You’re looking for the score of the Vikings football game today, January 16, 2026. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there isn't one. The Vikings are not playing today. While the NFL Divisional Round kicks off this weekend, the Minnesota Vikings officially saw their season end on January 4th.
It’s a bit of a bittersweet "today" for fans.
Minnesota finished the 2025-2026 regular season with a 9-8 record. They actually ended on a massive heater—winning five straight games—but it just wasn't enough to leapfrog into a Wild Card spot. They were technically eliminated three weeks before the season even ended, which makes that final winning streak both impressive and kind of heartbreaking.
What was the last score of Vikings football game?
The last time the Vikings actually took the field was Sunday, January 4, 2026, against the Green Bay Packers. It was a 16-3 win at U.S. Bank Stadium. Honestly, it was a weird game. The Packers had already clinched the No. 7 seed, so they rested basically everyone. Jordan Love didn't play. Malik Willis was out. They were starting Clayton Tune, and the Vikings’ defense absolutely ate him alive.
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Dallas Turner had two sacks. The Packers finished with minus-7 passing yards. Imagine that.
The big story from that game, though, wasn't just the score. It was J.J. McCarthy. He looked great in the first half, but he left in the third quarter with soreness in his throwing hand. It felt like a microcosm of the whole season: flashes of "oh wow, he’s the guy" followed immediately by a trip to the medical tent. Max Brosmer came in and played well enough to get the win, but the McCarthy injury is the thing everyone is still talking about today.
Why the Vikings aren't in the playoffs today
If you’re checking for a score today, you’re likely seeing news about the Divisional Round. Today, Friday, is technically a travel and prep day, with games starting Saturday, January 17th.
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Minnesota finished 3rd in the NFC North. Here is how that division shook out:
- Chicago Bears: 11-6 (NFC North Champs)
- Green Bay Packers: 9-7-1 (Wild Card)
- Minnesota Vikings: 9-8
- Detroit Lions: 9-8
The Vikings actually had the same record as Detroit, but tiebreakers are a brutal business. The real "what if" moment for this team happened in November. They hit a three-game skid against the Bears, Packers, and Seahawks where they scored a combined 23 points across three weeks. You can't do that in this league. You just can't.
Justin Jefferson made history anyway
Even though there’s no score to report today, we should probably talk about what Justin Jefferson did this year. He secured his sixth straight 1,000-yard season. Only two other receivers in the history of the NFL have ever done that. He hit the 100-yard mark in that final game against the Packers, which was the first time he'd done that in 12 games. It felt like the offense finally clicked, just as the stadium lights were being turned off for the winter.
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Looking ahead to the 2026 offseason
Since there is no game today, the focus for Kevin O'Connell and the front office has already shifted to the draft and free agency. The Vikings are in a weird spot. They have a roster that clearly can win—hence the five-game win streak to end the year—but they lack the depth to survive the inevitable injuries that McCarthy and the secondary dealt with.
Basically, if you're looking for football today, you'll have to wait until tomorrow's kickoff between the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos. For the Vikings, the "score" that matters now is their draft position and the health of McCarthy's hand.
Next steps for Vikings fans:
- Watch the Divisional Round: Keep an eye on the Chicago Bears tomorrow. As the division winners, they represent the NFC North's best chance at a ring this year.
- Check the Injury Report: Stay tuned for updates on J.J. McCarthy's hand surgery or rehab schedule; the team is expected to give a formal update by the end of January.
- Draft Position: Start looking at mock drafts for the mid-first round. The Vikings need help in the secondary and likely another rotational pass rusher to pair with Turner.