1961 NFL season

The addition of the Vikings returned the NFL to an even number of teams (and eliminated the bye week of 1960 until 1966 temporarily and 1990 on a permanent basis).

The season ended when the Green Bay Packers shut out the New York Giants 37–0 in the NFL Championship Game.

Mike Mercer made the Vikings' first points on a 12-yard field goal, and Fran Tarkenton guided the team to five touchdowns.

In Week Seven, Dallas edged the Giants 17–16, while the Eagles beat the Redskins 27–24 on Sonny Jurgensen's last-quarter touchdown pass to Tommy McDonald.

[1] At season's end (December 17), the Eagles rallied to beat Detroit 27–24, and hoped for a Giants' loss to force a playoff.

A long punt by the Giants' Don Chandler pinned the Browns on their own 7-yard line, and ended any threat of a loss.