|
Minnesota Vikings Team History
The Minnesota Vikings got their start in August 1959 after they were awarded a franchise for the new American Football League. That franchise would prove to not last long as only five months later, the same ownership group was given an NFL team and cleared to begin play in 1961.
In a very rare occurance in NFL history, the brand new Minnesota Vikings crushed the Chicago Bears in their first ever game 37-13. Rookie QB, Fran Tarkenton, came off the bench to throw 4 TDs and rushed for another in the game. Tarkenton ended up becoming the first ever Viking to be enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Over the following 25 years, the Vikings have made the second most playoff appearances and the fifth most Super Bowls (IV, VII, IX, and XI). In 1982, the Minnesota Vikings moved into their current home, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Since that move, the Vikings have enjoyed six division titles (1989, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2000), but have yet to return to the Super Bowl, let alone win the championship since their 1969 NFL Championship victory.
In 1998, the Vikings enjoyed their best regular season in franchise history. They finished 15-1 and set an NFL record by scoring a total of 556 points. The explosive offense featured Randall Cunningham at QB, Robert Smith at RB, and future NFL hall of fame Wide Receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss, who was in his rookie year. Minnesota made it all the way to the NFC Championship where they were edged in overtime by the Atlanta Falcons 30-27. That Vikings team was the only 15-1 team to ever fail to reach the Super Bowl.
2004 has been the Minnesota Vikings' best season of the new millenium. That year, QB Daunte Culpepper was responsible for 5,123 total yards and threw for 39 touchdowns. While the team only finished 8-8, they still made the playoffs and defeated the Green Bay Packers in their wild card matchup. The Donovan McNabb led Philadelphia Eagles which have dominated the 2000's in the NFC knocked the Vikings out of the playoffs in their Divisional game.
While the Vikings' last few seasons have been forgettable, their future looks bright with the 2007 draft bringing them Adrian Peterson from Oklahoma University. Peterson has been on pace to shatter all rookie running back records so far in 2007.
Minnesota Vikings Memorable Moments
Rookie QB, Fran Tarkenton, throws for 4 TDs and runs for 1 TD in Minnesota's first ever NFL game in which they blew out the Chicago Bears.
NFL Champions in 1969
The "Purple People Eater" defense of the 1970 and 1971 seasons.
First game ever played in the Metrodome, September 12, 1982.
The 1989 trade with Dallas to acquire Herschel Walker. Walker disappointed for three seasons while the Cowboys were able to use the Vikings' draft picks to select the likes of Emmit Smith who they rode to 3 Super Bowl titles.
Drafting Randy Moss in 1998 who helped lead the team to a 15-1 regular season record.
The "Love Boat" scandal of 2005. Minnesota Vikings Records
All-time regular season franchise record: 381 - 314 - 10
All-time playoff franchise record: 18 - 24
All-time franchise passing leader: Fran Tarkenton - 33098 yards
All-time franchise rushing leader: Robert Smith - 6818 yards
All-time franchise receiving leader: Cris Carter - 12383 yards
Minnesota Vikings Playoff Results
2004
NFC Wildcard Game: won 31 - 17 at Green Bay Packers
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 14 - 27 at Philadelphia Eagles
2000
NFC Divisional Playoff: won 34 - 16 vs. New Orleans Saints
NFC Championship Game: lost 0 - 41 at New York Giants
1999
NFC Wildcard Game: won 27 - 10 vs. Dallas Cowboys
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 37 - 49 at St. Louis Rams
1998
NFC Divisional Playoff: won 41 - 21 vs. Arizona Cardinals
NFC Championship Game: lost 27 - 30 vs. Atlanta Falcons
1997
NFC Wildcard Game: won 23 - 22 at New York Giants
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 22 - 38 at San Francisco 49ers
1996
NFC Wildcard Game: lost 15 - 40 at Dallas Cowboys
1994
NFC Wildcard Game: lost 18 - 35 vs. Chicago Bears
1993
NFC Wildcard Game: lost 10 - 17 at New York Giants
1992
NFC Wildcard Game: lost 7 - 24 vs. Washington Redskins
1989
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 13 - 41 at San Francisco 49ers
1988
NFC Wildcard Game: won 28 - 17 vs. Los Angeles Rams
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 9 - 34 at San Francisco 49ers
1987
NFC Wildcard Game: won 44 - 10 at New Orleans Saints
NFC Divisional Playoff: won 36 - 24 at San Francisco 49ers
NFC Championship Game: lost 10 - 17 at Washington Redskins
1982
NFC Wildcard Game: won 30 - 24 vs. Atlanta Falcons
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 7 - 21 at Washington Redskins
1980
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 16 - 31 at Philadelphia Eagles
1978
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 10 - 34 at Los Angeles Rams
1977
NFC Divisional Playoff: won 14 - 7 at Los Angeles Rams
NFC Championship Game: lost 6 - 23 at Dallas Cowboys
1976
NFC Divisional Playoff: won 35 - 20 vs. Washington Redskins
NFC Championship Game: won 24 - 13 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Super Bowl: lost 14 - 32 vs. Oakland Raiders
1975
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 14 - 17 vs. Dallas Cowboys
1974
NFC Divisional Playoff: won 30 - 14 vs. St. Louis Cardinals
NFC Championship Game: won 14 - 10 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Super Bowl: lost 6 - 16 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
1973
NFC Divisional Playoff: won 27 - 20 vs. Washington Redskins
NFC Championship Game: won 27 - 10 at Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl: lost 7 - 24 vs. Miami Dolphins
1971
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 12 - 20 vs. Dallas Cowboys
1970
NFC Divisional Playoff: lost 14 - 17 vs. San Francisco 49ers
1969
NFL Divisional Playoff: won 23 - 20 vs. Los Angeles Rams
NFL Championship Game: won 27 - 7 vs. Cleveland Browns
Super Bowl: lost 7 - 23 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
1968
NFL Divisional Playoff: lost 14 - 24 at Baltimore Colts
All-time playoff record: 18 - 24
SOURCE: Pro Football Reference |
Minnesota Vikings HISTORY 
