Access Vikings

After a 31-24 loss to the Giants in the first round of the playoffs, there was plenty to dissect about the Vikings' performance. And a lot of the flaws on display in Sunday's defeat naturally lead into questions about the future -- all of which was tackled on this postgame episode.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand preview Sunday's playoff game between the Vikings and Giants while also answering a lot of your big questions ahead of the game.

First-year head coach Kevin O'Connell kept most players healthy while getting the offense moving forward again during a 29-13 win against the Bears to end the regular season. Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer recap the win from Soldier Field, where a patchwork offensive line got meaningful work together ahead of a playoff rematch against the Giants.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss the Vikings' reaction to Buffalo Bills defender Damar Hamlin's heart stopping on the field after what looked like a routine hit. They eventually transition into a tough injury for Brian O'Neill and the Vikings offense, followed by Sunday's game in Chicago and how the NFC playoffs could shake out.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Jim Souhan provide a quick dispatch from Lambeau Field, where the Vikings fell 41-17 in a blowout defeat that keeps the Packers' playoff chances alive. How was Justin Jefferson held to one catch? How confident should the 12-4 Vikings be?

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer preview Sunday's rematch in Green Bay, where the Vikings have a chance to end the Packers' playoff hopes and receiver Justin Jefferson continues his MVP case -- which is probably a long shot, anyway. They also open up the mailbag and answer your questions, ranging from the rookie draft class to the 31st-ranked defense.

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer recap the Vikings' 27-24 win against the Giants, from Greg Joseph's clutch kick to Justin Jefferson's key plays.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss the importance of the Vikings' Christmas Eve game against the Giants (8-5-1) in the NFC playoff standings and which teams they could face in the first round. They also open up the mailbag and answer your questions about the offseason, the defensive adjustments and the NFL acknowledging mistakes in officiating.

Like that game, this podcast is a tale of two halves because of technical issues.

What just happened? Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Chip Scoggins recap the Vikings' 39-36 win over the Colts from U.S. Bank Stadium, where the purple faithful who stayed to watch after a 33-0 halftime deficit have quite the story to tell.

What's wrong with the Vikings' last-placed defense? What can be done to patch the holes in December? Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss the issues, edge rusher Danielle Hunter's season, Sunday's game against the Colts and answer your questions.

The Vikings didn't force a punt after halftime as they fell 34-23 to a potent Lions offense that became the latest to run up and down the field on Minnesota. From Ford Field in Detroit, Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer discuss head coach Kevin O'Connell's remarks about the defense, the remarkable days from quarterback Kirk Cousins and receiver Justin Jefferson, and the outlook in the NFC playoff race.

Running back Dalvin Cook called this a "feisty" Lions defense that they'll face on Sunday. Detroit's offense is more formidable. The Vikings face a better-than-your-typical Lions team with the NFC North title in reach on Sunday at Ford Field. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand preview the game, discuss cornerback Patrick Peterson's impact on the team, the NFC playoff standings and more.

Vikings players keep saying it's not pretty, but they'll take another win. That was the popular refrain again at U.S. Bank Stadium, where Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Jim Souhan recap the Vikings' 27-22 win over New York. They discuss the 10-2 record, a porous defense and quarterback Kirk Cousins' resiliency in this episode of the Access Vikings podcast.

The Vikings have a chance to make a run with games against the Jets, Lions and Colts on the horizon. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand preview Sunday's game against the Jets and a tough defense. They also discuss receiver Justin Jefferson's MVP case and open the mailbag to answer your Vikings questions.

The offense scored on five straight drives. Special teams tipped the scales. The defense got stops at the end. So goes another narrow Vikings win, this time a 33-26 victory over the Patriots on Thanksgiving night. Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer recap what they saw and heard at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Andrew Krammer, Ben Goessling and Michael Rand revisit the Vikings' 40-3 loss to Dallas and wonder how much carryover there will be to Thursday's game against New England.

Against another vaunted pass rush, the Vikings will need to protect Kirk Cousins much better than they did Sunday, but they also should be able to contain a mediocre-at-best New England offense.

Will the Vikings' run continue against the 6-3 Dallas Cowboys? Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer preview the matchup and discuss quarterback Kirk Cousins' continued connection with receiver Justin Jefferson. What stands out about Cousins' play? Who do they have winning the game?

Bills quarterback Josh Allen's elbow looked just fine. The Vikings won, 33-30 in overtime, anyway. From Orchard Park, N.Y., Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer discuss a crazy victory that had players ranking it among their most hard-fought wins, and answered questions about whether these Vikings are contenders.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s injured elbow could keep him from playing against the Vikings on Sunday, setting up a potential Case Keenum and Stefon Diggs pairing five years after the Minneapolis Miracle. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand preview Sunday’s game, talk about past Vikings-Bills games and open the mailbag to answer your questions.

"You like that!?" could be heard from the Vikings locker room after Sunday's 20-17 win at Fed ExField in Landover, Md., where quarterback Kirk Cousins beat his former team. Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer recap another wild one-score win, tight end T.J. Hockenson's immediate impact and more from the stadium.

There's a lot going on. First, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss the acquisition of former Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson, then Ben Goessling joins to elaborate on the move and fit in the offense, then Chip Scoggins hops in to give his thoughts on where this franchise is headed. There's also some talk about Sunday's game in Washington and ex-Vikings quarterback Taylor Heinicke.

Cornerback Patrick Peterson and linebacker Jordan Hicks popped off against their former teams, and the rest of the Vikings fed off their energy in a 34-26 win against the Cardinals on Sunday. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Jim Souhan discuss Peterson's comments and more of what they heard from U.S. Bank Stadium from a 6-1 team.

The Vikings (5-1) come out of the bye week relatively healthy and even farther ahead in the NFC North. But Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss an offense searching for more big plays to further separate themselves. Up next is a Cardinals (3-4) team that has talent but makes mistakes, including allowing the most yards after the catch in the NFL so far.

On the latest Access Vikings podcast, Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand take stock of a 5-1 team with plenty of questions and potential at the bye week. Do the Vikings have any money for a move at the trade deadline? Who has been the best defensive player?

The Dolphins had quarterback turmoil from Skylar Thompson to Teddy Bridgewater. The Vikings offense just had turmoil. Ben Goessling joins Andrew Krammer from Miami, where the Vikings escaped again with a 24-16 win against a banged-up Dolphins team that collapsed under the weight of six sacks and three turnovers.

The Vikings face a second backup quarterback in the past three weeks on Sunday, when the Dolphins will start 25-year-old, seventh-round rookie Skylar Thompson. The Vikings' strong start may continue. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand preview Sunday's game and open the mailbag to answer your questions on the latest Access Vikings episode.

The Vikings made it interesting, but after giving up 19 unanswered points to the Bears, they rallied with the 17-play, 7-minute drive capped by quarterback Kirk Cousins' sneak for the go-ahead touchdown. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Jim Souhan recap the 29-22 win from U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Vikings (3-1) are off to the franchise's best start since 2016 ahead of Sunday's game against the rebuilding Bears (2-2) and quarterback Justin Fields. Andrew Krammer is joined by Matthew Coller of PurpleInsider.com to discuss quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense, what they think of Fields and the Bears, and they ask some questions through four games of the season.

It wasn't a pretty win, but maybe that says something about these Vikings. Ben Goessling from London joins Andrew Krammer to discuss the 28-25 win over an injury-thinned Saints team that made just a couple more mistakes than Minnesota. Goessling gives his thoughts from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on quarterback Kirk Cousins' connection with Justin Jefferson, head coach Kevin O'Connell's clock management and more.

The Vikings are 2-1 and catch a banged-up Saints offense in London on Sunday. How will the Vikings be challenged against New Orleans? What issues are lurking under last week's comeback win? Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss and answer your Vikings questions on the latest episode.

The Vikings overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter thanks to quarterback Kirk Cousins' back-to-back connections with K.J. Osborn and a timely stop by a beleaguered secondary missing Harrison Smith. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and La Velle E. Neal discuss the 28-24 win from U.S. Bank Stadium.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell said he needs to put quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense in better positions after the 24-7 loss in Philadelphia on Monday night. Where does that start? How will O'Connell steer the ship after his first loss? What's ahead Sunday vs. the Lions? Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss on the latest Access Vikings podcast.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense were off, so was a defense that allowed 390 total yards from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in Monday night's 24-7 loss. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Chip Scoggins recap what happened from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The Vikings head into a Monday night prime time clash with the Eagles in Philadelphia, where they'll face a much different test than the opener against the Packers. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand preview Monday night's game against the Eagles, discuss what can carry over from the win against the Packers, and take your questions.

The Vikings played a clean game on offense and got after Aaron Rodgers on defense during Sunday's 23-7 win over the Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Jim Souhan discuss what they heard from the locker room and postgame podium, including the stifling pass rush, receiver Justin Jefferson's latest big game and improvement from the offensive line.

The regular season opener on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium will be the 124th meeting between the Vikings and Packers, including the eighth game in the rivalry for quarterback Kirk Cousins. But it's a new chapter in many ways for both Minnesota and Green Bay. Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer preview Sunday's game, discuss winning and the narrative around Cousins, and preview Goessling's profile of first-year head coach Kevin O'Connell.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah further put his fingerprints on this Vikings roster by letting go seven 2021 draft picks this week. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss the flurry of moves and the initial 53-man roster on this episode of the Access Vikings podcast.

Quarterback Nick Mullens might not play in the Vikings' preseason finale on Saturday in Denver, but it also might not matter as he could be quarterback Kirk Cousins' backup for the 2022 season following the trade for him. What does that mean for Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion? What do we expect the 53-man roster to look like once it's picked next week? Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer discuss on the latest Access Vikings episode.

The 49ers came to town this week and brought the noise. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss the physicality brought to the Vikings' doorstep, what we saw and heard from quarterback Kirk Cousins and what to expect in Saturday's preseason game. They also discuss the ongoing topic at right guard, where rookie Ed Ingram has seen a lot of first-team work.

What should we make of quarterback Kirk Cousins' uneven training camp? Who can we expect to see play during the Vikings' preseason opener on Sunday against the Raiders? Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer discuss that and more, including receiver Justin Jefferson with some help from ESPN analyst and former NFL safety Matt Bowen.

Irv Smith Jr. underwent thumb surgery after a routine block in the Vikings' first padded practice. Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion are rotating reps with the second-team offense. Greg Joseph is drawing some lofty comparisons after a strong start to camp. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss the latest from Vikings training camp on this episode. They also open the mailbag and answer your questions.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah says the obvious, while quarterback Kirk Cousins and head coach Kevin O'Connell get to work on establishing the new offense. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss Cousins-O'Connell and other training camp storylines, including tight end Irv Smith Jr.'s recovery, receiver Justin Jefferson's outlook, the new defense and more.

The Vikings finished the offseason program this week with a three-day mandatory minicamp, with the final practice scrapped in favor of another chemistry-building event. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss the new regime taking a less (physicality) is more approach to spring practices, what we learned from assistant coaches, the recent Cooper Kupp extension through Justin Jefferson's lens and more.

What does one play by receiver Adam Thielen during Vikings OTAs say about rookie head coach Kevin O'Connell's approach on offense? Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss that, as well as the outlook at receiver with Albert Wilson's addition, a recent softball game between Vikings players and much more.

The roster is at capacity and the schedule is set. So what should expectations be for the 2022 Vikings? Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand share their thoughts and discuss what we heard from coordinators this week as the team continues spring practices. They also open the Twitter mailbag to answer your questions ranging from free agents to NFL stadium experiences.

Rookie head coach Kevin O'Connell says he doesn't want to be known as just an offensive-minded head coach. While the retooled Vikings defense won't necessarily be his main focus, it is critical to their success in 2022. Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer discuss the defensive changes, O'Connell's approach, the 2021 and 2022 draft classes and more in this episode of the Access Vikings podcast.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's first Vikings draft was eventful with 10 picks, six trades and two links to receivers now in Detroit and Green Bay. Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer discuss the focus on defensive backs with safety Lewis Cine and corners Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans, as well as passing receivers Jameson Williams and Christian Watson to the Lions and Packers.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah says he has a unique leadership style. How will that form the Vikings' approach to drafting? What positions will the team value under his leadership? Will they even stay at pick No. 12? If so, who's in play? Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss on the latest Access Vikings podcast.

Ben Goessling and Michael Rand take a two weeks out look at the NFL draft and try to project what the Vikings will do with the No. 12 pick. Almost everyone is projecting them to take a corner -- which is a smart and logical move -- but other options are in play.

Plus they will get into Kirk Cousins' comments earlier in the week about retiring as a member of the Minnesota Vikings and answer a bunch of burning listener questions.