1998 Minnesota Vikings season

Last updated

1998 Minnesota Vikings season
Owner Red McCombs
General manager Jeff Diamond
Head coach Dennis Green
Home field Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Results
Record15–1
Division place1st NFC Central
Playoff finishWon Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Cardinals) 41–21
Lost NFC Championship
(vs. Falcons) 27–30 (OT)
Pro Bowlers
10
AP All-Pros
8
Uniform
Viking1996-98.png

The 1998 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 38th in the National Football League (NFL). The Vikings became the third team in NFL history to win 15 games during the regular season, [1] which earned them the National Football Conference (NFC) Central division championship and the first overall seed in the NFC playoffs. The team entered the playoffs as the favorite to win Super Bowl XXXIII, but their season ended when they were upset by the Atlanta Falcons 30–27 in the 1998 NFC Championship Game.

Contents

The 1998 Vikings team is known for its offense, which featured veteran quarterback Randall Cunningham, running back Robert Smith, and Hall of Fame wide receivers Cris Carter and rookie Randy Moss. The team scored an NFL record 556 points during the season, and Moss set an NFL record by catching 17 touchdown passes, the most ever by a rookie. On special teams, Gary Anderson became the first placekicker in NFL history to convert every field goal and extra point he attempted. The Vikings defense ranked sixth in the league in points allowed and was led by Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle.

During the NFC Championship Game, Gary Anderson missed a field goal for the first time that season. Had the field goal been converted, it would have given the Vikings a nearly insurmountable 10-point lead late in the game. Instead, the Falcons tied the game on their ensuing drive and won by a field goal in sudden death overtime.

The 1998 Vikings were the first NFL team to compile a regular season record of 15–1 and not reach the Super Bowl. Their loss in the NFC Championship Game is also considered by their fans to be one of the most devastating losses in NFL history.

The 1998 Vikings are widely regarded as the greatest team in NFL history to not make the Super Bowl. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Despite the team's dominance during the regular season, the Vikings only faced three teams that finished with a winning record: the Packers, the Jaguars (each of whom finished 11–5) and the Cowboys (who finished 10–6).

Offseason

AdditionsSubtractions
K Gary Anderson (49ers)CB Dewayne Washington (Steelers)
LB Ron George (Chiefs)
LB Jeff Brady (Panthers)

1998 Draft

Pro Bowler
Pro Football Hall of Fame
1998 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft orderPlayer namePositionCollegeNotes
RoundSelection
1 21 Randy Moss Wide receiver Marshall
251 Kailee Wong Linebacker Stanford
380 Ramos McDonald Cornerback New Mexico
4110 Kivuusama Mays Linebacker North Carolina
5144 Kerry Cooks Safety Iowa
6173 Matt Birk Offensive tackle Harvard
7208 Chester Burnett Linebacker Arizona
225Tony Darden Cornerback Texas Tech Compensatory pick

Undrafted free agents

1998 undrafted free agents of note
PlayerPositionCollege
Ryan Collins Tight end St. Thomas (Minnesota)
Cory Withrow Center Washington State

Staff

1998 Minnesota Vikings staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

[7]

Roster

1998 Minnesota Vikings final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
53 active, 6 inactive, 4 practice squad

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance [8]
1August 9at New England Patriots W 28–01–0 Foxboro Stadium 54,111
2August 15 Kansas City Chiefs W 34–02–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 60,955
3August 22at Carolina Panthers W 25–22 (OT)3–0 Ericsson Stadium 64,569
4August 28 San Diego Chargers W 42–284–0Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome62,127

Regular season

Ten Vikings (not all pictured) were named to the 1999 Pro Bowl. Vikings at PB.JPG
Ten Vikings (not all pictured) were named to the 1999 Pro Bowl.

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 10 owners with none owning more than 30 per cent. 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 1998, the team was sold to McCombs, who was from San Antonio, Texas.

1998 was a year to remember for the Minnesota Vikings. With a spectacular offense led by quarterback Randall Cunningham, who had the best year of his NFL career, running back Robert Smith, veteran wide receiver Cris Carter, and explosive rookie Randy Moss, the Vikings set a then-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 three points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week nine. 12 of their 15 wins came by a margin of at least 10 points.

According to Football Outsiders, "The Vikings led the league with 52 plays of 25+ yards. They had 22 offensive plays of 40+ yards; no other team had more than 16 plays of that length." [9]

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance
1September 6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 31–71–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 62,538
2September 13at St. Louis Rams W 38–312–0 Trans World Dome 56,234
3September 20 Detroit Lions W 29–63–0Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome63,107
4September 27at Chicago Bears W 31–284–0 Soldier Field 57,783
5October 5at Green Bay Packers W 37–245–0 Lambeau Field 59,849
6 Bye
7October 18 Washington Redskins W 41–76–0Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome64,004
8October 25at Detroit Lions W 34–137–0 Pontiac Silverdome 77,885
9November 1at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 24–277–1 Raymond James Stadium 64,979
10November 8 New Orleans Saints W 31–248–1Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome63,779
11November 15 Cincinnati Bengals W 24–39–1Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome64,232
12November 22 Green Bay Packers W 28–1410–1Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome64,471
13 November 26 at Dallas Cowboys W 46–3611–1 Texas Stadium 64,366
14December 6 Chicago Bears W 48–2212–1Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome64,247
15December 13at Baltimore Ravens W 38–2813–1 Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards 69,074
16December 20 Jacksonville Jaguars W 50–1014–1Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome64,363
17December 26at Tennessee Oilers W 26–1615–1 Vanderbilt Stadium 41,121

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period1234Total
Buccaneers00707
Vikings14701031

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Cris Carter and rookie Randy Moss caught two touchdowns apiece as the Vikings routed the Bucs 31–7 despite being outgained in yards 319 to 298.

Week 2: at St. Louis Rams

Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Period1234Total
Vikings14107738
Rams01014731

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

Brad Johnson was intercepted twice and eventually knocked out of the game; his replacement Randall Cunningham threw a late touchdown to Cris Carter. Robert Smith rushed for 179 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams stayed within a touchdown despite four Tony Banks interceptions. A last-minute goalline stand by the Vikings sealed a 38–31 win.

Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 3: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period1234Total
Lions33006
Vikings06131029

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Cunningham made his first start of the season and threw for 220 yards and a five-yard score to Randy Moss. The game was mostly a Gary Anderson field goal exhibition as he booted five field goals plus two PATs, the second on Leroy Hoard's 11-yard rushing touchdown in the Vikings 29–6 win.

Week 4: at Chicago Bears

Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period1234Total
Vikings7314731
Bears7140728

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: Partly sunny, 74 °F (23 °C)
  • Game attendance: 57,783
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Cunningham and Erik Kramer of the Bears squared off in a spirited duel. Cunningham's four touchdowns (to Smith, Andrew Glover, Carter, and Moss) were answered by Kramer's four scores (to Bobby Engram, Chris Penn, and Ryan Wetnight). The Vikings got the better of the duel as they intercepted Kramer once and won 31–28.

Week 5: at Green Bay Packers

Week 5: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Vikings32131037
Packers01001424

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: October 5
  • Game time: 7:20 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: Light fog, scattered showers, 58 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 59,849
  • Referee: Gerry Austin (34)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Randall Cunningham and Randy Moss unleashed a passing clinic on Monday Night at Lambeau Field as Cunningham tossed for 442 yards and Moss caught five passes for 190 yards and two scores (Moss also had a 75-yard touchdown reception called back due to holding). Cris Carter added eight for 119 yards as the Vikings also intercepted Brett Favre three times; backup Doug Pederson took over and threw two scores in the fourth quarter, but they did nothing to assuage a 37–24 Vikings win.

Week 7: vs. Washington Redskins

Week 7: Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period1234Total
Redskins70007
Vikings14731741

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,004
  • Referee: Dick Hantak (105)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 8: at Detroit Lions

Week 8: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period1234Total
Vikings01017734
Lions3100013

at Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CT/1:00 p.m. ET
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 77,885
  • Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 9: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Vikings7107024
Buccaneers71001027

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CT/1:00 p.m. ET
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 83 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,979
  • Referee: Ron Blum (7)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Vikings' quest for perfection ended as Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott ran for 243 rushing yards and two scores. Two Cunningham touchdown throws put the Vikings up 24–17 until Alstott's score in the fourth quarter proved the key to Tampa's 27–24 upset of the Vikings. The win was the third in six tries for Bucs coach Tony Dungy over his former boss Dennis Green.

Week 10: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 10: New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period1234Total
Saints0710724
Vikings7107731

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 63,779
  • Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Cunningham threw only two passes against New Orleans and Brad Johnson came off the bench to throw for 316 yards and a touchdown despite two picks; Sammy Knight ran back one pick for a 91-yard touchdown in the fourth. Robert Smith rushed for 137 yards; he and Leroy Hoard accounted for three touchdowns in Minnesota's 31–24 win.

Week 11: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 11: Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period1234Total
Bengals03003
Vikings7071024

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,232
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 12: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period1234Total
Packers070714
Vikings10100828

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,471
  • Referee: Phil Luckett (59)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 13: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 13: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period1234Total
Vikings21315746
Cowboys66101436

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: November 26
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: Clear, 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,366
  • Referee: Bill Carollo (63)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Cunningham and Moss led a wild 46–36 win at Dallas as Moss caught just three passes – for 163 yards and three touchdowns. Cris Carter snagged seven passes for 135 yards and a score and Leroy Hoard ran in two more touchdowns. Troy Aikman threw for a career-high 455 yards and a score to Patrick Jeffers while Emmitt Smith ran in three scores; despite 513 total yards the Cowboys could not keep pace with the Vikings. The game was also a penalty-laden affair with a combined 23 fouls eating 230 yards.

Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 14: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period1234Total
Bears0014822
Vikings141371448

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 6
  • Game time: 7:20 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,247
  • Referee: Bob McElwee (95)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Four years after Warren Moon's overtime win over the Bears on Sunday Night Football, the Vikings clinched the NFC Central title by once again hosting the Bears on Sunday Night Football . Randall Cunningham unleashed four more touchdowns, three of them to Randy Moss. Leroy Hoard added a rushing score while the Bears fumbled at the Vikings six-yard line and Dwayne Rudd scored with the turnover. The Vikings won 48–22.

Week 15: at Baltimore Ravens

Week 15: Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period1234Total
Vikings121310338
Ravens14001428

at Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: December 13
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CT/4:15 p.m. ET
  • Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 46 °F (8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 69,074
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit (9)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Vikings offensive coordinator Brian Billick faced his employer for the following season as the two teams combined for just 143 rushing yards. This unusual game featured three kick-off returns for TDs and four fumbles (all in their own half by the Ravens) in just the first 21 minutes of play. Overall, the Ravens coughed up five fumbles but the Vikings offense was largely held in check, with Gary Anderson booting six field goals and Randall Cunningham held to two touchdowns, one to Randy Moss. Future 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh threw a 42-yard touchdown to his former Colts teammate Floyd Turner while Corey Haris, David Palmer on kick returns and Priest Holmes on a two-yard run gave the Ravens the rest of their points scored in a 38–28 Vikings win.

Week 16: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 16: Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period1234Total
Jaguars030710
Vikings39142450

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 20
  • Game time: 7:20 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,363
  • Referee: Johnny Grier (23)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Despite giving up 108 penalty yards, the Vikings reached 50 points for only the sixth time in franchise history and the first time since 1974 in a 50–10 win over the AFC Central champion Jacksonville Jaguars. Randall Cunningham threw for 210 yards and three touchdowns, then gave way to Brad Johnson who added a touchdown of his own. Cunningham was one of three Vikings players who rushed for 161 yards and a Chuck Evans touchdown while Jimmy Hitchcock intercepted Jonathan Quinn and scored from 30 yards out.

Week 17: at Tennessee Oilers

Week 17: Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Vikings2615326
Oilers3103016

at Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: December 26
  • Game time: 11:30 a.m. CT
  • Game weather: Sunny and clear, 35 °F (2 °C)
  • Game attendance: 41,121
  • Referee: Tom White (123)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Vikings became the final club to play against Tennessee before they officially became the Titans. The Oilers clawed to a 13–8 halftime lead despite an intentional grounding penalty against Steve McNair that led to a safety. Two Randall Cunningham touchdowns in the third quarter put the game away to a 26–16 Vikings win, the 15th of the season. With this loss the Oilers became the first team in NFL history to have three straight 8–8 seasons.

Standings

NFC Central
WLTPCTPFPASTK
(1) Minnesota Vikings 1510.938556296W8
(5) Green Bay Packers 1150.688408319W3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 880.500314295W1
Detroit Lions 5110.313306378L4
Chicago Bears 4120.250276368L1

Postseason

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. Leading 20–7 just before halftime, the Vikings controversially called a deep pass play on third down, which led to a Cunningham fumble deep in Minnesota territory. Shortly thereafter, the Falcons scored to cut the lead to 20–14. The Vikings were again leading 27–20 with two minutes left in the fourth quarter and had a chance to potentially put the game out of reach with a field goal. However, kicker Gary Anderson, who had gone 35 for 35 in the regular season, missed a 39-yard attempt from the left hash. He pulled it left. With multiple defensive injuries for the Vikings the Falcons subsequently marched downfield and scored the game-tying touchdown several plays later.

Dennis Green instructed quarterback Randall Cunningham to take a knee on a third down deep in Viking territory with about 30 seconds remaining rather than risk having to punt back to Atlanta following their game-tying touchdown. Minnesota won the coin toss in overtime but failed to score in two overtime possessions. Atlanta eventually won 30–27 in overtime after Morten Andersen's 38-yard field goal.

Schedule

RoundDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance
DivisionJanuary 10, 1999 Arizona Cardinals W 41–211–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,760
NFC Championship January 17, 1999 Atlanta Falcons L 27–30 (OT)1–1Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome64,060

Game summaries

NFC Divisional Round: vs (#6) Arizona Cardinals

NFC Divisional Playoffs: (#6) Arizona Cardinals at (#1) Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period1234Total
Cardinals077721
Vikings71710741

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: January 10
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 63,760
  • TV: FOX
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

NFC Championship Game: vs (#2) Atlanta Falcons

NFC Divisional Playoffs: (#2) Atlanta Falcons at (#1) Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period1234OTTotal
Falcons77310330
Vikings71307027

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: January 17
  • Game time: 11:30 a.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,060
  • TV: FOX
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The 16–1 Vikings, boasting the league's first post-merger, 500-point offense since the 1983 Washington Redskins, were heavy favorites at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome and raced to a 20–7 lead in the second quarter off two Randall Cunningham touchdowns (one rushing and a throw to Randy Moss), but at the end of the first half Chris Chandler found Terance Mathis for a 14-yard score. After a Morten Andersen field goal made it 20–17 in the third, the Vikings moved back out to a 10-point lead on another Cunningham TD throw (this one to Matthew Hatchette). In the final 10 minutes of regulation, the Falcons were forced to turn the ball over on downs, but the Vikings fumbled it right back and Andersen kicked another field goal for a 27–20 score. In the final four minutes, Gary Anderson, who had not missed a field goal all season, shanked a 39-yarder, to give the Falcons a chance. Chandler led the Falcons downfield and connected with Mathis in the end zone with 49 seconds remaining. The Vikings got the ball in overtime but Eugene Robinson stopped a deep pass to Moss and the Falcons got it back on a punt. Chandler led the Falcons downfield again and Andersen nailed a 38-yard field goal at 11:52 of the extra quarter; the 30–27 final sent the Falcons to Super Bowl XXXIII.

Statistics

Team leaders

CategoryPlayer(s)Value
Passing yards Randall Cunningham 3,704
Passing touchdowns Randall Cunningham 34
Rushing yards Robert Smith 1,187
Rushing touchdowns Leroy Hoard 9
Receiving yards Randy Moss 1,313
Receiving touchdowns Randy Moss 17 *
Points Gary Anderson 164 *
Kickoff return yards David Palmer 1,176
Punt return yards David Palmer 289
Tackles Ed McDaniel 125
Sacks John Randle 10.5
Interceptions Jimmy Hitchcock 7
Forced fumbles Ed McDaniel
John Randle 		3

Best performances

League rankings

CategoryTotal yardsYards per gameNFL rank
(out of 30)
Passing offense4,328270.51st
Rushing offense1,936121.011th
Total offense6,264391.52nd
Passing defense3,452215.819th
Rushing defense1,614100.911th
Total defense5,066316.613th

Awards and records

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The 2002 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 37th in the National Football League (NFL) and their first in the newly formed NFC South. It was also the team's first season under new owner Arthur Blank, who acquired the team during the 2002 offseason. The team improved upon their previous season's output of 7–9 and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1998. The team was also involved in a rare tie, matching the Pittsburgh Steelers 34–34 at the end of overtime. This was the last time the Atlanta Falcons ended a season with a tie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Minnesota Vikings season</span> 49th season in franchise history

The 2009 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 49th in the National Football League (NFL) and their fourth under head coach Brad Childress. The Vikings improved upon their 10–6 record and defended their NFC North title from 2008, their first successful defense of a divisional title since they won six NFC Central titles in a row between 1973 and 1978. They beat the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoff at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, but lost the NFC Championship Game in overtime to the eventual Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, missing out on what would have been their first Super Bowl since Super Bowl XI in 1976. This year's NFC Championship Game is also dubbed by many as the "Bountygate Game" that also resulted in several players and coaching staff receiving 12-month suspensions three years later. The Vikings had 10 Pro Bowlers and four All-Pros on their roster, both league-highs for the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Minnesota Vikings season</span> 50th season in franchise history

The 2010 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 50th in the National Football League (NFL), and the fifth and final under head coach Brad Childress. After a loss to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship ended their 2009 season, the Vikings had hoped to defend their NFC North division title for the third year in a row and contend again for a Super Bowl championship. However, Brett Favre was unable to recover from the injuries he had sustained in the NFC Championship and turned in abysmal performances for most of the season, being forced to sit out three games due to injuries and breaking his consecutive start record at 297 games since September 1992. After the Vikings fell to a 3–7 record with a 31–3 division loss to the Green Bay Packers in week 11, Childress was fired and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was named as his interim replacement, going 3–3 in his six games in charge before taking over the job permanently at the end of the season. The team finished 6–10 and ended up in last place in the division for the first time since 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Minnesota Vikings season</span> 51st season in franchise history

The 2011 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 51st in the National Football League (NFL), and the first full season under head coach Leslie Frazier, who served as the team's interim head coach for the final six games of the 2010 season. The team failed to improve on their 6–10 record from 2010, going 2–6 before their bye week, before being eliminated from playoff contention in week 12 with a 2–9 record. The team also suffered its first six-game losing streak since the 1984 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Minnesota Vikings season</span> 52nd season in franchise history

The 2012 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 52nd in the National Football League (NFL), as well as their second full season under head coach Leslie Frazier. They looked to improve upon their 3–13 season the year before, and did so after defeating the Tennessee Titans in Week 5; their win over the Houston Texans in Week 16 made this their first winning season since 2009. The Vikings also made the playoffs for the first time since 2009 with a Week 17 win over the Green Bay Packers to give them a 10–6 regular season record, but were defeated by the same opponents in the Wild Card playoff round the following week. Adrian Peterson was named the league's Most Valuable Player after rushing for 2,097 yards, just nine yards short of breaking the single-season record held by Eric Dickerson since 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Minnesota Vikings season</span> 53rd season in franchise history; final one in the Metrodome

The 2013 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 53rd in the National Football League (NFL). It also marked the Vikings' final season playing their home games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome; the team played their home games at TCF Bank Stadium for the 2014 and 2015 seasons while construction of U.S. Bank Stadium, which opened in 2016, took place on the site of the Metrodome. Following a Week 9 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Vikings were no longer able to match their 10–6 record from 2012, and their loss to the Baltimore Ravens five weeks later sealed their elimination from playoff contention.

References

  1. ↑ The others were the 1984 San Francisco 49ers and the 1985 Chicago Bears.
  2. ↑ "Super Bowl stumble: The 16 best NFL teams of all-time that didn't reach Super Sunday". USA Today. February 3, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  3. ↑ "The 11 Best Teams Not To Make The Super Bowl". Bleacher Report. April 5, 2010. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  4. ↑ "1998 Vikings are the best team to NOT make the Super Bowl, mean-spirited study finds". Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul. February 1, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  5. ↑ "The Greatest Team Never to Make It: An Oral History of the 1998 Vikings". Sports Illustrated. June 27, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  6. ↑ "1998 Vikings Named to 'Most Dominant NFL Teams' List (The Athletic); Only Non-Super Bowl Team". Minnesota Sports Fan. May 23, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  7. ↑ 2009 Minnesota Vikings Media Guide. p. 251. Archived from the original on December 24, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  8. ↑ "1998 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - Pro Football Archives".
  9. ↑ 1998 DVOA Ratings and Commentary
  10. 1 2 NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book . New York: Workman Publishing. March 2001. p.  440. ISBN   0-7611-2480-2.
  11. ↑ "Maxwell Football Club - Bert Bell Award Past Recipients". Archived from the original on June 19, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  12. ↑ Randy Moss
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