DETROIT LIONS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Transcription

1 DETROIT LIONS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2008

2 2008 PRESEASON Date Opponent Result Aug. 8 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS L Aug. 16 at Baltimore Ravens W Aug. 23 PITTSBURGH STEELERS L Aug. 28 at Dallas Cowboys L REGULAR SEASON Sept. 8 at Green Bay Packers (MNF) L Sept. 14 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS L Sept. 21 CAROLINA PANTHERS W Sept. 28 at Tennessee Titans L Oct. 6 at New Orleans Saints (MNF) W Oct. 12 DETROIT LIONS Noon Oct. 19 at Chicago Bears Noon Oct. 26 BYE Nov. 2 HOUSTON TEXANS Noon Nov. 9 GREEN BAY PACKERS Noon Nov. 16 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Noon* Nov. 23 at Jacksonville Jaguars Noon* Nov. 30 CHICAGO BEARS (SNF) 7:15 p.m.* Dec. 7 at Detroit Lions Noon* Dec. 14 at Arizona Cardinals 3:05 p.m.* Dec. 21 ATLANTA FALCONS Noon* Dec. 28 NEW YORK GIANTS Noon* * Game time subject to change/fl exible scheduling WEEKLY MEDIA SCHEDULE Tuesday, October 7 Players Day Off Wednesday, October 8 11:45 a.m. - Brad Childress Available 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Open Locker Room 1:20 p.m. - Conference Call 2:15 p.m. - Conference Call 1:30-3:30 p.m. - Practice * Thursday, October 9 11:45 a.m. - Bevell/Ferraro/Frazier Available 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Open Locker Room 1:30-3:30 p.m. - Practice * Friday, October 10 11:45 a.m.-12:50 p.m. - Practice * 12:50 p.m. - Brad Childress Available 12:50-1:35 p.m. - Open Locker Room Saturday, October 11 No Access Sunday, October 12 Noon - Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings * Practice open through individual drills WEEK 6 - DETROIT LIONS (0-4) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-3) Sunday, October 12, HHH Metrodome - Noon (CT) - FOX GAME SUMMARY After gaining their second win last weekend at New Orleans, the Minnesota Vikings (2-3) will return to the comfort of the Metrodome to take on the Detroit Lions (0-4) in the Vikings second divisional game of the 2008 season. The Vikings have won 17 of the last 20 contests between the two teams and hold a lead in the overall series. Sunday s matchup features the Vikings ninth-ranked defense against the Lions 28th-ranked offense. The Vikings are currently third in the league against the run and eighth in fi rst downs allowed. Head Coach Brad Childress is 3-1 against the Lions since taking over in 2006, with his only loss coming in overtime at Detroit in Week Two last season, BROADCAST COVERAGE TELEVISION: FOX (Channel 9 in Minneapolis) Play-By-Play: Ron Pitts Analyst: Tony Boselli Sideline Reporter: Charissa Thompson LOCAL RADIO: KFAN-AM 1130/KTLK FM Play-by-Play: Paul Allen Analyst: Pete Bercich Sideline Reporter: Greg Coleman Pre-Game Show: Joe Anderson 10:00 a.m. CT KFAN/KTLK serve as the fl agship stations for the 73-station, 6-state Vikings Radio Network. A WIN WOULD... * Improve the Vikings overall record against the Lions to * Give the Vikings a home record against Detroit. * Increase Minnesota s current winning streak against the Lions at the Metrodome to 11. * Improve the Vikings record against the NFC North to * Give the Vikings an all-time record of in October. * Give the Vikings their fi rst back-to-back wins since December 2007 (Dec ). THINKPINK! With October designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the team has declared Sunday s game as the Vikings THINKPINK! Game and has teamed up with Zeta Tau Alpha s Twin Cities Alumnae Chapter to distribute 25,000 pink ribbons and educational materials to help raise awareness about breast cancer as part of the ZTA THINKPINK! campaign. In conjunction with the pink ribbons, the Vikings will use PA announcements and matrix board messages to give fans pertinent information on how to help in the fi ght against breast cancer. Vikings cheerleaders will use pink pom-poms while team ownership and staff will wear ZTA Think Pink ribbon pins. BEFORE THE GAME Prior to the game the Vikings will honor former LB Wally Hilgenberg, who passed away on Tuesday, September 23, from ALS. Hilgenberg s family will be present on the fi eld to sound the Gjallarhorn, and the Vikings will observe a moment of silence. Originally drafted by Detroit in 1964, Hilgenberg played for the Vikings from and started 116 of the 157 games in which he played. He played in all four Vikings Super Bowl appearances and ranks 12th in team history (7th among Vikings linebackers) with 739 total tackles.

3 MEET THE HEAD COACHES CHILDRESS IN 3RD SEASON AT HELM NFL Head Coach: 3rd Year Overall NFL Experience: 11th Year Coaching Experience: 31st Year Overall NFL Record: (.432) Regular Season: (.432) Postseason: 0-0 (.000) Record with MIN: (.432) Record vs. DET: 3-1 (.750) College: Eastern Illinois ( 78) Entering his third season leading the Vikings, Head Coach Brad Childress has a team built on his principles for winning football. Childress squad features strong play along both lines, a dynamic running game and an opportunistic defense. A bevy of top-fl ight linemen have been important to developing the identity of the Vikings and are now being complimented by emerging playmakers. The offseason addition of 2007 NFL sack leader and All-Pro DE Jared Allen via trade with Kansas City along with free agent starters WR Bernard Berrian, FB Thomas Tapeh, and S Madieu Williams fi lled key positions with veteran playmakers. With Allen, the Vikings now have 5 Pro Bowlers along the offensive and defensive lines and 7 members of the 2007 Pro Bowl squad. Coupled with a pair of proven 1,000-yard runners in the backfi eld and an aggressive defense with a nose for the ball, the Vikings enter 2008 with a strong nucleus of experienced talent. Since taking over the team in 2006, Childress has placed a premium on playing smart football, minimizing mistakes and winning the line of scrimmage. The 2007 Vikings became the 1st team in franchise history to rank #1 in the NFL in rushing offense and rushing defense. The duos of G Steve Hutchinson and C Matt Birk on offense joined by DTs Kevin Williams and Pat Williams on defense all made second consecutive Pro Bowl trips in The Vikings offense set franchise records by rushing for 2,634 yards (164.6 yards per game) with rookie phenom Adrian Peterson leading the way with an NFC-best 1,341 yards. Peterson s total ranked as the 2nd-highest in team history, and his 5.6 yards-per-carry average ranked 2nd-best in the NFL. Fellow RB Chester Taylor, coming off his fi rst 1,000-yard rushing season in 2006, fi nished with 844 yards and 7 TDs on 157 carries. Together Peterson and Taylor accounted for 2,185 of the team s rushing total, giving the Vikings the most dangerous rushing tandem in team history in terms of yardage. Second-year QB Tarvaris Jackson showed signifi cant improvement from year one as he threw for 1,911 yards and 9 TDs while rushing for 260 yards and 3 scores despite missing 4 games due to injury. He fi nished the season 8-4 as a starter. Defensively, the Williams tandem shut down the run better than anyone in the NFL, and the Vikings posted the #1 rush defense for the 2nd straight year. Over the past 2 seasons, the team has stifl ed opponents by allowing 67.9 yards per game, 2.9 yards per carry and 0.5 rushing TDs per game in those 32 games. Behind the rugged DTs, the Vikings have an emerging trio of linebackers who have a knack for the big play and ball-hawking defensive backs. The 2007 squad tied a francise record by scoring 6 TDs on interception returns and 2 more on fumble returns. The Vikings 13 defensive TDs (9 INTs, 4 FRs) since 2006 lead the NFL and are 5 more than the runner-up Packers 8. On special teams, the Vikings ranked 4th in the NFL with a 24.8 kickoff return average and 6th in the NFL as they held opponents to an average starting fi eld position just beyond the 26-yard line (26.2). The 2008 season marks Childress 31st in coaching and his 11th on an NFL sideline. He currently has a combined record of , including playoffs and bowl action. CHILDRESS COACHING BACKGROUND Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Coordinator Philadelphia Eagles Quarterbacks Wisconsin Offensive Coordinator/QBs/RBs 1990 Utah Wide Receivers Northern Arizona Offensive Coordinator 1985 Indianapolis Colts QBs/Quality Control Illinois Running Backs/Wide Receivers MARINELLI LEADS THE LIONS NFL Head Coach: 3rd Year Overall NFL Experience: 13th Year Coaching Experience: 36th Year Overall NFL Record: (.407) Regular Season: (.407) Postseason: 0-0 (.000) Record with DET: (.407) Record vs. MIN: 1-3 (.250) College: California Lutheran ( 73) Rod Marinelli is currently in his third season leading the Lions and his 13th year in the NFL overall. Last season, Marinelli helped the Lions to their best start since 1999, as the team began the 2007 season 6-2. The Lions were one of only seven teams in the league with a four-game improvment in wins. Marinelli s emphasis on a brand of football that includes a balanced attack on offense that limited costly penalties and turnovers and a defense that swarmed to the football, created turnovers and generated scoring opportunities for the offense while applying a large amount of pressure on opposing offenses, was never more apparent than the fi rst half of the 2007 season. In 2007, the Lions defense was highly successful in generating turnovers and setting up opportunities for the offense to score. The Lions fi nished tied for third in the league in total takeaways (35), which was the team s highest ranking since fi nishing third in The team also fi nished fi fth in the league with 110 points off takeaways, tied for second in opponents fumble recoveries and fi rst in opponents fumbles forced (40). Over the past two season the Lions have ranked in the top 10 in total takeaways with their ranking of third last year and tied for 10th in Prior to joining Detroit, Marinelli served on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff from During that time Marinelli coached the defensive line, adding the title of assistant head coach in The Buccaneers top six sack totals in team history all occurred during Marinelli s tenure, as the team collected 416 sacks during his 10 years. MARINELLI S COACHING BACKGROUND Detroit Lions Head Coach Tampa Bay Buccaneers Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Line Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Line 1995 Southern California Defensive Line Arizona State Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Line California Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Line California Defensive Line 1982 Utah State Offensive Line/Special Teams Utah State Defensive Line Rosemead High School Assistant Coach VIKINGS-LIONS VIKINGS VS. LIONS Won 17, Lost 3; Home 10-0, Away 7-3 Year Site Result Minnesota...W Detroit...W Detroit... L Minnesota...W Detroit...W Minnesota...W Minnesota...W Detroit... L Minnesota...W Detroit...W Detroit...W Minnesota...W Minnesota...W Detroit...W Minnesota...W Detroit...W Minnesota...W Detroit...W Detroit...L (OT) Minnesota...W WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 2

4 VIKINGS-LIONS INFORMATION VIKINGS PERFORMANCES VS. LIONS Bernard Berrian... 7 games, 23 receptions, 279 yards, 2 TD, 12.1 avg/catch Gus Frerotte... 3 games, 99 att, 49 comp., 676 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT Chester Taylor... 3 games, 49 att., 239 yards, 4.8 avg., 28 long, 1 TD Adrian Peterson... 2 games, 35 att., 182 yards, 5.2 avg., 28 long, 2 TD Kevin Williams... 9 games, 23 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3 TFL, 15 QB hurries, 2 FR, FF, 2 PD Darren Sharper games, 94 tackles, 11 INT, 2 TD, 22 passes defensed VIKINGS BIG DAYS VS. LIONS VIKINGS VS. LIONS SERIES NOTES * RB Adrian Peterson picked up 116 yards on 15 carries and scored two TDs on the ground in a win against the Lions on 12/2/07. * CB Cedric Griffin earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance at Detroit (12/10/06) when he had an interception, forced a fumble on the opening kickoff, and had a fumble recovery. * The Vikings lead the all-time series with the Lions, * The Vikings 61 wins against Detroit are the most vs. any opponent in the NFL. * Minnesota has an all-time home record of against the Lions. * WR Bobby Wade scored his 1st career TD when he returned a punt 73 yards for a TD vs. Detroit (9/18/05) when he was with the Bears. * CB Antoine Winfield recorded 12 tackles and picked off a Joey Harrington pass vs. Detroit (11/6/05). * S Darren Sharper posted his 1st career interception when he picked off Lions QB Scott Mitchell vs. Detroit (11/2/97) and returned it 50 yards for his 1st career TD. Sharper has posted at least one INT in four of his six games vs. Detroit since joining the Vikings. * DT Pat Williams sacked Jon Kitna and forced a fumble that was recovered by LB Ben Leber for a TD vs. Detroit (10/8/06). * LB E.J. Henderson intercepted the 1st pass of his career when he picked off Jon Kitna vs. Detroit (10/8/06) and returned it 45 yards to score his 1st career TD. * LB Ben Leber recovered a Jon Kitna fumble that was forced by Pat Williams in the end zone vs. Detroit (10/8/06) to score his 3rd career TD. * RB Chester Taylor rushed for 123 yards vs. Detroit (10/8/06). * K Ryan Longwell booted his second career game-winning OT kick vs. Detroit (12/11/05) on Sunday Night Football when he hit a 28-yarder for Green Bay. * DE Ray Edwards scored his fi rst career NFL touchdown with his 9-yard fumble return for a score at Detroit (9/16/07). * P Chris Kluwe set a new team record with a 57.5-yard gross punting average (230 yards on 4 punts) at Detroit (9/16/07), breaking Mitch Berger s mark of 55.8 set vs. Cincinnati (11/15/98). FREROTTE LAST QB TO LEAD LIONS IN PLAYOFFS The Vikings and Lions have had numerous connections over the years, including an interesting one this season in QB Gus Frerotte. The last time the Lions competed in the playoffs, Frerotte led the squad in the NFC Wild Card game against Washington. Frerotte stepped into the lineup several times during the 1999 regular season for regular starter Charlie Batch, starting 6 times in 9 games. He helped engineer a comeback win over the Vikings at the Pontiac Silverdome in a Lions win and played in the regular season fi nale at Minnesota on 1/2/00, then started the Wild Card game a week later against his old Redskins teammates. Some of the most impressive single-game performances in Vikings history have come against the Lions, including 2 of the 6 longest pass plays in team history. Last season, Aundrae Allison recorded the longest play in team history with a 104-yard kickoff return TD against the Lions. In franchise history the Vikings have scored 3 TDs on 80+ yard pass plays, a 90-yard interception return and Allison s kickoff return. David Palmer contributed a 74-yard punt return TD during the 1995 Thanksgiving Day game to add to the long-distance scoring. Sammy White set a team record that still stands with 210 yards receiving against the Lions at Met Stadium in Former Viking and Lion Artose Pinner posted his only career 100-yard rushing game against the Lions with 125 yards at Detroit in * The Vikings have won 10 straight games against Detroit at the Metrodome and 11 of the last 12 games between the teams overall. * The last time the Vikings lost at home to the Lions was in 1997, when they fell * Detroit won the fi rst fi ve games of the series from but have only won 25 of the 88 games since that streak. * The two teams have never met in the playoffs. * Head Coach Brad Childress is 3-1 against the Lions. SERIES BY THE NUMBERS Record vs. Lions...Vikings Last regular season game...vikings 42, Lions 10 Vikings largest winning margin (Vikings 34, Lions ) Lions largest winning margin (Lions 45, Vikings ) Current series streak... Vikings 1 Vikings longest win streak...w13 ( ) Lions longest win streak...w5 ( ) Most Points, Vikings...44 (1988) Most Points, Lions...45 (1978, 1981) Most Points, both teams... 82; Lions 44, Vikings 38 (1995) Fewest Points, Vikings...0 (1970) Fewest Points, Lions...0 (1991) Fewest Points, both teams...13 (three times) 2008 STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT (NFL Ranking following Week Five) Vikings Lions 2-3 Record Points Per Game First Downs (18) Total Offense Per Game (28) (12) Net Rushing Yards Per Game 72.3 (31) (20) Net Passing Yards Per Game (19) 3/37 (6t) Had Intercepted/Yards Returned 7/148 (29t) 11/59 (20t) Sacks Allowed/Yards Lost 16/98 (28t) 31:08 (11) Possession Average 25:19 (32) 35.2 (24t) Third Down Efficiency 25.0 (30) 21.8 (15) Opp. Points Per Game 29.4 (31t) 79 (8) Opp. First Downs 88 (29) (9) Opp. Total Offense Per Game (32) 68.4 (3) Opp. Net Rushing Yards Per Game (30) (24) Opp. Net Passing Yards Per Game (29) 4/2 (16t) Defensive Interceptions/Yards 0/0 (32) 8/59 (22t) Defensive Sacks/Yards 4/16 (30) +2 (7t) Turnover Ratio -6 (32) 29/47.1 (7) Punts/Gross Punting Average 25/42.7 (24) 34/257 (25t) Penalties/Yards 25/172 (12t) WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 3

5 VIKINGS-LIONS INFORMATION VIKINGS-LIONS CONNECTIONS VIKINGS-LIONS CONNECTIONS - Vikings QB Gus Frerotte played for the Lions in 1999, starting six games and throwing for 2,117 yards. - Lions S Dwight Smith played two seasons for the Vikings, in 2006 and Vikings offensive line coach Pat Morris held the same position with the Lions from Vikings TE coach Jimmie Johnson played for the Detroit Lions from Vikings S Eric Frampton played in fi ve games for the Lions in Vikings Vice President of Player Personnel Rick Spielman worked as a college scout for the Lions from and as a pro scout from His brother, Chris, played LB for the Lions from LOCAL CONNECTIONS - Vikings RB Chester Taylor is from River Rouge, MI. - Vikings G Steve Hutchinson played at the University of Michigan from Vikings LB David Herron played at Michigan State from NFL CONNECTIONS - Vikings TE coach Jimmie Johnson was a teammate of Lions Senior Vice President/Asst. General Manager Martin Mayhew with the Washington Redskins. - Vikings QB Gus Frerotte and Lions QB John Kitna were teammates in Cincinnati in Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier coached for Cincinnati while Vikings S Madieu Williams, Lions QB John Kitna, P Nick Harris, RB Rudi Johnson and DT Langston Moore played there. - Frerotte was teammates with Lions CB Travis Fisher, C Andy McCollum and WR Shaun McDonald in St. Louis in Lions WR Brandon Middleton was also with St. Louis for the 2006 preseason. - Vikings DB coach Joe Woods was with Tampa Bay with Lions head coach Rod Marinelli, defensive coordinator Joe Barry, DE Corey Smith, DT Chuck Darby, CB Brian Kelly, LB Ryan Nece, S Kalvin Pearson and DE Dewayne White. - Vikings LB Vinny Ciurciu, DE Ellis Wyms, Nece and Darby were teammates in Tampa Bay. - Vikings K Ryan Longwell, S Darren Sharper, WR Robert Ferguson, and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell were in Green Bay with Lions LB Paris Lenon. - Sharper, Longwell and Bevell were all in Green Bay when Lions assistant head coach/passing game coordinator Kippy Brown was on staff. - Vikings special teams coordinator Paul Ferraro was on staff and DE Otis Grigsby and Ciurciu played with Lions TE Michael Gaines at Carolina. - Vikings RB coach Eric Bieniemy and Lions asst. WR coach Shawn Jefferson were teammates with the San Diego Chargers while Lions special teams coordinator Stan Kwan was on staff. - Vikings G Steve Hutchinson played for Seattle when Lions DB coach Clayton Lopez was on the Seahawks staff. - Hutchinson and Wyms played with Lions DT Chuck Darby in Seattle. - Vikings WR coach George Stewart and offensive line coach Pat Morris coached in San Francisco with Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry. - Vikings RB Chester Taylor played for the Ravens with Lions T Damion Cook, G Edwin Mulitalo and running backs coach Sam Gash when Lions offensive line coach Jim Colletto was on Baltimore s staff. - Vikings DT Pat Williams and CB Antoine Winfield were teammates of Gash with the Buffalo Bills. - Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier served in the same capacity for Indianapolis when Lions LB Gilbert Gardner played there. COLLEGE CONNECTIONS - Vikings DE Ray Edwards played at Purdue with Lions DE Cliff Avril and LB Gilbert Gardner. - Vikings G Steve Hutchinson played on the line at Michigan with Lions T Jeff Backus. - Vikings LS Cullen Loeffler and CB Cedric Griffin were teammates of Lions DT Cory Redding at Texas. Loeffler, Griffin, and DE Brian Robison also played with Lions WR Roy Williams at UT. - Vikings G Anthony Herrera was tutored for part of his career at Tennessee by Lions asst. offensive line coach Mike Barry. - Vikings RB coach Eric Bieniemy played at Colorado when Lions asst. offensive line coach Mike Barry coached the line for the Buffaloes. - Vikings G Artis Hicks played at Memphis when Lions defensive line coach Joe Cullen was on the staff there INDIVIDUAL LEADERS (Qualifying Players Only) 2008 Minnesota Vikings Category Player Total NFC Rank NFL Rank Scoring Longwell Rushing Yds. Peterson Rushing Att. Peterson Passing Yds. Frerotte Receptions Wade t...24t Receiving Yds. Berrian Interceptions Four players t...25t Fumble Rec. Winfi eld t...1t Sacks Allen/K. Williams t...35t Punting Avg. Kluwe Punt Ret. Avg. Allison DNQ... DNQ KO Ret. Avg. Taylor t 2008 Detroit Lions Category Player Total NFC Rank NFL Rank Scoring Hanson t Rushing Yds. Smith Rushing Att. Smith Passing Yds. Kitna Receptions Johnson t...33t Receiving Yds. Johnson Interceptions None Fumble Rec. Robinson/White t...8t Sacks White t...35t Punting Avg. Harris Punt Ret. Avg. Furrey DNQ... DNQ KO Ret. Avg. Middleton WHAT OPPONENTS ARE SAYING Saints Head Coach Sean Payton On the Vikings I think when we look at the fi lm we see a team that is certainly better than 1-3 right now. They have had some tough games. It is probably going to be the most physical team we have played to date and you can see that on both fronts with their offensive line and defensive line. Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher On the Vikings... We have a great deal of respect for the Vikings and what they have done this far. They have a very, very aggressive defense and excellent team speed. Certainly their run game speaks for itself. (They have a) great group of very, very talented specialists and returners. Titans Quarterback Kerry Collins On the Vikings defensive line... They love to get penetration. They have the guys to do it; they ve got big guys. They like to get pressure on the quarterback. They like to disrupt the running game with penetration. They are big. They are talented. They are fast. THIS WEEK S MILESTONES * T Bryant McKinnie will play in his 90th career regular season game. * LB Vinny Ciurciu will play in his 45th career game. * T Ryan Cook will make his 25th career start. * LS Cullen Loeffler will play in his 70th career game. * WR Bobby Wade will play in his 80th career game. WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 4

6 VIKINGS TEAM NOTES LAST WEEK Last week the Minnesota Vikings outlasted the New Orleans Saints to take a thrilling win on Monday Night Football. K Ryan Longwell s 30-yard fi eld goal with 13 seconds remaining put the Vikings on top and rookie S Tyrell Johnson s interception in the fi nal seconds sealed the victory. It was the fi rst time in history that the same game possessed all of the following stats: a blocked fi eld goal returned for a touchdown, a touchdown pass by a non-quarterback, two punt returns for touchdowns, and two fi eld goals of over 50 yards. Vikings Offense The Vikings gained 270 total yards on the day, largely through the air behind the arm of QB Gus Frerotte. Frerotte threw 36 times, completing 19 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown. Just as important as any of his other passes though was one that didn t make it onto the stats sheet. On third down and three yards to go from their own 44 yard-line, with just over a minute left in the game, Frerotte unloaded a ball deep to WR Bernard Berrian, forcing defensive pass interference and moving the Vikings 42 yards downfi eld and into Longwell s range for a winning fi eld goal. Berrian had already had a big night in the books, catching six passes for a career-high 110 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown reception. WR Bobby Wade continued his pace as of late, leading the team in receptions for the second straight week, this time with a career high eight for 64 yards. Wade s previous career high was seven receptions, which he set the week prior at Tennessee. Wade now leads the team with 21 receptions on the season. TE Visanthe Shiancoe scored the other touchdown for the Vikings on the night, his second of the season, on a 4-yard halfback pass from RB Chester Taylor. It was the fi rst touchdown pass of Taylor s career and only the eighth time in Vikings history a running back has converted on the trick play. Vikings Defense Despite missing the team s 2007 Defensive MVP and leading tackler from a year ago, LB E.J. Henderson, the Vikings defense managed to hold a prolifi c Saints offense to only 13 points on the night. The defense forced four turnovers from the Saint s offense (2 INTs, 2 FR) - a third fumble was forced, but recovered by a New Orleans player. Continuing his strong play on the year, CB Antoine Winfield forced and recovered the fi rst fumble on the night by stealing the ball from Saints QB Drew Brees hands as he sacked him. The fumble recovery, occuring inside the red zone, set-up the Taylor-to-Shiancoe touchdown. Winfi eld would add seven more tackles, four of which were for a loss, and a pass defensed to complete his night at the cornerback position. LB Chad Greenway forced the second fumble of the night, punching the ball free from the Saint s Reggie Bush for Tyrell Johnson to recover. LB Ben Leber had the fi rst of the Vikings two picks, making a nice play on a tipped ball inside the Vikings own 20-yard line. Leber s interception led to a Longwell fi eld goal. Johnson rounded the night out with his fi rst career pick in the waning seconds of the game. CB Cedric Griffin, who led the team in tackles with nine, forced a third fumble. Vikings Special Teams K Ryan Longwell hit three fi eld goals on the night including the game-winner and a 53-yard boot. The biggest special teams play of the night came from Winfi eld. After DT Kevin Williams blocked a Saint s fi eld goal attempt, Winfi eld grabbed the ball out of mid-air and returned it 59 yards for a score. It was the fi rst blocked-fi eld goal touchdown in the regular season in Vikings history as well as the longest return off a blocked fi eld goal. With the return, Winfi eld now has four returns for touchdowns as a Viking, which is tied for second in team history. FIRST TIME/LAST TIME The fi rst time the Vikings met the Lions was on November 19, 1961, during the Vikings inaugural season. The Vikings lost that game, at Met Stadium, only to lose to the Lions again three weeks later 13-7 at Detroit. The last time the two teams met was on December 2, 2007, when the Vikings defeated the Lions at the Metrodome. It was the team s 10th consecutive win at home over the Lions, improving the Vikings overall record against Detroit since 2000 to The win was the Vikings third of the Vikings fi ve-game winning streak in 2007 that put them back into playoff contention. Vikings Offense The Vikings offense racked up 443 total yards in the game, with 216 coming on the ground. The team exploded for 28 points in the second quarter and 35 in the fi rst half - the most points in a half against the Lions in Vikings history. RB Adrian Peterson carried the ball 15 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Peterson s touchdowns gave him 11 for the year and moved him into 2nd place for most touchdowns in a season by a Vikings rookie. RB Chester Taylor added another 70 rushing yards and a TD, while QB Tarvaris Jackson ran fi ve times for 20 yards. With the effective running game, the Vikings were able to open up passing lanes as well. On the day, Jackson completed 18-of-24 passes for for 204 yards and two scores. It was his fi rst game with two touchdown passes. Jackson found nine receivers on the day, and his QB rating ranked as a career high and still ranks as his second-highest performance. Rookie WR Sidney Rice led the Vikings receivers with fi ve catches for 53 yards and a TD, while fellow WR Bobby Wade added four receptions for 54 yards and a score. Vikings Defense Defensively the Vikings were outstanding, limiting the Lions to 23 rushing yards on seven carries and holding them to 10 points. The Lions controlled the ball for only 22 minutes and 58 seconds on the day. DE Ray Edwards, LB E.J. Henderson, DE Jayme Mitchell and DT Kevin Williams all threw Lions QB Jon Kitna for a loss. Henderson tied for the team lead along with CB Charles Gordon, CB Marcus McCauley and S Darren Sharper with fi ve tackles. Vikings Special Teams The Vikings special teams unit saw limited action on the day, as P Chris Kluwe punted only one time, a 41-yard boot. K Ryan Longwell was 6-for-6 on PATs but never had an opportunity to kick a fi eld goal. On the receiving end, however, Vikings WR Aundrae Allison returned three kickoffs for 144 yards, averaging 48 yards per return. Allison had one of the most electrifying plays of the 2007 season when he returned a kickoff 104 yards for the touchdown, setting a Vikings record with the longest play in team history. WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK * QB Gus Frerotte needs 174 passing yards to have 20,000 for his career (including playoffs). * With a touchdown, RB Adrian Peterson will surpass 100 career points. He currently has 96. * RB Adrian Peterson needs 207 rushing yards to have 2,000 for his career. * With a touchdown, WR Bernard Berrian will surpass 100 career points. * K Ryan Longwell needs one made fi eld goal to reach 300 for his career (includes postseason). * K Ryan Longwell needs 13 points to reach 250 as a Viking. * K Ryan Longwell needs two fi eld goals to move into a tie for 21st alltime in the NFL with 282 fi eld goals made in regular season. * RB Maurice Hicks needs 55 kickoff return yards to reach 4,500 for his career. * WR Sidney Rice needs 67 receiving yards to reach 500 for his career. * With 100+ rushing yards, RB Adrian Peterson can tie Michael Bennett for 3rd place in team history with nine 100-yard games. He s currently tied with Bill Brown for 4th all-time with 8. WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 5

7 VIKINGS TEAM NOTES VIKINGS COORDINATORS Offensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell Offensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell enters his 3rd season with the Vikings with 2 Pro Bowlers along the offensive line, the 2007 NFC-leading rusher in the backfi eld, a more experienced quarterback and a new playmaking wide receiver. In 2007, Bevell helped put together the best rushing attack in the NFL as the Vikings averaged yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry. Their 2,634 rushing yards was the highest total in team history while their 22 rushing touchdowns ranked tied for 2nd. The Vikings were led by the rushing tandem of rookie RB Adrian Peterson and RB Chester Taylor, who amassed a combined 2,185 yards on the ground, shattering Daunte Culpepper and Robert Smith s previous highest rushing total by a tandem of 1,991 yards in Against San Diego, Peterson broke the NFL single-game rushing record when he gained 296 yards on the ground. Peterson, along with C Matt Birk, G Steve Hutchinson, and FB Tony Richardson earned trips to the 2008 Pro Bowl. This offseason, Bevell s offense saw the addition of deep threat WR Bernard Berrian, FB Thomas Tapeh and RB Maurice Hicks. Asst. Head Coach/Def. Coord. Leslie Frazier On the defensive side of the ball, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier will begin his 2nd season with the Vikings and his 9th season in the NFL. In his fi rst year with Minnesota, Frazier led the team to its 2nd-consecutive #1 ranking against the run, holding opponents to 74.1 yards per game on the ground. The team notched 8 defensive touchdowns and led the league with 6 interceptions returned for scores. The Vikings tied for 9th with 31 takeaways and tied a team record for the most defensive points scored in a season with 50 (8 touchdowns, 1 safety). Prior to joining the Vikings, Frazier won a Super Bowl in 2006 as a member of the Indianapolis Colts staff, coaching defensive backs and serving as a special assistant to Tony Dungy. During that championship season, the Colts defense posted 13 takeaways in the playoffs and allowed only 2 second-half TDs in the 4 postseason games. During the 2008 offseason, Frazier saw his unit add key pieces at defensive end with the trade for Jared Allen, who led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in 2007, and at safety with the signing of free agent Madieu Williams. Frazier now has 3 Pro Bowlers along the defensive line and 4 members of the 2007 Pro Bowl squad. Special Teams Coordinator Paul Ferraro The 2008 season marks Paul Ferraro s 3rd as the Vikings Special Teams Coordinator, his 4th season of NFL coaching and his 27th season of coaching overall. Ferraro s 2007 special teams units, the core of which have returned in 2008, were some of the most successful in team history. The 2007 squad set team records for kickoff return average, the longest kickoff return in team history, the most punts landed inside the 20, and the most 50+ yard punts. The team also converted a pair of onside kicks. Leading the way on special teams in 2007 was LB Heath Farwell, who topped the team in special teams tackles for the 2nd straight season, was voted by his teammates as the Special Teams MVP and was recognized as a Pro Bowl alternate. The Vikings ranked 4th overall in the NFL with a 24.8 kickoff return average, which also ranked as the highest return average in team history, and 6th in the NFL as they held opponents to an average starting fi eld position just beyond the 26-yard line (26.2). WR Aundrae Allison ranked #1 in the NFC and #3 in the NFL with an average of 28.7 yards per kickoff return, while Kluwe shattered his record of 28 punts inside the 20, as he landed 34. VIKINGS ASSISTANT COACHES Juney Barnett (Assistant Strength and Conditioning); Eric Bieniemy (Running Backs); Brendan Daly (Defensive Assistant/Defensive Line); Karl Dunbar (Defensive Line); Ryan Ficken (Quality Control-Offense/ Running Backs); Jim Hueber (Assistant Offensive Line); Jeff Imamura (Quality Control-Defense/Linebackers); Jimmie Johnson (Tight Ends); Tom Kanavy (Strength and Conditioning); Derek Mason (Assistant Secondary); Pat Morris (Offensive Line); Brian Murphy (Assistant Special Teams); Chad O Shea (Offensive Assistant/Wide Receivers); Fred Pagac (Linebackers); Kevin Rogers (Quarterbacks); Ryan Silverfi eld (Offensive/Defensive Assistant); Kevin Stefanski (Assistant to Head Coach); George Stewart (Wide Receivers); Martin Streight (Assistant Strength and Conditioning); Joe Woods (Defensive Backs) VIKINGS ELECT 2008 CAPTAINS The following are the Minnesota Vikings captains for the 2008 season, as voted on by teammates: Offense - Steve Hutchinson Defense - E.J. Henderson Special Teams - Ryan Longwell The 2008 season marks the second year of the NFL s renewed emphass on season-long captains on offense, defense and special teams through the team captain leadership program, which was created in 2007 by the league and the NFL s Player Advisory Council. The Vikings will also honor offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week that will go out for the coin toss as well. VIKINGS BUILD PRACTICE SQUAD The following 8 players are currently on the Vikings practice squad: #61 Martail Burnett... DE...Rookie...Utah #75 Chris Clark... T...Rookie...Southern Miss. #63 Brian Daniels... G...1st Year...Colorado #11 Jaymar Johnson... WR...Rookie...Jackson State #82 Darius Reynaud... WR...Rookie...West Virginia #67 Isaiah Ross... G...1st Year...Nevada #24 Marcus Walker... CB...Rookie...Oklahoma #34 Albert Young... RB...Rookie...Iowa VIKINGS LATEST ROSTER MOVES Date Player Transaction Oct LB E.J. Henderson...Placed on Injured Reserve Oct T Bryant McKinnie...Removed Roster Exemption Sept T Bryant McKinnie...Activated from Res./Sus. List Sept LB Rufus Alexander...Signed to Practice Squad Sept G Isaiah Ross...Released from Practice Squad VIKINGS VS. NFC/NFC NORTH * The Vikings are a combined (.559) against the NFC alltime. * The Vikings are a combined (.553) against the NFC North. * Minnesota is (.553) against the NFC North during the month of October. * The Vikings are at home against the NFC North and on the road. * The Vikings are 1-1 in postseason action against the NFC North. * Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress is 5-7 against the NFC North. * Childress is 3-3 at home against the NFC North and has won the last two home games against the division, defeating Detroit and Chicago. WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 6

8 VIKINGS TEAM NOTES After trading away their 1st round pick and two 3rd round picks with Kansas City for DE Jared Allen, the Vikings used two picks on defense and three on offense in the 2008 NFL Draft. With their only selection on Day 1, the Vikings traded up in the 2nd round to take S Tyrell Johnson out of Arkansas State. Johnson was the 2nd safety drafted in 2008 and the highest drafted safety by the Vikings since Orlando Thomas in With their remaining four picks, the Vikings chose QB John David Booty, DT Letroy Guion, C John Sullivan and WR Jaymar Johnson. Round 1 Traded the #17 overall pick to Kansas City Chiefs for DE Jared Allen. Round 2 1. Tyrell Johnson (#43), S, Arkansas State (Traded Philadelphia #47 and #117 pick for #43 and #152) 2008 Defensive Totals: 5 starts, 21 tackles (16 solo), INT, FR, 3 PD Round 3 Traded the #73 and #82 overall picks to Kansas City Chiefs for DE Jared Allen. Round 5 2. John David Booty (#137), QB, Southern California (Traded Green Bay #150 and #209 for #137) 2008 Offensive Totals: Has not played during 2008 regular season. 3. Letroy Guion (#152), DT, Florida State 2008 Defensive Totals: Has not played during 2008 regular season. Round 6 4. John Sullivan (#187), C, Notre Dame 2008 Totals: 5 games played 5. Jaymar Johnson (#193), WR, Jackson State (Practice Squad) Round 7 Traded the #209 overall pick to Green Bay 2008 NFL DRAFT In one of the most active offseasons in recent team history, the Vikings added several players via free agency, highlighted by WR Bernard Berrian (Chicago), S Madieu Williams (Cincinnati), and FB Thomas Tapeh (Philadelphia). The team also landed 2007 sack leader DE Jared Allen via a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. Free Agency Notes WR Bernard Berrian (Chi.) Had career-best 71 catches in Has averaged 14.6 yards per catch during career S Michael Boulware (Hou.) - IR Started for Seattle in Super Bowl XL and intercepted Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger in the game RB Maurice Hicks (SF) Owns the top 2 single-season kickoff return totals in 49ers history, including team record 1,502 in 2007 CB Benny Sapp (KC) Snared INT off Brett Favre vs. Green Bay last season FB Thomas Tapeh (Phi.) Helped Eagles advance to Super Bowl XXXIX after the 2004 season S Madieu Williams (Cin) Has 9 career INTs, 5 of which have come in the past 2 seasons...also has 268 career tackles DE Ellis Wyms (Sea.) Posted a sack on NFL MVP Rich Gannon in Super Bowl XXXVII during Tampa Bay Buccaneers win Trade DE Jared Allen OFFSEASON ACQUISITIONS Notes Led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in 2007 despite missing 2 games...earned 1st Pro Bowl and All-Pro Honors VIKINGS FACTS AND FIGURES Oldest Vikings player Gus Frerotte, 37 Born 7/31/71 Youngest Vikings player Letroy Guion, 21 Born 6/21/87 Most seasons as a Viking Matt Birk 11th Vikings season Most NFL seasons Gus Frerotte 15th season in the NFL College with the most Vikings Maryland, 4 Jeff Dugan, E.J. Henderson, Erin Henderson, Madieu Williams Conference with the most Vikings Big 12 9 players on 08 roster Largest Viking Bryant McKinnie, T Stands 6-8 and weighs 335 pounds Smallest Viking Antoine Winfi eld, CB Stands 5-9 and weighs 180 pounds Former 1 st -round draft picks 7 Chad Greenway, Steve Hutchinson, Bryant McKinnie, Adrian Peterson, Kenechi Udeze, Kevin Williams, Antoine Winfi eld Pro Bowlers 7 Jared Allen, Matt Birk, Steve Hutchinson, Adrian Peterson, Darren Sharper, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams Coaches who played in the NFL 5 Eric Bieniemy, Karl Dunbar, Leslie Frazier, Jimmie Johnson, Fred Pagac NEW FACES The Vikings have 15 new faces from the 2007 season - S Husain Abdullah, DE Jared Allen, WR Bernard Berrian, QB John David Booty, QB Gus Frerotte, DT Letroy Guion, LB Erin Henderson, RB Maurice Hicks, S Tyrell Johnson, T Drew Radovich, S Benny Sapp, C John Sullivan, FB Thomas Tapeh, S Madieu Williams, and DT Ellis Wyms. WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 7

9 VIKINGS TEAM NOTES The Vikings have 7 rookies on their current roster: HEY ROOK! DRAFT CHOICES * S Tyrell Johnson Vikings fi rst pick in 2008 NFL Draft (2nd round, 43rd overall) Second safety drafted in 2008 and highest-drafted safety by the Vikings since Orlando Thomas in 1995 Highest-drafted Arkansas State defensive player since Cincinnati selected LB Bill Bergey #31 overall in * QB John David Booty Played at USC under former Vikings assistant Pete Carroll Left USC ranked 4th in career TD passes and 5th in career passing yards 6th QB selected in 2008 NFL Draft Brother, Josh, was a QB with the Cleveland Browns. * DT Letroy Guion First Florida State player drafted by the Vikings since CB Corey Fuller in 1995 Youngest Viking, turned 21 on 6/21/08. * C John Sullivan Fourth center taken in 2008 NFL Draft; fi rst Notre Dame center since 2003 Served as team captain his senior season. ROOKIE FREE AGENTS * S Husain Abdullah Honorable Mention All-Pac 10 as a senior Named Cougars Defensive MVP Brother, Hazma, was a starter for Denver Broncos in 2007 Teammates at WSU with Eric Frampton. * LB Erin Henderson Brother of Vikings starting MLB E.J. Henderson, he and E.J. have never been teammates before Led ACC in tackles in 2007 and fi nished 9th in the nation with tackles per game Named 2007 Honorable Mention All-American by Pro Football Weekly, Rivals.com, SI.com and College Football News. * T Drew Radovich Teammates at USC with John David Booty Father, Mark, was a LB at Arizona State ( ) Member of the 2006 and 2007 Rose Bowl Championship squads. INTERNATIONAL VIKINGS The Vikings have three players who were born outside of the United States: * G Anthony Herrera was born in Trinidad, Tobago, before emigrating to the United States as a child, arriving in Florida on his 14th birthday. Herrera became a U.S. citizen in the spring of * FB Thomas Tapeh was born in Liberia and moved to the United States with his mother and two sisters when he was nine years old. * S Madieu Williams is a native of Sierra Leone. He moved to Maryland with his family at age nine. NFL WEEK SIX SCHEDULE (All Times Cenral) Sunday, October 12 Detroit at Minnesota... Noon Chicago at Atlanta... Noon Miami at Houston... Noon Baltimore at Indianapolis... Noon Oakland at New Orleans... Noon Cincinnati at N.Y. Jets... Noon Carolina at Tampa Bay... Noon St. Louis at Washington... Noon Jacksonville at Denver...3:05 p.m. Dallas at Arizona...3:15 p.m. Philadelphia at San Francisco...3:15 p.m. Green Bay at Seattle...3:15 p.m. New England at San Diego...7:15 p.m. Monday, October 13 N.Y. Giants at Cleveland...7:30 p.m. Open Dates: Buffalo, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Tennessee VIKINGS INACTIVES The following players were inactive last week at New Orleans: #4 John David Booty... Quarterback #18 Sidney Rice... Wide Receiver #20 Madieu Williams... Safety #22 Benny Sapp... Cornerback #44 Thomas Tapeh... Fullback #60 Drew Radovich... Tackle #72 Marcus Johnson... Tackle #98 Letroy Guion... Defensive Tackle NFL STANDINGS AFC East Team W L T Pct. PF PA Home Away Conf. Div. Buffalo New England Miami N.Y. Jets AFC North Team W L T Pct. PF PA Home Away Conf. Div. Pittsburgh Baltimore Cleveland Cincinnati AFC South Team W L T Pct. PF PA Home Away Conf. Div. Tennessee Indianapolis Jacksonville Houston AFC West Team W L T Pct. PF PA Home Away Conf. Div. Denver San Diego Oakland Kansas City NFC East Team W L T Pct. PF PA Home Away Conf. Div. N.Y. Giants Dallas Washington Philadelphia NFC North Team W L T Pct. PF PA Home Away Conf. Div. Chicago Green Bay Minnesota Detroit NFC South Team W L T Pct. PF PA Home Away Conf. Div. Carolina Atlanta Tampa Bay New Orleans NFC West Team W L T Pct. PF PA Home Away Conf. Div. Arizona San Fran Seattle St. Louis WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 8

10 VIKINGS TEAM NOTES 2008 STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE The Vikings face the toughest strength of schedule of all NFC teams during the 2008 NFL season. Minnesota hosts the past two Super Bowl Champions - N.Y. Giants and Indianapolis Colts and plays six teams that went to the 2007 playoffs - Green Bay, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and N.Y. Giants NFL Strength of Schedule Team 2007 Pct./W-L Pittsburgh Steelers / Indianapolis Colts / Jacksonville Jaguars / Minnesota Vikings / Baltimore Ravens / Cincinnati Bengals / Cleveland Browns / Houston Texans / Detroit Lions / Tennessee Titans / Chicago Bears / Green Bay Packers / Dallas Cowboys / Washington Redskins / NY Giants / Philadelphia Eagles / St. Louis Rams / San Francisco 49ers / Seattle Seahawks / Tampa Bay Buccaneers / Arizona Cardinals / Carolina Panthers / Miami Dolphins / Atlanta Falcons / NY Jets / Kansas City Chiefs / Buffalo Bills / New Orleans Saints / Denver Broncos / Oakland Raiders / San Diego Chargers / New England Patriots / DOME FIELD ADVANTAGE The Vikings currently have a combined record of (.642) at the HHH Metrodome in the regular season and the playoffs. The team has never been shut out at the Dome and hasn t been shut out at a home stadium since 10/7/62, when they lost 13-0 to Chicago at Met Stadium AWARDS CB Antoine Winfield NFC Defensive Player of the Week - at New Orleans, 10/6/08-7 tackles (6 solo), 4 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sack, 1 pass defensed, forced fumble, and a fumble recovery - Also returned a blocked fi eld goal 59 yards for a touchdown, which was a fi rst in Vikings history. VIKINGS VS. NFC NORTH Team Total Games All-Time Series Titles Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers PRACTICE SQUAD MAKES PERFECT The Vikings have several players on the 53-man roster who have climbed the NFL ladder, starting their careers as practice squad players. Vikings starting RG Anthony Herrera was a practice squad player as a rookie in Vikings CB Charles Gordon and LB David Herron began their careers as practice squad members with the club and moved into regular roles with the team. Veteran RB Maurice Hicks was a member of the 49ers practice squad in 2004 before moving to the active roster and setting team record for kickoff return yards in 2006 and Special teams standout Vinny Ciurciu entered the NFL in 2003 on the Panthers practice squad but ended that season playing in the Super Bowl for the team against New England. The Vikings top special teams player, Heath Farwell (IR), came into the NFL as a rookie free agent and spent the majority of his rookie season on the Vikings practice squad before moving to the active roster. UNDRAFTED DOESN T MEAN UNDESERVING For many NFL players, not being selected in the 7 rounds of the draft is extra motivation to prove their worth. The Vikings feature a number of undrafted players who have earned valuable roles on the team. The most notable is 2-time Pro Bowl DT Pat Williams, who was a rookie free agent with Buffalo in 1997 before moving into a starting role with the Bills in The Vikings had 3 undrafted rookies make the 53-man roster in LB Erin Henderson, S Hussain Abdullah and T Drew Radovich. Vikings long snapper Cullen Loeffler was a rookie free agent with the club as was starting RG Anthony Herrera and DB/return man Charles Gordon. Vikings lineman Artis Hicks was a rookie free agent with the Eagles and went on to start in the Super Bowl for the team. The Vikings most notable all-time undrafted players include future Ring of Honor inductees John Randle and Mick Tingelhoff. VIKINGS PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Players Husain Abdullah...WHO-sane ab-dul-la Bernard Berrian...bare-E-an Vinny Ciurciu...chur-choo Jeff Dugan...DOO-gan Gus Frerotte... FUR-ott Letroy Guion...LA-troy GUY-on Otis Grigsby...grigs-BEE Anthony Herrera... HA-rare-ah Tarvaris Jackson...ta-VAR-is Tyrell Johnson... TIE-rell Jim Kleinsasser... KLINE-sauce-er Chris Kluwe... CLUE-ee Ben Leber...LEE-ber Cullen Loeffl er...leff-ler Brian Robison... ROB-ah-sin Visanthe Shiancoe...vi-sahn-tay SHANK-oh Naufahu Tahi...nah-fah-WHO TAH-hee Thomas Tapeh... ta-pay Madieu Williams... muh-dee-you Antoine Winfi eld... an-twan Ellis Wyms...wims Coaches Eric Bieniemy... bee-en-uh-me Tom Kanavy... ka-nay-vee Fred Pagac... PUG-itch IMPORTANT 2008 SEASON DATES October 14 - Trading Deadline January Wild Card Playoffs January Divisional Playoffs January 18 - Conference Championships February 1 - Super Bowl XLIII, Tampa, Florida WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 9

11 VIKINGS TEAM NOTES MILESTONES AND KEEP AN EYE ON IN 2008 TEAM * The Vikings will look to reach the postseason for the fi rst time since * The Vikings will look to capture their fi rst winning season under Head Coach Brad Childress and their fi rst since * The Vikings will look to win the division for the fi rst time since 2000 and win the NFC North for the fi rst time since the NFC Central was realigned in * The Vikings offense will try to lead the league in rushing yards for the second consecutive season, a feat that has never been accomplished by Minnesota. * The Vikings defense will look to lead the NFL against the run for the third straight season. * The Vikings will look to have a 1,000-yard rusher for the third straight season and only the 4th time since * The Vikings will look to have a 1,000-yard receiver for the fi rst time since INDIVIDUAL Offense * QB Gus Frerotte can become the 87th player in NFL history to throw for 20,000 yards. He currently needs 174 yards to accomplish the feat. * RB Adrian Peterson can become the fi rst player since Robert Smith to post back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing campaigns. * RB Adrian Peterson can tie Michael Bennett for 3rd place in team history with nine 100-yard games. He s currently tied with Bill Brown for 4th all-time with 8. * RB Adrian Peterson needs 207 rushing yards to surpass 2,000 rushing yards for his career. * RB Adrian Peterson needs four 20+ yard carries to pass Michael Bennett for 2nd place in team history. Peterson currently has 16 while Bennett fi nished with 19. * C Matt Birk will look to make his seventh Pro Bowl appearance and take sole possession of the most Pro Bowl appearances by a Vikings center. Birk is currently tied with Mick Tingelhoff with six. * G Steve Hutchinson will look to have a 1,000-yard rusher behind him for the 8th straight year (every year Hutchinson has been in the NFL). * WR Bernard Berrian surpassed 2,500 receiving yards for his career in Week Five at New Orleans when he caught six passes for 110 yards. * WR Bernard Berrian set a career high with 110 receiving yards at New Orleans. * WR Bobby Wade surpassed 2,000 career receiving yards with his 64 yards at New Orleans. Defense * With a defensive touchdown, DT Kevin Williams will have sole possession of the all-time lead for defensive touchdowns by a Viking. * DE Jared Allen will look to lead the league in sacks for the second straight year. * LB E.J. Henderson moved into fi fth place all-time among Vikings LBs with 10.5 career sacks. * With a fumble recovery, CB Antoine Winfield can tie former CB Bobby Bryant for most fumble recoveries by a cornerback in team history (7). Winfi eld currently has six. * With his fumble recovery at New Orleans, CB Antoine Winfield moved into a 6th place tie for takeaways among Vikings CBs. He is now tied with Earsell Mackbee and Willie Teals with 20. * With an INT for a TD, Darren Sharper will move into a tie for 2nd place all-time in the NFL. * S Tyrell Johnson notched his fi rst career INT at New Orleans. Special Teams * K Ryan Longwell needs 60 points to move into 23rd place in all-time scoring in NFL history. * K Ryan Longwell needs three fi eld goals to move into 20th place alltime for fi eld goals made and 21 to move into 19th place. MILESTONES AND KEEP AN EYE ON IN 2008 * P Chris Kluwe can move into 2nd place in Vikings history with 21 punts inside the 20. He currently has 88 for his career, which ranks third behind Mitch Berger s 109 and Greg Coleman s 154. * P Chris Kluwe looks to fi nish in the top three in the league for punts inside the 20-yard line for the second consecutive season HONORS WR Aundrae Allison - NFC Special Teams Player of the Week - vs. Detroit (12/2/07) C Matt Birk - Pro Bowl Selection - Vikings Man of the Year LB Heath Farwell - Vikings Most Valuable Player - Special Teams LB Chad Greenway - Ed Block Courage Award LB E.J. Henderson - Vikings Most Valuable Player - Defense G Steve Hutchinson - Pro Bowl Selection - Associated Press All-Pro First Team TE Jim Kleinsasser - USA Today All-Joe Team P Chris Kluwe - USA Today All-Joe Team LB Ben Leber - Korey Stringer Good-Guy Award RB Adrian Peterson - Pro Bowl Selection - Vikings Most Valuable Player - Offense - Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year - Associated Press All-Pro Second Team - USA Today Offensive Rookie of the Year - NFL Rookie of the Month - October - NFL Rookie of the Month - September - NFC Offensive Player of the Week - vs. San Diego (11/4/07) - NFC Offensive Player of the Week - at Chicago (10/14/07) - Fed Ex Ground Player of the Week - vs. San Diego (11/4/07) - Fed Ex Ground Player of the Week - at Chicago (10/14/07) - Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week - vs. San Diego (11/4/07) - Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week - at Chicago (10/14/07) RB Chester Taylor - Fed Ex Ground Player of the Week - vs. Oakland (11/18/0-7 S Darren Sharper - Pro Bowl Selection - Associated Press All-Pro Second Team DT Kevin Williams - Pro Bowl Selection - Associated Press All-Pro First Team DT Pat Williams - Pro Bowl Selection - Associated Press All-Pro Second Team * Also receiving All-Pro votes - LB E.J. Henderson, T Bryant McKinnie, and Matt Birk. * Also selected as a Pro Bowl alternate on Special Teams was LB Heath Farwell. WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 10

12 VIKINGS OFFENSIVE TEAM NOTES VIKINGS RUSHING OFFENSE UNDER CHILDRESS Since Brad Childress took over in 2006, the Vikings have rushed for 5,063 yards over the past three seasons, which ranks 4th in the NFL during that time frame. The Vikings fi nished with the #1 rushing offense in 2007 with 2,634 yards, and currently the team ranks 12th in 2008 with 609 yards on the ground. Rushing Yards (Regular Season) Team Attempts Yards 1) Jacksonville... 1, ,476 2) Atlanta... 1, ,367 3) San Diego... 1, ,110 4) Minnesota... 1, ,063 * The Vikings rushing yards per game over the past three seasons ranks 5th in the NFL. * The team s 4.7 yards-per-carry average over the past three seasons ranks tied for third, behind the Atlanta Falcons 4.9 average and the New York Giants 4.8. Rushing Average (Regular Season) Team Attempts Yards Avg. 1) Atlanta... 1, , ) N.Y. Giants... 1, , t) Minnesota... 1, , t) Jacksonville... 1, , * The Vikings 141 rushes of 10+ yards from (13.0% of Vikings rushes) ranks 4th in the league. Rushes of 10+ Yards Team Rushes of 10+ Yards 1) Jacksonville ) Atlanta ) Washington ) Minnesota * RB Chester Taylor s 95-yard TD run against Seattle (2006) ranks as the longest run in the NFL in the past three years. * The Vikings have scored 37 rushing touchdowns during that time, which ranks 8th in the NFL. * In 2007, the Vikings offense ranked tied for 6th in the league in explosive plays (10+ yards) with 213 (87 rush, 126 pass). The team also scored 19 touchdowns on plays of 10+ yards, which ranked tied for 9th in the NFL. The Vikings 87 rushes of 10+ yards in 07 led the league and the 19.4 yards-per-rush average of those 87 carries also ranked 1st. * The Vikings 2007 ground attack ranked #1 all-time in team history and the 5.3 yards-per-carry average also ranks tied for 1st. The Vikings 22 rushing TDs that year ranks tied for 2nd all-time. Vikings Single-Season Rushing Yards 1) 2, ) 2, ) 2, Vikings Single-Season Rushing Average 1t) t) Vikings Single-Season Rushing Touchdowns 1) t) t) VIKINGS QUARTERBACKS Fifteen-year veteran QB Gus Frerotte, in his second stint with the Vikings, leads the team in 2008 after playing with the Miami Dolphins in 2005 and the St. Louis Rams for the past two seasons. Frerotte spent the seasons with the Vikings where he started two games (both wins) and completed 38-of-66 (57.6%) passes for 690 yards and 7 touchdowns. He set the franchise record for single-game passer rating at points and threw 4 TDs in his fi rst Vikings start. He has started 87 career games, including playoff games for two different teams. Third-year QB Tarvaris Jackson serves as the backup in 2008 after leading the team in Jackson has started 16 of 18 games played since coming into the league as a rookie in 2006 and has completed 249 of 435 passes (57.2%) for 2,702 yards and 12 TDs while rushing 80 times for 402 yards (5.0 yards per carry) during his career. Serving as the Vikings 3rd quarterback in 2008 is John David Booty, who was drafted out of USC in the 5th round (137th overall) of the 2008 draft. While with the Trojans, Booty posted a 20-3 record as a starter. He currently ranks 4th on the all-time USC career TD passing list with 55 TDs. IN GUS WE TRUST With the win against Carolina in Week Three, QB Gus Frerotte became only the 4th quarterback in team history to win his fi rst three starts as a Viking. He is now 4-1 as a Vikings starter, dating back to his fi rst stint with the team in This season he has completed 60-of-107 passes (56.1%) for 692 yards and two touchdowns. Since Frerotte took over in Week Three, the Vikings have averaged 72 more passing yards and five more points a game. Against the Panthers, Frerotte threw his fi rst TD pass of 2008, a 34- yard strike to TE Visanthe Shiancoe, who became the 37th player to which Frerotte has thrown a touchdown pass in his 15-year career. In Week Five at New Orleans, Frerotte found WR Bernard Berrian from 33 yards out for Frerotte s second TD. Frerotte s fi rst two Vikings victories came in 2003, when he beat San Francisco and Atlanta. In those games, Frerotte completed 30-of-45 passes (66.7%) for 506 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. He holds the highest passer rating in Vikings history with his rating against the 49ers. Vikings Quarterbacks To Start 3-0 Player/Season Consecutive Starting Wins 1) Daunte Culpepper, ) Jeff George, ) Bob Lee, ) Gus Frerotte, 2003, Vikings Single-Game Passer Rating Player/Game Rating 1) Gus Frerotte, vs. San Francisco, 9/28/ ) Warren Moon, vs. New Orleans, 11/19/ ) Brad Johnson, vs. Atlanta, 12/1/ Vikings Most Touchdown Passes In First Start Player/Game TDs 1t) Gus Frerotte, vs. San Francisco, 9/28/ t) Todd Bouman, vs. Tennessee, 12/9/ EFFICIENT ON 4TH DOWN The Vikings are currently tied for 8th in the NFL on fourth down effi ciency, going 2-for-3. The only 4th down the Vikings didn t convert was a kneeldown at the end of the Carolina game. Vikings th Down Conversions Game Situation Result at Green Bay, 9/8/ , GB Jackson 23t pass to Rice at Green Bay, 9/8/ , GB Jackson 3 run vs. Carolina, 9/21/ , CAR Frerotte -2 kneel WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 11

13 VIKINGS OFFENSIVE TEAM NOTES VIKINGS RUNNING BACKS The Vikings currently boast one of the most dangerous running attacks in the NFL, led by RBs Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. Together the two accounted for 2,185 yards on the ground in 2007, which surpassed Robert Smith and Daunte Culpepper s 1,991 combined rushing yards in Peterson and Taylor also fi nished #2 and #3 in the league with rushing averages of 5.6 and 5.4 yards-per-carry respectively. Peterson broke the NFL record for most rushing yards in a single game with 296 against the San Diego Chargers and Taylor has the longest run in Vikings history with a 95-yard scamper at Seattle (2006). RB Maurice Hicks joined the Vikings in the 2008 offseason, after spending the previous four years with the San Francisco 49ers. With the 49ers, Hicks had 205 career carries for 869 yards (4.2 avg.) and six touchdowns. He was also a weapon on special teams as he owns the top two single-season kickoff return totals in 49ers history, including the team record of 1,502 in Also joining the Vikings during the 2008 offseason was FB Thomas Tapeh. Tapeh, who graduated high school in St. Paul, MN, and attended the University of Minnesota, is in his 5th year in the NFL, having played with the Philadelphia Eagles from Tapeh played with the Eagles when Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress was the Eagles offensive coordinator, and both men helped the Eagles advance to Super Bowl XXXIX after the 2004 season. Tapeh helped RB Brian Westbrook set a career-high with 1,333 rushing yards and opened holes for Westbrook to break the 100-yard mark 14 times during , including playoffs. FBs Jeff Dugan and Naufahu Tahi round out the Vikings backfi eld. Dugan, a 7th-round draft choice (220 overall) in 2004, has started 12 games during his Vikings career, including 7 in He is a physical blocker who helped the Vikings set a team record with 2,634 rushing yards in He can also line up at TE. Tahi is in his 3rd year in the NFL and with the Vikings. He was originally picked up by the Vikings from the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad. WINNING ON THE GROUND The Vikings are a combined 10-4 when one of their current running backs rushes for 100 yards. Adrian Peterson - 8 games record vs. San Diego, 11/4/07 W at Chicago, 10/14/07 W vs. Indianapolis, 9/14/08 L vs. Detroit, 12/2/07 W vs. Green Bay, 9/30/07 L at Green Bay, 9/8/08 L vs. Atlanta, 9/9/07 W at Kansas City, 9/23/07 L Chester Taylor - 6 games record at Seattle, 10/22/06 W vs. Oakland, 11/18/07 W vs. Arizona, 11/26/06 W vs. Detroit, 10/8/06 W vs. Carolina, 9/17/06 W at San Francisco, 12/9/07 W FOOTBALL HAT TRICK RB Adrian Peterson and former RB Chuck Foreman are the only running backs in team history to rush for 3 TDs in single games twice during their Vikings careers. The 2007 Vikings were also the first team in franchise history to ever have a running back rush for 3 TDs in a single game more than once in a season Vikings 3-Rushing TD Performances Adrian Peterson... at Chicago, 10/14/07 Adrian Peterson... vs. San Diego, 11/4/07 Chester Taylor...vs. Oakland, 11/18/07 RUSHING TO THE TOP RB Adrian Peterson ranks 3rd in the NFL with 452 rushing yards, trailing only Michael Turner (543) and Clinton Portis (514). Peterson also has 3 rushing TDs, which ranks tied for 14th. Since entering the league last year, Peterson has rushed for 1,793 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Only Chargers RB La- Dainian Tomlinson has rushed for more yards (1,805) during that time. Peterson has a career average of 94.4 rushing yards per game in his 19 NFL contests. This year Peterson became the fi rst Vikings RB in team history to break the 100-yard plateau in the opening two games of the season and he ran for his 8th career 100-yard game vs. Indianapolis, which is tied for 4th in Vikings history. His 160 yards on the day against the Colts is his 3rd best game as a pro, and his 420 total yards is a new team record for most rushing yards gained after the fi rst four games of a season. Peterson joins former RB Robert Smith as the only Vikings players to gain 300+ yards after three games. In Week One, Peterson became only the 2nd RB in Vikings history to rush for 100+ yards in consecutive openers- vs. Atlanta in 2007 and at Green Bay in He joined Vikings all-time leading rusher Robert Smith in the feat, which he accomplished in the 1996 and 1997 openers. Peterson can join Smith and Chuck Foreman as the only Vikings RBs to post consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons if he continues his pace NFL Rushing Leaders 1) Michael Turner, ATL ) Clinton Portis, WAS ) Adrian Peterson, MIN NFL Rushing Leaders 1) LaDainian Tomlinson, SD... 1,805 2) Adrian Peterson, MIN... 1, NFL Rushing Touchdowns 1) LaDainian Tomlinson, SD ) Joseph Addai, IND t) Adrian Peterson, MIN t) Clinton Portis, WAS t) Marion Barber, DAL Vikings Career 100-Yard Rushing Performances 1) Robert Smith ) Chuck Foreman ) Michael Bennett ) Adrian Peterson ) Bill Brown... 8 Peterson s 100-Yard Rushing Performances vs. Atlanta, 9/9/ at Kansas City, 9/23/ vs. Green Bay, 9/30/ at Chicago, 10/14/ vs. San Diego, 11/4/ vs. Detroit, 12/2/ at Green Bay, 9/8/ vs. Indianapolis, 9/14/ Peterson s Career Touchdowns Game Play vs. Atlanta, 9/9/ pass from Jackson at Kansas City, 9/23/ run at Chicago, 10/14/ run, 73 run, 35 run at Dallas, 10/21/ run vs. San Diego, 11/4/ run, 64 run, 46 run vs. Detroit, 12/2/ run, 13 run vs. Chicago, 12/17/ run, 8 run at Green Bay, 9/8/ run at Tennessee, 9/28/ run, 3 run WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 12

14 VIKINGS OFFENSIVE TEAM NOTES VIKINGS OFFENSIVE LINE The Vikings offensive line is anchored by two perennial Pro Bowlers in C Matt Birk and G Steve Hutchinson. Birk, who has appeared in 135 career games with 112 starts since being drafted by the Vikings in 1998, has played in six Pro Bowls ( ), which is tied with Mick Tinglehoff for the most by a Vikings center. He has paved the way for some of the best rushing performances in Vikings history, having been a fi xture in the lineup for four of the Vikings top fi ve single-season performances during his seven seasons as a full-time starter. He has also helped set the top three team rushing marks. Hutchinson joined the Vikings in 2006 and helped the team lead the NFL in rushing yards in 2007 with 2,634. Widely considered the top guard in the NFL, he has appeared in fi ve Pro Bowls and is a 5-time All-Pro. Hutchinson has blocked for 1,000-yard rushers in each of his seven NFL seasons. T Bryant McKinnie returned in Week Five from a four-game suspension. McKinnie had started 87 straight regular seasongames prior to the suspension and has blocked for three of the top fi ve single-season rushers in team history. Also starting along the line are T Ryan Cook and G Anthony Herrera. Backup tackles Marcus Johnson and Drew Radovich, along with C John Sullivan, fi ll out the rest of the offensive line. FOLLOWING ROUTE 76 Since joining the Vikings in 2006, perennial All-Pro LG Steve Hutchinson has proven his worth. In 37 games with the Vikings he has blocked for a 100-yard rusher 15 times (Adrian Peterson-8, Chester Taylor-6, Artose Pinner-1). Hutchinson has now blocked for a 100-yard rusher 46 times in his career and has made room for three games with a runner over 200 yards. He has had a 1,000-yard rusher behind him in each of his seven NFL seasons and is off to a fast start again in Hutchinson has appeared in fi ve Pro Bowls during his seven accrued seasons in the NFL. VIKINGS TIGHT ENDS The Vikings tight ends unit includes 10-year veteran Jim Kleinsasser and two players in their second year with the Vikings in Visanthe Shiancoe and Garrett Mills. Last season, Kleinsasser and Shiancoe played a critical role in the Vikings #1-ranked rushing attack. Averaging yards per game, the team gained 2,634 yards on 494 carries. Kleinsasser was recognized for his unselfi sh blocking with a spot on the USA Today s All-Joe Team. He has now blocked for four of the top fi ve single-season rushing totals in team history. Not only did the Kleinsasser and Shiancoe duo assist in the Vikings rushing attack, but the two also contributed in the passing game. In Shiancoe s fi rst year with the Vikings, he fi nished with career highs in every category, hauling in 27 receptions for 323 yards and one touchdown. He caught the longest pass by a Vikings TE in team history, a 79-yarder on a reverse by WR Sidney Rice. Kleinsasser added four catches for 43 yards and currently ranks 5th in Vikings annals for career catches by a TE with 159. Mills joined the Vikings on September 2, 2007, after his release in fi nal roster cuts by New England. He was inactive for the opening 15 games of the season before dressing in the fi nale at Denver. In that game, he caught two passes for 26 yards, including a long of 18. SHIANCOE MAKES PLAYS TE Visanthe Shiancoe has two of the Vikings three receiving touchdowns on the season. He currently ranks third on the squad with 12 receptions for 145 yards in the fi rst fi ve games. In Week Two, Shiancoe caught a 34-yard TD pass from QB Gus Frerotte. Last week at New Orleans, Shiancoe caught his second TD of 2008 on a pass from RB Chester Taylor. Shiancoe now has six TDs for his career. VIKINGS WIDE RECEIVERS In 2008 the Vikings receiving core is benefi ting from the addition of big-play WR Bernard Berrian, who was acquired as a free agent from Chicago this past offseason. The former 3rd round draft pick of the Bears played four seasons for the Vikings NFC North foe and used his exceptional speed to rack up 2,197 yards on 150 receptions. Berrian joins incumbents Sidney Rice and Bobby Wade as the Vikings starting wideouts. Rice, 22 years old, is in his second season in Minnesota. As a rookie Rice gained 396 yards and scored four touchdowns. His four trips to the end zone ranked him second behind Kansas City s Dwayne Bowe for rookie TD catches. The former high school quarterback also threw two passes on trick plays that resulted in 94 yards for the Vikings. His longest pass, 79 yards, is the longest in Vikings history by a non-quarterback. Bobby Wade returns to his preferred slot position in 2008 after a strong season last year in which he led the Vikings in receptions with 54, which was also a career high. Second-year man Aundrae Allison, holder of the longest play in Vikings history - a 104-yard kickoff return - and Robert Ferguson round out the receiving core. Ferguson has started 34 games over his career and has compiled 1,977 receiving yards to go with 13 TDs. BERRI NICE After having three catches for 38 yards through the fi rst two games, WR Bernard Berrian has hauled in 14 passes for 267 yards and one TD over the last three. He now has 17 receptions for 305 yards, an average of 19.1 yards per catch. Berrian has five of the Vikings six longest receptions of the season and has led the Vikings in receiving yards three times.. In Week Five at New Orleans, Berrian caught his fi rst touchdown as a Viking, a 36-yard reception in the fourth quarter that tied the game at 27. Berrian s 305 receiving yards leads the team and his 17 catches ranks second. WADE LEADS TEAM WR Bobby Wade currently leads the Vikings with 21 receptions. Wade has tallied 216 receiving yards for an average of 10.3 yards per catch. Over the past two games he has set career highs for receptions with seven at Tennessee and eight at New Orleans. Last season Wade led the Vikings and set personal career highs with 54 receptions for 647 yards and three scores. CONTROLLING THE CLOCK Currently the Vikings rank 11th in the NFL in time of possession, as they have held on to the ball over 31 minutes per game (31:08) in the fi rst fi ve weeks. The Vikings 18:10 time of possession average in the second half ranks 2nd. Against the Panthers in Week Three, the Vikings held on to the ball for 34 minutes and 18 seconds. The team s 19-play, 75-yard drive that ate up 11:34 ranks as the second-longest in Vikings history. The Vikings have won the time of possession 20 times in the past 37 games since the 2006 season. The Vikings are 12-8 in those 20 games and 4-13 in the 17 games when losing the time of possession. Vikings Longest Scoring Drive Times Game Time of Possession 1) vs. Detroit, 11/3/85 (19 plays, 79 yards, FG)...12:07 2) vs. Carolina, 9/21/08 (19 plays, 75 yards, FG)...11:34 3) vs. Detroit, 10/6/68 (15 plays, 79 yards, TD)...10:49 4) vs. Tampa Bay, 10/28/79 (19 plays, 89 yards, FG)...10:42 WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 13

15 VIKINGS DEFENSIVE TEAM NOTES VIKINGS DEFENSIVE LINE The Vikings defensive line contains three Pro Bowlers in defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams and newcomer DE Jared Allen. Together Kevin and Pat, along with defensive ends Ray Edwards and Kenechi Udeze and now Allen (on reserve/non-football illness list in 2008), have formed the toughest defensive line in the NFL against the run for the past two-plus years. In 2007, the team allowed an average of 74.1 yards per game on the ground, and only three teams - Dallas, Washington and Denver - gained 100 yards rushing, while the longest individual rush was for 30 yards. The previous season the Vikings allowed just 985 rushing yards (61.6 per game), which ranked 2nd since the 1969 AFL-NFL merger to only the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, who gave up only 970 rushing yards during their Super Bowl Championship season. Kevin has played in three Pro Bowls while Pat has played in the past two. In one of the biggest 2008 offseason moves in the NFL, Allen joined the Vikings via a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. Having led the NFL in sacks with 15.5 in 2007 despite missing two games, Allen earned his fi rst Pro Bowl and All-Pro Honors that season. His 45.0 sacks rank 2nd to only DE Jason Taylor (47.0) since Allen entered the league in Filling out the rest of the line is Edwards, who tied for the team lead in sacks in 07 with 5.0, as well as defensive tackles Fred Evans and Ellis Wyms and defensive ends Otis Grigsby and Brian Robison. Wyms joined the Vikings via free agency during the 2008 offseason and Douzable was drafted by the team in the 5th round of the 2008 draft (152 overall). Robison earned all-rookie honors in 2007 as he ranked 3rd among NFL rookies with 4.5 sacks. WILLIAMS WRITES HISTORY DT Kevin Williams currently has four career defensive touchdowns, which is tied for 1st for the most career defensive touchdowns (INTs and FRs) in Vikings history. Williams needs one more to take over sole possession of the career record. In 2007 Williams tied a team record for the most interceptions in a season by a defensive lineman (2) and the team record for the most INTs in a career by a defensive lineman (4). Williams NFL TDs vs. Jacksonville, 11/28/ fumble return at Seattle, 10/22/ fumble return vs. Atlanta, 9/9/ INT return at San Francisco, 12/9/ INT return Most Career Defensive Touchdowns (INT-FR) - Vikings 1t) Kevin Williams, (2-2)...4 1t) Orlando Thomas, (2-2)...4 1t) Dewayne Washington, (3-1)...4 1t) Joey Browner, (3-1)...4 1t) Bobby Bryant, (3-1)...4 1t) Paul Krause, (2-2)...4 1t) Ed Sharockman, (3-1)...4 Most Career Interceptions By A Defensive Lineman - Vikings 1) Kevin Williams, ) Chris Doleman, , t) 4 Players... 2 Most Single Season INTs By A Defensive Lineman - Vikings 1t) Kevin Williams, t) Tim Newton, HURRY UP AND THROW DT Kevin Williams currently leads the Vikings with 13 quarterback hurries. In Week Four at Tennessee, Williams collected fi ve QB hurries, which is tied with DE Ray Edwards fi ve vs. Indianapolis for the most in a single game this season. NOWHERE TO RUN Under Head Coach Brad Childress, the Vikings have allowed only two 100-yard individual rushing performances in the past 37 games. Only St. Louis Rams RB Steven Jackson (12/31/06) and Green Bay Packers RB Ryan Grant (9/8/08) have reached the century mark during that time with 142 and 119 yards respectively. Over the past three seasons ( ), the Vikings have given up a total of 2,512 rushing yards, which leads the league during that time. Opponents are averaging just 67.9 rushing yards per game from The Vikings ranked #1 against the rush in both 2006 and 2007 and are currently ranked 3rd in 2008, having given up 342 yards through fi ve games (68.4 avg). Opponents Rushing Yards Team Yards Allowed 1) Minnesota...2,512 2) Baltimore...2,738 3) Pittsburgh...3,184 Opponents Average Rushing Yards Per Game Team Avg. Yds/Game 1) Minnesota Vikings ) Baltimore Ravens ) Pittsburgh Steelers Opponents Average Rushing Yards Per Game Season Avg. Yds/Game(Rank) (1st) (1st) (3rd) Opponents Average Rushing Yards Per Carry Season Avg. Yds/Carry (Rank) (1st) (2nd) (3rd) Opponents Rushes For Negative Yards (No Kneeldowns) Season Negative Rushes (Rank) Yards Lost (Rank) (1st) (1st) (1st) (1st) (T-6th) (T-5th) STACK OF SACKS After a slow start with only 2.0 sacks during the fi rst two weeks of the 2008 season, the Vikings defense exploded in Week Three for 5.0 sacks of Panthers QB Jake Delhomme. DT Kevin Williams notched 2.0 sacks in the game and DE Jared Allen added another. LB Chad Greenway collected his fi rst career sack while CB Antoine Winfield got his second career sack and his fi rst as a Viking. The Vikings 5.0 sacks in the game were the most in a single game since they notched the same amount against Oakland in 2007 (11/18). The Vikings now have 8.0 sacks during the 2008 season. Allen and William s 2.0 sacks apiece currently rank tied for 35th among individuals. Over the past two seasons, the Vikings 46.0 sacks ranks 11th in the NFL. NFL Sacks Team Sacks 1) N.Y. Giants ) Dallas ) Seattle t) Tennessee t) Philadelphia t) New England t) Pittsburgh t) San Diego ) Chicago ) Arizona ) Minnesota WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 14

16 VIKINGS DEFENSIVE TEAM NOTES ALLEN NOTCHES FIRST VIKINGS SACK Vikings newly-acquired DE Jared Allen, who fi nished as the 2007 NFL sack leader with 15.5 sacks, currently ranks tied for 1st on the team and tied for 35th in the NFL with 2.0 sacks through the fi rst fi ve games. Allen notched his fi rst sack as a Viking in Week 2 vs. Indianapolis when he caught QB Peyton Manning for a 5-yard loss. It was Allen s fi rst sack of Manning. In Week Three vs. Carolina, Allen caught QB Jake Delhomme for his second sack of the year and his 45th career sack. Since entering the league in 2004, Allen s 45.0 sacks rank 2nd in the NFL behind only Redskins DE Jason Taylor, who has 47.0 during that time frame. NFL Sack Leaders from Player Sacks 1) Jason Taylor ) Jared Allen ) Aaron Kampman t) Patrick Kerney t) Aaron Schobel NFL Sack Leaders Player Sacks 1) Jared Allen ) Patrick Kerney t) Demarcus Ware t) Mario Williams VIKINGS LINEBACKERS The Vikings were dealt a signifi cant blow in Week Four when they lost 2007 Team Defensive MVP and 2008 defensive captain E.J. Henderson for the season due to injury. The middle linebacker, Henderson has led the Vikings in tackles in each of the past two seasons with 155 and 142 tackles respectively. Henderson also has recorded 8.5 of his 10.5 sacks over the past two seasons as well as scoring his lone career touchdown on a 45-yard interception return in Replacing Henderson is LB David Herron, second-year man out of Michigan State. Herron made his fi rst career start at Tennessee in Week Four after playing in his fi rst career game on December 23, Flanking Herron is Ben Leber and Chad Greenway. Leber, a seven year veteran out of Kansas State, was acquired by the Vikings from San Diego in He has three-times been a starter on the NFL s numberone rated rush defense with San Diego in 2005 and Minnesota in 2006 and Leber started 10 games in 2007 and tied for the team lead with 5.0 sacks. Greenway is in his second season at linebacker after missing all of his rookie season with a knee injury. He was a fi rst round selection (17th overall) of the Vikings in 2006 after an impressive college campaign where he was named an All-American his senior year. In his fi rst year starting for the Vikings in 2007 Greenway showed his playmaking abilities as he led the team in takeaways with 6 (4 FR, 2 INT) and was second on the team with 130 tackles. His four fumble recoveries tied him for the NFL lead. Greenway also returned an interception for a touchdown off of eventual Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning. Former Carolina Panther and Boston College Eagle Vinny Ciurciu, and rookie Erin Henderson, brother of E.J. and Maryland product, round out the linebacking core for Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and linebackers coach Fred Pagac. LB Heath Farwell, who led the team in special teams tackles in both 2006 and 2007 with 25 and 32 respectively, was lost for the 2008 season with a torn ACL in the fi rst preseason game. MAN IN THE MIDDLE The Vikings lost a key playmaker on defense in Week Four captain LB E.J. Henderson was lost for the season due to injury. Henderson left leading the team with 36 tackles (28 solo). He also had one of the team s 8.0 sacks and one of the team s fi ve fumble recoveries. Over the past four years ( ) Henderson has led the team in tackles three times. In 2004 he led the squad with 125 stops. In 2006 his 142 tackles led the Vikings and last year his 155 stops were a career--high and led the team. He was named the team s 2007 defensive MVP for his performance. The only year Henderson didn t lead the team in tackles was in 2005, when he ranked 2nd with 102. GREENWAY TACKLES THE NFL Vikings LB Chad Greenway currently leads the team with 42 total tackles (30 solo) through the fi rst fi ve games. In Week Four at Tennessee, Greenway led the team with 12 total stops (9 solo). For his career ( ), Greenway has 113 solo tackles and 172 total stops through 21 games. In 2007, he ranked 2nd on the team with 130 total tackles (83 solo), tying for the team lead once and leading the squad in three games. Greenway also ranked tied for 1st in the NFL with 4 fumble recoveries in In Week Three vs. Carolina, Greenway notched his fi rst NFL sack when he threw QB Jake Delhomme for a two-yard loss. In Week Five, he forced a fumble by stripping the ball from RB Reggie Bush. S Tyrell Johnson recovered the ball for the Vikings. VIKINGS DEFENSIVE BACKS The Vikings return three of four starters in the secondary for 2008 with CB Cedric Griffin, S Darren Sharper, and CB Antoine Winfield. Sharper, the 12-year veteran, is the leader in the secondary and the owner of several impressive numbers. The four-time Pro Bowl starter has 53 career interceptions (17 with the Vikings), the most by any active player in the NFL. He also is tied for fi fth in NFL history with eight career interception return touchdowns. Winfi eld, another veteran, has played nine seasons in the NFL. A fi rst round pick (23rd overall) by Buffalo in the 1999 NFL draft, Winfi eld has gone on to record 763 career tackles and 18 interceptions prior to the 08 season. Winfi eld is still playing some of his best football, notching touchdowns off of interceptions in each of the last two seasons. The former University of Texas star Griffi n enters his third year with Vikings after being drafted by the team in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Griffi n scored the fi rst touchdown of his NFL career last year in Dallas when he received a lateral from teammate LB Ben Leber off of a fumble and took it 28 yards for a score. Joining the three starters is 2008 free agent pickup S Madieu Williams. Williams adds another veteran body in the defensive backfi eld having been a three-year starter (missed his sophomore season due to injury) for Cincinnati. With Williams sidelined for the fi rst few games with a neck injury, however, the Vikings fi rst selection in the 2008 NFL Draft (2nd round, 43rd overall) S Tyrell Johnson is gaining some important and meaningful reps at the safety position. Johnson was named the 2007 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at Arkansas State. Adding depth to the secondary is CB Charles Gordon, CB Marcus McCauley, S Eric Frampton, CB Benny Sapp and rookie S Husain Abdullah. JOHNSON STEPS UP Rookie S Tyrell Johnson had a huge impact in the Vikings Week Five win at New Orleans. Making his fi fth consecutive start, Johnson recovered a fumble, notched an interception, made fi ve total tackles and collected a quarterback hurry. Johnson now has 23 total tackles (15 solo) on the season along with three passes defensed, an INT and a fumble recovery. WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 15

17 VIKINGS DEFENSIVE TEAM NOTES FUMBLES LEAD TO SCORES With CB Antoine Winfield s fumble recovery for a TD in Week Three, the Vikings scored their 46th TD off a fumble recovery since the 1970 NFL merger. That total ranks tied for 1st during that time span. Fumble Recoveries for a Touchdown Since NFL Team FR for TD 1t) Minnesota Vikings t) Tennessee Titans t) Atlanta Falcons t) Oakland Raiders Since Head Coach Brad Childress took over in 2006, the Vikings have scored six times on fumble recoveries (fi ve defensive recoveries, one offensive recovery), which ranks tied for 1st in the NFL. Fumble Recoveries for a Touchdown NFL Team...FR for TD 1t) Minnesota Vikings t) San Diego Chargers ) Houston Texans... 5 SHARPER IMAGE S Darren Sharper is currently tied for the Vikings team record for the most interception returns for a touchdown with three. As a Viking, Sharper has notched 17 INTs. He now has 1,024 career return yards, which ranks 8th in NFL history. Sharper currently leads all active players with the most interceptions (53) as well as the most combined takeaways (58). His 53 INTs are tied with Deion Sanders for 21st all-time. Interceptions By Active NFL Players 1) Darren Sharper ) Champ Bailey Combined Takeaways By Active NFL Players 1) Darren Sharper (53 INTs, 5 FRs) 2) Champ Bailey (43 INTs, 6 FRs) NFL Career Interception Return TDs 1) Rod Woodson t) Ken Houston t) Deion Sanders t) Aeneas Williams t) Darren Sharper t) Eric Allen... 8 Vikings Career Interception Return TDs 1t) Darren Sharper (S) t) Jimmy Hitchcock (CB) t) Dewayne Washington (CB) t) Audray McMillian (CB) t) Joey Browner (S) t) Bobby Bryant (CB) t) Ed Sharockman (CB) t) Rip Hawkins (LB) TAKEAWAY TOINE A ballhawker who hits with authority, Vikings CB Antoine Winfield frequently fi nds himself around the ball. He currently ranks tied for first in the NFL with two fumble recoveries. In Week Five, Winfi eld notched his 20th Vikings career takeaway (13 INTs, 7 FRs), which ranks 8th for the most in team history among cornerbacks and 23rd overall. Winfi eld also returned a blocked field goal 59 yards for a Vikings touchdown against New Orleans, which was a first in team history. Winfi eld now has 30 tackles on the season, 2.0 sacks, an INT, 6 PD, 5 TFL, 2 FF and 2 FR. The Vikings have notched 40 interceptions from , which is tied for 10th in the NFL during that time. Nine of those INTs have gone for touchdowns, a total that leads the league over the seasons. The team has scored 14 defensive touchdowns (9 INTs, 5 FRs) in the past 37 games, and that also leads the league over the seasons. NFL Interceptions ) Baltimore t) Green Bay t) San Diego ) Tennessee t) Chicago t) New England ) Jacksonville t) Cleveland t) Oakland t) Minnesota t) Cincinnati...40 PICKS, PICKS, PICKS NFL Defensive Touchdowns ( ) Minnesota Vikings (9 INTs, 5 FRs) Green Bay Packers (8 INTs, 4 FRs) Vikings Defensive Touchdowns ( ) Game Play vs. Chicago, 9/24/06... Antoine Winfi eld 7 INT return - L vs. Detroit, 10/8/06... Ben Leber FR in end zone - W vs. Detroit, 10/8/06... E.J. Henderson 45 INT return at Seattle, 10/22/06... Kevin Williams FR in end zone - W at Green Bay, 12/21/06... Fred Smoot 47 INT return - L vs. Atlanta, 9/9/07... Kevin Williams 54 INT return - W vs. Atlanta, 9/9/07... Antoine Winfi eld 14 INT return at Detroit, 9/16/07... Ray Edwards 9 FR return - L at Dallas, 10/21/07... Cedric Griffi n 28 FR return - L at NY Giants, 11/25/07... Darren Sharper 20 INT return - W at NY Giants, 11/25/07... Dwight Smith 93 INT return at NY Giants, 11/25/07... Chad Greenway 37 INT return at San Francisco, 12/9/07... Kevin Williams 18 INT return - W vs. Carolina, 9/21/08... Antoine Winfi eld 19 FR return - W PICKS FOR SIX Over the team s 48-year existence, only seven times have the Vikings returned two or more interceptions for touchdowns in the same game. In each of those games, the Vikings were victorious. Game Players with INTs for TDs Result at Green Bay, 10/29/ Wally Hilgenberg and Paul Krause... W vs. New Orleans, 12/4/ Carl Lee and Jesse Solomon... W 45-3 vs. Detroit, 10/8/ Issiac Holt and Mike Merriweather... W at Chicago, 11/2/ Jack Del Rio and Carlos Jenkins... W vs. Detroit Lions, 11/23/ Corey Chavous and Brian Williams... W vs. Atlanta Falcons, 9/9/ Kevin Williams and Antoine Winfi eld... W 24-3 at New York Giants, 11/25/ Chad Greenway, Darren Sharper, Dwight Smith... W WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 16

18 VIKINGS DEFENSIVE/SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES FOUR STATS, ONE PLAY In Week Three, CB Antoine Winfield collected four defensive statistics on the same play - a quarterback sack, a forced fumble, an opponent fumble recovery and a fumble return for a touchdown - when he hit QB Jake Delhomme near the end of the fi rst half, knocking the ball loose and returning it 19 yards for the score. It was only the 3rd time in team history that a player has recorded four stats on one play. RETURN TO SENDER Under Head Coach Brad Childress, the Vikings have scored 18 times on returns (INT, FR, KR, PR and blocked FG), a number that ranks 2nd in the league from The Vikings have scored 14 times on defense, returning 9 interceptions and 5 fumble recoveries for touchdowns. The other 4 scores came on a kickoff return, a punt return, a blocked fi eld goal and an offensive fumble recovered for a TD. NFL Returns/Defensive Touchdowns Team... TDs 1) Chicago ) Minnesota ) Green Bay ) San Diego t) Three teams Most INT Returns For Touchdowns In A Single Game - NFL 1) 4... Seattle...vs. Kansas City, 11/4/84 2t) 3... Minnesota...at NY Giants, 11/25/07 2t) 3... Tampa Bay...vs. New Orleans, 12/11/77 2t) 3... Cincinnati...vs. Houston, 12/17/72 2t) 3... Houston...vs. San Diego, 12/19/71 2t) 3... Buffalo...vs. NY Jets, 9/29/68 2t) 3... Baltimore...vs. Pittsburgh, 9/29/68 2t) 3... Philadelphia...vs. Pittsburgh, 12/12/65 2t) 3... Cleveland...vs. Chicago, 12/11/60 2t) 3... Baltimore...vs. Green Bay, 11/5/50 PICKS, PICKS, PICKS In the Vikings 48-year history, the team has returned 78 interceptions for touchdowns; 9 of those INT returns have come in the past 3 seasons under Coach Childress and his staff. TAYLOR MADE RB Chester Taylor currently ranks 4th in the NFC and is 12th in the NFL with a 25.6 yards per kickoff return average. Taylor has returned eight kickoffs for 205 yards, with a long of 37. In Week 2, Taylor returned three kickoffs for 93 yards, an average of 31.0 yards per return. His fi rst two returns were for 37 and 35 yards, giving the Vikings starting fi eld position at their own 38 and 34-yard lines. NFC Kickoff Return Leaders Player Returns Yards Average 1) Allen Rossum, SF ) Felix Jones, DAL ) Danieal Manning, CHI ) Chester Taylor, MIN ) Maurice Hicks, MIN HICKS RETURNS After missing the fi rst two games due to injury, RB Artis Hicks returned four kickoffs for 110 yards (27.5 avg.) in Week Four against the Titans. Last week at New Orleans, he brought back four more for 93 yards (23.3 avg.). Hicks 25.4 average on the season currently ranks fi fth in the NFC and 14th in the NFL. WHEN THE GAME IS ON THE LINE One of the most accurate kickers in the NFL since entering the league as an unheralded rookie free agent in 1997, K Ryan Longwell currently ranks first in the NFL with 13 field goals made. With the Vikings, Longwell has made 40-of- 40 fi eld goals from inside 45 yards in his Vikings career. His only misses are from 46+ yards. In Week Five, Longwell surpassed K Fuad Reviez for most consecutive FGs made under 40 yards. Longwell now has 34. Longwell is one fi eld goal shy of 300 made for his career (including playoffs). His 82.1 fi eld goal percentage ranks 9th in NFL history Field Goals Made Player... FGs Made 1t) Ryan Longwell, MIN t) John Carney, NYG t) Matt Prater, DEN Scoring (All players) Player Points 1) Matt Prater, DEN ) John Carney, NYG ) Ryan Longwell, MIN...47 Longwell s Game Winners Date...Game...FG...Time... Final 12/27/98...at Detroit : /17/00...Philadelphia : /15/00...San Francisco : /24/00...Tampa Bay :31 OT /14/04...Minnesota : /21/04...@ Houston : /12/04...Detroit : /24/04...@ Minnesota : /11/05...Detroit :17 OT /11/06...@ Washington : /17/06...Carolina :25 OT /14/07...@ Chicago : /6/08...@ New Orleans : LONGWELL S 280 IS 23RD IN NFL HISTORY K Ryan Longwell currently ranks 23rd all-time with 280 made FGs. NFL Career FGs Made (Regular Season) 1) Morten Anderson ) Gary Anderson ) Matt Stover ) John Carney ) Jason Elam ) Jason Hanson ) Nick Lowery ) Jan Stenerud ) Norm Johnson ) John Kasay ) Eddie Murray ) Al Del Greco ) Steve Christie ) George Blanda ) Adam Vinatieri ) Jeff Wilkins t) Pat Leahy t) Jim Turner t) Matt Bahr t) Mark Moseley t) Jim Bakken t) Fred Cox ) Ryan Longwell WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 17

19 VIKINGS SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES LONGWELL RANKS 24TH IN ALL-TIME SCORING K Ryan Longwell currently ranks 24th in NFL history with 1,290 points. Since entering the league in 1997, Longwell ranks tied for 2nd in total scoring behind K Jason Elam. All-Time NFL Scoring Leaders Player/Seasons Games Points 1) Morten Anderson, (25) ,544 2) Gary Anderson, (23) ,434 3) George Blanda, (26) ,002 4) John Carney, (21) ,861 5) Matt Stover, (18) ,843 6) Jason Elam, (16) ,831 7) Norm Johnson, (18) ,736 8) Nick Lowery, (18) ,711 9) Jan Stenerud, (19) ,699 10) Jason Hanson, (17) ,681 11) Eddie Murray, (19) ,594 12) Al Del Greco, (17) ,584 13) John Kasay, (17) ,546 14) Steve Christie, (15) ,476 15) Pat Leahy, (18) ,470 16) Jim Turner, (16) ,439 17) Matt Bahr, (17) ,422 18) Jeff Wilkins, (14) ,416 19) Adam Vinatieri, (13) ,410 20) Mark Moseley, (16) ,382 21) Jim Bakken, (17) ,380 22) Fred Cox, (15) ,365 23) Lou Groza, (17) ,349 24) Ryan Longwell, (12) ,290 NFL Scoring Player Points 1) Jason Elam... 1,352 2t) Ryan Longwell... 1,290 2t) Adam Vinatieri... 1,290 FROM 50 AND BEYOND K Ryan Longwell has connected on 16 fi eld goals from 50+ yards during his career. He also has three of the fi ve longest fi eld goals in Vikings history. Longwell s 50+ Yard Field Goals - Career Date FG Final 9/2/97, at Detroit W /17/99, at Denver L /8/00, at Detroit L /29/00, at Miami L /12/00, at Tampa Bay L /16/01, at Tennessee L /5/03, vs. Kansas City L /11/04, at Tennessee L /17/04, at Detroit W /11/05, at Detroit L /23/05, at Minnesota L /13/05, at Atlanta W /13/05, at Atlanta W /14/07, at Chicago W /14/08, vs. Indianapolis L /6/08 at New Orleans W Longest Field Goals In Vikings History 1) Paul Edinger, vs. Green Bay, 10/23/05 2) Ryan Longwell, at Chicago, 10/14/07 3t) Jan Stenerud, vs. Atlanta, 9/16/84 3t) Paul Edinger, vs. Chicago, 1/1/06 5t) Ryan Longwell, vs. Indianapolis, 9/14/08 5t) Ryan Longwell, at New Orleans, 10/6/08 5t) other players PINNING THEM DEEP Vikings 4th year P Chris Kluwe is currently tied for seventh in the league with a gross punting average of 47.1 yards. Kluwe has punted 29 times for 1,367 yards. In Week Four at Tennessee, Kluwe punted six times, all of which traveled over 50 yards (52, 50, 57, 57, 52, 56), setting a new Vikings record for the most 50-yard punts in a single game. Kluwe s 54.0-yard punting average on the day ranks as the fourth highest in team history. Kluwe now owns three of the top five performances in Vikings history. In 2007 he broke a single game team record at Detroit (9/16) when he punted 4 times for 230 yards, a gross average of 57.5 yards per punt. Kluwe has 42 punts of 50+ yards for his career, which ranks fi fth in Vikings history. Kluwe has also left opponents inside their own 20-yard line nine times in 2008, which ranks tied for seventh in the NFL. Leaving opponents inside the 20 is familiar territory for Kluwe, as he has done so 88 times since entering the league in That total ranks 5th during that time span. In 2007, Kluwe left opponents inside the 20-yard line 34 times, which ranked 3rd in the NFL and was a Vikings single-season record Gross Punting Average Player Gross Punting Average 1) Donnie Jones, STL ) Mike Scifres, SD ) Shane Lechler, OAK ) Mat McBriar, DAL ) Dustin Colquitt, KC ) Brett Kern, DEN ) Chris Kluwe, MIN Punts Inside the 20-Yard Line Player Punts Inside 20 1) Brad Maynard, CHI ) Dustin Colquitt, KC ) Jason Baker, CAR t) Mitch Berger, PIT t) Josh Bidwell, TB t) Brian Moorman, BUF t) Chris Kluwe, MIN t) 4 other players... 9 Punts Inside the 20-Yard Line Player Punts Inside 20 1) Mike Scifres ) Brian Moorman t) Dustin Colquitt t) Brad Maynard ) Chris Kluwe Vikings Single Game 50+ Yard Punts 1) Chris Kluwe, vs. Ten., 9/28/ t) Harry Newsome, vs. Phx, 10/13/ t) Greg Coleman, vs. Chi., 11/25/ Vikings Single Game Gross Punting Average Player GPA 1) Chris Kluwe, at Det., 9/16/ (4 punts yards) 2) Mitch Berger, vs. Cin., 11/15/ (4 punts yards) 3) Chris Kluwe, vs. TB, 9/11/ (4 punts yards) 4t) Chris Cluwe at Ten, 9/28/ (6 punts yards) 4t) Harry Newsome vs. Phx, 10/13/ (5 punts yards) Most 50+ Yard Punts In A Single Season Player 50+Yard Punts 1) Chris Kluwe, t) Chris Kluwe, t) Mitch Berger, WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 18

20 Where Vikings Rank among the NFC leaders (TOP 10) VIKINGS LEADERS IN THE NFL Week Kluwe, Punting Average (47.1) Hendersoon, E.J., Fumble Recoveries (1) NR NR NR 2T 4T Hicks, M., Kickoff Return Avg. (25.4) NR NR NR NR 5 Johnson, Fumble Recoveries (1) NR NR NR NR 4T Leber, Fumble Recoveries (1) NR NR 2T 2T 4T Longwell, Scoring (47) NR 3T 2T 4T 2 Peterson, Rushing Yards (452) Peterson, Total Yards Scrimm. (513) Peterson, Rushing TDs (3) 3T 9T NR 4T 7T Shiancoe, Receiving TDs (2) NR NR NR NR 8T Taylor, Kickoff Return Avg. (25.6) NR Winfield, Fumble Recoveries (2) NR NR 2T 2T 1T Where Vikings Rank among the NFL leaders (TOP 10) Week Hendersoon, E.J., Fumble Recoveries (1) NR NR NR 6T 8T Johnson, Fumble Recoveries (1) NR NR NR NR 8T Kluwe, Punting Average (47.1) NR NR NR 4 7 Leber, Fumble Recoveries (1) NR NR 4T 6T 8T Longwell, Scoring (47) NR 3T 2T 7T 3 Peterson, Rushing Yards (452) Peterson, Total Yards Scrimm. (513) NR Winfield, Fumble Recoveries (1) NR NR 4T 6T 1T Where Vikings Rank Offensively and Defensively (NFC) Week Overall Offense Rushing Offense Passing Offense Points Scored Overall Defense Rushing Defense Passing Defense Points Allowed 11T Turnover Ratio 11T 7T 6T 10T 4T Where Vikings Rank Offensively and Defensively (NFL) Week Overall Offense Rushing Offense Passing Offense Points Scored 16 22T 23T Overall Defense 18T Rushing Defense Passing Defense Points Allowed 22T Turnover Ratio 22T 12T 10T 21T 7T NR-Not ranked in top 10 WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 19

21 VIKINGS EXTRA POINTS VOICES OF THE VIKINGS KFAN-AM radio mid-day personality Paul Allen enters his 7th season as the Vikings radio play-by-play voice in Joining him in the booth for the 2nd year is former Vikings LB and coach Pete Bercich, while former Vikings punter Greg Coleman will serve as the sideline reporter. KFAN-AM (1130) and KTLK (100.3 FM) serve as the fl agship stations for the Minnesota Vikings Radio Network, which includes outlets in six states: Minnesota: Iowa: Market Station Freq. Market Station Freq. Twin Cities KFAN-AM 1130 Ames KASI-AM 1430 Twin Cities KTLK-FM Cedar Rapids KMJM-AM 1360 Aitkin KKIN-FM 94.3 Mason City KGLO-AM 1300 Alexandria KIKV-FM Sioux City KMNS-AM 620 Austin KNFX-AM 970 Spencer KICD-AM 1240 Bemidji KBUN-AM 1450 Bemidji KBHP-FM Montana: Benson KSCR-FM 93.5 Miles City KKRY-FM 92.5 Blue Earth KBEW-FM 98.1 Brainerd KBLB-FM 93.3 North Dakota: Crookston KROX-AM 1260 Bismarck KXMR-AM 710 Dassel KARP-FM Carrington KDAK-AM 1600 Detroit Lakes KDLM-AM 1340 Devils Lake KDLR-AM 1240 Detroit Lakes KRCQ-FM Dickinson KLTC-AM 1460 Duluth WEBC-AM 560 Fargo KFGO-AM 790 Ely WELY-AM 1450 Ely WELY-FM 94.5 Grand Forks KKXL-AM 1440 Fergus Falls KBRF-AM 1250 Jamestown KQDJ-AM 1400 Grand Rapids KMFY-FM 96.9 Minot KRRZ-AM 1390 Hibbing WMNT-AM 650 Oakes KDDR-AM 1220 Hutchinson KARP-FM Valley City KOVC-AM 1490 Intl. Falls KSDM-FM Williston KEYZ-AM 600 Jackson KRAQ-FM Mankato KHRS-FM Mankato KXLP-FM 93.1 South Dakota: Mankato KYSM-AM 1230 Aberdeen KSDN-AM 930 Marshall KARL-FM Milbank KMSD-AM 1510 Morris KKOK-FM 95.7 Mobridge KMLO-FM New Ulm KNUJ-FM Pierre KPLO-FM 94.5 Park Rapids KPRM-AM 870 Sioux Falls KXQL-FM Pine City WCMP-FM Sisseton KBWS-FM Rochester KRCH-FM Watertown KWAT-AM 950 Rochester KWEB-AM 1270 Yankton KVTK-AM 1570 Roseau KCAJ-FM St. Cloud WJON-AM 1240 Wisconsin: Spring Grove KQYB-FM 98.3 Amery WLMX-FM Staples KSKK-FM 94.7 Balsam Lake WLMX-FM Thief River Falls KTRF-AM 1230 Eau Claire WMEQ-AM 880 Wadena KSKK-FM 94.7 Hayward WHSM-FM Walker KQKK-FM LaCrosse KYOB-FM 98.3 Waseca KOWZ-AM 1170 Menomonie WMEQ-AM 880 Winona KWNO-FM 99.3 Rice Lake WKFX-FM 99.1 VIKINGS ON THE AIR Catch the Vikings every Saturday during the season from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on back-toback FSN North shows - Vikings GamePlan and Vikings Weekly. Vikings GamePlan offers an in-depth look at the upcoming opponent. Hosted by Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen, the show lets fans watch and listen to Head Coach Brad Childress and assistant coaches discuss the week s matchup and the state of the 2008 Vikings. Vikings Weekly is a 30-minute segment that gives fans an opportunity to see their favorite athletes off the fi eld in a more personal setting. Players allow host Ann Carroll and crew to follow them outside of Winter Park to get a glimpse of their hobbies, their families, and other parts of their lives that fans otherwise wouldn t know. ALLEN TEAMS WITH JDRF TO SACK DIABETES Vikings DE Jared Allen is launching a new initiative called Sack Diabetes. This regular season, in each city where Allen plays, he will donate $3,000 for every sack he records through his newly formed foundation to the local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) chapter. For every sack Jared records at the Metrodome, he will make a $3,000 donation to the Minnesota JDRF chapter. Cities where Vikings play this season include: Date Team JDRF Chapter/Branch 9/8...Green Bay... Northeast Wisconsin 9/28...Tennessee... Nashville Chapter 10/6...New Orleans... Louisiana 10/19...Chicago... Greater Illinois 11/16...Tampa Bay... Tampa Bay 11/23...Jacksonville... Jacksonville 12/7...Detroit... Greater Detroit 12/14...Arizona... Desert Southwest COMMUNITY CALENDAR MATT BIRK, TEAMMATES, CHEERLEADERS AND VIKTOR THE VIKING TO HOST 12TH ANNUAL CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS DRIVE AS PART OF NFL/UNITED WAY HOMETOWN HUDDLE ***EVENT PRESENTED BY COMMUNITY TUESDAY SPONSOR QWEST*** EDEN PRAIRIE On Tuesday, October 7, from 2:30 to 4 p.m.,vikings fans were given a chance to help out a good cause and have a chance to win a drawing for lower-level tickets to this weekend s game at the Metrodome, and other prizes. As part of the NFL/United Way Hometown Huddle Pro Bowl center, United Way spokesman and six-time Vikings Community Man of the Year Matt Birk, along with teammates including Pat Williams, Tarvaris Jackson, Ray Edwards, and others, hosted a clothing and household goods drive to benefi t the United Way-funded Arc Greater Twin Cities. The players, as well as cheerleaders, Viktor the Viking and Qwest mascot Spirit helped unload the cars of fans dropping off bags of donated items at Winter Park. Williams and Jackson have been promoters of the United Way s Live United advertising campaign. Proceeds from the future sale of the used clothing and household goods will benefi t Arc Greater Twin Cities, which helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live, learn, work and play as they choose. The NFL/United Way Hometown Huddle is a NFL-wide day of service that provides NFL players from each team the opportunity to take part in a variety of community-service based activities. BUSINESS VENTURES Outside of Winter Park, several Vikings players dedicate a signifi cant amount of free time operating their own entrepreneurial ventures. * Matt Birk opened Matty B s, a supper club in native St. Paul in the spring of 2006, and Matty B s Urban Bar and Grill in Minneapolis in the fall of * Vinny Ciurciu started a sportswear company, Anger Sports, with his brother that specializes in workout and casual clothes. * Bobby Wade owns a visual marketing company, Free Mind, that specializes in promotional items. * Pat Williams owns an automobile detailing company, Automotive Concepts, in the Twin Cities. WEEK 6 - LIONS AT VIKINGS - 20