Editing Super Bowl XI (section)

===Minnesota Vikings===
{{Main|1976 Minnesota Vikings season}}

The Vikings, coached by [[Bud Grant]], won the [[NFC Central]] for the eighth time in the last nine seasons with an 11–2–1 record, and advanced to their fourth Super Bowl in eight years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1976 Minnesota Vikings Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1976.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> They were the only team who had lost three Super Bowls (they had previously lost Super Bowls [[Super Bowl IV|IV]], [[Super Bowl VIII|VIII]] and [[Super Bowl IX|IX]]), and did not want to be the first one to lose four. They were the first team to appear in a fourth Super Bowl.

Once again, the Vikings had a powerful offense led by 36-year-old quarterback [[Fran Tarkenton]] and running back [[Chuck Foreman]]. In his 16th NFL season, Tarkenton was already the league's all-time leader in pass completions (3,186), passing yards (41,802), and touchdown passes (308). He had another fine season in 1976, completing 61.9 percent of his passes for 2,961 yards, 17 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions. Foreman had the best season of his career, rushing for 1,155 yards and 13 touchdowns, while also catching 55 passes for 567 yards and another touchdown. Fullback [[Brent McClanahan]] also contributed 634 combined rushing and receiving yards. The Vikings also added two new weapons to their offense: veteran wide receiver [[Ahmad Rashad]] and rookie wide receiver [[Sammy White (American football)|Sammy White]] combined for 104 receptions, 1,577 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns, while tackle [[Ron Yary]] once again anchored the offensive line.

The Vikings' "[[Purple People Eaters]]" defense, anchored by [[Carl Eller]], [[Jim Marshall (defensive end)|Jim Marshall]], and [[Alan Page]], were also dominating teams again. During this regular season, they led the [[National Football Conference|NFC]] in fewest points allowed (176). Also, defensive back [[Nate Wright]] led the team with 7 interceptions for 47 yards, while safety [[Paul Krause]] had 2 interceptions for 21 yards. Pro Bowl linebacker [[Matt Blair]] intercepted two passes and recovered five fumbles.

Tarkenton became the second quarterback to start three Super Bowls, following his [[Super Bowl VIII]] counterpart [[Bob Griese]]. Eleven players were on the roster for Super Bowl IV, VIII, IX, and XI for the Vikings: Bobby Bryant, Fred Cox, Carl Eller, Wally Hilgenberg, Paul Krause, Jim Marshall, Alan Page, Mick Tingelhoff, Ed White, Roy Winston and Ron Yary.