The Minnesota Vikings didn't play today. Honestly, if you’re looking for a live score right now, you won't find one. The Vikings’ 2025-2026 season wrapped up a little over a week ago on January 4, 2026, when they took down the Green Bay Packers 16-3 at U.S. Bank Stadium.
It was a weird ending to a rollercoaster year.
Usually, mid-January is when the "Skol" chants are at their loudest, but the Vikings are currently watching the playoffs from their couches. Despite a late-season surge that saw them win five games in a row to close out the schedule, they finished 9-8. That wasn't enough to leapfrog the Packers or the Bears in the NFC North standings. It’s the kind of season that leaves you feeling both hopeful and completely frustrated.
The Last Score: What Really Happened with the Minnesota Vikings Game
The final score of the 2025-2026 campaign was Minnesota 16, Green Bay 3.
It wasn't a thriller. J.J. McCarthy, who spent the season trying to find his rhythm after that early-career injury hiatus, looked solid but conservative. He threw for 176 yards and managed the game well enough to keep the Packers' defense on their heels. The real story, though, was the Vikings' defense. Brian Flores had those guys playing like a brick wall. They held Jordan Love to just a field goal, which, if you know anything about the Vikings-Packers rivalry, is a rare feat of dominance.
Minnesota actually finished third in the division. They ended with the same record as the Detroit Lions (9-8), but tiebreakers are a cruel mistress.
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Why the 9-8 Record Wasn't Enough
For most of the season, fans were asking what is the score of the Minnesota Vikings game while hiding behind their hands. The middle of the year was a disaster. There was a three-game skid in November where they lost to the Bears, Packers, and Seahawks. That Seattle game was particularly brutal—a 26-0 shutout that felt like the season was over right then and there.
They actually started the year 4-8.
Think about that.
To go from 4-8 to 9-8 requires a level of grit that Kevin O'Connell clearly instilled in that locker room. But in the NFL, you can't just show up for the last five weeks and expect a gold star. The NFC was top-heavy this year. The Seahawks cruised to 14 wins, and even the Packers sneaked in as the 7th seed with a 9-7-1 record. That tie the Packers had earlier in the year? That’s literally the reason Minnesota is out and Green Bay is in. A half-game difference.
A Season of "What Ifs" for the Vikings
If you look at the stats, this team was better than their record.
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- The Defense: They finished the year ranked 3rd overall in total defense. That's elite.
- The Turnover Margin: This was the killer. They were -9 for the season. You can't give the ball away that much and expect to play in late January.
- The Run Game: Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones did their best, but the offensive line was hit or miss.
Justin Jefferson still did Justin Jefferson things, surpassing 1,000 yards again, but the passing offense overall was ranked 30th in the league. That is a staggering statistic for a team with O'Connell at the helm. It tells you that the transition to McCarthy—and the brief stints with Carson Wentz—wasn't exactly a smooth ride.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Vikings' Current Status
A lot of people think the Vikings are "rebuilding." Kinda. But not really.
They have the foundational pieces. Seeing the score of the Minnesota Vikings game become a defensive struggle instead of a shootout was a massive shift in team identity this year. The 2026 offseason is going to be dominated by one question: can they give J.J. McCarthy enough weapons and protection to make the leap?
There’s also the Brian Flores situation. He’s arguably the best defensive coordinator in the league right now, and teams are already knocking on the door to offer him a head coaching gig. If he leaves, that 3rd ranked defense might take a serious step back.
Next Steps for Vikings Fans
Since there isn't a game to watch today, the focus shifts to the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency. The Vikings' 2026 schedule is already out in terms of opponents, though the specific dates won't drop until May.
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You'll want to keep an eye on:
- The Draft Order: Minnesota will likely pick in the middle of the first round.
- Salary Cap: They have some room to wiggle, but big decisions on veterans are coming.
- Coaching Staff: Watch the news cycle for Brian Flores' name.
The 16-3 win over Green Bay was a nice way to send the fans home happy, but it’s a small consolation prize for missing the dance. Basically, the Vikings are a "good" team that just ran out of calendar.
If you're still searching for what is the score of the Minnesota Vikings game, you've got a long wait until the preseason kicks off in August. For now, it's draft boards and mock drafts.
To stay ahead of the curve, check out the official 2026 opponent list to see who's coming to U.S. Bank Stadium next fall. It's looking like a tough slate with the AFC East and NFC South on the calendar.