Final Record: 3-132012 Draft Position: 3rd
Preseason Ranking: 25
Week 1: Lost at the San Diego Chargers, 24-17
Ranked - 23
There is a new kind of play now allowed in the NFL where the quarterback takes a few steps back and then throws the ball forward to what is called a receiver. The receiver then catches the ball and runs for a few more yards, if possible, thereby advancing closer to the opponent's goal line. Granted, this kind of play seems weird, since it is so much easier to just have the quarterback hand the ball off to Adrian Peterson, but trust me, this so called "passing" play works. In fact, some teams have even turned it into an art form. Maybe the Vikings should try it out and see if it makes a difference.
Week 2: Lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 24-20
Ranked - 26
Two straight weeks, two straight fourth quarter collapses. At least the Vikings are consistent. Defensively, the Vikings have failed to stop anybody for long stretches of time and offensively, the Vikes have struggled to string together successful drives resulting in touchdowns. It will be a long, tough season in Minnesota if their only hope for victory each game is that the defense contains the opposing offense just enough so that Adrian Peterson can breakaway for the winning score. Three more weeks of ineptness and Christian Ponder should be named the starting quarterback.
Week 3: Lost to the Detroit Lions, 26-23
Ranked - 28
Note to self: When up by two touchdowns, let Peterson run the ball. Also, don't forget the game lasts a full 60 minutes. I think that's a new rule this year. Signed, Leslie Frazier.
Week 4: Lost at the Kansas City Chiefs, 22-17
Ranked - 27
Possibly the best of the winless teams, Minnesota needs to improve all aspects of their game starting now if they want to salvage any shred of hope for this season. Another loss should be the last one before Christian Ponder is given the reigns and the experience he will need to lead this team into the future.
Week 5: Defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 34-10
Ranked - 24
Wow. The Vikings finally managed to hold onto a big first half lead. If they had figured out how to do that earlier this season, they might actually have been relevant the rest of the year.
Week 6: Lost at the Chicago Bears, 39-10
Ranked - 25 Indiana Jones Style Recap
[Christian Ponder stands at midfield following his first game against the Green Bay Packers and talks with Aaron Rodgers]
Aaron Rodgers: You lost today, kid, but that doesn't mean you have to like it.
Week 7: Lost to the Green Bay Packers, 33-27
Ranked - 29
One of the best 1-6 teams in the history of the league, Ponder provided a spark for the Vikings on Sunday. Too bad the rest of the team wasn't up to the challenge of playing a full four quarters against the Packers. Three quarters of solid play will never be good enough.
Week 8: Defeated the Carolina Panthers, 24-21
Ranked - 25
The Vikings dodged a bullet on Sunday, but at least they have hope for the future with Ponder looking confident at quarterback.
Week 9: BYE WEEK
Ranked - 27
The Vikings have one last shot at the Packers and the NFL has given them a bye week and one extra day to prepare. They will have no excuses when they get blown out this weekend at Lambeau.
Week 10: Lost at the Green Bay Packers, 45-7
Ranked - 30
Yes, the Packers are scary good. But on national TV, against a hated division rival, you'd think the Vikings would have mustered a little bit more effort.
Week 11: Lost to the Oakland Raiders, 27-21
Ranked - 30
It's surprising to see the Vikings so bad and in search of an identity after all that has happened with this franchise in the past three years.
Week 12: Lost at the Atlanta Falcons, 24-14
Ranked - 30
The slide continues for a team just two years removed from the NFC Championship game.
Week 13: Lost to the Denver Broncos, 35-32
Ranked - 30
If the Vikings could just win half of the games they were leading at some point, just think how good their record could be.
Week 14: Lost at the Detroit Lions, 34-28
Ranked - 30
The Vikings continue to implode.
Week 15: Lost to the New Orleans Saints, 42-20
Ranked - 32
Drew Brees had a career day in just three quarters against the Vikings. I wouldn’t expect Minnesota to get an interception until 2012.
Week 16: Defeated the Washington Redskins, 33-26
Ranked - 29
That was, quite possibly, the worst ever regular season victory in franchise history.
Week 17: Lost to the Chicago Bears, 17-13
Final Ranking: 29
Tomorrow, the 2011 Cleveland Browns...
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