DAVE CAMPBELL
Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) runs from Minnesota Vikings defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings not declaring rebuild; DE Hunter has neck surgery

By Dave Campbell Oct. 28, 2020 03:00 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings emerged from their bye week down two

Atlanta Falcons safety Ricardo Allen celebrates in front of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) after a defensive stop during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Crossroad with Cousins? Reeling Vikings have some QB trouble

By Dave Campbell Oct. 22, 2020 03:05 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kirk Cousins dropped back on Minnesota's first snap of the

Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) runs from Minnesota Vikings defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings trade DE Yannick Ngakoue to Ravens for draft picks

By Dave Campbell Oct. 22, 2020 11:58 AM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings traded defensive end Yannick Ngakoue

Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith (40) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Falcons respond to Quinn firing with 40-23 win vs. Vikings

By Dave Campbell Oct. 18, 2020 04:29 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Julio Jones returned from injury to catch two of Matt Ryan's

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2020, file photo, Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, left, speaks with Falcons head coach Dan Quinn before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, in Atlanta. Atlanta coach Dan Quinn has been fired after the Falcons dropped to 0-5 for the first time since 1997. The move came just hours after the Falcons lost to the Carolina Panthers 23-16, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. The team also fired longtime general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who had been with the team since 2008. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Long view: Falcons, Vikings have veered off contending track

By Dave Campbell Oct. 15, 2020 04:24 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Less than four years after their infamous Super Bowl loss on

Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Eric Wilson (50) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Vikings still dealing with defeat despite strides by young D

By Dave Campbell Oct. 12, 2020 03:33 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The fourth-and-10 pass by Russell Wilson floated in the air,

Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) bobbles a catch in the end zone as Minnesota Vikings defensive back Holton Hill (24) defends the play during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Justin time: Vikings have full trust in rookie WR Jefferson

By Dave Campbell Oct. 05, 2020 08:25 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With the Minnesota Vikings clutching a one-possession lead

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard (13) pulls in a 72 yard pass completion in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
No better time to be visiting NFL team than in year of virus

By Dave Campbell Oct. 02, 2020 06:20 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — For NFL teams in this year of the virus, the road game has

Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings players meet at midfield following an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. Tennessee won 31-30. The NFL says the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings are suspending in-person activities after the Titans had three players test positive for the coronavirus, along with five other personnel. The league says both clubs are working closely with the NFL and the players’ union on tracing contacts, more testing and monitoring developments. The Titans are scheduled to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.(AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Vikings back at practice after precautionary virus pause

By Dave Campbell Oct. 01, 2020 02:22 PM EDT
The Minnesota Vikings reopened their headquarters for team activities on

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) tries to break a tackle by Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Jayon Brown, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Jefferson's breakout not enough, as Vikings falter at finish

By Dave Campbell Sep. 27, 2020 07:12 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Justin Jefferson blew by the closest man in coverage to make

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) tries to break a tackle by Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Jayon Brown, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Titans top winless Vikes 31-30; Gostkowski has 6 FGs

By Dave Campbell Sep. 27, 2020 04:56 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Stephen Gostkowski made his career-high sixth field goal of

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) runs a route against Indianapolis Colts safety Khari Willis (37) during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Indianapolis. Vikings rookie Justin Jefferson isn't used to losing, coming from LSU, but the first two games of his NFL career have been decisive defeats. The struggling Vikings need their first-round draft pick wide receiver to develop quickly in a season that's already on the brink. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Struggling Vikings need rookie WR Jefferson to develop fast

By Dave Campbell Sep. 24, 2020 09:01 PM EDT
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Justin Jefferson is not used to losing, coming from college

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Unbeaten Titans bring blueprint of what winless Vikings were

By Dave Campbell Sep. 24, 2020 06:31 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The thriving veteran quarterback. The game-controlling

Green Bay Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (83) catches a touchdown pass while being defended by Minnesota Vikings rookie defensive back Cameron Dantzler (27) in the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Minneapolis. (Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune via AP)
Relying on rookie CB Dantzler brings growing pains for Vikes

By Dave Campbell Sep. 16, 2020 04:02 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Cameron Dantzler picked up his nickname “The Needle” in high

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) warms up before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. The Vikings have signed Cook to a contract extension, the day before the season opener, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Brett Duke, file)
Vikings sign RB Dalvin Cook to 5-year, $63M extension

By Dave Campbell Sep. 12, 2020 03:07 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings signed running back Dalvin Cook to a

FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 23, 2019 file photo, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Minneapolis. Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins says he’s unconcerned about catching the coronavirus. He says his worry on a scale of one to 10 is “about a 0.000001.” Cousins made his comments on a wide-ranging interview for an NFL-themed podcast that was released on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King, File)
For visit by Packers, Vikings present crowd-free, revamped D

By Dave Campbell Sep. 10, 2020 07:31 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The most consistent weapon the Minnesota Vikings have drawn

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 file photo, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Vikings have placed defensive end Danielle Hunter on injured reserve. The move takes one of their most vital players out of action for the season opener against Green Bay and at least two more games after that. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
Vikings put Hunter on IR; star DE must miss at least 3 games

By Dave Campbell Sep. 09, 2020 06:05 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings placed defensive end Danielle Hunter

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) does neck stretch the NFL football team's training camp Monday Aug. 24, 2020, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Cousins: No virus worry, wants to 'respect' others' concerns

By Dave Campbell Sep. 02, 2020 02:54 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kirk Cousins said he's sensitive to concerns about COVID-19

FILE - Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack runs a drill during an NFL football camp practice in Lake Forest, Ill., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. NFL teams can always use more pass rushers, as evidenced by the NFC North where all four teams have spent big to acquire them over the last three years. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, Pool, File)
What's the rush? QB pressure has been priority in NFC North

By Dave Campbell Sep. 02, 2020 10:17 AM EDT
The pressure has clearly been on in the NFC North. Oh,

FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Zimmer and co-defensive coordinator Andre Patterson have worked together for four different teams, a football friendship of white and Black coaches renewed when Zimmer was hired by the Vikings and put Patterson on his staff. As Vikings players initiated deep discussions about race and justice on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, Zimmer was startled to hear Patterson reveal his own frightening history of being pulled over by police for no apparent infraction. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Coaching pals Zimmer, Patterson share diverse views on Vikes

By Dave Campbell Aug. 28, 2020 02:21 AM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mike Zimmer and Andre Patterson have worked together for