The 2016 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 56th in the National Football League and their third under head coachMike 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.
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.
^ abThe 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]
^ abcThe 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]
^ abcThe 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]
^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]
Sam Bradford made his first start for the Vikings in week 2 against the Packers just 15 days after being traded. Despite not having much time to learn the offense, Bradford outplayed Aaron Rodgers but ended up hurting his left hand in the first half due to a hit by Clay Matthews. Bradford finished the game completing 22-of-31 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns, helping lead the Vikings to their first win in their new stadium.
Week 3: at Carolina Panthersedit
Week 3: Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Sam Bradford faces his former team for the first time after he was traded from the Eagles prior to the start of the season. The Vikings streak came to a halt as they lost the game 21-10.
Week 8: at Chicago Bearsedit
Week 8: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Head coach Mike Zimmer missed this game after undergoing emergency eye surgery the night before. Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer served as interim coach for the game.[47]
Week 14: at Jacksonville Jaguarsedit
Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
With the loss, the Vikings dropped to 7–8 and were officially eliminated from postseason contention. The loss also made the Vikings the first team to twice start 5–0 or better, and on both occasions miss the playoffs (they also missed the playoffs in 2003 after starting 6–0).
Week 17: vs. Chicago Bearsedit
Week 17: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
^ abDetroit 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.
^ abNew 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.
^"NFL: After 5-0 Start, Vikings Eliminated From Playoff Race". KSFY ABC. December 24, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
^Goessling, Ben (August 30, 2016). "Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater dislocates knee, tears ACL in drill". espn.com. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
^"Report: Bridgewater likely to miss 2017 season". SI.com. January 27, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
^Orr, Conor (September 3, 2016). "Sam Bradford traded to Vikings for two draft picks". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
^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.
^Rosenthal, Gregg (September 19, 2016). "Adrian Peterson has torn meniscus". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
^Rosenthal, Gregg (September 21, 2016). "Will this be Adrian Peterson's last stand in Minnesota?". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
^Patra, Kevin (September 22, 2016). "Adrian Peterson undergoes successful knee surgery". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
^Gantt, Darin (September 23, 2016). "Vikings put Adrian Peterson on injured reserve". ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
^ abOrr, Conor (December 17, 2016). "Vikings activate RB Adrian Peterson (knee) from IR". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
^"2016 NFL Draft Tracker - Minnesota Vikings". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
^Boilard, Kevin (May 13, 2016). "Report: Laquon Treadwell's contract worth nearly $10 million". 247Sports. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
^Tomasson, Chris (April 29, 2016). "Vikings trade out of third round, getting three picks from Miami". TwinCities.com. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
^Alper, Josh (October 6, 2015). "Vikings trade Gerald Hodges to 49ers for Nick Easton and a pick". NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
^Nogle, Kevin (April 30, 2016). "Miami Dolphins pick Jakeem Grant in sixth round". SBNation. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
^"Vikings trade up in 6th round, select TE Morgan out of Texas-San Antonio". Fox Sports. April 30, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
^Alper, Josh (September 5, 2015). "Chargers trade Jeremiah Sirles to Vikings as they hit 53 players". ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
^Smith, Michael David (March 4, 2015). "Bills acquire Matt Cassel in trade with Vikings". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
^Florio, Mike (March 5, 2016). "Vikings re-sign Andrew Sendejo". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
^"Adam Thielen Contract, Salary Cap Details & Breakdowns". Spotrac. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
^Tomasson, Chris (March 8, 2016). "Vikings linebacker Audie Cole signs new deal". TwinCities.com. Digital First Media. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
^ abcdTomasson, Chris (March 9, 2016). "Vikings have deals with offensive linemen Alex Boone, Mike Harris". TwinCities.com. Digital First Media. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
^ abc"Vikings re-sign Sherels, Ellison, Newman". FoxSports.com. Associated Press. March 15, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
^"Matt Asiata Contract, Salary Cap Details & Breakdowns". Spotrac. Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
^"Justin Trattou Contract, Salary Cap Details & Breakdowns". Spotrac. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
^"Chad Greenway Contract, Salary Cap Details & Breakdowns". Spotrac. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
^Alper, Josh (April 18, 2016). "Zach Line remains with Vikings". ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
^"Vikings Sign Joe Berger to a 1-Year Extension". Minnesota Vikings Football. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
^ ab"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.
^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.
^"Vikings Announce Roster Moves". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings. August 30, 2016. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
^"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.
^"Transactions roundup: Vikings to add guard Alex Boone". nfl.com. National Football League. March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
^"Ben Goessling on Twitter". Twitter. March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
^"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.
^"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.
^"Minnesota Vikings Sign Shamiel Gary To Practice Squad". dailynorseman.com. Daily Norseman. September 4, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
^"Carter Bykowski Contract, Salary Cap Details & Breakdowns". Spotrac. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
^"Kenrick Ellis Contract, Salary Cap Details & Breakdowns". Spotrac. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
^Goessling, Ben (March 18, 2016). "Vikings sign Brian Leonhardt to one-year deal". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
^ abPeters, 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.
^ abPeters, 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.
^Vensel, Matt (July 30, 2016). "Vikings sign DT Claudell Louis". StarTribune. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
^ abTomasson, Chris (August 20, 2016). "Vikings sign Brad Sorensen for depth at quarterback". TwinCities.com. Digital First Media. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
^"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.
^"Mike Zimmer has emergency eye surgery, won't coach Thursday". ESPN. December 1, 2016.
^"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.
^"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.
^"Minnesota Vikings Team Statistics". Minnesota Vikings. January 3, 2017. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
^"NFL.com Statistics". NFL.com. December 27, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2016.