1971 Minnesota Vikings season

1971 Minnesota Vikings season
General manager	Jim Finks
Head coach	Bud Grant
Home field	Metropolitan Stadium
Results
Record	11–3
Division place	1st NFC Central
Playoff finish	Lost Divisional Playoffs (vs. Cowboys) 12–20
Pro Bowlers	DE Carl Eller WR Bob Grim S Paul Krause DT Alan Page T Ron Yary
AP All-Pros	DE Carl Eller (1st team) DT Alan Page (1st team) T Ron Yary (1st team)
Uniform
← 1970 Vikings seasons 1972 →

The 1971 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 11th in the National Football League (NFL). They finished with an 11–3 record to win the NFC Central title and return to the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season; however, they lost 20–12 at home to the eventual Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round.

In 2007, ESPN.com ranked the 1971 Vikings as the fourth-greatest defense in NFL history,^[1] saying, "Considering that their motto was 'Meet at the quarterback,' it's no surprise that the Purple People Eaters held opposing QBs to a 40.4 rating, one of the lowest ever." ESPN also noted that the 1971 Vikings "shut out three opponents, and only one team scored more than 20 points against them. As a result, Alan Page became the first defensive player to ever be named NFL MVP. Carl Eller, Jim Marshall and safety Paul Krause joined Page on the All-Pro team."