2016_Minnesota_Vikings

2016 Minnesota Vikings season
2016 Minnesota Vikings season
Owner	Zygi Wilf
General manager	Rick Spielman
Head coach	Mike Zimmer (games 1–12, 14–16); Mike Priefer (interim, game 13)
Home field	U.S. Bank Stadium
Results
Record	8–8
Division place	3rd NFC North
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	6 OLB Anthony Barr; DE Everson Griffen; DT Linval Joseph; RS Cordarrelle Patterson; CB Xavier Rhodes; FS Harrison Smith;
AP All-Pros	KR Cordarrelle Patterson (1st team)
Uniform
	← 2015; Vikings seasons; 2017 →;

2016 Minnesota Vikings season

56th season in franchise history

The 2016 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 56th in the National Football League and their third under head coach Mike Zimmer. After starting the season with five consecutive wins prior to their bye week, the Vikings managed just three victories after the bye and were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16 with a 38–25 road loss to the Packers.^[1] They joined the 1978 Redskins, 1993 Saints, 2003 Vikings, 2009 Broncos, 2009 Giants and 2015 Falcons in missing the playoffs after starting 5–0 or better. The Vikings are the only NFL team to have more than once started 5–0 or better and missed the playoffs.

Quick Facts Minnesota Vikings season, Owner ...

The team's new stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, opened at the start of the season, with a regular season debut victory on September 18 against division rival Green Bay on NBC Sunday Night Football. It was built on the site of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, the team's home from 1982 through 2013. The Vikings played at the outdoor TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota in 2014 and 2015. This would be the season the Vikings introduced their color rush jersey, the Minnesota Vikings debuted the Jerseys at home against Dallas.

On August 30, starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a season-ending ACL tear and dislocated knee on a non-contact play during team practice.^[2] Originally, it was reported that Bridgewater's injury would keep him out for around a year and a half, and on January 27, 2017, it was reported that it was possible he could also miss the entire 2017 season.^[3] The extent of Bridgewater's injury prompted the Vikings to make a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for former number 1 draft pick Sam Bradford, giving up a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2018 Draft in exchange.^[4]^[5] Adrian Peterson's season was also hit by injury after he tore the meniscus in his right knee in the home opener against the Packers.^[6]^[7] On September 22, Peterson underwent successful surgery to repair the meniscus. It was also revealed that the knee had a mild LCL sprain, but it did not need surgery.^[8] He was placed on injured reserve on September 23, 2016,^[9] and reactivated on December 17,^[10] but only made six rushing attempts before leaving the game, ending his season. Peterson left the team at the end of the season, ending his 10-year tenure with the Vikings.

Preseason

Game summaries

Regular season

Game summaries

Standings

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[Dolphins-14] The Vikings traded their third-round selection (86th overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Miami's sixth-round selection (186th overall) and 2017 third- and fourth-round selections.^[13]

[49ers-16] The Vikings traded linebacker Gerald Hodges to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for San Francisco's sixth-round selection (180th) and center Nick Easton.^[14]

[Dolphins_2-18] The Vikings traded the sixth-round selection they acquired from the Miami Dolphins (186th overall) back to the Dolphins in exchange for Miami's sixth-round selection and the seventh-round selection they acquired from the Ravens (196th and 227th overall).^[15]

[Eagles-20] The Vikings traded the sixth-round selection they acquired from Miami and their seventh-round selection (196th and 240th overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Philadelphia's sixth-round selection (188th overall).^[16]

[22] The Vikings traded their sixth-round selection (198th overall) to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for guard Jeremiah Sirles.^[17]

[Bills-24] The Vikings traded their 2015 sixth-round selection (187th overall) and quarterback Matt Cassel to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for Buffalo's 2016 sixth-round selection (240th overall) and a 2015 fifth-round selection (137th overall).^[18]

[1-1-54] Detroit finished ahead of Tampa Bay for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents—Detroit's cumulative record against Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New Orleans was 3–2, while Tampa Bay's cumulative record against the same four teams was 2–3.

[2-1-55] New Orleans finished ahead of Philadelphia based on better record vs. conference opponents.

[TieBreaker-56] When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

[1] [1]
"NFL: After 5-0 Start, Vikings Eliminated From Playoff Race". KSFY ABC. December 24, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2018.

[2] [2]
Goessling, Ben (August 30, 2016). "Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater dislocates knee, tears ACL in drill". espn.com. Retrieved August 30, 2016.

[3] [3]
"Report: Bridgewater likely to miss 2017 season". SI.com. January 27, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2017.

[4] [4]
Orr, Conor (September 3, 2016). "Sam Bradford traded to Vikings for two draft picks". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises. Retrieved February 14, 2017.

[5] [5]
Smith, Alex (September 3, 2016). "Sam Bradford Traded To Minnesota". philadelphiaeagles.com. Philadelphia Eagles. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2017.

[6] [6]
Rosenthal, Gregg (September 19, 2016). "Adrian Peterson has torn meniscus". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises. Retrieved September 19, 2016.

[7] [7]
Rosenthal, Gregg (September 21, 2016). "Will this be Adrian Peterson's last stand in Minnesota?". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises. Retrieved September 21, 2016.

[8] [8]
Patra, Kevin (September 22, 2016). "Adrian Peterson undergoes successful knee surgery". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises. Retrieved September 22, 2016.

[9] [9]
Gantt, Darin (September 23, 2016). "Vikings put Adrian Peterson on injured reserve". ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved February 14, 2017.

[Peterson_activated-10] [10]
Orr, Conor (December 17, 2016). "Vikings activate RB Adrian Peterson (knee) from IR". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises. Retrieved December 17, 2016.

[11] [11]
"2016 NFL Draft Tracker - Minnesota Vikings". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved May 1, 2016.

[12] [12]
Boilard, Kevin (May 13, 2016). "Report: Laquon Treadwell's contract worth nearly $10 million". 247Sports. Retrieved May 16, 2016.

[13] [13]
Tomasson, Chris (April 29, 2016). "Vikings trade out of third round, getting three picks from Miami". TwinCities.com. Retrieved April 29, 2016.

[HodgesEaston-15] [14]
Alper, Josh (October 6, 2015). "Vikings trade Gerald Hodges to 49ers for Nick Easton and a pick". NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 6, 2015.

[17] [15]
Nogle, Kevin (April 30, 2016). "Miami Dolphins pick Jakeem Grant in sixth round". SBNation. Retrieved April 30, 2016.

[19] [16]
"Vikings trade up in 6th round, select TE Morgan out of Texas-San Antonio". Fox Sports. April 30, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.

[21] [17]
Alper, Josh (September 5, 2015). "Chargers trade Jeremiah Sirles to Vikings as they hit 53 players". ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved September 5, 2015.

[23] [18]
Smith, Michael David (March 4, 2015). "Bills acquire Matt Cassel in trade with Vikings". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 4, 2015.

[25] [19]
Florio, Mike (March 5, 2016). "Vikings re-sign Andrew Sendejo". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved March 8, 2016.

[26] [20]
"Adam Thielen Contract, Salary Cap Details & Breakdowns". Spotrac. Retrieved May 1, 2016.

[27] [21]
Tomasson, Chris (March 8, 2016). "Vikings linebacker Audie Cole signs new deal". TwinCities.com. Digital First Media. Retrieved March 10, 2016.

[harris-28] [22]
Tomasson, Chris (March 9, 2016). "Vikings have deals with offensive linemen Alex Boone, Mike Harris". TwinCities.com. Digital First Media. Retrieved March 10, 2016.

[EllisonSherelsNewman-29] [23]
"Vikings re-sign Sherels, Ellison, Newman". FoxSports.com. Associated Press. March 15, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.

[30] [24]
"Matt Asiata Contract, Salary Cap Details & Breakdowns". Spotrac. Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2016.

[31] [25]
"Justin Trattou Contract, Salary Cap Details & Breakdowns". Spotrac. Retrieved April 1, 2016.

[32] [26]
"Chad Greenway Contract, Salary Cap Details & Breakdowns". Spotrac. Retrieved May 1, 2016.

[33] [27]
Alper, Josh (April 18, 2016). "Zach Line remains with Vikings". ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved April 18, 2016.

[34] [28]
"Vikings Sign Joe Berger to a 1-Year Extension". Minnesota Vikings Football. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.

[wallace_wentworth-35] [29]
"Vikings Release Mike Wallace, Waive Austin Wentworth". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. March 8, 2016. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2016.

[wentworth-36] [30]
Tomasson, Chris (March 13, 2016). "Guard Austin Wentworth says NFL career over after one Vikings season after suffering leg clots and losing muscle". TwinCities.com. Pioneer Press. Retrieved March 15, 2016.

[37] [31]
"Vikings Announce Roster Moves". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings. August 30, 2016. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2016.

[38] [32]
"Vikings Release John Sullivan, Announce Other Roster Moves". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings. August 30, 2016. Archived from the original on August 31, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.

[Boone-39] [33]
"Transactions roundup: Vikings to add guard Alex Boone". nfl.com. National Football League. March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.

[40] [34]
"Ben Goessling on Twitter". Twitter. March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2016.

[bradford-41] [35]
"Vikings Acquire QB Sam Bradford". vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. September 3, 2016. Archived from the original on September 4, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.

[practice_squad-42] [36]
"Vikings Sign 9 Players To Practice Squad". vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. September 4, 2016. Archived from the original on September 5, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.

[gary-43] [37]
"Minnesota Vikings Sign Shamiel Gary To Practice Squad". dailynorseman.com. Daily Norseman. September 4, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.

[44] [38]
"Carter Bykowski Contract, Salary Cap Details & Breakdowns". Spotrac. Retrieved May 1, 2016.

[45] [39]
"Kenrick Ellis Contract, Salary Cap Details & Breakdowns". Spotrac. Retrieved May 1, 2016.

[46] [40]
Goessling, Ben (March 18, 2016). "Vikings sign Brian Leonhardt to one-year deal". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved March 20, 2016.

[47] [41]
Gates, Christopher (May 1, 2016). "2016 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings Undrafted Free Agent Tracker". DailyNorseman.com. SB Nation. Retrieved May 1, 2016.

[roberson_stoudermire-48] [42]
Peters, Craig (May 9, 2016). "Former Gopher Stoudermire Joins Vikings; QB Roberson Going to DB". vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Archived from the original on May 10, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2016.

[hickey_jason-49] [43]
Peters, Craig (July 27, 2016). "Vikings Add to Offensive Line, Linebacker Groups". vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Archived from the original on July 28, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.

[50] [44]
Vensel, Matt (July 30, 2016). "Vikings sign DT Claudell Louis". StarTribune. Retrieved July 30, 2016.

[monangai_sorensen-51] [45]
Tomasson, Chris (August 20, 2016). "Vikings sign Brad Sorensen for depth at quarterback". TwinCities.com. Digital First Media. Retrieved August 20, 2016.

[52] [46]
"Vikings Place Bridgewater on IR, Announce Other Roster Moves". vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. August 31, 2016. Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.

[53] [47]
"Mike Zimmer has emergency eye surgery, won't coach Thursday". ESPN. December 1, 2016.

[57] [48]
"Four Vikings Selected To Pro Bowl". vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. December 21, 2016. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016.

[58] [49]
"Linval Joseph Selected To First Career Pro Bowl". vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. January 12, 2017. Archived from the original on January 23, 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2017.

[TeamStats-59] [50]
"Minnesota Vikings Team Statistics". Minnesota Vikings. January 3, 2017. Retrieved January 3, 2017.

[2016Stats-60] [51]
"NFL.com Statistics". NFL.com. December 27, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.

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2016 Minnesota Vikings draft^[11]
Draft order		Player name	Position	College	Contract	Notes
Round	Selection	Player name	Position	College	Contract	Notes
1	23	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss	4 years / $9.93 million^[12]
2	54	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson	4 years / $4.3 million
3	86	Traded to the Miami Dolphins^{[upper-alpha 1]}
4	121	Willie Beavers	G	Western Michigan	4 years / $2.88 million
5	160	Kentrell Brothers	ILB	Missouri	4 years / $2.57 million
6	180	Moritz Böhringer	WR	Schwäbisch Hall (GFL)	4 years / $2.49 million	from 49ers^{[upper-alpha 2]}
	186	Traded to the Miami Dolphins^{[upper-alpha 3]}				from Dolphins^{[upper-alpha 1]}
	188	David Morgan II	TE	UTSA	4 years / $2.47 million	from Eagles^{[upper-alpha 4]}
	196	Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles^{[upper-alpha 4]}				from Texans via Patriots and Dolphins^{[upper-alpha 3]}
	198	Traded to the San Diego Chargers^{[upper-alpha 5]}
7	227	Stephen Weatherly	LB	Vanderbilt	4 years / $2.42 million	from Ravens via Dolphins^{[upper-alpha 3]}
	240	Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles^{[upper-alpha 4]}				from Bills^{[upper-alpha 6]}
	244	Jayron Kearse	S	Clemson	4 years / $2.4 million

Date	Player name	Position	Contract terms
March 7, 2016	Andrew Sendejo	S	4 years / $16 million^[19]
March 7, 2016	Adam Thielen	WR	1 year / $600,000^[20]
March 8, 2016	Audie Cole	LB	1 year / $760,000^[21]
March 9, 2016	Mike Harris	G	1 year / $1.9 million^[22]
March 15, 2016	Rhett Ellison	TE	1 year / $2.25 million^[23]
March 15, 2016	Marcus Sherels	CB	2 years / $4 million^[23]
March 16, 2016	Matt Asiata	RB	1 year / $840,000^[24]
March 18, 2016	Terence Newman	CB	1 year / $3 million^[23]
March 18, 2016	Justin Trattou	DE	1 year / $810,000^[25]
April 11, 2016	Chad Greenway	LB	1 year / $2.75 million^[26]
April 18, 2016	Zach Line	FB	1 year / $1.671 million^[27]
September 9, 2016	Joe Berger	C	1-year extension^[28]

Date	Player name	Position	Note	New team
March 8, 2016	Mike Wallace	WR	Released^[29]	Baltimore Ravens
March 8, 2016	Austin Wentworth	OT	Waived^[29]	Retired^[30]
March 9, 2016	Casey Matthews	ILB	UFA
March 9, 2016	Jason Trusnik	ILB	UFA
March 14, 2016	Josh Robinson	CB	UFA	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
March 18, 2016	Robert Blanton	S	UFA	Buffalo Bills
April 13, 2016	Alex Singleton	LB	Waived	Calgary Stampeders (CFL)
May 10, 2016	Johnny Lowdermilk	S	Waived	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
July 25, 2016	Phil Loadholt	OT	Waived	Retired
August 25, 2016	Melvin White	CB	Waived
August 30, 2016	Brad Sorensen	QB	Waived^[31]^[32]
	Terrell Sinkfield	WR
	Austin Shepherd	OT
	John Sullivan	C
	Scott Crichton	DL
	Antone Exum	S
	Zach Moore	DE
September 3, 2016	C. J. Ham	HB	Waived
	Blake Renaud	FB
	Isaac Fruechte	WR
	Moritz Böhringer	WR
	Willie Beavers	OL
	Isame Faciane	OG
	Stephen Weatherly	DE
	Toby Johnson	DT
	Brandon Watts	OLB

Date	Player name	Position	Previous team	Contract terms
March 10, 2016	Alex Boone	G	San Francisco 49ers	4 years / $26.8 million^[33]
March 10, 2016	Emmanuel Lamur	LB	Cincinnati Bengals	2 years / $6 million^[22]
March 18, 2016	Andre Smith	OT	Cincinnati Bengals	1 year / $4.5 million^[34]
May 10, 2016	C. J. Ham	HB	Augustana (NCAA)
August 1, 2016	Terrance Plummer	LB	Minnesota Vikings
September 3, 2016	Sam Bradford	QB	Philadelphia Eagles	Trade^[35]
September 4, 2016	Joel Stave	QB	Wisconsin (NCAA)	Practice squad^[36]
	C. J. Ham	HB	Augustana (NCAA)
	Moritz Böhringer	WR	Schwäbisch Hall (GFL)
	Kyle Carter	TE	Penn State (NCAA)
	Willie Beavers	OL	Western Michigan (NCAA)
	Isame Faciane	OG	Minnesota Vikings
	Stephen Weatherly	DE	Vanderbilt (NCAA)
	Toby Johnson	DT	Minnesota Vikings
	Tre Roberson	CB	Illinois State (NCAA)
September 4, 2016	Shamiel Gary	S	Miami Dolphins	Practice squad^[37]
September 13, 2016	Tre Roberson	CB	Illinois State (NCAA)	Practice squad
September 13, 2016	Julian Wilson	CB	Philadelphia Eagles	Practice squad
September 23, 2016	Ronnie Hillman	HB	Denver Broncos
October 11, 2016	Jake Long	OT	Atlanta Falcons	1 year

Date signed	Player name	Position	Previous team	Contract terms	Date released
March 7, 2016	Carter Bykowski	OT	Minnesota Vikings	1 year / $600,000^[38]	August 30, 2016
March 9, 2016	Kenrick Ellis	DT	Minnesota Vikings	1 year / $810,000^[39]	September 3, 2016
March 11, 2016	Travis Lewis	LB	Detroit Lions	1 year / $810,000^[22]	June 16, 2016
March 14, 2016	Michael Griffin	S	Tennessee Titans	1 year / $3 million^[22]	September 3, 2016
March 21, 2016	Brian Leonhardt	TE	San Francisco 49ers	1 year / $600,000^[40]	August 30, 2016
May 1, 2016	Keith Baxter	CB	Marshall (NCAA)	Undrafted FA^[41]	July 31, 2016
	Kyle Carter	TE	Penn State (NCAA)		September 3, 2016
	Joel Stave	QB	Wisconsin (NCAA)		September 3, 2016
	Theiren Cockran	DE	Minnesota (NCAA)		August 30, 2016
	Jake Ganus	ILB	Georgia (NCAA)		September 3, 2016
	Marken Michel	WR	UMass (NCAA)		August 30, 2016
	Denzell Perine	OLB	Florida Atlantic (NCAA)		September 2, 2016
	Jhurell Pressley	RB	New Mexico (NCAA)		September 3, 2016
	Brandon Ross	RB	Maryland (NCAA)		May 23, 2016
May 9, 2016	Tre Roberson	CB	Illinois State (NCAA)	Undrafted FA^[42]	September 13, 2016
May 9, 2016	Troy Stoudermire	WR	Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)	^[42]	August 30, 2016
May 23, 2016	Travis Raciti	DT	Philadelphia Eagles		September 2, 2016
May 31, 2016	Bruce Gaston	DT	Chicago Bears		June 16, 2016
July 27, 2016	Sean Hickey	OT	New York Jets	^[43]	August 30, 2016
July 27, 2016	Jason Whittingham	LB	Utah (NCAA)	^[43]	July 31, 2016
July 30, 2016	Claudell Louis	DT	Buffalo Bills	^[44]	August 30, 2016
April 13, 2016	Terrance Plummer	LB	Minnesota Vikings		August 31, 2016
August 20, 2016	Kevin Monangai	RB	Philadelphia Eagles	Waived^[45]	August 4, 2016
August 20, 2016	Brad Sorensen	QB	San Diego Chargers	^[45]^[46]	August 30, 2016
August 31, 2016	Brad Sorensen	QB	Minnesota Vikings	^[45]^[46]	September 2, 2016
September 6, 2016	Carter Bykowski	OT	Minnesota Vikings	Practice squad	September 13, 2016

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	NFL.com recap
1	August 12	at Cincinnati Bengals	W 17–16	1–0	Paul Brown Stadium	50,737	Recap
2	August 18	at Seattle Seahawks	W 18–11	2–0	CenturyLink Field	68,469	Recap
3	August 28	San Diego Chargers	W 23–10	3–0	U.S. Bank Stadium	66,143	Recap
4	September 1	Los Angeles Rams	W 27–25	4–0	U.S. Bank Stadium	66,262	Recap

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	NFL.com recap
1	September 11	at Tennessee Titans	W 25–16	1–0	Nissan Stadium	63,816	Recap
2	September 18	Green Bay Packers	W 17–14	2–0	U.S. Bank Stadium	66,813	Recap
3	September 25	at Carolina Panthers	W 22–10	3–0	Bank of America Stadium	73,813	Recap
4	October 3	New York Giants	W 24–10	4–0	U.S. Bank Stadium	66,690	Recap
5	October 9	Houston Texans	W 31–13	5–0	U.S. Bank Stadium	66,683	Recap
6	Bye
7	October 23	at Philadelphia Eagles	L 10–21	5–1	Lincoln Financial Field	69,596	Recap
8	October 31	at Chicago Bears	L 10–20	5–2	Soldier Field	60,422	Recap
9	November 6	Detroit Lions	L 16–22 (OT)	5–3	U.S. Bank Stadium	66,807	Recap
10	November 13	at Washington Redskins	L 20–26	5–4	FedExField	78,216	Recap
11	November 20	Arizona Cardinals	W 30–24	6–4	U.S. Bank Stadium	66,808	Recap
12	November 24	at Detroit Lions	L 13–16	6–5	Ford Field	63,793	Recap
13	December 1	Dallas Cowboys	L 15–17	6–6	U.S. Bank Stadium	66,860	Recap
14	December 11	at Jacksonville Jaguars	W 25–16	7–6	EverBank Field	62,701	Recap
15	December 18	Indianapolis Colts	L 6–34	7–7	U.S. Bank Stadium	66,820	Recap
16	December 24	at Green Bay Packers	L 25–38	7–8	Lambeau Field	77,856	Recap
17	January 1	Chicago Bears	W 38–10	8–8	U.S. Bank Stadium	66,808	Recap

NFC North
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
⁽⁴⁾ Green Bay Packers	10	6	0	.625	5–1	8–4	432	388	W6
⁽⁶⁾ Detroit Lions	9	7	0	.563	3–3	7–5	346	358	L3
Minnesota Vikings	8	8	0	.500	2–4	5–7	327	307	W1
Chicago Bears	3	13	0	.188	2–4	3–9	279	399	L4

NFC v t e
#	Team	Division	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	SOS	SOV	STK
Division leaders
1	Dallas Cowboys	East	13	3	0	.813	3–3	9–3	.471	.440	L1
2	Atlanta Falcons	South	11	5	0	.688	5–1	9–3	.480	.452	W4
3	Seattle Seahawks	West	10	5	1	.656	3–2–1	6–5–1	.441	.425	W1
4	Green Bay Packers	North	10	6	0	.625	5–1	8–4	.508	.453	W6
Wild Cards
5	New York Giants	East	11	5	0	.688	4–2	8–4	.486	.455	W1
6^{[lower-alpha 1]}	Detroit Lions	North	9	7	0	.563	3–3	7–5	.475	.392	L3
Did not qualify for the postseason
7^{[lower-alpha 1]}	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	South	9	7	0	.563	4–2	7–5	.492	.434	W1
8	Washington Redskins	East	8	7	1	.531	3–3	6–6	.516	.430	L1
9	Minnesota Vikings	North	8	8	0	.500	2–4	5–7	.492	.457	W1
10	Arizona Cardinals	West	7	8	1	.469	4–1–1	6–5–1	.463	.366	W2
11^{[lower-alpha 2]}	New Orleans Saints	South	7	9	0	.438	2–4	6–6	.523	.393	L1
12^{[lower-alpha 2]}	Philadelphia Eagles	East	7	9	0	.438	2–4	5–7	.559	.518	W2
13	Carolina Panthers	South	6	10	0	.375	1–5	5–7	.518	.354	L2
14	Los Angeles Rams	West	4	12	0	.250	2–4	3–9	.504	.500	L7
15	Chicago Bears	North	3	13	0	.188	2–4	3–9	.521	.396	L4
16	San Francisco 49ers	West	2	14	0	.125	2–4	2–10	.504	.250	L1
Tiebreakers^{[lower-alpha 3]}
Detroit finished ahead of Tampa Bay for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents—Detroit's cumulative record against Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New Orleans was 3–2, while Tampa Bay's cumulative record against the same four teams was 2–3. New Orleans finished ahead of Philadelphia based on better record vs. conference opponents. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.


	Quarterbacks 8 Sam Bradford 6 Taylor Heinicke 13 Shaun Hill Running backs 44 Matt Asiata 30 C. J. Ham 48 Zach Line FB 21 Jerick McKinnon 28 Adrian Peterson Wide receivers 14 Stefon Diggs 15 Isaac Fruechte 12 Charles Johnson 84 Cordarrelle Patterson 19 Adam Thielen 11 Laquon Treadwell 17 Jarius Wright Tight ends 85 Rhett Ellison 89 David Morgan 82 Kyle Rudolph		Offensive linemen 64 Willie Beavers G 61 Joe Berger C/G 76 Alex Boone G 68 T. J. Clemmings T 62 Nick Easton C 63 Brandon Fusco G 69 Rashod Hill T 67 Zac Kerin G 78 Jeremiah Sirles T Defensive linemen 97 Everson Griffen DE 99 Danielle Hunter DE 90 Toby Johnson DT 98 Linval Joseph DT 96 Brian Robison DE 93 Shamar Stephen DT 94 Justin Trattou DE 91 Stephen Weatherly DE		Linebackers 55 Anthony Barr OLB 40 Kentrell Brothers MLB 57 Audie Cole MLB 52 Chad Greenway OLB 54 Eric Kendricks MLB 59 Emmanuel Lamur OLB 51 Edmond Robinson OLB Defensive backs 41 Anthony Harris FS/SS 27 Jayron Kearse SS 24 Captain Munnerlyn CB 23 Terence Newman CB 29 Xavier Rhodes CB 35 Marcus Sherels CB 22 Harrison Smith FS 26 Trae Waynes CB Special teams 2 Kai Forbath K 18 Jeff Locke P 47 Kevin McDermott LS		Reserve lists 20 Mackensie Alexander CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 5 Teddy Bridgewater QB (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 95 Scott Crichton DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 90 B. J. Dubose DE (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 32 Antone Exum FS (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 73 Sharrif Floyd DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 79 Michael Harris G (NF-Ill.Tooltip Non-football injury and illness) 92 Tom Johnson DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 75 Matt Kalil T (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 72 Jake Long T (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 25 Jabari Price CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 34 Andrew Sendejo SS (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 71 Andre Smith T (IRTooltip Injured reserve) Practice squad 60 Sterling Bailey DE 81 Moritz Böhringer WR 86 Kyle Carter TE 16 Cayleb Jones WR 65 Marquis Lucas T 36 Tre Roberson CB 43 Bishop Sankey RB 74 Austin Shepherd T 31 Cedric Thompson FS Rookies in italics 53 active, 13 inactive, 9 practice squad

Category	Player(s)	Total
Passing yards	Sam Bradford	3,877
Passing touchdowns	Sam Bradford	20
Rushing yards	Jerick McKinnon	539
Rushing touchdowns	Matt Asiata	6
Receptions	Stefon Diggs	84
Receiving yards	Adam Thielen	967
Receiving touchdowns	Kyle Rudolph	7
Points	Kai Forbath	56
Kickoff return yards	Cordarrelle Patterson	792
Punt return yards	Marcus Sherels	292
Tackles	Eric Kendricks	109
Sacks	Danielle Hunter	12.5
Interceptions	Xavier Rhodes	5
Forced fumbles	Linval Joseph Brian Robison	3

Category	Total yards	Yards per game	NFL rank (out of 32)
Passing offense	3,836	239.8	18th
Rushing offense	1,205	75.3	32nd
Total offense	5,041	315.1	28th
Passing defense	3,327	207.9	3rd
Rushing defense	1,711	106.9	20th
Total defense	5,038	314.9	3rd

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	0	10	7	0	17
Bengals	0	7	0	9	16

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	0	11	0	7	18
Seahawks	0	0	0	11	11

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	10	0	0	10
Vikings	6	6	8	3	23

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	7	0	3	15	25
Vikings	0	13	7	7	27

2016_Minnesota_Vikings

Offseason

Draft

Roster changes

Preseason

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks

Week 3: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 4: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Regular season

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1: at Tennessee Titans

Week 2: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 3: at Carolina Panthers

Week 4: vs. New York Giants

Week 5: vs. Houston Texans

Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 8: at Chicago Bears

Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 10: at Washington Redskins

Week 11: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 12: at Detroit Lions

Week 13: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 14: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 15: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week 16: at Green Bay Packers

Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears

Standings

Division

Conference

Staff

Pro Bowl

Roster

Statistics

Team leaders

League rankings

References

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