KEVIN O'CONNELL

The Minnesota Vikings have fired defensive coordinator Ed Donatell in an unsurprising decision on the veteran coach after a dismal finish by his defense.

The end hit harder for the Minnesota Vikings than usual, a season of exhilarating finishes and exceeded expectations smudged by this quick exit from the playoffs. The salary cap crunch will likely force the departure of some of the players who contributed heavily to 13 wins, an NFC North division title and a strong chemistry that fueled this run behind new head coach Kevin O'Connell. “We have such a great group, and you know when the season ends that this group doesn’t stay the same moving forward,” quarterback Kirk Cousins said after the 31-24 loss to the New York Giants at home on Sunday in the first round.

Coaching changes paid off in a big way for several teams this season.

Greg Joseph kicked a career-long 61-yard field goal as time expired to give the Minnesota Vikings a 27-24 victory that prevented the New York Giants from clinching a playoff spot.

The Minnesota Vikings walked into the locker room at halftime down 33-0. No team has ever come back from that deficit. They walked back into the locker room winners in overtime.

Kirk Cousins threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns, the last a go-ahead score to Adam Thielen in the fourth quarter to push the Minnesota Vikings past the New England Patriots 33-26.

Justin Jefferson may have made the greatest catch in NFL history. Here's how the Minnesota Vikings set the play up and ended up beating the Bills.

The Vikings are not perfect; not close to it. But they are absolutely, unequivocally, provenly, the real deal.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has tested positive for COVID-19 and won't play in the team’s first preseason game.

The Minnesota Vikings have finalized their hiring of head coach Kevin O’Connell.

Zac Taylor and Sean McVay got to know each other well during their two years together with the Los Angeles Rams.

Kevin O’Connell realizes there are going to be plenty of questions about his next steps after the Super Bowl.

Jim Harbaugh will stay at Michigan after all.

The Minnesota Vikings have entered a fast-paced final stretch of their head coach search.

Cooper Kupp is finishing up one of the greatest seasons by a receiver in NFL history.

Three days of gusting winds had driven the Caldor Fire east through the rugged Sierra Nevada, forcing tens of thousands of people from the region of forests, mountain hamlets, resorts and lakes.

Fire conditions are expected to improve and keep flames out of Lake Tahoe.