More on Minnesota's scoring output
Sunday's game was just the third time the Vikings didn't reach the end zone at U.S. Bank Stadium since the venue opened in 2016. The other two games were in Week 11 of the 2022 season (40-3 loss vs. Dallas) and Week 15 of the 2016 season (34-6 loss vs. Indianapolis).
It also marked the eighth time in franchise history in which Minnesota hasn't scored a touchdown in the first half of either of its first two games to open a season. The most recent case was in 2008, when the Vikings scored three first-half points at Green Bay in Week 1 on Monday Night Football (lost 24-19), followed by a nine-point first half against Indianapolis in Week 2 (lost 18-15). Here are the other six instances and their outcomes:
– 2001: Zero points vs. Carolina in Week 1 (lost 24-13); three points at Chicago in
Week 2 (lost 17-10).
– 2000: Nine points vs. Chicago in Week 1 (won 30-27); three points vs. Miami in
Week 2 (won 13-7).
– 1993: Zero points at Los Angeles Raiders in Week 1 (lost 24-7); three points vs. Chicago in Week 2 (won 10-7).
– 1984: Three points vs. San Diego Chargers in Week 1 (lost 42-13); three points at
Philadelphia in Week 2 (lost 19-17).
– 1967: Zero points vs. San Francisco in Week 1 (lost 27-21); zero points at
Los Angeles Rams in Week 2 (lost 39-3).
– 1962: Zero points at Green Bay in Week 1 (lost 34-7); zero points vs. Baltimore Colts
in Week 2 (lost 34-7).
The Vikings currently have played four consecutive games (including the postseason) without scoring a first-half touchdown, the most in franchise history since between 2007 and 2008. Minnesota went five straight games without a TD in the first half from Week 15 of the 2007 season to Week 2 of the 2008 campaign, going 1-4 in that stretch.