NFL team season (inaugural)
The 1961 season was the Minnesota Vikings ' first in the National Football League (NFL) after being created as an expansion franchise to become the league's fourteenth team. Their inaugural regular season game was a 37–13 victory at home to the Chicago Bears ; rookie quarterback Fran Tarkenton came off the bench to toss four touchdown passes and run for another.[ 1] Norm Van Brocklin , the Vikings won just two of their remaining 13 games, including a seven-game losing streak, and finished the season with a 3–11 record.
The Vikings' defense surrendered 5.41 rushing yards per attempt in 1961, the fifth-most of all time.[ 2]
Although the NFL originally had no interest in expanding, after Max Winter and Bill Boyer agreed to start an American Football League (AFL) franchise in Minnesota, the NFL approached them to change leagues. The "Vikings" name was given to the team by Ole Haugsrud , who had been given a 10% stake in the franchise as a result of having sold the Duluth Eskimos back to the league in the 1920s.[ 3]
1961 expansion draft [ edit ] Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 17 Chicago Bears W 37–13 1–0 Metropolitan Stadium 32,236 2 September 24 at Dallas Cowboys L 7–21 1–1 Cotton Bowl 20,500 3 October 1 at Baltimore Colts L 33–34 1–2 Memorial Stadium 54,259 4 October 8 Dallas Cowboys L 0–28 1–3 Metropolitan Stadium 33,070 5 October 15 San Francisco 49ers L 24–38 1–4 Metropolitan Stadium 34,415 6 October 22 Green Bay Packers L 7–33 1–5 Metropolitan Stadium 42,007 7 October 29 at Green Bay Packers L 10–28 1–6 Milwaukee County Stadium 44,112 8 November 5 at Los Angeles Rams L 17–31 1–7 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 38,594 9 November 12 Baltimore Colts W 28–20 2–7 Metropolitan Stadium 38,010 10 November 19 Detroit Lions L 10–37 2–8 Metropolitan Stadium 32,296 11 November 26 at San Francisco 49ers L 28–38 2–9 Kezar Stadium 43,905 12 December 3 Los Angeles Rams W 42–21 3–9 Metropolitan Stadium 30,068 13 December 10 at Detroit Lions L 7–13 3–10 Tiger Stadium 42,655 14 December 17 at Chicago Bears L 35–52 3–11 Wrigley Field 34,539
Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears [ edit ] Game information First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
MIN – Jerry Reichow 29-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 17–6. MIN – Hugh McElhenny 2-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 24–6. Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
This was the first regular season game in Vikings history. George Shaw started the game at quarterback for the Vikings, but he was soon replaced by rookie Fran Tarkenton , who threw four touchdown passes and ran for another as the Vikings won 37–13.[ 1] 2002 Houston Texans .
Week 2: at Dallas Cowboys [ edit ] Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Quarter Total Vikings 0 7 0 0 7 Cowboys 7 7 0 7 21
at Cotton Bowl , Dallas , Texas
Game information First quarter
DAL – Amos Marsh 6-yard run (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 7–0. Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
DAL – Amos Marsh 20-yard pass from Don Meredith (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 21–7. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 3: at Baltimore Colts [ edit ] Game information First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – A. D. Williams 7-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 10–7. BAL – Lenny Moore 4-yard run (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 14–10. MIN – Mike Mercer 26-yard field goal. Colts 14–13. Third quarter
BAL – Lenny Morre 17-yard pass from Lamar McHan (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 21–13. MIN – Mike Mercer 10-yard field goal. Colts 21–16. MIN – Jerry Reichow 23-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 23–21. Fourth quarter
BAL – Lenny Morre 23-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 28–23. MIN – Ray Hayes 4-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 30–28. BAL – Steve Myhra 37-yard field goal. Colts 31–30. MIN – Mike Mercer 29-yard field goal. Vikings 33–31. BAL – Steve Myhra 52-yard field goal. Colts 34–33. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys [ edit ] Week 4: Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter Total Cowboys 7 7 7 7 28 Vikings 0 0 0 0 0
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
DAL – Don Perkins 3-yard run (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 14–0' Third quarter
Fourth quarter
DAL – Frank Clarke 52-yard pass from Don Meredith (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 28–0. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 5: vs. San Francisco 49ers [ edit ] Week 5: San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter Total 49ers 7 7 10 14 38 Vikings 7 10 7 0 24
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – Jerry Reichow 42-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 14–7. MIN – Mike Mercer 24-yard field goal. Vikings 17–7. SF – Billy Kilmer 1-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). Vikings 17–14. Third quarter
SF – Billy Kilmer 2-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 21–17. MIN – Hugh McElhenny 32-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 24–21. SF – Tommy Davis 12-yard field goal. Tied 24–24. Fourth quarter
SF – Billy Kilmer 5-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 31–24. SF – Billy Kilmer 20-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 38–24. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers [ edit ] Week 6: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter Total Packers 10 3 3 17 33 Vikings 0 7 0 0 7
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
GB – Paul Hornung 13-yard field goal. Packers 16–7. Fourth quarter
GB – Paul Hornung 16-yard field goal. Packers 19–7. GB – Jim Taylor 3-yard run (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 26–7. GB – Dan Currie 21-yard interception return (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 33–7. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 7: at Green Bay Packers [ edit ] Game information First quarter
GB – Paul Hornung 1-yard run (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 7–0. GB – Ron Kramer 10-yard pass from Paul Hornung (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 14–0. Second quarter
Third quarter
MIN – Mike Mercer 13-yard field goal. Packers 21–10. Fourth quarter
GB – Max McGee 23-yard pass from Bart Starr (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 28–10. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 8: at Los Angeles Rams [ edit ] Game information First quarter
Second quarter
LA – Danny Villanueva 16-yard field goal. Rams 17–7. MIN – Mike Mercer 34-yard field goal. Rams 17–10. Third quarter
MIN – Fran Tarkenton 52-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 17–17. Fourth quarter
LA – Tommy Wilson 14-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Rams 24–17. LA – Joe Marconi 7-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Rams 31–17. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
MIN – Gordie Smith – 2 receptions, 49 yards, TD LA – Jon Arnett – 2 receptions, 36 yards
Week 9: vs. Baltimore Colts [ edit ] Week 9: Baltimore Colts at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter Total Colts 0 14 3 3 20 Vikings 7 7 7 7 28
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
BAL – Steve Myhra 38-yard field goal. Vikings 21–20. MIN – Fran Tarkenton 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 28–20. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 10: vs. Detroit Lions [ edit ] Week 10: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter Total Lions 0 14 9 14 37 Vikings 10 0 0 0 10
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
DET – Jim Martin 15-yard field goal. Lions 17–10. DET – Gail Cogdill 37-yard pass from Earl Morrall (kick failed). Lions 23–10. Fourth quarter
DET – Terry Barr 9-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Jim Martin kick). Lions 30–10. DET – Joe Schmidt 8-yard interception return (Jim Martin kick). Lions 37–10. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers [ edit ] Game information First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
SF – J. D. Smith 15-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 31–14. MIN – Gordie Smith 71-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). 49ers 31–21. Fourth quarter
SF – John Brodie 16-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 38–21. MIN – Fran Tarkenton 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). 49ers 38–28. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
MIN – Gordie Smith – 3 receptions, 123 yards, TD SF – R. C. Owens – 5 receptions, 138 yards, TD
Week 12: vs. Los Angeles Rams [ edit ] Week 12: Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter Total Rams 0 14 7 0 21 Vikings 7 14 14 7 42
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
LA – Dick Bass 73-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Tied 21–21. MIN – Jerry Reichow 9-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 28–21. MIN – Ray Hayes 2-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 35–21. Fourth quarter
MIN – Gordie Smith 12-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 42–21. Top passers
Top rushers
LA – Dick Bass – 8 rushes, 113 yards, TD MIN – Ray Hayes – 18 rushes, 123 yards, TD Top receivers
Week 13: at Detroit Lions [ edit ] Game information First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
DET – Jim Martin 23-yard field goal. Lions 13–7. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 14: at Chicago Bears [ edit ] Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter Total Vikings 14 7 7 7 35 Bears 7 14 24 7 52
at Wrigley Field , Chicago , Illinois
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
CHI – Willie Galimore 8-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick). Tied 14–14. CHI – Mike Ditka 2-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 21–14. MIN – Jerry Reichow 11-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 21–21. Third quarter
CHI – Angelo Coia 16-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 28–21. CHI – Roger LeClerc 17-yard field goal. Bears 31–21. CHI – Mike Ditka 30-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 38–21. MIN – Gordie Smith 10-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Bears 38–28. CHI – Charlie Bivins 30-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 45–28. Fourth quarter
MIN – Jerry Reichow 24-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Bears 45–35. CHI – Willie Galimore 60-yard run (Roger LeClerc kick). Bears 52–35. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.Both halfback Hugh McElhenny and receiver (end) Jerry Reichow were voted to the East–West Pro Bowl game, played January 14, 1962, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum . The coach for the West squad was Vikings head coach Norm Van Brocklin . McElhenny scored a third-quarter touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr , and the West won the game 31–30.[ 4]
Note that sack totals from 1960 to 1981 are considered unofficial by the NFL. [ 5]
Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank(out of 14) Passing offense 1,989 142.1 13th Rushing offense 1,897 135.5 6th Total offense 3,886 277.6 12th Passing defense 2,926 209.0 13th Rushing defense 2,667 190.5 14th Total defense 5,593 399.5 14th
^ a b "Vikings, 49ers, Colts, Eagles win openers" . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon). Associated Press. September 18, 1961. p. 3B.^ "Cold Hard Football Facts: The 5.0 Club: run defense in '11 lit up like hippies in '69" . Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2012 .^ Gruver, The American Football League , pp. 22–23. ^ "Unitas' last-second pass nips East; 31–30" . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Associated Press . January 15, 1962. p. 23. Retrieved January 23, 2012 .^ "Pre-1982 Sacks Added To Pro Football Reference" . Sports-Reference.com . Retrieved December 18, 2023 .
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