MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings couldn't close out the 2011 season, Jim Kleinsasser's career and perhaps the Metrodome with a victory.
In what was the final game of Kleinsasser's under-appreciated 13-year career and with the lease to the stadium expiring after the season, Minnesota lost 17-13 to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The Vikings also ended the 2011 season at 3-13, which equals the 1984 team for the worst record in franchise history.
Little has gone right for Minnesota this season and Sunday wasn't much different.
Defensive end Jared Allen gave a spirited effort at trying to break the NFL's single-season sack record, but came up a half-sack short of Michael Strahan's record. Filling in for injured Adrian Peterson, running back Toby Gerhart left with a sprained MCL in his left knee. Quarterback Christian Ponder suffered another hip pointer injury.
The Vikings enter the offseason battered and beaten, and not just physically. Here are five things to take away from Sunday's loss.
1. Minnesota is way behind the rest of the NFC North.
Since beating the Detroit Lions in week three last season, the Vikings have lost 11 straight games to division opponents. Detroit and the Green Bay Packers are headed to the playoffs and Chicago was in playoff contention before quarterback Jay Cutler was lost for the season. Minnesota went 0-6 against the NFC North and the two biggest losses of the season came at Chicago and at Green Bay.
The other teams in the division are also set up for sustained success. The biggest difference between the Vikings and the rest of the NFC North is at quarterback. All three teams have quality, young quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Matthew Stafford (Lions) and Cutler. Coach Leslie Frazier says he is committed to Ponder, but Ponder hasn't shown he can match up with any of the other three quarterbacks in the division, which means . . .
2. Ponder has a big offseason ahead of him.
Between injuries and rookie mistakes, Ponder didn't distinguish himself in his first season, but Frazier is sticking by the 12th overall pick in the 2011 draft.
"We'll go into the offseason with Ponder being our No. 1 quarterback," Frazier said. "When you get to training camp, everyone will compete to win jobs. That is always the way it is in pro football. We are entering the offseason with Ponder being our starting quarterback."
Ponder finished 4 for 10 passing for only 28 yards and an interception on Sunday. He has the edge and will get his first true development time during the offseason. Backup Joe Webb has crept into consideration though. Relieving Ponder for the third time this season, Webb was 17 for 32 for 200 yards on Sunday. He threw two interceptions. Previously, Webb had led Minnesota to a win at Washington and nearly a comeback win at Detroit.
Ponder finished the season with a 70.1 quarterback rating and 54.3 completion percentage, throwing 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Webb had a 74.5 quarterback rating and a 54 percent completion rate. Ponder enters the offseason with the edge, but Webb still lingers.
3. The Vikings have one receiver they can rely on.
The quarterbacks have been tough to evaluate with ever-changing, inconsistent play at wide receiver this season. Michael Jenkins appeared to be carving out a niche as an outlet receiver for Ponder before being hurt for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Percy Harvin had the best season of his short career. Harvin had 10 catches for 115 yards on Sunday and finished with career-highs with 87 catches, 967 yards and eight total touchdowns this season.
After the team lost Peterson halfway through the season, Harvin took over as the offensive playmaker down the stretch. Harvin isn't a typical outside, down-the-field type of receiver, but adds a unique dimension to Minnesota's offense and is a player Ponder or Webb can rely on entering next season after a truly standout season. Harvin finished with 1,832 total yards, the sixth-best mark in team history.
4. The Vikings have two good running backs, if healthy.
Minnesota expects Peterson to be recovered from knee surgery before the start of next season and knew it had Gerhart available, if needed. With Peterson on the sideline, Gerhart showed the ability to be an every-down back. Gerhart had 15 carries for 67 yards before leaving on Sunday.
If it's just a sprained MCL, Gerhart should be recovered in time for the start of next season. The Vikings hope to have two strong running backs. They also hope they are healthy.
5. Changes are coming.
After a 3-13 season, change is inevitable for Minnesota. The biggest question is how much change will occur. The Vikings have several free agents, including starters tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, linebackers E.J. and Erin Henderson, and safety Husain Abdullah. Other players could be salary-cap casualties as their production doesn't match their pay. Kleinsasser has decided to retire and Frazier hinted that left guard Steve Hutchinson could retire as well. There have also been reports that defensive coordinator Fred Pagac will be fired.
With over a third of the roster as free agents, some serious decisions will need to be made. Frazier feels his job is safe and he is hopeful to turn things around quickly. With Sunday's loss, Minnesota assured itself of the third-overall pick in the 2012 draft and has several places it could go with the pick. Not to mention, with the Metrodome release expiring, the Vikings organization is essentially a free agent. This could turn out to be one of the most important offseasons in team history.
