Wait, did you just check the score and see... nothing? If you're looking for the Minnesota Vikings score for tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026, I have some news that might be a little bit of a letdown if you were hoping for a playoff run.
The Minnesota Vikings didn't play tonight. Honestly, their season ended nearly two weeks ago on January 4th.
While the NFL playoffs are currently heating up with the Divisional Round, the Purple and Gold are sitting this one out. It’s a weird feeling because they actually finished the season on an absolute tear, winning five straight games, but the hole they dug themselves earlier in the year was just too deep.
What Really Happened With the Vikings Season Finish?
The last time we saw the Vikings on the field was that 16-3 win over the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. That was back on January 4, 2026.
It was a bittersweet way to end the year. On one hand, you beat Green Bay. That always feels good. On the other hand, J.J. McCarthy—the guy everyone is pinning their hopes on—left the game early with another injury. He was dealing with soreness in his throwing hand after a pretty solid first half. Max Brosmer had to come in and steer the ship to the finish line.
Basically, the Vikings finished 9-8. In many years, 9-8 gets you a Wild Card spot. This year? Not so much. They finished third in the NFC North, just a half-game behind those same Packers (who had a weird 9-7-1 record) and just ahead of the Detroit Lions.
The Playoff Picture Without Minnesota
Since there's no game tonight, you might be seeing "Vikings" in the news because of the Portland State Vikings. They played Northern Colorado recently and have a game against Northern Arizona. But for the NFL squad, the lights are off at TCO Performance Center for the winter.
The Wild Card round just wrapped up last weekend. If you remember last year, the Vikings got bounced by the Rams in a game that was moved to Arizona because of wildfires. This year, they didn't even get the chance to face that kind of drama. They were officially eliminated from playoff contention a few weeks before the season even ended, despite that late-season surge.
Why the Vikings Season Actually Matters for 2026
You've probably heard fans complaining that the five-game winning streak actually "hurt" the team. There is some truth to that from a draft perspective. By beating the Packers, Giants, Cowboys, and Commanders in the final stretch, the Vikings dropped their 2026 draft position significantly.
But Kevin O'Connell isn't the type to tank. He wanted to see what he had in his young roster.
Key Takeaways from the 9-8 Campaign:
- Justin Jefferson is still a god: He hit the 100-yard mark in the finale against Green Bay, finishing a season where he was often the only consistent spark.
- The Defense is "Kinda" Elite: Brian Flores had this unit playing lights out in December. They held the Packers to just 3 points and shut out the Commanders 31-0 in early December.
- The J.J. McCarthy Question: Is he the franchise guy? He showed flashes (14 for 23 against Green Bay before the hand injury), but the durability is becoming a talking point in Twin Cities sports radio.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opponents
Since you can't watch a game tonight, you might as well look at who they'll be facing next fall. The NFL has already confirmed the 2026 opponents because of the third-place finish.
The Vikings are slated for a "third-place schedule." This means they'll play the third-place finishers from the AFC South (Indianapolis Colts), NFC East (Washington Commanders), and NFC West (San Francisco 49ers).
They also draw the NFC South and the AFC East for their divisional rotations.
2026 Home Games:
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- Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers
- Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
- Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
- Washington Commanders, Indianapolis Colts
2026 Away Games:
- Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers
- New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New England Patriots, New York Jets
- San Francisco 49ers
That away game against the 49ers is already looking like a "circle the calendar" type of matchup.
Actionable Steps for Vikings Fans Right Now
Since there is no game tonight, here is how you can stay plugged in as the off-season officially begins:
- Monitor J.J. McCarthy’s Injury Status: Keep an eye on reports regarding his throwing hand. The team has been vague, but the off-season rehab schedule will tell us a lot about his availability for OTAs.
- Evaluate the Free Agency Needs: With the draft pick being lower than hoped, the Vikings will likely need to be aggressive in free agency, particularly looking for depth at cornerback and interior defensive line.
- Check the NFL Draft Order: Now that the regular season is over, the top 18 picks are set. Watch where the Vikings landed (currently projected in the middle of the pack) and start looking at mocks for edge rushers or offensive line help.
- Watch the Divisional Round: Even without the Vikings, the NFC North is represented. Watching how the Packers or Bears (depending on playoff results) perform gives a good barometer of the gap Minnesota needs to close.
The Vikings might not have won a game tonight, but the groundwork for the 2026 season is already being laid. It’s going to be a long winter in Minnesota, but that five-game winning streak at least provided a bit of hope to carry into the spring.