota outgained Green Bay 363 to 121. The Vikings held the ball for over 33 minutes. It was the kind of game that felt like it should have been 30-0, but the Vikings' inability to finish drives in the red zone kept it close enough to keep people nervous.
Jordan Mason, who has been a revelation this year, carried the load again with some tough yards. He ended the season as the team's leading rusher with 758 yards, proving that you don't always need a superstar name in the backfield if the scheme is clicking.
Looking Toward the 2026 Offseason
Now that the Minnesota Vikings score is in the history books, the front office has a massive task ahead. They finished 3rd in the division, just a half-game behind the Packers. The gap isn't that big.
The first priority is obviously the health of the roster. Seeing Dallas Turner rack up 8 sacks in his rookie-plus-one campaign is a huge win for Brian Flores’ defense. Blake Cashman led the team with 144 tackles—he’s become the literal heartbeat of that linebacker corps.
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The schedule for next year is already taking shape. We know they'll be facing the AFC East and the NFC South. Plus, because they finished third, they’ll get the Washington Commanders and the Indianapolis Colts.
If you're looking for actionable steps to take as a fan right now, start by keeping an eye on the medical reports for McCarthy. The difference between a 9-8 season and an 11-6 season next year rests entirely on his right shoulder. Also, watch the cap space. With the way the defense finished the year, adding one more high-end corner could make this unit a top-5 group in 2026.
The season might be over, but in Minnesota, the drama is just entering its next chapter. Skol.