2011 Minnesota Vikings season

51st season in franchise history

The 2011 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 51st in the National Football League (NFL), and the first full season under head coach Leslie Frazier, who served as the team's interim head coach for the final six games of the 2010 season. The team failed to improve on their 6–10 record from 2010, going 2–6 before their bye week, before being eliminated from playoff contention in week 12 with a 2–9 record. The team also suffered its first six-game losing streak since the 1984 season.

The team started the season with a new starting quarterback, Donovan McNabb, who had enjoyed great success with the Eagles but had a subpar year with the Redskins in 2010. McNabb played respectably, having a passer rating of 82.9 and only turning the ball over twice, but his 1–5 record as starter led to him being benched in favor of rookie Christian Ponder in Week 6, and McNabb was later waived on December 1, 2011. Despite a poor year for the team as a whole, Jared Allen set a franchise record for most sacks in a season with 22. The team led the league in sacks with 50, but also tied a team record for fewest interceptions caught in a season with only eight.

Offseason

Draft

After finishing with a 6–10 record in the 2010 season, the Vikings were allocated the 12th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Pro Bowler
2011 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft order Player name Position College Contract Notes
Round Overall
1 12 Christian Ponder QB Florida State 4 years
2 43 Kyle Rudolph TE Notre Dame 4 years
3 74 Traded to the New England Patriots[a]
4 106 Christian Ballard DE Iowa 4 years
5 139 Brandon Burton CB Utah 4 years
150 Traded to the Cleveland Browns[b] From Giants[c]
6 168 DeMarcus Love T Arkansas 4 years From Broncos via Browns[b]
170 Mistral Raymond S South Florida 4 years From Browns[b]
172 Brandon Fusco C Slippery Rock 4 years
200 Ross Homan LB Ohio State 4 years Compensatory pick[d]
7 215 D'Aundre Reed DE Arizona 4 years
236 Stephen Burton WR West Texas A&M 4 years Compensatory pick[d]
Oakland at Minnesota in week 11
^[a] The Vikings traded their third-round selection (74th overall) to the New England Patriots in exchange for New England's 2012 seventh-round selection (223rd overall) and WR Randy Moss.
^[b] The Vikings traded the fifth-round selection they acquired from the New York Giants (150th overall) to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Cleveland's sixth-round selection and the sixth-round selection they acquired from the Denver Broncos (168th and 170th overall).
^[c] The Vikings traded RB Darius Reynaud and QB Sage Rosenfels to the New York Giants in exchange for the Giants' fifth-round selection (150th overall) and a conditional 2012 seventh-round selection (which was not exercised).
^[d] The Vikings were awarded two compensatory picks for the loss of free agents Artis Hicks and Chester Taylor.

Staff

Minnesota Vikings 2011 staff
Front office
  • Owner/chairman – Zygi Wilf
  • Owner/president – Mark Wilf
  • Owner/vice chairman – Leonard Wilf
  • Vice president of football operations – Rob Brzezinski
  • Vice president of player personnel – Rick Spielman
  • Director of player personnel – George Paton
  • Director of college scouting – Scott Studwell
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Jamaal Stephenson

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Mike Priefer
  • Assistant special teams – Chris White

Strength and conditioning

  • Head athletic trainer/director of sports medicine – Eric Sugarman
  • Strength and conditioning – Tom Kanavy
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Juney Barnett
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Martin Streight
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Chaz Mahle

Roster

2011 Minnesota Vikings final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 10 inactive, 7 practice squad

Preseason

Schedule

The Vikings' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 13 at Tennessee Titans L 3–14 0–1 LP Field Recap
2 August 20 at Seattle Seahawks W 20–7 1–1 CenturyLink Field Recap
3 August 27 Dallas Cowboys L 17–23 1–2 Mall of America Field Recap
4 September 1 Houston Texans W 28–0 2–2 Mall of America Field Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: at Tennessee Titans

Preseason Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 0 303
Titans 0 14 0014

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: August 13
  • Game time: 19:00
  • Game weather: Sunny, 82 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 69,143
  • Referee: Scott Green (19)
  • TV announcers (KARE-11): Ari Wolfe, Mike Mayock and Randy Shaver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 37-yard field goal, 9:32. Titans 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards, 5:28.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring plays

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • MIN – Lorenzo Booker – 3 rec, 32 yards
  • TEN – Yamon Figurs – 1 rec, 45 yards, TD

Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks

Preseason Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 6 0720
Seahawks 0 0 077

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

  • Date: August 20
  • Game time: 21:00
  • Game weather: Sunny, 82 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,599
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman (34)
  • TV announcers (KARE-11): Ari Wolfe, Mike Mayock and Randy Shaver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 36-yard field goal, 6:33. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 13 plays, 81 yards, 7:19.
  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 34-yard field goal, 1:47. Vikings 13–0. Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 2:25.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

  • SEA – Anthony McCoy 3-yard pass from Charlie Whitehurst (Jeff Reed kick), 14:54. Vikings 13–7. Drive: 16 plays, 89 yards, 8:40.
  • MIN – Tristan Davis 35-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 2:09. Vikings 20–7. Drive: 2 plays, 39 yards, 0:15.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 3: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Preseason Week 3: Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 3 14 3323
Vikings 7 3 7017

at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: August 27
  • Game time: 19:00
  • Game weather: None (domed stadium)
  • Game attendance: 62,800
  • Referee: John Parry (132)
  • TV announcers (KARE-11): Ari Wolfe, Mike Mayock and Randy Shaver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • DAL – Alan Ball 20-yard return of blocked field goal (Shayne Graham kick), 14:36. Cowboys 10–7.
  • DAL – Felix Jones 5-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 6:53. Cowboys 17–7. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 4:10.
  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 44-yard field goal, 3:43. Cowboys 17–10. Drive: 7 plays, 16 yards, 3:10.

Third quarter

  • DAL – Dan Bailey 38-yard field goal, 8:05. Cowboys 20–10. Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 3:11.
  • MIN – Joe Webb 10-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 5:06. Cowboys 20–17. Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards, 2:59.

Fourth quarter

  • DAL – Dan Bailey 41-yard field goal, 1:07. Cowboys 23–17. Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 2:49.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 4: vs. Houston Texans

Preseason Week 4: Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 0 0 000
Vikings 0 7 71428

at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: September 1
  • Game time: 19:00
  • Game weather: None (domed stadium)
  • Game attendance: 62,148
  • Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
  • TV announcers (KARE-11): Ari Wolfe, Mike Mayock and Randy Shaver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • MIN – Alexander Robinson 4-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 10:19. Vikings 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 42 yards, 2:16.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Caleb King 7-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 13:47. Vikings 21–0. Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards, 5:53.
  • MIN – Caleb King 2-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:47. Vikings 28–0. Drive: 11 plays, 54 yards, 6:26.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 11 at San Diego Chargers L 17–24 0–1 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
2 September 18 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 20–24 0–2 Mall of America Field Recap
3 September 25 Detroit Lions L 23–26 (OT) 0–3 Mall of America Field Recap
4 October 2 at Kansas City Chiefs L 17–22 0–4 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
5 October 9 Arizona Cardinals W 34–10 1–4 Mall of America Field Recap
6 October 16 at Chicago Bears L 10–39 1–5 Soldier Field Recap
7 October 23 Green Bay Packers L 27–33 1–6 Mall of America Field Recap
8 October 30 at Carolina Panthers W 24–21 2–6 Bank of America Stadium Recap
9 Bye
10 November 14 at Green Bay Packers L 7–45 2–7 Lambeau Field Recap
11 November 20 Oakland Raiders L 21–27 2–8 Mall of America Field Recap
12 November 27 at Atlanta Falcons L 14–24 2–9 Georgia Dome Recap
13 December 4 Denver Broncos L 32–35 2–10 Mall of America Field Recap
14 December 11 at Detroit Lions L 28–34 2–11 Ford Field Recap
15 December 18 New Orleans Saints L 20–42 2–12 Mall of America Field Recap
16 December 24 at Washington Redskins W 33–26 3–12 FedExField Recap
17 January 1 Chicago Bears L 13–17 3–13 Mall of America Field Recap
LEGEND
Team names in bold indicate Vikings' home games.

Game summaries

Week 1: at San Diego Chargers

Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 10 0017
Chargers 7 0 71024

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: September 11
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C) Sunny
  • Game attendance: 66,716
  • Referee: Terry McAulay (77)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Jim Mora, Jr. and Drea Avent
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 33-yard field goal, 12:56. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 14 plays, 77 yards, 7:34.
  • MIN – Michael Jenkins 3-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (Ryan Longwell kick), 9:44. Vikings 17–7. Drive: 3 plays, 51 yards, 1:28.

Third quarter

  • SD – Mike Tolbert 7-yard run (Mike Scifres kick), 10:43. Vikings 17–14. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 4:17.

Fourth quarter

  • SD – Mike Scifres 40-yard field goal, 10:05. Tied 17–17. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 4:45.
  • SD – Mike Tolbert 19-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Mike Scifres kick), 5:01. Chargers 24–17. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 3:10.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • MIN – Adrian Peterson – 16 rushes, 98 yards
  • SD – Ryan Mathews – 12 rushes, 45 yards

Top receivers

  • MIN – Michael Jenkins – 3 rec, 26 yards, TD
  • SD – Antonio Gates – 8 rec, 74 yards

Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 0 101424
Vikings 7 10 0320

at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: September 18
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (domed stadium)
  • Game attendance: 62,461
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette (42)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and John Lynch
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 22-yard field goal, 5:06. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 7:45.
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 9-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:52. Vikings 17–0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:47.

Third quarter

  • TB – LeGarrette Blount 27-yard run (Connor Barth kick), 10:59. Vikings 17–7. Drive: 2 plays, 44 yards, 0:40.
  • TB – Connor Barth 36-yard field goal, 0:29. Vikings 17–10. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 4:59.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 29-yard field goal, 9:41. Vikings 20–10. Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 5:48.
  • TB – Arrelious Benn 25-yard pass from Josh Freeman (Connor Barth kick), 6:39. Vikings 20–17. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:02.
  • TB – LeGarrette Blount 4-yard run (Connor Barth kick), 0:31. Buccaneers 24–20. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 3:41.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 3: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Lions 0 0 1013326
Vikings 6 14 03023

at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: September 25
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (domed stadium)
  • Game attendance: 62,466
  • Referee: Ron Winter (14)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and John Lynch
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 33-yard field goal, 9:38. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 5:22.
  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 41-yard field goal, 5:19. Vikings 6–0. Drive: 8 plays, 30 yards, 2:36.

Second quarter

  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 6-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 6:01. Vikings 13–0. Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards, 3:04.
  • MIN – Visanthe Shiancoe 8-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:09. Vikings 20–0. Drive: 3 plays, 13 yards, 0:41.

Third quarter

  • DET – Calvin Johnson 32-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Jason Hanson kick), 9:22. Vikings 20–7. Drive: 4 plays, 52 yards, 1:39.
  • DET – Jason Hanson 28-yard field goal, 3:14. Vikings 20–10. Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 4:58.

Fourth quarter

  • DET – Calvin Johnson 5-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Jason Hanson kick), 14:55. Vikings 20–17. Drive: 5 plays, 89 yards, 1:53.
  • DET – Jason Hanson 50-yard field goal, 5:20. Tied 20–20. Drive: 12 plays, 51 yards, 6:13.
  • DET – Jason Hanson 40-yard field goal, 2:30. Lions 23–20. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 1:43.
  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 49-yard field goal, 1:11. Tied 23–23. Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 1:19.

Overtime

  • DET – Jason Hanson 32-yard field goal, 13:01. Lions 26–23. Drive: 5 plays, 59 yards, 1:59.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • DET – Brandon Pettigrew – 11 rec, 112 yards
  • MIN – Michael Jenkins – 9 rec, 88 yards

Week 4: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 0 3717
Chiefs 3 6 6722

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C) Sunny
  • Game attendance: 72,931
  • Referee: Bill Leavy (127)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Gus Johnson, Charles Davis and Tim Brewster
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • KC – Ryan Succop 24-yard field goal, 5:15. Vikings 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 2:32.
  • KC – Ryan Succop 51-yard field goal, 0:00. Chiefs 9–7. Drive: 12 plays, 47 yards, 2:22.

Third quarter

  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 33-yard field goal, 9:15. Vikings 10–9. Drive: 8 plays, 31 yards, 3:50.
  • KC – Ryan Succop 54-yard field goal, 5:18. Chiefs 12–10. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 3:57.
  • KC – Ryan Succop 22-yard field goal, 0:09. Chiefs 15–10. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 3:52.

Fourth quarter

  • KC – Dwayne Bowe 52-yard pass from Matt Cassel (Ryan Succop kick), 13:51. Chiefs 22–10. Drive: 2 plays, 59 yards, 0:46.
  • MIN – Michael Jenkins 1-yard pass from Donovan McNabb (Ryan Longwell kick), 5:50. Chiefs 22–17. Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 8:01.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • MIN – Adrian Peterson – 23 rushes, 80 yards
  • KC – Thomas Jones – 11 rushes, 37 yards

Top receivers

Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 5: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 3 7010
Vikings 28 0 3334

at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: October 9
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (domed stadium)
  • Game attendance: 62,479
  • Referee: Scott Green (19)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers and Tim Ryan
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 4-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 9:18. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 18 yards, 1:35.
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 24-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 8:55. Vikings 14–0. Drive: 1 play, 24 yards, 0:07.
  • MIN – Donovan McNabb 4-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 6:25. Vikings 21–0. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 1:50.
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 14-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 2:41. Vikings 28–0. Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards, 2:01.

Second quarter

  • ARI – Jay Feely 51-yard field goal, 10:29. Vikings 28–3. Drive: 7 plays, 20 yards, 3:25.

Third quarter

  • ARI – Beanie Wells 2-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 8:23. Vikings 28–10. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 3:41.
  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 26-yard field goal, 3:35. Vikings 31–10. Drive: 8 plays, 82 yards, 4:48.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 53-yard field goal, 2:09. Vikings 34–10. Drive: 7 plays, 12 yards, 4:33.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 6: at Chicago Bears

Week 6: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 3 7010
Bears 16 10 10339

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 37-yard field goal, 12:37. Bears 16–3. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 6:02.
  • CHI – Dane Sanzenbacher 13-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), 6:41. Bears 23–3. Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 1:23.
  • CHI – Robbie Gould 51-yard field goal, 0:28. Bears 26–3. Drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 1:27.

Third quarter

  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 4-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 10:23. Bears 26–10. Drive: 6 plays, 44 yards, 2:24.
  • CHI – Devin Hester 98-yard kickoff return (Robbie Gould kick), 10:09. Bears 33–10. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:14.
  • CHI – Robbie Gould 26-yard field goal, 5:44. Bears 36–10. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 2:35.

Fourth quarter

  • CHI – Robbie Gould 22-yard field goal, 14:50. Bears 39–10. Drive: 8 plays, 39 yards, 4:13.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 7: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 7: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 7 6 20033
Vikings 7 10 01027

at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 1-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 11:43. Vikings 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 3:39.
  • GB – Mason Crosby 39-yard field goal, 4:55. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards, 6:48.
  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 52-yard field goal, 0:55. Vikings 17–10. Drive: 11 plays, 46 yards, 4:00.
  • GB – Mason Crosby 45-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 17–13. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 0:55.

Third quarter

  • GB – Greg Jennings 79-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 14:09. Packers 20–17. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:51.
  • GB – Jermichael Finley 2-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 10:29. Packers 27–17. Drive: 4 plays, 32 yards, 2:19.
  • GB – Mason Crosby 24-yard field goal, 3:18. Packers 30–17. Drive: 8 plays, 39 yards, 4:44.
  • GB – Mason Crosby 58-yard field goal, 0:18. Packers 33–17. Drive: 4 plays, −5 yards, 1:59.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 46-yard field goal, 13:48. Packers 33–20. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 1:30.
  • MIN – Michael Jenkins 24-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Ryan Longwell kick), 7:49. Packers 33–27. Drive: 10 plays, 93 yards, 4:41.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • GB – Greg Jennings – 7 rec, 147 yards, TD
  • MIN – Michael Jenkins – 3 rec, 111 yards, TD

Week 8: at Carolina Panthers

Week 8: Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 7 7324
Panthers 0 14 7021

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • CAR – Jeremy Shockey 1-yard pass from Cam Newton (Olindo Mare kick), 13:22. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 90 yards, 4:27.
  • CAR – Greg Olsen 39-yard pass from Cam Newton (Olindo Mare kick), 10:18. Panthers 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 49 yards, 1:41.
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 19-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:42. Tied 14–14. Drive: 2 plays, 39 yards, 0:21.

Third quarter

  • CAR – Steve Smith 22-yard pass from Cam Newton (Olindo Mare kick), 11:07. Panthers 21–14. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:53.
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 9-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 1:58. Tied 21–21. Drive: 12 plays, 90 yards, 5:41.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 31-yard field goal, 2:43. Vikings 24–21. Drive: 13 plays, 72 yards, 7:10.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • MIN – Adrian Peterson – 21 rushes, 86 yards, TD
  • CAR – Cam Newton – 6 rushes, 53 yards

Top receivers

  • MIN – Adrian Peterson – 5 rec, 76 yards, TD
  • CAR – Steve Smith – 7 rec, 100 yards, TD

Week 10: at Green Bay Packers

Week 10: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 0 707
Packers 14 3 141445

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: November 14
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 47 °F (8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 70,519
  • Referee: Mike Carey (94)
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden and Rachel Nichols
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • GB – Randall Cobb 80-yard punt return (Mason Crosby kick), 13:42. Packers 7–0.
  • GB – Greg Jennings 24-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 5:02. Packers 14–0. Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 4:53.

Second quarter

  • GB – Mason Crosby 25-yard field goal, 12:04. Packers 17–0. Drive: 9 plays, 51 yards, 4:10.

Third quarter

  • GB – Jordy Nelson 17-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 10:45. Packers 24–0. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:15.
  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 3-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 8:41. Packers 24–7. Drive: 2 plays, 14 yards, 0:29.
  • GB – John Kuhn 9-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 6:21. Packers 31–7. Drive: 5 plays, 50 yards, 2:20

Fourth quarter

  • GB – Jordy Nelson 4-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 10:59. Packers 38–7. Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards, 5:30.
  • GB – Matt Flynn 3-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 4:27. Packers 45–7. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 6:03.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

After being swept by the Packers, the Vikings dropped to 2–7.

Week 11: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week 11: Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 3 21 3027
Vikings 7 0 01421

at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • OAK – Chaz Schilens 11-yard pass from Carson Palmer (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 9:10. Raiders 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 3:50.
  • OAK – Michael Bush 2-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 1:20. Raiders 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 3:22.
  • OAK – Carson Palmer 1-yard run (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 0:08. Raiders 24–7. Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards, 1:06.

Third quarter

  • OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 26-yard field goal, 0:51. Raiders 27–7. Drive: 7 plays, 16 yards, 3:27.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Percy Harvin 26-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Ryan Longwell kick), 14:52. Raiders 27–14. Drive: 4 plays, 72 yards, 0:59.
  • MIN – Kyle Rudolph 1-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Ryan Longwell kick), 5:08. Raiders 27–21. Drive: 2 plays, 38 yards, 0:50.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • OAK – Michael Bush – 30 rushes, 109 yards, TD
  • MIN – Christian Ponder – 5 rushes, 71 yards

Top receivers

Week 12: at Atlanta Falcons

Week 12: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 0 7714
Falcons 7 10 0724

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: November 27
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (domed stadium)
  • Game attendance: 68,115
  • Referee: Alberto Riveron (57)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Harry Douglas 27-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 6:08. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 5:39.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Roddy White 6-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 4:04. Falcons 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 6:01.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 37-yard field goal, 0:37. Falcons 17–0. Drive: 6 plays, 17 yards, 1:23.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Percy Harvin 39-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Ryan Longwell kick), 13:13. Falcons 17–14. Drive: 4 plays, 36 yards, 0:52.
  • ATL – Michael Palmer 3-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 6:40. Falcons 24–14. Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 3:59.

Top passers

  • MIN – Christian Ponder – 17/25, 186 yards, TD
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 27/34, 262 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

  • MIN – Toby Gerhart – 17 rushes, 44 yards, TD
  • ATL – Michael Turner – 19 rushes, 60 yards

Top receivers

Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 13: Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 0 141435
Vikings 5 10 71032

at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 4
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (domed stadium)
  • Game attendance: 62,939
  • Referee: Terry McAulay (77)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIN – Kyle Rudolph 19-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Ryan Longwell kick), 3:33. Vikings 12–7. Drive: 12 plays, 96 yards, 5:57.
  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 25-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 15–7. Drive: 4 plays, 15 yards, 0:39.

Third quarter

  • DEN – Demaryius Thomas 21-yard pass from Tim Tebow (Matt Prater kick), 11:18. Vikings 15–14. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 3:42.
  • MIN – Percy Harvin 52-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Ryan Longwell kick), 3:12. Vikings 22–14. Drive: 6 plays, 85 yards, 3:23.
  • DEN – Demaryius Thomas 41-yard pass from Tim Tebow (Matt Prater kick), 2:48. Vikings 22–21. Drive: 1 play, 41 yards, 0:24.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Percy Harvin 48-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Ryan Longwell kick), 9:41. Vikings 29–21. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 1:36.
  • DEN – Willis McGahee 24-yard run (Tim Tebow run), 8:52. Tied 29–29. Drive: 2 plays, 66 yards, 0:49.
  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 39-yard field goal, 3:06. Vikings 32–29. Drive: 13 plays, 59 yards, 5:46.
  • DEN – Matt Prater 46-yard field goal, 1:33. Tied 32–32. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 1:33.
  • DEN – Matt Prater 23-yard field goal, 0:00. Broncos 35–32. Drive: 6 plays, 10 yards, 1:25.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 14: at Detroit Lions

Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 7 7728
Lions 21 10 0334

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (domed stadium)
  • Game attendance: 63,988
  • Referee: John Parry (132)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • DET – Alphonso Smith 30-yard interception return (Jason Hanson kick), 12:33. Lions 28–7.
  • MIN – Percy Harvin 6-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Ryan Longwell kick), 7:36. Lions 28–14. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 4:57.
  • DET – Jason Hanson 30-yard field goal, 1:05. Lions 31–14. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:15.

Third quarter

  • MIN – Joe Webb 65-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 4:21. Lions 31–21. Drive: 9 plays, 88 yards, 3:41.

Fourth quarter

  • DET – Jason Hanson 26-yard field goal, 12:17. Lions 34–21. Drive: 15 plays, 83 yards, 7:04.
  • MIN – Toby Gerhart 2-yard pass from Joe Webb (Ryan Longwell kick), 7:54. Lions 34–28. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 4:23.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 15: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 15: New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 14 14742
Vikings 3 10 0720

at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (domed stadium)
  • Game attendance: 62,623
  • Referee: Walt Anderson (66)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, John Lynch and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 49-yard field goal, 13:13. Saints 7–6. Drive: 4 plays, −10 yards, 1:09.
  • NO – Jimmy Graham 1-yard pass from Drew Brees (John Kasay kick), 10:04. Saints 14–6. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 3:09.
  • MIN – Toby Gerhart 10-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Ryan Longwell kick), 6:59. Saints 14–13. Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 3:05.
  • NO – Darren Sproles 13-yard pass from Drew Brees (John Kasay kick), 1:33. Saints 21–13. Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 5:26.

Third quarter

  • NO – John Gilmore 2-yard pass from Drew Brees (John Kasay kick), 12:15. Saints 28–13. Drive: 4 plays, 44 yards, 1:44.
  • NO – Lance Moore 47-yard pass from Drew Brees (John Kasay kick), 10:18. Saints 35–13. Drive: 3 plays, 53 yards, 0:56.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Pierre Thomas 1-yard run (John Kasay kick), 12:50. Saints 42–13. Drive: 19 plays, 87 yards, 10:36.
  • MIN – Toby Gerhart 16-yard pass from Christian Ponder (Ryan Longwell kick), 5:12. Saints 42–20. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 2:13.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 16: at Washington Redskins

Week 16: Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 7 131033
Redskins 0 10 10626

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C) Sunny
  • Game attendance: 68,370
  • Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 36-yard field goal, 7:11. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:23.

Second quarter

  • MIN – Adrian Peterson 1-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 14:56. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 13 plays, 68 yards, 5:52.
  • WAS – Donté Stallworth 5-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Graham Gano kick), 10:46. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 4:10.
  • WAS – Graham Gano 26-yard field goal, 1:02. Tied 10–10. Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards, 4:34.

Third quarter

  • WAS – Graham Gano 53-yard field goal, 10:40. Redskins 13–10. Drive: 6 plays, 4 yards, 2:39.
  • MIN – Joe Webb 9-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 9:23. Vikings 17–13. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:17.
  • WAS – Jabar Gaffney 4-yard pass from Rex Grossman (Graham Gano kick), 5:57. Redskins 20–17. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 3:26.
  • MIN – Kyle Rudolph 17-yard pass from Joe Webb (kick missed), 2:41. Vikings 23–20. Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 3:16.

Fourth quarter

  • WAS – Graham Gano 25-yard field goal, 12:41. Tied 23–23. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 5:00.
  • MIN – Percy Harvin 8-yard pass from Joe Webb (Ryan Longwell kick), 10:06. Vikings 30–23. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 2:35.
  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 23-yard field goal, 4:05. Vikings 33–23. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 3:27.
  • WAS – Graham Gano 47-yard field goal, 1:25. Vikings 33–26. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 2:40.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 17: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 14 0317
Vikings 10 3 0013

at Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: January 1
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (domed stadium)
  • Game attendance: 62,867
  • Referee: Mike Carey (94)
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 26-yard field goal, 8:53. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 41 yards, 3:38.
  • MIN – Percy Harvin 5-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 3:42. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 3 plays, 18 yards, 0:43.

Second quarter

  • CHI – Roy Williams 22-yard pass from Josh McCown (Robbie Gould kick), 14:19. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 90 yards, 4:23.
  • CHI – Charles Tillman 22-yard interception return (Robbie Gould kick), 13:37. Bears 14–10.
  • MIN – Ryan Longwell 26-yard field goal, 0:55. Bears 14–13. Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 3:17.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

  • CHI – Robbie Gould 27-yard field goal, 10:19. Bears 17–13. Drive: 15 plays, 65 yards, 7:19.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • CHI – Roy Williams – 4 rec, 60 yards, TD
  • MIN – Percy Harvin – 10 rec, 115 yards

Standings

NFC North
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 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) Green Bay Packers 15 1 0 .938 6–0 12–0 560 359 W2
(6) Detroit Lions 10 6 0 .625 3–3 6–6 474 387 L1
Chicago Bears 8 8 0 .500 3–3 7–5 353 341 W1
Minnesota Vikings 3 13 0 .188 0–6 3–9 340 449 L1

Statistics

Team leaders

Category Player(s) Value
Passing yards Christian Ponder 1,853
Passing touchdowns Christian Ponder 13
Rushing yards Adrian Peterson 970
Rushing touchdowns Adrian Peterson 12
Receiving yards Percy Harvin 967
Receiving touchdowns Percy Harvin 6
Points Ryan Longwell 104
Kickoff return yards Percy Harvin 520
Punt return yards Marcus Sherels 277
Tackles Chad Greenway 154
Sacks Jared Allen 22.0 *
Interceptions Jamarca Sanford 2
Forced fumbles Jared Allen 4
  • *Led the league and a new Vikings single-season record.

League rankings

Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 32)
Passing offense 2,957 184.8 28th
Rushing offense 2,318 144.9 4th
Total offense 5,275 329.7 18th
Passing defense 4,019 251.2 26th
Rushing defense 1,712 107.0 11th
Total defense 5,731 358.2 12th

Notes and references

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Minnesota Vikings
  • Founded in 1961
  • Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota
Franchise
Stadiums
Culture
Lore
Rivalries
Division championships (21)
Conference championships (4)
League championships (1)
Retired numbers
Current league affiliations
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Minnesota Vikings seasons
Bold indicates NFL Championship (1920–69) or Super Bowl (1966–) victory
Italics indicates Super Bowl (1966–) appearance