# 1961 Minnesota Vikings season

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. However, under head coach 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.

## Offseason

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.

### 1961 draft

* Pro Bowler
* Hall of Famer
1961 Minnesota Vikings Draft :
| Draft order | Draft order | Player name | Position | College | Notes |
| Round | Overall | Player name | Position | College | Notes |
| 1 | 1 | Tommy Mason | RB | Tulane | |
| 2 | 15 | Rip Hawkins | LB | North Carolina | |
| 3 | 29 | Fran Tarkenton | QB | Georgia | |
| 4 | 43 | Chuck Lamson | S | Wyoming | |
| 5 | 57 | Ed Sharockman | CB | Pittsburgh | |
| 6 | 71 | Jerry Burch | E | Georgia Tech | |
| 7 | 85 | Allan Ferrie | E | Wagner | |
| 8 | 99 | Paul Lindquist | DT | New Hampshire | |
| 9 | 113 | Dan Sheehan | OT | Chattanooga | |
| 10 | 127 | Doug Mayberry | FB | Utah State | |
| 11 | 141 | Jerry Mays | DE | SMU | |
| 12 | 155 | Steve Stonebreaker | LB | Detroit | |
| 13 | 169 | Ray Hayes | FB | Central State (OK) | |
| 14 | 183 | Ken Petersen | G | Utah | |
| 15 | 197 | Mike Mercer | K | Arizona State | |
| 16 | 211 | Ted Karpowicz | HB | Detroit | |
| 17 | 225 | Willie Jones | FB | Purdue | |
| 18 | 239 | Bob Voigt | DT | Los Angeles State | |
| 19 | 253 | Bill Hill | FB | Presbyterian | |
| 20 | 267 | Mike McFarland | QB | Western Illinois | |

### 1961 expansion draft

| Player name | Position | College | Acquired from |
| Grady Alderman | Guard | Detroit | Detroit Lions |
| Tom Barnett | Running back | Purdue | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Byron Beams | Offensive tackle | Notre Dame | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Ken Beck | Defensive tackle | Texas A&M | Green Bay Packers |
| Bill Bishop | Defensive tackle | North Texas State | Chicago Bears |
| Don Boll | Offensive tackle | Nebraska | New York Giants |
| Ed Culpepper | Defensive tackle | Alabama | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Don Ellersick | Defensive back | Washington State | Los Angeles Rams |
| Dick Haley | Cornerback | Pittsburgh | Washington Redskins |
| Gerry Huth | Guard | Wake Forest | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Charlie Janerette | Guard | Penn State | Los Angeles Rams |
| Gene Johnson | Defensive back | Cincinnati | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Don Joyce | Defensive end | Tulane | Baltimore Colts |
| Bill Kimber | End | Florida State | New York Giants |
| Bill Lapham | Center | Iowa | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Hugh McElhenny | Running back | Washington | San Francisco 49ers |
| Dave Middleton | End | Auburn | Detroit Lions |
| Jack Morris | Defensive back | Oregon | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Rich Mostardi | Defensive back | Kent State | Cleveland Browns |
| Fred Murphy | End | Georgia Tech | Cleveland Browns |
| Clancy Osborne | Linebacker | Arizona State | San Francisco 49ers |
| Dick Pesonen | Defensive back | Minnesota–Duluth | Green Bay Packers |
| Mike Rabold | Guard | Indiana | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Perry Richards | End | Detroit | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Bill Roehnelt | Linebacker | Bradley | Washington Redskins |
| Karl Rubke | Linebacker | USC | San Francisco 49ers |
| Gene Selawski | Offensive tackle | Purdue | Cleveland Browns |
| Glenn Shaw | Fullback | Kentucky | Chicago Bears |
| Lebron Shields | Defensive tackle | Tennessee | Baltimore Colts |
| Zeke Smith | Linebacker | Auburn | Baltimore Colts |
| Jerry Stalcup | Linebacker | Wisconsin | Los Angeles Rams |
| Louis Stephens | Guard | San Francisco | Washington Redskins |
| Charlie Sumner | Safety | William & Mary | Chicago Bears |
| Dave Whitsell | Cornerback | Indiana | Detroit Lions |
| Paul Winslow | Running back | North Carolina Central | Green Bay Packers |
| Frank Youso | Offensive tackle | Minnesota | New York Giants |

## Preseason

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
| 1 | August 5 | Dallas Cowboys | L 13–38 | 0–1 | Howard Wood Field (Sioux Falls, SD) | 4,954 |
| 2 | August 18 | at Baltimore Colts | L 3–13 | 0–2 | Memorial Stadium | 10,203 |
| 3 | August 26 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 10–14 | 0–3 | Multnomah Stadium (Portland, OR) | 27,044 |
| 4 | September 2 | Chicago Bears | L 7–30 | 0–4 | Kingston Stadium (Cedar Rapids, IA) | 12,500 |
| 5 | September 10 | Los Angeles Rams | L 17–21 | 0–5 | Metropolitan Stadium | 27,982 |

## Regular season
### Schedule

| 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 |

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
| Vikings | 3 | 7 | 14 | 13 | 37 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: September 17
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 52,364
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Mike Mercer 12-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
Second quarter
MIN – Bob Schnelker 14-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 10–0.
CHI – Rick Casares 3-yard run (kick failed). Vikings 10–6.
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
MIN – Fran Tarkenton 2-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 31–6.
MIN – Dave Middleton 2-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (kick failed). Vikings 37–6.
CHI – Willie Galimore 10-yard pass from Bill Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Vikings 37–13.
Top passers
CHI – Bill Wade – 6/10, 109 yards, TD
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 17/23, 250 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers
CHI – Willie Galimore – 12 rushes, 47 yards
MIN – Mel Triplett – 8 rushes, 26 yards
Top receivers
CHI – Johnny Morris – 4 receptions, 92 yards
MIN – Jerry Reichow – 3 receptions, 103 yards, TD :
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. They were the last expansion team to win their first game until the 1996 Baltimore Ravens.

#### Week 2: at Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Cowboys | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
at Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas
* Date: September 24
* Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
DAL – Amos Marsh 6-yard run (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 7–0.
Second quarter
DAL – Don Meredith 20-yard run (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 14–0.
MIN – Tommy Mason 4-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Cowboys 14–7.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
DAL – Amos Marsh 20-yard pass from Don Meredith (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 21–7.
Top passers
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 8/24, 117 yards
DAL – Don Meredith – 12/22, 163 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Mel Triplett – 9 rushes, 57 yards
DAL – Don Perkins – 17 rushes, 108 yards
Top receivers
MIN – A. D. Williams – 4 receptions, 78 yards
DAL – Don Perkins – 5 receptions, 61 yards :

#### Week 3: at Baltimore Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 3 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 33 |
| Colts | 7 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 34 |
at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
* Date: October 1
* Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Mike Mercer 20-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
BAL – Lenny Moore 72-yard pass from Johnny Unitas (Steve Myhra kick). Colts 7–3.
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
MIN – George Shaw – 17/30, 208 yards, 2 TD
BAL – Johnny Unitas – 13/27, 284 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Tommy Mason – 10 rushes, 45 yards
BAL – Johnny Unitas – 2 rushes, 26 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Ray Hayes – 4 receptions, 69 yards
BAL – Lenny Moore – 5 receptions, 143 yards, 3 TD :

#### Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cowboys | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: October 8
* Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
DAL – Billy Howton 12-yard pass from Don Meredith (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 7–0.
Second quarter
DAL – Don Perkins 3-yard run (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 14–0'
Third quarter
DAL – Frank Clarke 23-yard pass from Eddie LeBaron (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 21–0.
Fourth quarter
DAL – Frank Clarke 52-yard pass from Don Meredith (Allen Green kick). Cowboys 28–0.
Top passers
DAL – Don Meredith – 8/16, 124 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 10/21, 151 yards
Top rushers
DAL – Don Perkins – 19 rushes, 73 yards, TD
MIN – Mel Triplett – 9 rushes, 44 yards
Top receivers
DAL – Franklin Clarke – 3 receptions, 91 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Jerry Reichow – 4 receptions, 74 yards :

#### Week 5: vs. San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| 49ers | 7 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 38 |
| Vikings | 7 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: October 15
* Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
SF – Bob Waters 6-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 7–0.
MIN – Hugh McElhenny 13-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 7–7.
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
SF – John Brodie – 11/14, 209 yards
MIN – George Shaw – 7/17, 85 yards, TD
Top rushers
SF – Billy Kilmer – 20 rushes, 115 yards, 4 TD
MIN – Hugh McElhenny – 10 rushes, 81 yards
Top receivers
SF – Monty Stickles – 5 receptions, 102 yards
MIN – Jerry Reichow – 2 receptions, 54 yards, TD :

#### Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 10 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 33 |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: October 22
* Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
GB – Boyd Dowler 78-yard pass from Bart Starr (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 7–0'
GB – Paul Hornung 14-yard field goal. Packers 10–0.
Second quarter
MIN – Fran Tarkenton 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Packers 10–7.
GB – Paul Hornung 18-yard field goal. Packers 13–7.
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
GB – Bart Starr – 9/19, 206 yards, TD
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 15/24, 130 yards
Top rushers
GB – Tom Moore – 16 rushes, 159 yards
MIN – Hugh McElhenny – 11 rushes, 57 yards
Top receivers
GB – Boyd Dowler – 2 receptions, 100 yards, TD
MIN – Jerry Reichow – 5 receptions, 50 yards :

#### Week 7: at Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Packers | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
at Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
* Date: October 29
* Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
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
GB – Jim Taylor 8-yard pass from Bart Starr (Paul Hornung kick). Packers 21–0.
MIN – Jerry Reichow 19-yard pass from George Shaw (Mike Mercer kick). Packers 21–7.
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
MIN – George Shaw – 9/18, 119 yards, TD
GB – Bart Starr – 18/24, 311 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Hugh McElhenny – 12 rushes, 99 yards
GB – Paul Hornung – 12 rushes, 70 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Jerry Reichow – 4 receptions, 52 yards, TD
GB – Boyd Dowler – 5 receptions, 121 yards :

#### Week 8: at Los Angeles Rams

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Rams | 14 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
* Date: November 5
* Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
LA – Jon Arnett 3-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Rams 7–0.
LA – Ollie Matson 15-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Rams 14–0.
MIN – Gordie Smith 29-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Rams 14–7.
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
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 12/19, 156 yards, TD
LA – Frank Ryan – 6/16, 59 yards
Top rushers
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11 rushes, 99 yards, TD
LA – Ollie Matson – 8 rushes, 64 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Gordie Smith – 2 receptions, 49 yards, TD
LA – Jon Arnett – 2 receptions, 36 yards :

#### Week 9: vs. Baltimore Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts | 0 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: November 12
* Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Mel Triplett 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 7–0.
Second quarter
BAL – Alex Hawkins 2-yard run (Steve Myhra kick). Tied 7–7.
MIN – Hugh McElhenny 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 14–7.
BAL – Lenny Moore 3-yard run (Steve Myhra kick). Tied 14–14.
Third quarter
BAL – Steve Myhra 37-yard field goal. Colts 17–14.
MIN – Dave Middleton 57-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 21–17.
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
BAL – Johnny Unitas – 14/31, 138 yards
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11/18, 179 yards, TD
Top rushers
BAL – Joe Perry – 19 rushes, 100 yards
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11 rushes, 58 yards, TD
Top receivers
BAL – Raymond Berry – 8 receptions, 86 yards
MIN – Dave Middleton – 3 receptions, 76 yards, TD :

#### Week 10: vs. Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 0 | 14 | 9 | 14 | 37 |
| Vikings | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: November 19
* Game weather: 23 °F (−5 °C)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Mike Mercer 13-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
MIN – Jerry Reichow 23-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 10–0.
Second quarter
DET – Nick Pietrosante 1-yard run (Jim Martin kick). Vikings 10–7.
DET – Terry Barr 18-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Jim Martin kick). Lions 14–10.
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
DET – Earl Morrall – 13/17, 154 yards, 3 TD
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 13/24, 116 yards, TD
Top rushers
DET – Earl Morrall – 7 rushes, 62 yards
MIN – Tommy Mason – 3 rushes, 36 yards
Top receivers
DET – Terry Barr – 8 receptions, 97 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Dave Middleton – 3 receptions, 60 yards :

#### Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| 49ers | 14 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California
* Date: November 26
* Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
SF – J. D. Smith 6-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 7–0.
SF – R. C. Owens 40-yard pass from John Brodie (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 14–0.
Second quarter
SF – C. R. Roberts 1-yard run (Tommy Davis kick). 49ers 21–0.
MIN – Tommy Mason 9-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). 49ers 21–7.
SF – Tommy Davis 42-yard field goal. 49ers 24–7.
MIN – Jerry Reichow 17-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). 49ers 24–14.
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
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 16/24, 277 yards, 2 TD
SF – John Brodie – 14/24, 246 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Tommy Mason – 14 rushes, 62 yards, TD
SF – J. D. Smith – 28 rushes, 168 yards, 2 TD
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Rams | 0 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Vikings | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: December 3
* Game weather: 37 °F (3 °C)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Hugh McElhenny 17-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 7–0.
Second quarter
MIN – Tommy Mason 1-yard run (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 14–0.
LA – Ollie Matson 69-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Vikings 14–7.
MIN – Jerry Reichow 51-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 21–7.
LA – Red Phillips 10-yard pass from Zeke Bratkowski (Danny Villanueva kick). Vikings 21–14.
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
LA – Zeke Bratkowski – 12/23, 153 yards, TD
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 21/30, 252 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers
LA – Dick Bass – 8 rushes, 113 yards, TD
MIN – Ray Hayes – 18 rushes, 123 yards, TD
Top receivers
LA – Ollie Matson – 4 receptions, 75 yards
MIN – Jerry Reichow – 6 receptions, 112 yards, 2 TD :

#### Week 13: at Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Lions | 0 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan
* Date: December 10
* Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
DET – Jim Ninowski 7-yard run (Jim Martin kick). Lions 7–0.
Third quarter
MIN – Hugh McElhenny 2-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Tied 7–7.
DET – Jim Martin 43-yard field goal. Lions 10–7.
Fourth quarter
DET – Jim Martin 23-yard field goal. Lions 13–7.
Top passers
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 15/34, 141 yards, TD
DET – Jim Ninowski – 8/20, 157 yards
Top rushers
MIN – Mel Triplett – 7 rushes, 53 yards
DET – Dan Lewis – 12 rushes, 52 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Jerry Reichow – 4 receptions, 69 yards
DET – Jim Gibbons – 6 receptions, 84 yards :

#### Week 14: at Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| Bears | 7 | 14 | 24 | 7 | 52 |
at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Date: December 17
* Game weather: 33 °F (1 °C)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Hugh McElhenny 81-yard punt return (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 7–0.
MIN – Jerry Reichow 30-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 14–0.
CHI – Angelo Coia 62-yard pass from Billy Wade (Roger LeClerc kick). Vikings 14–7.
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
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 12/22, 161 yards, 4 TD
CHI – Bill Wade – 23/34, 355 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Mel Triplett – 15 rushes, 121 yards
CHI – Willie Galimore – 13 rushes, 97 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
MIN – Jerry Reichow – 6 receptions, 90 yards, 3 TD
CHI – Mike Ditka – 8 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TD :

### Standings

NFL Western Conference :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| Green Bay Packers | 11 | 3 | 0 | .786 | 9–3 | 391 | 223 | W1 |
| Detroit Lions | 8 | 5 | 1 | .615 | 7–4–1 | 270 | 258 | L1 |
| Chicago Bears | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | 7–5 | 326 | 302 | W2 |
| Baltimore Colts | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | 6–6 | 302 | 307 | W1 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 7 | 6 | 1 | .538 | 6–5–1 | 346 | 272 | L1 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 4 | 10 | 0 | .286 | 3–9 | 263 | 333 | L1 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 3 | 11 | 0 | .214 | 3–9 | 285 | 407 | L2 |
       Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

## Awards and honors

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.

## Statistics
### Team leaders

| Category | Player(s) | Value |
| Passing yards | Fran Tarkenton | 1,997 |
| Passing touchdowns | Fran Tarkenton | 18 |
| Rushing yards | Hugh McElhenny | 570 |
| Rushing touchdowns | Fran Tarkenton | 5 |
| Receiving yards | Jerry Reichow | 859 |
| Receiving touchdowns | Jerry Reichow | 11 |
| Points | Jerry Reichow | 66 |
| Kickoff return yards | Tommy Mason | 603 |
| Punt return yards | Hugh McElhenny | 155 |
| Interceptions | Rip Hawkins | 5 |
| Sacks | Jim Marshall | 6 |
Note that sack totals from 1960 to 1981 are considered unofficial by the NFL.

### League rankings

| 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 |