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1981 was the 21st year of season play for the Minnesota Vikings and the 62nd regular season of the National Football League, and the final season for the team at Metropolitan Stadium. The Vikings finished with a record of seven wins and nine losses.

After opening the season with back-to-back losses, the Vikings ran off five straight wins and sat near the top of the NFC at midseason. After splitting their next four games, the Vikings were 7-4 and poised for a playoff run—however, the Vikings would lose their last five games to close out the year.

The Vikings were led by quarterback Tommy Kramer, who enjoyed the most productive season of his career by throwing for 3,912 yards and 26 TD's. However, Kramer also threw 24 interceptions in 1981.

A trio of offensive standouts paced the Vikings in 1981 at the skill positions. Running back Ted Brown was the team's main ballcarrier, rushing for 1,063 yards and also came in third in the NFL with 83 pass receptions. He scored eight TD's. Veteran WR Sammy White also eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career (1,001) and TE Joe Senser, who would later become a color analyst on radio for the Vikings, logged 1,004 yards receiving with eight TD's. He went to the Pro Bowl that season as well.

Schedule

Standings