2011 Minnesota Vikings season

The 2011 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 51st in the National Football League, 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.

2011 Minnesota Vikings season
Head coachLeslie Frazier
OwnerZygi Wilf
Home fieldMall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Results
Record3–13
Division place4th NFC North
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersDE Jared Allen
LB Chad Greenway (alternate)
Uniform

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] During the 2010 season, Minnesota traded their 3rd round pick (74th overall) to New England for WR Randy Moss and their 2012 7th round selection (223rd overall).
^[b] Cleveland traded two 3rd round selections (168th and 170th overall) to Minnesota to move up 18 spots to the 150th overall selection and draft G Jason Pinkston.
^[c] The Giants traded their 5th round selection (150th overall) and a conditional 2012 7th round selection (which was not exercised) to Minnesota for RB Darius Reynaud and QB Sage Rosenfels.
^[d] Minnesota was awarded two compensatory picks for the loss of free agents Artis Hicks and Chester Taylor.

Preseason

Schedule

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

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.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
1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 0 303
Titans 0 14 0014

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks

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

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

Game information

Week 3: vs. Dallas Cowboys

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

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

Game information

Week 4: vs. Houston Texans

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

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

Game information

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.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 One: Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 10 0017
Chargers 7 0 71024

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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

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

Game information

Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions

Week Three: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
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, Gamebook
Game information

Week 4: at Kansas City Chiefs

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

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals

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

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

Game information

Week 6: at Chicago Bears

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

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 7: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week Seven: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
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

Week 8: at Carolina Panthers

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

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

Week 10: at Green Bay Packers

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

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

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

Week 11: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week Eleven: Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
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

Week 12: at Atlanta Falcons

Week Twelve: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
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, Gamebook
Game information

Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Thirteen: Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
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, Gamebook
Game information

Week 14: at Detroit Lions

Week Fourteen: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
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, Gamebook
Game information

Week 15: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Fifteen: New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
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, Gamebook
Game information

Week 16: at Washington Redskins

Week Sixteen: Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins – Game summary
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, Gamebook
Game information

Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears

Week Seventeen: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
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, Gamebook
Game information

Standings

NFC North
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 6–6 474 397 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 yardsChristian Ponder1,853
Passing touchdownsChristian Ponder13
Rushing yardsAdrian Peterson970
Rushing touchdownsAdrian Peterson12
Receiving yardsPercy Harvin967
Receiving touchdownsPercy Harvin6
PointsRyan Longwell104
Kickoff return yardsPercy Harvin520
Punt return yardsMarcus Sherels277
TacklesChad Greenway154
SacksJared Allen22.0 *
InterceptionsJamarca Sanford2
Forced fumblesJared Allen4
  • *Led the league and a new Vikings single-season record.

League rankings

Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 32)
Passing offense2,957184.828th
Rushing offense2,318144.94th
Total offense5,275329.718th
Passing defense4,019251.226th
Rushing defense1,712107.011th
Total defense5,731358.212th

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

Notes and references

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