So, you're looking for the score. Honestly, the most recent update is a bit of a "good news, bad news" situation depending on how you feel about draft picks versus pride.
The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up their regular season on January 4, 2026, with a 16-3 win over the Green Bay Packers. It was a game that felt kinda weird, mostly because the Packers were already locked into their playoff spot and were resting some key starters, while the Vikings were playing for nothing but momentum. Still, beating Green Bay at U.S. Bank Stadium is always going to feel sweet for the home crowd, even if it meant the Vikings finished the year at 9-8 and just missed out on the postseason.
If you are checking the score today, January 15, 2026, there isn't a live game happening right now. The Vikings have officially entered their offseason. While the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears from the NFC North move deeper into the playoffs, Minnesota fans are left looking at the box score of a season that almost was.
Breaking Down What's the Score of the Minnesota Vikings Game Lately
The end of the 2025-26 campaign was actually a wild ride. If you had asked anyone back in November what the score of the Minnesota Vikings game was going to be, the answer usually involved a loss. They were sitting at a dismal 4-8 after a shutout loss to Seattle. It looked like the season was headed for a top-five draft pick and a lot of uncomfortable conversations.
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Then, things clicked.
Minnesota rattled off five straight wins to finish the season. They beat the Commanders, took down the Cowboys in a 34-26 shootout, edged out the Giants, and then dominated the Lions on Christmas Day. By the time that final 16-3 victory over the Packers went final, the Vikings had become the "team nobody wanted to play," except they ran out of calendar.
Key Stats from the Season Finale:
- Final Score: Vikings 16, Packers 3.
- Justin Jefferson: Put up 101 yards on 8 catches, proving he’s still the best in the business even when the QB situation is in flux.
- Jordan Mason: Had a gritty 94 yards on the ground.
- The Defense: Dallas Turner looked like a monster, recording two sacks and forcing a fumble.
The "score" isn't just about the numbers on the jumbotron, though. For Kevin O'Connell and the front office, the score is 9-8—a winning record that feels like a loss because they’re watching the playoffs from the couch. It’s a frustrating middle ground. You're too good to get a superstar QB at the top of the draft, but not quite good enough to be playing in mid-January.
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Why the Vikings Missed the Playoffs
It basically came down to a tiebreaker. The Vikings finished just half a game behind the Packers in the standings. That mid-season slump where they lost four in a row—including a heartbreaker to the Bears and a blowout against the Chargers—ended up being the "score" that mattered most.
There is also the J.J. McCarthy factor. He had a great first half in that final game against Green Bay but went down with another injury. It’s been the story of his young career so far—flashes of absolute brilliance followed by a trip to the medical tent. Fans are starting to get restless. Is he the guy? Or are we looking at another year of "what if"?
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Schedule
Since the season is over, the score everyone is talking about now is the "0-0" of the 2026 season. We already know who they're playing. Because they finished third in the NFC North, they actually have a pretty tough slate coming up.
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They’ll be facing the San Francisco 49ers, the Buffalo Bills, and the Miami Dolphins in 2026. If you think 9-8 was a struggle this year, next year's schedule looks like a gauntlet. The home schedule at U.S. Bank Stadium includes visits from the Falcons, Panthers, and Colts, alongside the usual divisional rivals.
Actionable Steps for Vikings Fans Right Now
The pads are off, but the work doesn't stop. If you're wondering what to do now that the Sunday scores aren't rolling in, here is how to stay locked in:
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on J.J. McCarthy’s recovery. His health is the single biggest factor for the 2026 season.
- Draft Watch: Start looking at the 2026 NFL Draft projections. The Vikings will likely be picking in the middle of the first round. They desperately need more depth on the defensive line and potentially another weapon in the backfield.
- Free Agency Rumors: Watch the salary cap. With some veterans like Harrison Smith nearing the end of their contracts, the roster might look very different by the time the preseason kicks off in August.
The 16-3 win over Green Bay was a nice way to end a rocky year, but it’s a small consolation prize. The real score of the Minnesota Vikings game will be determined by how they handle this looming offseason.