The Viking Age
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6 best Vikings fourth quarter comebacks under Mike Zimmer

By Dustin Baker

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 2: Head coach Mike Zimmer of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins on November 2, 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Redskins 29-26. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 2: Head coach Mike Zimmer of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins on November 2, 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Redskins 29-26. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Anthony Harris #41 of the Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Which games have the Minnesota Vikings engineered fourth-quarter comebacks under head coach Mike Zimmer?

The Minnesota Vikings have taken a lead in the fourth quarter of football games in 55 percent of all contests since the start of 2014. That’s a gross total of 53 games and is fifth-most in the NFL during the last six seasons.

Prior to the acquisition of current signal-caller Kirk Cousins, the Vikings employed several different quarterbacks under Mike Zimmer. All four of the notable field generals have been at the helm for fourth-quarter comebacks: Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Bradford, Case Keenum, and Kirk Cousins.

Minnesota has accounted for six fourth-quarter comebacks under Zimmer. Impressively, half of them were led by current Carolina Panthers quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater. He was slated to be the Vikings leader for the foreseeable future, but his career was temporarily derailed by a terrible knee injury. Alas, he gets a real opportunity to start once again in the league–just not for the Minnesota Vikings.

Overall since 2014, the Vikings rank 22nd in most fourth-quarter comebacks. Outwardly, this is lackluster. But this is mainly attributable to a lack of chances as Minnesota, more often than not, is winning at the start of the fourth quarter. The Vikings have a 50-3 record (.943) under Mike Zimmer when entering the fourth quarter with a lead. So, the lack of fourth-quarter comebacks is offset by Minnesota’s knack for closing out games earlier on.

Nevertheless, the Vikings do have six comebacks to their name, so let’s have a look at them.

Disclaimer: The criteria for fourth-quarter comebacks in this regard are defined as Minnesota trailing an opponent heading into the fourth quarter, not owning a lead sometime in the final period, squandering the lead, and then reclaiming it.

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