The 2011 Minnesota Vikings season was the franchise's 51st season 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. It was also supposed to mark the first season with 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 1â€"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. The team failed to improve on their 6â€"10 record from 2010, going 2â€"6 before their bye week, before being eliminated from playoff contention in week 12 with a 2â€"9 record. The team also suffered its first six-game losing streak since the 1984 season. Despite a poor year for the team, 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 8.
Offseason
2011 Draft
After finishing with a 6â€"10 record in the 2010 season, the Vikings were allocated the 12th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
- ^[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.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Tennessee Titans
Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 3: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 4: vs. Houston Texans
Regular season
Schedule
- LEGEND
- Team names in bold indicate Vikings' home games.
Game summaries
Week 1: at San Diego Chargers
Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions
Week 4: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 6: at Chicago Bears
Week 7: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 8: at Carolina Panthers
Week 10: at Green Bay Packers
After being swept by the Packers, the Vikings dropped to 2â€"7.
Week 11: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 12: at Atlanta Falcons
Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 14: at Detroit Lions
Week 15: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week 16: at Washington Redskins
Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears
Standings
Statistics
Team leaders
- Vikings single season record.
League rankings
Personnel
Coaching staff
Final roster
Notes and references
