This article details the history of the Minnesota Vikings, an American football club of the National Football League (NFL). This article does not cite its references or sources. ... United States simply as football, is a competitive team sport that is both fast-paced and strategic. ... The National Football League (NFL) is the largest professional American football league, consisting of thirty-two teams from American cities and regions. ...

Origins

Professional football history in the Twin Cities began with the Minneapolis Marines/Red Jackets, an NFL team that played intermittently in the 1920s-30s. However, a new professional team in the area did not surface again until August 1959, when three Minneapolis businessmen — Bill Boyer, H. P. Skoglund and Max Winter — were awarded a franchise in the new American Football League. Five months later, in January 1960, the ownership group, along with Bernie Ridder forfeited its AFL membership and was then awarded the National Football League's 14th franchise with play to begin in 1961. Ole Haugsrud was added to the NFL team ownership because of an agreement he had with the NFL since the 1920s when he sold his Duluth Eskimos team back to the league. The agreement allowed him 10% of any future Minnesota team. United States simply as football, is a competitive team sport that is both fast-paced and strategic. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Minneapoliss NFL effort, prior to the Vikings, the Marines played from 1921-1924. ... Max Winter (1903- July 26, 1996) was a Minneapolis businessman and sport executive. ... Franchising (from the French for honesty[citation needed]) is a method of doing business wherein a franchisor licenses trademarks and tried and proven methods of doing business to a franchisee in exchange for a recurring payment, and usually a percentage piece of gross sales or gross profits as well as... The American Football League (AFL) was a professional league of American football that operated from 1960 to 1969. ... Ole Haugsrud (May 13, 1900 - March 13, 1976) was an American sports excutive. ... Duluth, Minnesota fielded a team called the Kelleys (officially the Kelley Duluths after the Kelley-Duluth Hardware Store) from 1923-1925 and the Eskimos (officially Ernie Nevers Eskimos after their star player) from 1926-1927 in the National Football League. ...

1960s

Bill Boyer served as the team president from 1960 to 1964. Minnesota's first management team was led by general manager (GM) Bert Rose. The team was officially named the Minnesota Vikings on September 27, 1960; the name is partly meant to reflect Minnesota's place as a center of Scandinavian American culture. From the start, the Vikings embraced an energetic marketing program that produced a first-year season ticket sales of nearly 26,000 and an average home attendance of 34,586, about 85 percent of the 40,800 seat capacity of Metropolitan (Met) Stadium. Eventually Met Stadium capacity was increased to 47,900. Early in 1961, the Vikings named Norm Van Brocklin as head coach, though Bud Grant had been a candidate for job. The term Viking commonly denotes the ship-borne explorers, traders, and warriors of the Norsemen (literally, men from the north) who originated in Scandinavia and raided the coasts of the British Isles, France and other parts of Europe as far east as the Volga River in Russia from the late... September 27 is the 270th day of the year (271st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ... See: Danish American Norwegian American Swedish American Finnish American Icelandic American Category: ... Metropolitan Stadium (often referred to as the Met) was a sports stadium that once stood in Bloomington, Minnesota, USA. It opened in 1956 as the home of a minor league baseball team, the Minneapolis Millers of the American Association, replacing ancient Nicollet Park and built to specifications of major league... Norman Mack Norm Van Brocklin (March 15, 1926 – May 2, 1983) was an American football player and coach. ... Harry Peter Bud Grant (born May 20, 1927) is best known as the legendary head coach of the American football team the Minnesota Vikings. ...

The Vikings won their first regular season game, defeating the Chicago Bears 37-13 on Opening Day 1961. Rookie Fran Tarkenton came off the bench to throw four touchdown passes and run for another to lead the upset. Reality set in as the expansion team lost its next seven games on their way to a 3-11 record. City Chicago, Illinois Other nicknames Da Bears, The Monsters of the Midway Team colors Navy Blue, Orange and White Head Coach Lovie Smith Owner Virginia Halas McCaskey Chairman Michael McCaskey General manager Jerry Angelo Fight song Bear Down, Chicago Bears Mascot Staley Da Bear League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919) National... The 1961 NFL season was the 42th regular season of the National Football League. ... Francis Asbury Tarkenton (born February 3, 1940) is American football player, TV personality, and computer software executive. ... A touchdown is the primary method of scoring in American and Canadian football, in which the ball carrier causes the football to break the plane of the end zone, or an eligible receiver catches a forward pass in the end zone, thus earning 6 points for his team (in both... In several forms of football a forward pass is when the ball is thrown from one player to another on the same team, ending closer to the opponents goal line. ...

Rose resigned from his position as GM in June 1964. Jim Finks, then general manager of the Calgary Stampeders, was named his successor in September 1964. The Vikings had their first winning season in 1964, finishing with 8 wins, 5 losses and 1 tie. The 1964 season is also remembered for a game played at San Francisco against the 49ers in which Jim Marshall picked up a fumble and ran it to the wrong end zone. He thought he had scored a touchdown for the Vikings, but instead had scored a safety for the 49ers. The Vikings did go on to win the game 27-22. Jim Finks (August 31, 1927 - May 8, 1994) was an American sports executive primarily for American football. ... The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta. ... The 1964 NFL season was the 45th regular season of the National Football League. ... City San Francisco, California Other nicknames Niners, The Red And Gold, Bay Bombers Team colors Cardinal red, metallic gold and black Head Coach Mike Nolan Owner Denise DeBartolo York and John York General manager none Mascot Sourdough Sam League/Conference affiliations All-America Football Conference (1946-1949) Western Division (1946... Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall (right) returns a fumble the wrong way, eventually scoring a safety for the San Francisco 49ers before realizing his mistake Jim Marshall (born December 30, 1937) was born in Danville, Kentucky and played college football at Ohio State University. ...

Max Winter became the team president in 1965. Norm Van Brocklin quit abruptly in February 1967. Bud Grant, head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, became the new Vikings coach on March 10, 1967. Harry Peter Bud Grant (born May 20, 1927) is best known as the legendary head coach of the American football team the Minnesota Vikings. ... The Winnipeg Blue Bombers is a Canadian Football League team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ... March 10 is the 69th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (70th in leap years). ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ...

On March 7, 1967, quarterback Fran Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants for a 1st and 2nd-round draft choice in 1967, a 1st-round choice in 1968 and a 2nd-round choice in 1969. With these picks, Minnesota selected Clinton Jones and Bob Grim in 1967, Ron Yary in 1968 and Ed White in 1969. March 7 is the 66th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (67th in leap years). ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... Francis Asbury Tarkenton (born February 3, 1940) is American football player, TV personality, and computer software executive. ... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Big Blue Wrecking Crew, Big Blue, G-Men, The Jints, The New York Football Giants Team colors Royal Blue, Red, Gray, and White Head Coach Tom Coughlin Owner John Mara (50%) and Steve Tisch (50%) General manager Jerry Reese League/Conference affiliations National... The NFL Draft (officially the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting) is an annual sports draft in which National Football League (NFL) teams take turns selecting amateur college American football players and other first-time eligible players. ... Clinton Jones was a professional football player in the United States from 1967 until 1973. ... Robert Lee Grim (born May 8, 1945 in Oakland, California) was an NFL wide receiver from 1967-1977. ... Ron Yary (born July 16, 1946) is a former professional American football player. ... Edward White (1910-1994) a British composer of light classical music. ...

During the late 1960s, the Vikings were building a powerful defense known as the Purple People Eaters, led by Alan Page, Carl Eller, Gary Larsen, and Jim Marshall. In 1968, that stingy defense earned the Vikings their first Central Division Title and their first playoff berth. The Purple People Eaters was the nickname of the Minnesota Vikings football teams defensive line during the late 1960s to the late 1970s, when the Vikings played in four Super Bowls. ... Alan Cedric Page (born August 7, 1945 in Canton, Ohio) is a former football player who starred as a defensive lineman in the NFL, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings, and then went on to have a distinguished legal career, serving as a current member of the Minnesota Supreme Court. ... Carl Eller (born January 25, 1942) was a professional American football player in the National Football League from 1964 through 1979. ... Gary Larsen (born March 13, 1942) was a defensive tackle in the NFL and played college football at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota. ... Jim Marshall could be: Jim Marshall, the United States politician Jim Marshall, the United Kingdom politician Jim Marshall, owner and founder of Marshall amplification Jim Marshall, a United States football player ... The 1968 NFL season was the 49th regular season of the National Football League. ...

In 1969 the Vikings earned a 12-2 record, the best in the NFL. An opening game one-point loss the New York Giants, quarterbacked by former Viking Fran Tarkenton, was followed by twelve consecutive wins. The Vikings defeated the Cleveland Browns 27-7 in the NFL Championship Game on January 4, 1970, at Metropolitan Stadium. Minnesota became the first modern NFL expansion team to win an NFL Championship Game, which earned the team a berth in Super Bowl IV. The heavily favored Vikings lost that game to the Kansas City Chiefs, 23-7. The 1969 NFL season was the 50th regular season of the National Football League, and the last one before the AFL-NFL Merger. ... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Big Blue Wrecking Crew, Big Blue, G-Men, The Jints, The New York Football Giants Team colors Royal Blue, Red, Gray, and White Head Coach Tom Coughlin Owner John Mara (50%) and Steve Tisch (50%) General manager Jerry Reese League/Conference affiliations National... Francis Asbury Tarkenton (born February 3, 1940) is American football player, TV personality, and computer software executive. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... January 4 is the 4th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Date January 11, 1970 Stadium Tulane Stadium City New Orleans, Louisiana MVP Len Dawson, Quarterback Favorite Vikings by 12 1/2 National anthem Al Hirt Coin toss Game referee Referee John McDonough Halftime show Mardi Gras with Carol Channing Attendance 80,562 TV in the United States Network CBS Announcers... City Kansas City, Missouri Team colors Red, Gold, and White Head Coach Herman Edwards Owner The Hunt Family[1] General manager Carl Peterson Mascot K.C. Wolf (1989-present) Warpaint (1963-1988) League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Western Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American...

1970s

The team continued to shine in 1970 and 1971 as their "Purple People Eater" defense led them back to the playoffs. In 1971, the defense was so impressive that Alan Page became only the third defensive player to win the NFL Most Valuable Player Award (MVP). (The Colts' Gino Marchetti was the AP MVP in 1958 and the Lions' Joe Schmidt was co MVP in 1960.) The 1970 NFL season was the 51st regular season of the National Football League, and the first one after the AFL-NFL Merger. ... The 1971 NFL season was the 52nd regular season of the National Football League. ... The NFL Most Valuable Player Award is given by various entities, most notably the Associated Press, to the player who has contributed the most to the success of the players team. ... Gino John Marchetti (born January 2, 1927, Smithers, West Virginia) is a former professional American football player in the National Football League. ... The Associated Press, or AP, is an American news agency, the worlds largest such organization. ... Joe Schmidt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

In 1972 the Vikings traded Norm Snead, Bob Grim, Vince Clements and a 1st-round choice in 1972 and 1973 to the New York Giants to reacquire the popular Tarkenton. While the acquisitions of Fran Tarkenton and wide receiver John Gilliam improved the passing attack, the running game was inconsistent and the Vikings finished with a disappointing 7-7 record. The Vikings addressed the problem by drafting running back Chuck Foreman with their first pick in the 1973 draft. Co-owner Bill Boyer died in 1972 and was replaced on the team's board of directors by his son-in-law Jack Steele. The 1972 NFL season was the 53rd regular season of the National Football League. ... Norman Snead (born July 31, 1939) was a quarterback in the NFL. In his career he played for Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers. ... Francis Asbury Tarkenton (born February 3, 1940) is American football player, TV personality, and computer software executive. ... Francis Asbury Tarkenton (born February 3, 1940) is American football player, TV personality, and computer software executive. ... John Gilliam (born August 7, 1945 in Greenwood, South Carolina) was an American football wide receiver. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

The Vikings won their first 9 games of 1973 and finished the season with a 12-2 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Washington Redskins 27-20 and the Dallas Cowboys 27-10. On January 13, 1974, the Vikings played the 2nd Super Bowl in franchise history, Super Bowl VIII, against the Miami Dolphins at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Dolphins prevailed, 24-7. The 1973 NFL season was the 54th regular season of the National Football League. ... City Landover, Maryland Other nicknames The Skins Team colors Burgundy and Gold and White Head Coach Joe Gibbs Owner Dan Snyder Fight song Hail to the Redskins League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1932–present) Eastern Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern Conference (1953-1969) Capitol Division (1967... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... January 13 is the 13th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Date January 13, 1974 Stadium Rice Stadium City Houston, Texas MVP Larry Csonka, Running back Favorite Dolphins by 7 National Anthem Charley Pride Coin toss Game referee Halftime show University of Texas at Austin Band Attendance 71,882 TV in the United States Network CBS Announcers Ray Scott, Pat Summerall... City Miami Gardens, Florida Other nicknames The Fins Team colors Aqua Green, Coral Orange, White, and Navy Blue Head Coach Cam Cameron Owner Wayne Huizenga General manager Randy Mueller Mascot T. D. League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1966-1969) Eastern Division (1966-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American... Rice Stadium is a football stadium located on the Rice University campus in Houston, Texas. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Country United States State Texas Counties Harris County Fort Bend County Montgomery County Incorporated June 5, 1837 Government  - Mayor Bill White Area  - City  601. ...

The Vikings won the Central Division again in 1974 with a 10-4 record. In the playoffs, they built on their cold weather reputation, defeating both the St. Louis Cardinals 30-14 and the Los Angeles Rams 14-10 in frozen Metropolitan Stadium. The Vikings played in their 2nd straight Super Bowl, Super Bowl IX (3rd overall), losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 16-6, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans on January 12, 1975. The 1974 NFL season was the 55th regular season of the National Football League. ... Major league affiliations National League (1892–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 6, 9, 14, 17, 20, 42, 45, 85 Name St. ... The NFL playoffs for the 1974-75 season led up to Super Bowl IX. // Divisional playoff round December 21, 1974 AFC: Oakland Raiders 28, Miami Dolphins 26 at Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California With 24 seconds left in the game, the Raiders Clarence Davis somehow catches the winning touchdown pass among... The St. ... The NFL playoffs for the 1974-75 season led up to Super Bowl IX. // Divisional playoff round December 21, 1974 AFC: Oakland Raiders 28, Miami Dolphins 26 at Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California With 24 seconds left in the game, the Raiders Clarence Davis somehow catches the winning touchdown pass among... Date January 12, 1975 Stadium Tulane Stadium City New Orleans, Louisiana MVP Franco Harris, Running back Favorite Steelers by 3 National anthem Grambling State University Band Coin toss Game referee Referee Bernie Ulman Halftime show Tribute to Duke Ellington with Mercer Ellington and Grambling State University Band Attendance 80,997... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Tulane Stadium was an outdoor football stadium located in New Orleans, Louisiana. ... January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ...

In 1975, the Vikings, led by Tarkenton and running back Chuck Foreman, got off to a 10-0 start and easily won another division title. However, the Vikings lost to the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs, 17-14, on a controversial touchdown pass from the Cowboys' quarterback Roger Staubach to wide receiver Drew Pearson that became known as the Hail Mary. The 1975 NFL season was the 56th regular season of the National Football League. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The NFL playoffs for the 1975-76 season led up to Super Bowl X. // Divisional playoff round December 27, 1975 AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Baltimore Colts 10 at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The Steelers defense forced 4 turnovers and held the Colts to 154 total yards of offense. ... Roger Thomas Staubach (born February 5, 1942) is a businessman, Heisman Trophy winner and former American professional football player where he was the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys for most of the 1970s during their reign as Americas Team. ... Drew Pearson (born January 12, 1951 in South River, New Jersey) is a sportscaster and former American football player for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. ... A Hail Mary pass or Hail Mary play in American football is a forward pass made in desperation, with only a very small chance of success. ...

The Vikings played in their 3rd Super Bowl (4th overall) in 4 years against the Oakland Raiders at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on January 9, 1977. The Vikings, however, couldn't break their bad luck in the Super Bowl. Minnesota lost, 32-14. The Vikings earned a trip to Super Bowl XI by defeating the Rams, 24-13, at Metropolitan Stadium on December 26, 1976, in what was the last Vikings playoff game at the Met. Co-owner Ole Haugsrud died in March 1976 and his widow Margaret took his place on the team's board of directors. In 1977, team attorney Sheldon Kaplan replaced Ridder on the board. In 1978, John Skoglund replaced his father on the team's board of director and general manager Mike Lynn replaced Margaret Haugsrud on the board. City Oakland, California Other nicknames The Silver and Black, Da Raidahs Team colors Silver and Black Head Coach Lane Kiffin Owner Al Davis General manager Michael Lombardi League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–1969) Western Division (1960–1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970–present) AFC... The Rose Bowl is a stadium in the Los Angeles suburb of Pasadena, California. ... Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. ... January 9 is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... Date January 9, 1977 Stadium Rose Bowl Stadium City Pasadena, California MVP Fred Biletnikoff, Wide Receiver Favorite Raiders by 4 1/2 National anthem Vikki Carr (America the Beautiful) Coin toss Jim Tunney Referee Jim Tunney Halftime show Disney presents Its A Small World with the Los Angeles Unified... December 26 is the 360th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, 361st in leap years. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Mike Lynn, noted comedy writer and musician, born 1982 in Springfield Missouri. ...

In 1977, the Vikings again won the Central Division with a 9-5 record. After years of beating the Los Angeles Rams in frozen Metropolitan Stadium, they finally had to go to Los Angeles for a playoff game. Instead of bright sunshine there was heavy rains that turned the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum into a mud bath and the Vikings prevailed 14-7. On January 1, 1978, the Vikings played the Dallas Cowboys in their 4th NFC Championship Game in 5 years at Texas Stadium. Minnesota lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champs, 23-6. The 1977 NFL season was the 58th regular season of the National Football League. ... The St. ... For other uses, see Memorial Coliseum (disambiguation) and Coliseum. ... January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Texas Stadium is the home field of the National Football Leagues Dallas Cowboys. ...

By 1978, age was taking its toll on the Vikings, but they still made the playoffs with an 8-7-1 record. There was no more playoff magic as the Rams finally defeated the Vikings, 34-10 in Los Angeles. The 1978 NFL season was the 59th regular season of the National Football League. ...

1980s

On May 15, 1981, the Vikings moved into a new facility in suburban Eden Prairie that houses the team's offices, locker room and practice fields. The complex was named "Winter Park" after Max Winter, one of the Vikings founders who served as the team's president from 1965-87. The Vikings played their 1st game at the Metrodome in a preseason matchup against Seattle on Aug. 21, 1982. Minnesota prevailed, 7-3. The 1st touchdown in the new facility was scored by Joe Senser on an 11-yard pass from Tommy Kramer. The 1st regular-season game in the Metrodome was the 1982 opener on September 12, when the Vikings defeated Tampa Bay, 17-10. Rickey Young scored the 1st regular-season touchdown in the facility on a 3-yard run in the 2nd quarter. May 15 is the 135th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (136th in leap years). ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Location Location in Hennepin County Coordinates , Government Country State County United States Minnesota Hennepin County founded incorporated 1858 1960s Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens Geographical characteristics Area     City 91. ... Tommy Kramer (born March 7, 1955) is a former American football player. ... The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. ... September 12 is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years). ...

The Vikings and St. Louis Cardinals played the first American football game in London's Wembley Stadium in a preseason game on August 6, 1983. The game was the dubbed the "Global Cup". The Vikings won 28-10. This was three years before the NFL started the American Bowl series. On January 27, 1984, Bud Grant retired as Head Coach of the Vikings. In 17 seasons Grant led Minnesota to 12 playoff appearances, 11 division titles and 4 Super Bowls. His career regular-season record was 151-87-5 (.632). The person that would take his place would be Les Steckel. City Glendale, Arizona Other nicknames The Cards, The Birds, Big Red Team colors Cardinal Red, Black, and White Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt Owner William V. Bidwill General manager Rod Graves Mascot Big Red League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1920–present) Western Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Wembley Stadium (often called Wembley) is a football stadium in Wembley, London. ... August 6 is the 218th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (219th in leap years), with 147 days remaining. ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The American Bowl is the name of a series of National Football League pre-season exhibition games that are held at international sites outside the United States. ... January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Les Steckel, who was an offensive assistant with the Vikings for 5 seasons, was named the 3rd head coach in franchise history on January 29, 1984. Steckel, who came to the Vikings in 1979 after working as an assistant with the 49ers, was the youngest head coach in the NFL in 1984 at age 38. The Vikings lost a franchise-worst 13 games in Steckel's only season as head coach. After the season, Steckel was fired and on December 18, 1984, Bud Grant was re-hired as the head coach of the Vikings. Les Steckel (b. ... January 29 is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... In the Gregorian Calendar, December 18 is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years), at which point there will be 13 days remaining to the end of the year. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On January 6, 1986, following the 1985 season, Bud Grant re-retired as head coach of the Vikings. At the time of his retirement he was the 6th winningest coach in NFL history with 168 career wins, including playoffs. In 18 seasons he led the Vikings to a 158-96-5 regular season record. Longtime Vikings assistant coach Jerry Burns was named the 4th head coach in team history on January 7, 1986. He served as the Vikings offensive coordinator from 1968-85, when the team won 11 division titles and played in 4 Super Bowls. In his first season, the Vikings led by the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Tommy Kramer, went 9-7, their first winning record in 4 years. In his second season, he led the Vikings to the NFC championship game. January 6 is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 359 days (360 in leap years) remaining. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jerry Burns (born January 24, 1927) is a former football coach who is best remembered for serving as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. ... January 7 is the seventh day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award has been given out after every season since 1972, except for 1985 when no winner was selected. ... Tommy Kramer (born March 7, 1955) is a former American football player. ...

Following the strike-shortened 1987 season, the 8-7 Vikings — who had finished 8-4 in regular games but 0-3 using strike-replacement players — pulled two upsets in the playoffs by beating the two teams with the best regular season records. They beat the 12-3 New Orleans Saints, 44-10, at the Superdome in the Wild Card Playoff game. The following week, in the Divisional Playoff game, they beat the 13-2 San Francisco 49ers, 36-24, at Candlestick Park. During that game Anthony Carter set the all-time record for most receiving yards in a playoff game with 227 yards. The Vikings played the Washington Redskins in the NFC Championship Game on January 17, 1988, at RFK Stadium. Trailing 17-10, the Vikings drove to the Redskins' 6-yard line with a little over a minute left in the game but failed to get the ball into the end zone. Darren Nelson dropped a pass from Wade Wilson at the goal line to officially end the Vikings' hopes of a Super Bowl. Nelson would later be traded to the Dallas Cowboys in possibly the worst trade in NFL history, the Herschel Walker deal. Later, the Vikings and Chicago Bears played a preseason game in Gothenburg, Sweden on August 14, 1988. The Vikings won 28-21. City New Orleans, Louisiana Team colors Old Gold, Black, and White Head Coach Sean Payton Owner Tom Benson General manager Mickey Loomis Mascot Gumbo the dog League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1967–present) Eastern Conference (1967-1969) Capitol Division (1967; 1969) Century Division (1968) National Football Conference (1970-present... The Louisiana Superdome, often informally referred to simply as the Superdome, is a large, multi-purpose sports and exhibition facility located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana. ... Monster Park (colloquially, The Stick or Candlestick, after its original name of Candlestick Park) is an outdoor sports and entertainment stadium located in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. ... Anthony Carter (born September 17, 1960 in Riviera Beach, Florida) was an American football wide receiver. ... City Landover, Maryland Other nicknames The Skins Team colors Burgundy and Gold and White Head Coach Joe Gibbs Owner Dan Snyder Fight song Hail to the Redskins League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1932–present) Eastern Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern Conference (1953-1969) Capitol Division (1967... January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... City Chicago, Illinois Other nicknames Da Bears, The Monsters of the Midway Team colors Navy Blue, Orange and White Head Coach Lovie Smith Owner Virginia Halas McCaskey Chairman Michael McCaskey General manager Jerry Angelo Fight song Bear Down, Chicago Bears Mascot Staley Da Bear League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919) National... Gothenburg (Swedish: Göteborg [jøːtəbɔrj]) is a city and a municipality on the western coast of Sweden, in the County of Västra Götaland. ... August 14 is the 226th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (227th in leap years), with 139 days remaining. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Vikings' board of directors added four new members in 1988. Wheelock Whitney, Jaye Dyer, Irwin Jacobs and Carl Pohlad. They joined Max Winter, John Skoglund, Jack Steele, Sheldon Kaplan and Mike Lynn. Whitney became the new team president, replacing Winter. Winter left the board in 1989 and was replaced by Gerald Schwalbach. Wheelock Whee Whitney, Jr. ... Irwin Jacobs earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University in 1956 and his ScD. in Electrical Engineering from MIT in 1959. ... Carl Pohlad (b. ...

The Vikings would make what would be considered its biggest personnel blunder in team history. On October 12, 1989, the Vikings acquired Herschel Walker from Dallas. The final result of the trade gave the Vikings Walker, a 3rd round choice Mike Jones, a 5th round choice Reggie Thornton and 10th-round choice Pat Newman in 1990 and a 3rd-round choice in 1991 Jake Reed, while Dallas received Issiac Holt, David Howard, Darrin Nelson, Jesse Solomon, Alex Stewart, a 1st, 2nd and 6th-round choice in 1990, a 1st and 2nd-round choice in 1991 and a 1st, 2nd and 3rd-round choice in 1992. Two of those selections turned into Emmitt Smith and Darren Woodson. Herschel's performance fell short of expectations in his 3 seasons with the Vikings, while the Cowboys rode their draft picks to 3 Super Bowl victories in the early to mid 1990s. October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Herschel Walker Trade was the largest player trade in the history of the National Football League. ... Herschel Walker (born March 3, 1962, in Wrightsville, Georgia) is a former professional American football player in the United States Football League and the National Football League. ... On the final play of Super Bowl XXXIV, Jones performs The Tackle on Titans receiver Kevin Dyson, who fell one yard short of the goal line. ... Pat Newman Pat Newman was the first head women’s tennis coach at Louisiana State University. ... Jake Reed (born 1967) is a former American Football wide receiver who played for 12 seasons between 1991 and 2002 with the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints. ... Emmitt James Smith III (born May 15, 1969 in Pensacola, Florida) is a former American football player, who played for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. ... Darren Woodson (born April 25, 1969 in Phoenix, Arizona) is an American football player who currently plays Strong Safety for the Dallas Cowboys. ...

Main article: Herschel Walker Trade

The Herschel Walker Trade was the largest player trade in the history of the National Football League. ...

1990-1997

Roger Headrick became team president on January 1, 1991. He along with Philip Maas joined the board of directors replacing Jack Steele and Sheldon Kaplan. On December 3, 1991, Jerry Burns announced his retirement. In 6 seasons as Head Coach of the Vikings, Burns compiled a career record of 52-43 (.547). He also led Minnesota to 3 playoff appearances, including a division title and an NFC Championship Game. January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 3 is the 337th (in leap years the 338th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The ownership of the Vikings was restructured on December 16, 1991. Irwin Jacobs and Carl Pohlad sold their shares. The team was now owned by ten people: Roger Headrick (CEO and team president), John Skoglund (his family had owned part of the team since it was founded), Jaye Dyer, Philip Maas, Mike Lynn, Wheelock Whitney, James Binger, Bud Grossman, Elizabeth MacMillan and Carol Sperry. On January 10, 1992, Dennis Green was named the 5th Head Coach in team history. He came to Minnesota after turning around a struggling Stanford University football program as head coach from 1989-91. In his 10 seasons as the coach of the Vikings, Green won 4 NFC Central division titles, had 8 playoff appearances, 2 NFC Championship game appearances and an all-time record of 97-62.-1... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... Dennis Denny Green (b. ...

1998: 15-1

See also: 1998 Minnesota Vikings season

Prior to the start of the 1998 season, the Vikings were sold to Red McCombs. The NFL had not been happy with the Vikings' ownership arrangement of ten owners with none owning 30%. The ownership decided to sell the club. At first it appeared that Tom Clancy would become the new owner. However, his attempt to buy the team fell through. So in July of 1998, the team was sold to McCombs who was from San Antonio, Texas. The 1998 Minnesota Vikings became only the 3rd team in NFL history to win 15 games during the regular season. ... Billy Joe Red McCombs (born 1927 in Spur, Texas) is the founder of the Red McCombs Automotive Group, a co-founder of Clear Channel Communications, a former owner of the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, and the Minnesota Vikings, and is the namesake of the McCombs School of Business at... Thomas Leo Clancy Jr. ... Nickname: Alamo City; River City Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Counties Bexar County Government  - Mayor Phil Hardberger Area  - City  412. ...

1998 was a year to remember for the Minnesota Vikings. With a spectacular offense led by quarterback Randall Cunningham, who had his best NFL season ever, running back Robert Smith, veteran wide receiver Cris Carter, and explosive rookie Randy Moss, the Vikings set an NFL record by scoring a total of 556 points, never scoring fewer than 24 in a game. The Vikings finished the season 15-1, their only loss by 3 points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week nine. In the playoffs, the Vikings rolled past the Arizona Cardinals 41-21, and came into the Metrodome heavily favored for their NFC title showdown with the Atlanta Falcons, who had finished 14-2. However, kicker Gary Anderson, who had gone 35 for 35 in the regular season, missed a 38-yard attempt with less than 2 minutes remaining. That allowed the Falcons to tie the game. The Vikings had one more opportunity to score at the end of regulation, but Head Coach Dennis Green opted to down the ball and go to overtime (even though the Vikings had arguably the most potent offense in NFL history). Atlanta won the toss and went on to win it 30-27 in overtime on Morten Andersen's field goal, which was, coincidentally, also a 38-yarder. The Vikings became the first 15-1 team to fail to reach the Super Bowl. For former United States Representative Randall Duke Cunningham, see Duke Cunningham. ... For other persons named Robert Smith, see Robert Smith (disambiguation). ... Cris Carter (born November 25, 1965 in Troy, Ohio) is a former American football player. ... Randy Gene Moss (born February 13, 1977 in Rand, West Virginia) is an American football wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders NFL franchise. ... City Tampa Bay, Florida Other nicknames The Bucs, Pewter Pirates Team colors Buccaneer Red, Pewter, Black, and Orange Head Coach Jon Gruden Owner Malcolm Glazer General manager Bruce Allen Mascot Captain Fear League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1976–present) American Football Conference (1976) AFC West (1976) National Football Conference... City Glendale, Arizona Other nicknames The Cards, The Birds, Big Red Team colors Cardinal Red, Black, and White Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt Owner William V. Bidwill General manager Rod Graves Mascot Big Red League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1920–present) Western Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern... City Atlanta, Georgia Team colors Black, Red, and White Head Coach Bobby Petrino Owner Arthur Blank General manager Rich McKay Mascot Freddie Falcon League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1966–present) Eastern Conference (1966) Western Conference (1967-69) Coastal Division (1967-1969) National Football Conference (1970-present) NFC West (1970... The winning Super Bowl team receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy. ...

1999

Randall Cunningham resumed duties again in 1999, but after a lukewarm 2-4 start, Jeff George was given the starting job. He finished the season with an 8-2 record, and led the Vikings into the postseason once again, with an overall team record of 10-6[1]. Minnesota beat Dallas in the Wild card game 27-10, and faced playoff newcomer Kurt Warner and the St. Louis Rams in the Divisional matchup. The game was a shootout which Minnesota led 17-14 at halftime, but the Rams outscored Minnesota 35 to 20 in the second half to win 49-37[2]. St. Louis would go on to win Super Bowl XXXIV. Jeffrey Scott George (Born December 8, 1967 in Indianapolis, Indiana) was a National Football League quarterback. ... Kurtis (Kurt) Eugene Warner (born June 22, 1971, Burlington, Iowa) is a professional American football quarterback with the Arizona Cardinals. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Date January 30, 2000 Stadium Georgia Dome City Atlanta, Georgia MVP Kurt Warner, Quarterback Favorite Rams by 7 National anthem Faith Hill Coin toss Super Bowl IV participants: Bud Grant, Lamar Hunt, Bobby Bell, Paul Krause, Willie Lanier, Alan Page, and Jan Stenerud Referee Bob McElwee Halftime show Phil Collins...

2000

Led by first-year starting quarterback Daunte Culpepper, the Vikings had a season in which Robert Smith ran for a team record 1,521 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Vikings were 11-2 after 14 weeks, but slumped briefly, losing their last three to the Rams, Packers and Colts while Culpepper was hampered by injury. However, they would return to the playoffs again for the fifth straight year. After easily beating the Saints in the Divisional game 34-16, they were humiliated 41-0 by the New York Giants in the Conference Championship[3], and to top that, Robert Smith retired at the end of the year, after only playing eight NFL seasons.[4] Daunte Culpepper (born January 28, 1977 in Ocala, Florida) is an American football quarterback for the National Football Leagues Miami Dolphins franchise. ... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Big Blue Wrecking Crew, Big Blue, G-Men, The Jints, The New York Football Giants Team colors Royal Blue, Red, Gray, and White Head Coach Tom Coughlin Owner John Mara (50%) and Steve Tisch (50%) General manager Jerry Reese League/Conference affiliations National...

2001

Tragedy struck the Minnesota Vikings in the summer of 2001, when Offensive Lineman Korey Stringer died of heat stroke[5] in training camp in Mankato, Minnesota. Although Minnesota has a reputation for cold weather, in late July and early August it can be brutally hot. Korey Stringer (May 8, 1974 - August 1, 2001) was an American football player who died from complications brought on by heat stroke, during training camp in Mankato, Minnesota while playing for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. ... Mankato is a city in Blue Earth County¹, Minnesota with a population of 32,427 as of the 2000 census². It is the county seat of Blue Earth County, and is located along a large bend of the Minnesota River at its confluence with the Blue Earth River. ...

The 2001 season started off with a 24-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers. This would be the only win for Carolina in 2001, who ended up 1-15. Over the next sixteen weeks, wins for Minnesota were few and far between. Some season highlights included a 35-13 win over the rival Green Bay Packers in week six, and a week ten victory over the Giants in which Randy Moss pulled in 10 receptions for 171 yards and 3 touchdowns[6] leading to a 28-16 victory. But despite having a 12th ranked offense, their defense was in the bottom five, and the Vikings finished 5-11.[7] City Charlotte, North Carolina Other nicknames The Cardiac Cats Team colors Black, Panther Blue, and Silver Head Coach John Fox Owner Jerry Richardson General manager Marty Hurney Mascot Sir Purr League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1995–present) National Football Conference (1995-present) NFC West (1995-2001) NFC South (2002... City Green Bay, Wisconsin Team colors Dark Green, Gold, and White Head Coach Mike McCarthy Owner 111,967 stockholders Chairman Bob Harlan General manager Ted Thompson Fight song Go! You Packers! Go! League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919-1920) National Football League (1921–present) Western Division (1933-1949) National Conference (1950... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Big Blue Wrecking Crew, Big Blue, G-Men, The Jints, The New York Football Giants Team colors Royal Blue, Red, Gray, and White Head Coach Tom Coughlin Owner John Mara (50%) and Steve Tisch (50%) General manager Jerry Reese League/Conference affiliations National...

After the disappointing season, the Vikings bought out the contract of Dennis Green, who had become a polarizing force in the Viking fan base despite his successful coaching tenure with the team. Mike Tice coached the final game of 2001, losing to the Ravens.[8] City Baltimore, Maryland Team colors Purple, Black, and Gold Head Coach Brian Billick Owner Steve Bisciotti General manager Ozzie Newsome Mascot Edgar, Allan, and Poe League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1996–present) American Football Conference (1996-present) AFC Central (1996-2001) AFC North (2002-present) Team history Baltimore Ravens...

2002-2003

On January 10, 2002, Mike Tice was named the sixth head coach in Vikings history[9]. Tice was the third of the six Vikings head coaches to be promoted from within the team's coaching ranks but was the first to have actually played for the Vikings. January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Mike Tice (born February 2, 1959, Bayshore, New York) is an NFL coach, best known as the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. ...

In Tice's first season, the Vikings had a dismal 6-10 record, which he turned around in 2003 with a fast 6-0 start. However, the Vikings ended up going 3-7 the rest of the season, missing the playoffs when a touchdown reception on 4th-and-long by Arizona Cardinals receiver Nate Poole gave the Vikings a last-second loss in their final game[10]. Green Bay won the division at 10-6, while the Vikings were 9-7. The following season the Cardinals hired Dennis Green as their head coach[11].

2004

See also: 2004 Minnesota Vikings season

As in the 2003 season, the Vikings finished the season going 3-7 over the final 10 weeks. Unlike 2003, however, they made the playoffs with an 8-8 record. Daunte Culpepper amassed MVP-like statistics, throwing for 4,717 passing yards (leading the NFL), 39 passing touchdowns (a Viking record), and 5,123 total yards (an NFL record). In the wild card matchup, the Vikings defeated the rival Green Bay Packers in their first ever playoff meeting, 31-17[12], becoming the second team in NFL history to have a .500 record (8-8) in the regular season and win a playoff game. In the divisional round, the Vikings were defeated by the eventual NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles, ending their season in a game noted for Viking penalties, turnovers, and other miscues[13]. The Vikings finished the 2004 season going 3-7 over the final 10 weeks just like they did in 2003. ... Daunte Culpepper (born January 28, 1977 in Ocala, Florida) is an American football quarterback for the National Football Leagues Miami Dolphins franchise. ... NFL logo For other uses of the abbreviation NFL, see NFL (disambiguation). ... In North American professional sports leagues, the term wild card refers to a team that qualifies for the championship playoffs without winning their specific subdivision (usually called a conference or division) outright. ... The NFL playoffs following the 2004 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXIX. // at Qwest Field, Seattle, Washington Game time: 4:30 p. ... City Green Bay, Wisconsin Team colors Dark Green, Gold, and White Head Coach Mike McCarthy Owner 111,967 stockholders Chairman Bob Harlan General manager Ted Thompson Fight song Go! You Packers! Go! League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919-1920) National Football League (1921–present) Western Division (1933-1949) National Conference (1950... The NFL playoffs following the 2004 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXIX. // at Qwest Field, Seattle, Washington Game time: 4:30 p. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

2005

See also: 2005 Minnesota Vikings season

McCombs sold the team to a group led by Zygi Wilf in May of 2005. Wilf was originally going to be a limited partner to Reggie Fowler. However Fowler was not able to purchase the team. Wilf then became the lead owner and Fowler is one of a group of ownership partners.[14] Red McCombs sold the Minnesota Vikings to a group led by Zygi Wilf in May of 2005. ... Zygmunt Wilf (born April 22, 1950 in Germany) is the principal owner of the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Wilf, are both Holocaust survivors. ... Reggie Fowler is an American businessman from Arizona. ...

Minnesota traded WR Randy Moss to the Oakland Raiders for linebacker Napoleon Harris and the Raiders' first and seventh round picks of the 2005 NFL Draft[15]. With the first round pick (number 7) they selected WR Troy Williamson of South Carolina[16]. A common misconception is the Vikings freed a ton of salary cap space by trading Moss. The reality is they were already well under the salary cap - more than $30 million in fact - and actually had to absorb about $7-10 million just to trade Moss. But they still had around $20 million in cap space and signed 5 new defensive starters to shore up their previously 28th ranked defense. The Vikings fan base wondered if this was the franchise's biggest blunder in team history or one of their greatest moves. Randy Gene Moss (born February 13, 1977 in Rand, West Virginia) is an American football wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders NFL franchise. ... City Oakland, California Other nicknames The Silver and Black, Da Raidahs Team colors Silver and Black Head Coach Lane Kiffin Owner Al Davis General manager Michael Lombardi League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–1969) Western Division (1960–1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970–present) AFC... Napoleon Harris (born February 25, 1979 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American Football player who currently plays linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. Harris was traded to Minnesota along with a first round Draft pick for wide receiver Randy Moss. ... Troy Williamson (born April 30, 1983 in Aiken, South Carolina) is an American football player, a wide receiver, entered the NFL draft after his junior year in college, and was drafted with the seventh overall selection by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of... In professional sports, a salary cap (often called a wage cap in the United Kingdom) is a limit on the amount of money a team can spend on player salaries, either as a per-player limit or a total limit for the teams roster (or both). ...

At first, the move looked like a blunder. The Vikings started off by losing their first two games to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (24-13) and the Cincinnati Bengals (37-8). They would win in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints (33-16), but then they would go on to lose their next two road games to the Atlanta Falcons (30-10) and their division rival Chicago Bears (28-3). The Vikings would win at home against fellow division rival Green Bay Packers 23-20 by winning the same way the Packers did last season, which was a last second field goal. However, the Vikes had little to celebrate when in the next week- not only did they lose to the Carolina Panthers 38-13 on the road, but they also lost their star QB Daunte Culpepper for the season with a knee injury. Culpepper had thrown twice as many interceptions as touchdowns up at that point. At this point the Vikings were 2-5. City Tampa Bay, Florida Other nicknames The Bucs, Pewter Pirates Team colors Buccaneer Red, Pewter, Black, and Orange Head Coach Jon Gruden Owner Malcolm Glazer General manager Bruce Allen Mascot Captain Fear League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1976–present) American Football Conference (1976) AFC West (1976) National Football Conference... City Cincinnati, Ohio Team colors Black, Orange and White Head Coach Marvin Lewis Owner Mike Brown Mascot Who Dey League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1968-1969) Western Division (1968-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC Central (1970-2001) AFC North (2002-present) Team... City New Orleans, Louisiana Team colors Old Gold, Black, and White Head Coach Sean Payton Owner Tom Benson General manager Mickey Loomis Mascot Gumbo the dog League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1967–present) Eastern Conference (1967-1969) Capitol Division (1967; 1969) Century Division (1968) National Football Conference (1970-present... City Atlanta, Georgia Team colors Black, Red, and White Head Coach Bobby Petrino Owner Arthur Blank General manager Rich McKay Mascot Freddie Falcon League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1966–present) Eastern Conference (1966) Western Conference (1967-69) Coastal Division (1967-1969) National Football Conference (1970-present) NFC West (1970... City Chicago, Illinois Other nicknames Da Bears, The Monsters of the Midway Team colors Navy Blue, Orange and White Head Coach Lovie Smith Owner Virginia Halas McCaskey Chairman Michael McCaskey General manager Jerry Angelo Fight song Bear Down, Chicago Bears Mascot Staley Da Bear League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919) National... City Green Bay, Wisconsin Team colors Dark Green, Gold, and White Head Coach Mike McCarthy Owner 111,967 stockholders Chairman Bob Harlan General manager Ted Thompson Fight song Go! You Packers! Go! League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919-1920) National Football League (1921–present) Western Division (1933-1949) National Conference (1950... City Charlotte, North Carolina Other nicknames The Cardiac Cats Team colors Black, Panther Blue, and Silver Head Coach John Fox Owner Jerry Richardson General manager Marty Hurney Mascot Sir Purr League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1995–present) National Football Conference (1995-present) NFC West (1995-2001) NFC South (2002... Daunte Culpepper (born January 28, 1977 in Ocala, Florida) is an American football quarterback for the National Football Leagues Miami Dolphins franchise. ...

Taking Culpepper's place would be Brad Johnson (Viking from 1992-98 and quarterback of the Super Bowl XXXVII champion Buccaneers) and, upon taking over, led the Vikings to a six-game winning streak, including victories over the Detroit Lions at home (27-14), the New York Giants (24-21), the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field (20-17, once again on a last second field goal), the Cleveland Browns (24-12), the Detroit Lions at Ford Field (21-16), and a 27-13 home victory over the St. Louis Rams. Johnson ended up with the lowest interception to attempt ratio in Vikings history and the 3rd best passer rating in the NFC. The streak ended with an 18-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the eventual Super Bowl champions. Christmas Day 2005 will go down as a day Viking fans would much rather forget. After having their chances of winning the NFC North extinguished when the Bears defeated the Packers earlier in the day, the Vikings were officially eliminated from NFC playoff contention with a 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The Vikings won their last game of the 2005 season against the Bears, with a 34-10 victory. However, the Vikings fired head coach Mike Tice immediately following the game. They ended up with a 9-7 record and 1 win away from the playoffs. James Bradley Johnson (born September 13, 1968 in Marietta, Georgia) is an American football player for the Dallas Cowboys. ... Date January 26, 2003 Stadium Qualcomm Stadium City San Diego MVP Dexter Jackson, Safety Favorite Raiders by 4 National anthem Dixie Chicks and Celine Dion Coin toss 1972 Miami Dolphins: Don Shula, Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Larry Little, Jim Langer, Nick Buoniconti, Paul Warfield Referee Bill Carollo Halftime show Shania... City Detroit, Michigan Team colors Honolulu Blue, Silver, and Black Head Coach Rod Marinelli Owner William Clay Ford, Sr. ... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Big Blue Wrecking Crew, Big Blue, G-Men, The Jints, The New York Football Giants Team colors Royal Blue, Red, Gray, and White Head Coach Tom Coughlin Owner John Mara (50%) and Steve Tisch (50%) General manager Jerry Reese League/Conference affiliations National... City Green Bay, Wisconsin Team colors Dark Green, Gold, and White Head Coach Mike McCarthy Owner 111,967 stockholders Chairman Bob Harlan General manager Ted Thompson Fight song Go! You Packers! Go! League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919-1920) National Football League (1921–present) Western Division (1933-1949) National Conference (1950... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Ford Field is an indoor football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan that is the home of the Detroit Lions of the NFL. It is across the street from Comerica Park. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

2006

See also: 2006 Minnesota Vikings season

Prior to the 2006 season, the Vikings hired Brad Childress as their head coach. The Vikings started their season with two narrow victories.They edged the Washington Redskins in Washington by a field goal, 19-16, and beat the Carolina Panthers at home, 16-13. They lost their next two games, one to the Chicago Bears (16-19) and the other to the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo (12-17). The 2006 Minnesota Vikings season begins with the team trying to improve on their 9-7 record in 2005. ... City Landover, Maryland Other nicknames The Skins Team colors Burgundy and Gold and White Head Coach Joe Gibbs Owner Dan Snyder Fight song Hail to the Redskins League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1932–present) Eastern Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern Conference (1953-1969) Capitol Division (1967... City Charlotte, North Carolina Other nicknames The Cardiac Cats Team colors Black, Panther Blue, and Silver Head Coach John Fox Owner Jerry Richardson General manager Marty Hurney Mascot Sir Purr League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1995–present) National Football Conference (1995-present) NFC West (1995-2001) NFC South (2002... City Chicago, Illinois Other nicknames Da Bears, The Monsters of the Midway Team colors Navy Blue, Orange and White Head Coach Lovie Smith Owner Virginia Halas McCaskey Chairman Michael McCaskey General manager Jerry Angelo Fight song Bear Down, Chicago Bears Mascot Staley Da Bear League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919) National... City Orchard Park, New York Team colors Navy blue, light blue, Red, light Red, White, Royal, and Nickel Head Coach Dick Jauron Owner Ralph Wilson General manager Marv Levy Mascot Billy Buffalo League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Eastern Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American...

In week five of the season, the Vikings relied on points scored late in the game to win against the Detroit Lions. While down 17-3 going into the fourth quarter, the Vikings scored 23 unanswered points, including two defensive touchdowns, resulting in a final score of 26-17. City Detroit, Michigan Team colors Honolulu Blue, Silver, and Black Head Coach Rod Marinelli Owner William Clay Ford, Sr. ...

After a bye in Week 6, the Vikings won easily over the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, 31-13. Chester Taylor scored the longest touchdown in Vikings history in the win, running 95 yards for the score. A four-week losing streak ensued. The first loss was to the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. The Vikings had won their last 4 home games on Monday Night Football, but the Patriots ended the streak when they blew out the Vikings, 31-7. Minnesota's only score came off Mewelde Moore's 73 yard punt return for a touchdown. The following week saw a 3-9 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The loss was especially crushing after a touchdown pass was called back because of a block in the back penalty against Travis Taylor. In Week 10, the Vikings lost again as they were outscored 17-23 at home by their division rivals, the Green Bay Packers. City Seattle, Washington Team colors Pacific Blue, Navy Blue, Neon Green, White Head Coach Mike Holmgren Owner Paul Allen General manager Tim Ruskell Mascot Blitz, and Taima the augur hawk League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1976–present) American Football Conference (1977-2001) AFC West (1977-2001) National Football Conference... Chester Lamar Taylor (born September 22, 1979 in River Rouge, Michigan) is an American football running back with the Minnesota Vikings. ... City Foxborough, Massachusetts Other nicknames The Pats Team colors Nautical Blue, New Century Silver, Red, and White Head Coach Bill Belichick Owner Robert Kraft General manager Bill Belichick Mascot Pat Patriot League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–69) Eastern Division (1960–69) National Football League (1970–present) American Football... Monday Night Football (MNF) is a live television broadcast of the National Football League. ... Mewelde Moore (born July 24, 1982 in Hammond, Louisiana) is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. He was selected with the 23rd pick of the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of Tulane University. ... City San Francisco, California Other nicknames Niners, The Red And Gold, Bay Bombers Team colors Cardinal red, metallic gold and black Head Coach Mike Nolan Owner Denise DeBartolo York and John York General manager none Mascot Sourdough Sam League/Conference affiliations All-America Football Conference (1946-1949) Western Division (1946... Travis Taylor is a professional American football player who plays wide receiver for the NFLs Baltimore Ravens. ... City Green Bay, Wisconsin Team colors Dark Green, Gold, and White Head Coach Mike McCarthy Owner 111,967 stockholders Chairman Bob Harlan General manager Ted Thompson Fight song Go! You Packers! Go! League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919-1920) National Football League (1921–present) Western Division (1933-1949) National Conference (1950...

The following week, fans had anticipated a matchup between the Vikings and their former quarterback, Daunte Culpepper, who was acquired by the Miami Dolphins in the offseason for a second round draft pick, but Culpepper had been benched in favor of Joey Harrington three weeks earlier. The Vikings lost their fourth straight game to Miami, 24-20. The game was out of reach after Jason Taylor returned a 51 yard interception for a touchdown. The Vikings defense set a team record by limiting the Dolphins to -3 yards rushing on 14 carries in the loss. The losing streak finally ended with the Arizona Cardinals and former Head Coach Dennis Green in town. The Vikings pulled off a 31-26 win, capped by a Vikings interception in the end zone to end the game. The Cardinals took a 7-0 lead on the first play of the game with a kickoff return touchdown by J.J. Arrington. Following the win over Arizona, the Vikings played the Chicago Bears closely, until the Bears' special teams (a Devin Hester punt return touchdown) as well as their defense (an interception return touchdown) put the game out of reach. The Vikings lost, 23-13. Tarvaris Jackson made his NFL debut, completing the first pass of his career and finishing the day 3-4 for 35 yards, with one fumble. Daunte Culpepper (born January 28, 1977 in Ocala, Florida) is an American football quarterback for the National Football Leagues Miami Dolphins franchise. ... City Miami Gardens, Florida Other nicknames The Fins Team colors Aqua Green, Coral Orange, White, and Navy Blue Head Coach Cam Cameron Owner Wayne Huizenga General manager Randy Mueller Mascot T. D. League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1966-1969) Eastern Division (1966-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American... John Joseph Joey Harrington Jr. ... Jason Taylor may refer to: Jason Taylor (American football player) (born 1974) Jason Taylor (rugby league footballer) Jason Taylor (Australian rules footballer) (born 1968) Jason Torrell Taylor (Rapper A.K.A. The Game) This human name article is a disambiguation page — a list of pages that might otherwise share the... City Glendale, Arizona Other nicknames The Cards, The Birds, Big Red Team colors Cardinal Red, Black, and White Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt Owner William V. Bidwill General manager Rod Graves Mascot Big Red League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1920–present) Western Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern... Dennis Denny Green (b. ... Johnathan Jerone J.J. Arrington (born January 23, 1983 in Nashville, North Carolina) is a National Football League running back for the Arizona Cardinals. ... Devin Hester (born November 4, 1982) is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. ... Tarvaris Jackson (born April 21, 1983 in Montgomery, Alabama) is a current American football quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. ...

In Week 14, the Vikings pulled off their second win in three weeks, beating the Detroit Lions, 30-20. The Vikings' top running back, Chester Taylor, was out with bruised ribs, but backup Artose Pinner had the game of his life against a team that cut him a mere three months ago. He gained 125 yards and had three touchdowns, leading the Vikings to victory. Once again, the Vikings run defense matched a team record set only three weeks earlier by holding the Lions to -3 yards on 10 carries. The Vikings forced six turnovers, and only had two themselves. Chester Lamar Taylor (born September 22, 1979 in River Rouge, Michigan) is an American football running back with the Minnesota Vikings. ...

Two losses followed—one to the New York Jets (26-13) and another to the Green Bay Packers (9-7). The game against Green Bay marked Tarvaris Jackson’s first NFL start, as well as the elimination of any playoff possibilities for the Vikings. The Vikings ended the season by getting blown out by the St. Louis Rams, 41-21. The game saw Tarvaris Jackson make his second career start. The Vikings' defense was attempting to set a new NFL record (since the NFL-AFL merger) of giving up the fewest rushing yards per game in one season. This attempt was thwarted by the Rams' rushing attack, led by Stephen Jackson's 142 yards, which accumulated 168 yards on the ground. The Vikings ended the season giving up an average of 61.6 rushing yards per game, which fell behind the record of 60.6 rushing yards per game held by the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. Their 6-10 record served to solidify a third place finish in the NFC North, as well as the number 7 overall draft pick the in the 2007 NFL Draft. City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Gang Green, the Green and White Team colors Green and White Head Coach Eric Mangini Owner Woody Johnson General manager Mike Tannenbaum League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Eastern Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... City Baltimore, Maryland Team colors Purple, Black, and Gold Head Coach Brian Billick Owner Steve Bisciotti General manager Ozzie Newsome Mascot Edgar, Allan, and Poe League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1996–present) American Football Conference (1996-present) AFC Central (1996-2001) AFC North (2002-present) Team history Baltimore Ravens... The 2007 NFL Draft will take place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. ...

References

• Minnesota Vikings History
• Dave Mandelbaum, Vikings.com

External links

• National Football League
• Minnesota Vikings official web site
• Sports E-Cyclopedia.com