The Best Franchise to Never Win a Championship

The Best Franchise to Never Win a Championship

nine of the 10 winningest teams in NFL history have won a Super Bowl with all nine winning multiple the Cowboys Steelers Ravens Packers Chiefs Patriots Niners dolphins and Broncos all have at least two titles we’re bringing this sucker home one team despite having the fourth highest win percentage in NFL history doesn’t have a single Lombardi to their name and the major question is why was it due to a destructive trade that changed the course of their franchise perhaps it was due to a two- decade long Grudge one franchise held against them or maybe it was just just playing bad luck regardless of the reason one thing is for sure it hasn’t been for a lack of trying this team has been to the show four times and every time has fallen short one of the NFL’s best teams never to win a Super Bowl this team is the Minnesota Vikings the Minnesota Vikings were founded as an expansion team in 1960 and started play The Following Season the Vikings were initially set to join the AFL if it weren’t for George halice owner of the Bears who changed the NFL’s Constitution halis fought to add the Vikings but one owner wanted to keep the Vikings out so halice determined to expand pushed for unanimous vote to be removed he was successful and the Vikings were accepted to the NFL ironically the Vikings first game was against Hal’s bears and even more ironic was that rookie Fran tarkon came off the bench in their first game against the franchise and helped the Vikings defeat Chicago 37 to13 the 1960s were the Fran tarkon era a Scrambler from the University of Georgia tarkon was tremendous but this was during an era where the league frowned upon QBs for scrambling so the view of Tarkington by Minnesota coaching at least in the early years wasn’t always a fond one in their first season the Vikings went 3 and 11 and had only one winning season in their first 5 years as a franchise Norman van brochin was the coach at the time as well as the first coach for the Minnesota Vikings and he took over the year after he won an NFL Championship with the Eagles the van broch L era for the Vikings was a struggle no more perfectly exemplified by the play War Superstar Jim Marshall scooped up a fumble and returned at the wrong way in 1964 after a few poor Seasons to start out the history of the Minnesota Vikings van brockland resigned in 1965 but then came back after being begged by Minnesota Viking leadership the major issue was that van brockland hated Tarkington scrambling and this caused a rocky relationship between the coach and quarterback in 1966 the first year of the Super Bowl era the Vikings continued to struggle and at the end of the year Tarkington wanted a trade V brocklin tried to change his mind actually but ultimately it didn’t work as a result van brochin retired and tarkon was traded while things seemed Grim there was a bright spot Bud Grant who took over as coach in 1967 Bud was actually drafted in both the NFL by the Eagles and the NBA by the Lakers the Minneapolis Lakers and played in the the NBA for two seasons before returning to the Eagles to play football in his second season as coach the Vikings finished with an N and6 record and a playoff birth in 1968 Joe cap was the new QB taking over for Tarkington and in their first playoff game against the Colts one of the muddiest games in NFL history the Vikings lost 24 to 14 in 1969 after Bud Grant’s culture had taken hold the Vikings finished 12-2 the best record in the NFL and one of the greatest if not the greatest defensive lines in NFL history the purple PE leaders finally took hold they were Jim Marshall who the Vikings traded for just prior to 1961 Carl Eller drafted sixth overall by the Vikings in 1964 Alan pagee another first round draft pick in 67 and Gary lson who the Vikings received as a throwin in a trade with the Rams in the back end the Vikings also had Paul Krauss a stud safety who they traded for in 1968 and who still stands the League’s all-time career interceptions leader in ‘ 69 the Purple People leaders were one of only two groups in NFL history to allow 9.5 or less points per game and the offense also led the league in scoring in 1969 in their first ever home playoff game against Rams they were down 10 at halftime but Joe cap led a Vikings comeb back and Carl Eller all but sealed it with a sack safety but the Rams unfortunately had one more shot and while driving down to kick a field goal to four OT Allan Paige stepped in front of a pass to seal the game for good with an interception Minnesota is cold obviously and in the next playoff game Bud Grant wildly removed heaters from his team sideline to intimidate the opposition this decision was crazy the game was so cold that the ref’s whistles froze and the electronic scoreboard didn’t work yet it seemed to work for the Vikings at least as the Vikings routed the Browns in a 27 to7 win now the Vikings had reached their first ever Super Bowl Super Bowl 4 just8 years after their founding in the Vikings first Super Bowl they matched up with Kansas City and were 13-point favorites after all they led the league in scoring and had the League’s best defense but it was a rocky start for the Vikings as KC took a 16 to nothing lead at halftime and although Minnesota scored in the second half to pull within nine the Chiefs scored again to pull ahead 23 to7 and at after three more interceptions were thrown by Vikings QBs the chiefs were winners of Super Bowl 4 at the final score of 23 to7 CH in 1970 the vaunted Vikings defense was back they only gave up 10 touchdowns in 1970 and the defense by itself scored seven That season they were the only team in the Super Bowl era to not allow more than 20 points in any single game yet with all the defensive accomplishments the offense struggled after Joe capap failed to sign an extension with the team Gary quazo had taken over but struggled in the new starting role and even with the lack of offensive fire power the team still managed to make the playoffs in their first playoff game that season the Vikings matched up with the 49ers the Vikings offense struggled and although Paul KRA scored on a fumble return early Minnesota mustered little offensively until the end of the game and lost 17 to 14 the next season the defense continued number in 1971 alen page won League MVP the first defensive player to ever do so and it’s only been done once since yet the offense still struggled with quazo as quarterback and after some really poor play he was inevitably benched for Bob Lee in the 1971 divisional round against Dallas a few questionable officiating calls and offensive incompetency led to Minnesota’s demise again 20 to 12 and Dallas won this seventh and most important meeting between two superb teams the postseason heartbreak continued for Minnesota but there was one bright spot in 1972 the prodal son Fran Tarkington returned and the Vikings Super Bowl aspirations were back on after winning four straight division titles upon his return the Vikings decided to build their offense around taron’s special abilities but even with their favorite signal caller back the first season with tarkon under Center was mediocre as the Vikings finished 7- s in 1972 partially due to the defense taking a step back but also due to the woes of kicker Fred Cox when five of their losses were by three points and in four of those games Cox missed critical kicks that would have given Minnesota the win in 1973 the Vikings were back they won nine straight to start the season Tarkington was in top form and the Vikings would not be stopped winning 12 games in 73 nine of which were by a double digit margin and their first playoff game against the defending Conference champions Washington down 7 to3 at halftime the Vikings scored right out of the break going ahead 10 to7 after allowing another touchdown Minnesota scored 14 unanswered to retake an 11-point lead 24-13 when it was all said and done the Vikings emerged Victorious 27 to 20 in playoff game number two of 1973 against Dallas the Vikings weren’t messing around grabbing an early 10- nothing lead and carrying it into the half in the second half Minnesota outscored Dallas 17 to1 including a pick six on their fourth interception of the day and closed out the Cowboys 27 to 10 Minnesota was headed back to the Super Bowl in the big game against Miami who went undefeated the previous season and we defending Super Bowl champs the Dolphins drove right down the field to take a 7 nothing lead after a Vikings three and out the Dolphins marched the ball down the field again taking a 14 to nothing lead Miami added another field goal and were up 17 to nothing at half the Vikings and dolphins exchanged blows in the second half making the score 24 to7 which would hold through the end of the game the Dolphins had repeated and the Purple People leaders were now 0 and2 in Super Bowls in 1974 the strike by NFL players which Alan pagee was at the Forefront of put a damper on things but ultimately the owners temporarily won out and the season carried on that season the Vikings won their division again their sixth division title in seven seasons and finished 10 and4 highlighted by tarkon hilariously throwing the ball at the back of a Patriot players head which ironically enough gave the Patriots what they needed to score and win the game on the ensuing Drive in their first playoff game of 1974 against the St Louis football Cardinals the score was tied 7 to7 at half until a defensive touchdown and an offensive Outburst pulled the Vikings ahead for good with a 30 to4 victory in their second straight NFC title game the Vikings jumped out to a 7 to3 lead and after an incredible goal line stand on a 98 yd Rams Drive followed by a touchdown of their own the Vikings took a 14-3 lead and their defense came up huge after Rams touchdown made the game close helping Minnesota secure their second straight NFC Crown 14 to1 the Vikings were headed back to the Super Bowl in their third attempt this time against Pittsburgh the game was a defensive battle in the first half with Pittsburgh scoring on a safety in the second quarter and then intercepting FR an Tarkington deep in their own territory to hold a two-point lead at the break in the second half Franco Harris scored to make it 9 nothing on the following Vikings drive a wild play ensued when Tarkington caught his own pass that was batted by a Steelers Defender and then proceeded to launch it again for a deep completion that was nullified thanks to the one forward pass rule Tarkington was later intercepted on the same drive and after coming up short on a later drive the Vikings scored on a block punt pulling to within three of Pittsburgh with the score 9 to6 with Pittsburgh trying to grind out the clock they inexplicably fumbled and the ball was ruled to be recovered by Minnesota until an official far from the play overruled them wildly giving the ball back to Pittsburgh the Steelers scored on the same drive and then a Tarkington interception sealed it for Pittsburgh Minnesota was now 0 and in Super Bowls after their 16 to6 loss in 1975 the Vikings dominated again with a top three offense and defense Minnesota rolled to a 12-2 record targon set the career completion and touchdown records surpassing United in both categories in the 75 divisional round Minnesota matched up with Dallas for the third time after Minnesota took a 7 nothing lead into The Break Dallas scored on their first drive to tie the game and added another three on the next drive to take the lead the Vikings offense put something together late in the fourth taking a 14-1 lead and forced a three and out on the ensuing drive after another punt by the Vikings Dallas was down to their last chance on a fourth and 16 stabach and the Cowboys made a miraculous play that wasn’t without controversy to convert the fourth down then with 32 seconds left stabach and Pearson made a play that would live forever in NFL lore this of course is the famous Hail Mary in which stabach himself was quoted saying he set a Hail Mary prior to the play Roger threw it up for Pearson it kicked off a Minnesota Vikings player leg and then unbelievably found its way into Pearson’s hand for the game-winning touchdown after the game Pearson all but admitted to committing offensive pass interference on the play but the official swallowed his whistle and the Vikings were out of the playoffs again this game and that play will go down as one of the greatest what if moments in Minnesota Vikings History this team was believed to be better than those in years prior and the path to the Vikings first Super Bowl was a very realistic one the OPI by Drew pearon that never was haunted Vikings players it haunted Bud Grant and it has continued to haunt Minnesota Vikings fans for decades the next year many felt as though 76 would be the Vikings last chance as a Litany of Vikings Stars had grown old it was the Purple People leader last chance the beauty of 76 though was the prime of Chuck Foreman one of the greatest running backs in Vikings history in 76 the Vikings finished the regular season at 112 And1 the best in their conference for the sixth time in seven years since the merger in the divisional round the Vikings faced off against Washington Minnesota jumped on Washington early and often taking a 21 to3 lead into the break it would not be denied to in the second half beating Washington 35-6 in the NFC Championship the Vikings Cruis to a 17-point lead thanks to a block field goal return for a touchdown a block punt that led to a field goal and a nice touchdown Drive in the second half though the Rams came storming back pulling within four and had the ball down 17 to 13 late in the fourth quarter on a fourth and long the Vikings defense would stand tough as Bobby Bryant saved the game with an interception on the ensuing Drive the Vikings would add one more touchdown beating the Rams 24-13 to send them to their fourth Super Bowl in Super Bowl 11 against the Raiders and legendary coach John Madden this appeared to be the Vikings last shot after a mostly defensive first quarter Minnesota blocked another punt their 16th block kick of the season and started the drive at the Raiders three yard line but things quickly went sideways as Brent mclam fumbled which the Raiders recovered and quickly turned into three points a possible 10-point swing in favor of the Raiders in the second quarter the Vikings offense stalled out and the Raiders cash in for two touchdowns taking a 16 to nothing lead at halftime the Raiders added another field goal going up 19 nothing but the Vikings answered the score was now 19 to7 the Vikings defense held tough after their touchdown but on their ensuing offensive possession Taron threw an interception a huge blow to the Vikings comeback hopes the Raiders scored off the interception and after trading two touchdowns late Minnesota would fall to the Raiders 32 to 14 they would fail to convert on their last Super Bowl chance in this era and would fall to a staggering 0 and four in Super Bowl appearances a truly heartbreaking result for fans of a tremendous team that was dominant for so long the Vikings would win one more playoff game in 77 over LA but the incredible ’70s teams that filled fans with so much joy and heartache would fail to accomplish much more after their last playoff win in 77 the Vikings lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Cowboys in the NFC championship and a couple years later Allan pige was waved he landed with division Rivals Chicago where he would continue to dominate for three more years and the Vikings Dynasty that could have been officially ended at the turn of the decade in the’80s Tommy Kramer the Vikings first ever first- round pick at quarterback who they selected in the 1977 draft took over for tarkon and after trading for receiver Ahmad Rashad the Vikings had a couple new offensive stars in 1980 the Vikings entered week 15 at 8 and six needing win over the Browns to clinch the division with Detroit hot on their heels they trailed late against the Browns down 23 to 15 which of course was a two-score lead until 1994 when the NFL finally instated the two-point conversion after a touchdown to pull within one the Vikings failed on the onside kick attempt but managed to force a three and out with 20 seconds left at their own 20 Minnesota needed a miracle they amazingly completed a hook and ladder that took them into Brown’s territory with six seconds left and on the final play of the game sealed the division on a miraculous Hail Mary to a Moder shot ironic right in the playoffs the Vikings jumped out to a 14 to nothing lead and even after the Eagles stormed back to tie it the Vikings would ultimately force a safety retaking the lead then the Vikings muffed a punt on a later drive and the Eagles cashed in on the fumble to take a 21-6 lead on the next two drives the teams amazingly traded fumble recoveries only for the Vikings to Fumble the ball back to the Eagles again yes that’s now three Vikings fumbles and four overall what would happened next was even more incredible the teams traded interceptions increasing the turnover total in the game to nine including the safety the Eagles of course said hold my beer throwing an interception on the next Drive only for Kramer to say hold my beer again throwing the ball back to Philly turnover totals were now at 11 Philly added another field goal Kramer added another interception and the Eagles finished off the turnover game with a touchdown winning 31-6 after returning to the class of the NFC Central with a division title in 1980 the Vikings took a step back over their next Four Seasons finishing fourth in the central three times and fifth once with their best record coming in 19 83 at 8 and8 just a year after moving into the brand new Metrodome of course Minnesota did make the playoffs in a strike shorten season in 1982 with a 5 and4 record and even won a playoff game over the Falcons who amazingly scored three special teams touchdowns with a final score of 30 to 24 but the Vikings fell to the eventual Super Bowl champion Redskins in the divisional round 21 to7 in 83 following the 8 and8 season legendary coach Bud Grant retired and the Vikings were in search of a new coach for the first time since 1967 in ‘ 84 the loss of Bud Grant was felt heavily Les deal took over and he was a disaster trying to implement a marine style approach he was a Vietnam vet after all and it did not work as the Vikings finished with their worst record in decades at 3 and13 stackle was fired and the Vikings were back to the drawing board in 1985 after the Le stle experiment failed miserably Bud Grant was back for a year only the Vikings took a step toward normaly although still headed down year by their standards with a 7 to9 record after 85 Bud Grant retired for good this time and Jerry Burns took over in Burns first year the Vikings took another step forward and finished second the NFC Central with a 9-7 record but missed the playoffs in ‘ 87 the regular season was similar with an 8-7 record but this time they made the playoffs Burns playoff debut was one to remember when the Vikings dominated the Saints in the Wild Card round 44 to10 and his massive underdogs defeated the Joe Montana lead ners in the divisional round 36 to 24 highlighted by tremendous play from sack Aris Chris dolman and receiver Anthony Carter who had well over 100 receiving yards in the first half alone after the stunning upset over the ners it appeared as though Jerry Burns was here to stay and although the Vikings the Redskins in the NFC title game the following week 10 to 17 due to struggles offensively at the goal line Minnesota finally had some stability at the coaching position in the post Bud Grand era in 1988 the Vikings finished 11 and5 another step forward as Wade Wilson took over for Tommy Kramer at quarterback but the Vikings failed to get back to the NFC Championship they defeated the Rams in the Wild Card round 20 to 17 bore promptly showed the door the following week this time by the ners losing in blowout fashion 34 to9 9 1989 the Vikings were desperate to get over the top and made a franchise altering move a few weeks into the season trading for yep you guessed it Heisman Trophy winner and Dallas Cowboys running back Hershel Walker in the infamous deal the Vikings sent several players multiple first round picks multiple second round picks and a third round pick to Dallas for Walker after the ridiculous trade that would haunt Vikings fans for years Minnesota absolutely needed to get over the top Dallas at the time was struggling and this trade well we’ll touch on how the trade impacted the Cowboys in another video but the Vikings they were all in and Minnesota’s GM at the time said the move was made to finally bring home a Lombardi That season Walker didn’t have nearly the impact people thought he would but the Vikings still managed to bring home their first NFC Central Crown under Burns with a 10 and six record in the playoffs however the move for Walker who had 29 total yards in the game once again wasn’t enough as the Vikings fell in the divisional round again to the 49ers who still hadn’t forgotten the Vikings stunning upset in 87 beating down Minnesota in blowout fashion again 41-13 at the turn of the decade the Fallout from The Walker trade started to take effect and burns failed to achieve the success he had in years prior missing the Playoffs in both 1990 and in 1991 with a 6 and10 and an 88 record respectively in 1990 Walker was well average and in 1991 even after the Vikings resigned Walker following comments from GM Mike Lynn saying they gave up too much for him Walker was again uninspiring maybe it was due to him missing Vikings Camp to try out for the US Olympic bobsled team I don’t know just a guess in 1992 the Vikings finally caught Walker hoping to move on to Greener pasture they had grown accustomed to needless to say the Cowboys won the trade by a lot after all one of the pics Dallas Scot turned into EMT Smith EMT Smith has done it again it was something beautiful to watch unbelievable how this guy makes people miss the bright spots for the Vikings in the first few years of the 90s were the additions of two Hall of Famers wide receiver Chris Carter who ranks top 10 in receiving touchdowns and their backbone of the decade defensive tackle John Randall both of whom would play an integral role and good Vikings teams down the road 1992 was the start of said greener pastures after the horrific Walker trade Jerry Burns retired and Minnesota moved down to Dennis Green who had a lengthy coaching resume but was most recently the head coach of Stamford and was the second black head coach in NFL history ‘ 92 was the year Minnesota started to return to normaly and by normaly of course we means sustain success while failing to achieve football’s Ultimate Prize in ’92 the team finished 11 and 5 winning the NFC Central a bounceback season from the 88 finish in 91 but lost in the Wild Card round to the Redskins 24 to 7 in 93 the team took a step back record-wise at 9-7 while still making the playoffs but again ended with the same result a loss in the Wild Card round this time to the Giants 17 to1 and in 94 a step forward record-wise ALB a barely with a 10 and six record but nevertheless won the NFC Central again before being bounced in the Wild Card round again this time by the division rival bears in blowout fashion 35 to 18 95 96 and 97 weren’t much better in 95 Minnesota missed the playoffs all together at 8 and8 in ’96 they made the playoffs in 9-7 but were blown out by the Cowboys who built a 30 to nothing lead by halftime and finished with a final score of 40 to5 and in ‘ 97 the Vikings Faith fall were finally rewarded now with a spectacular record they finished 9 and 7 again but with a wild card win after losing 1 2 3 4 5 6 playoff games in a row they stormed back in the waning minutes thanks to a quick touchdown strike from Cunningham to Reed an onside kick and a late field goal to beat the Giants 23 to 22 before being promly showed at the door in the divisional round against yep the ners losing 38 to 22 damn those ners will they ever forget about 87 to be fair it’s amazing these Vikings teams competed as much as they did and as well as they did considering how much they had given up to the Cowboys in the Walker trade who believe it or not actually got Walker back and three Lombardi trophies along the way but in 1998 H 98 green was still the head coach and in ’97 Rand Cunningham took over at quarterback for Warren Moon this was the start of something special in Minnesota to pair with Chris Carter the vik got an idea a genius idea to assemble arguably the greatest receiver duo in NFL history when they drafted Randy Moss 21st overall in the 1998 NFL draft with green Cunningham Carter and Moss the Vikings were loaded for bear and in 1998 the Minnesota Vikings exploded they rattled off 15 wins for an NFL best record 15-1 which included a dominant win over yes the Dallas Cowboys for 6 to 36 in which Randy Moss became the first player in NFL history to have three 50 plus receiving yard touchdowns in 1998 Dennis Green won coach of the year Randy Moss won offensive Rookie of the Year and this looked like it was finally the Vikings year after receiving her first round buy the 98 Vikings faced off against the Arizona Cardinals and did 98 Minnesota Vikings things blowing out the Cardinals with a massive scoring Outburst 41 to 21 and we set to face off against the the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC title game but before we get to the NFC title game it’s important to point out that Gary Anderson Vikings kicker went perfect on extra points and field goals for the regular season anyways let’s carry on in the title game Atlanta started the scoring with a first drive touchdown but moss and Minnesota answered with a touchdown of their own after a Falcon’s fumble and a Gary Anderson field goal the Vikings grabbed a 10 to7 lead and after another Atlanta fumble the Vikings continued doing 98 Vikings things scoring another touchdown and then later adding another field goal to go up 20 to7 the game was officially on blowout watch until a strip sack in a quick Falcons touchdown just before half calm things down in the Metrodome making the score 20 to 14 at the break in the second half the Falcons got a quick stop and added a field goal to cut the lead to three thanks to some third down heroics from Carter and a great grab from Hatchet the Vikings now took another 10-point lead in the fourth quarter up 27 7 to 17 the Falcons answered again with a field goal but after failing to convert on fourth down following the recovery of a Vikings fumble the Falcons were starting to run out of time until tragedy struck Gary Anderson remember him the perfect kicker from the regular season well his time is coming the Vikings drove deep into the Falcons territory burning time off the clock and two Falcons timeouts along the way to set up a 38- yd field goal from Anderson that would put the Vikings up 10 in the game SE seemingly on Ice then this happened and it’s not good yes Gary Anderson the perfect Gary Anderson hooked it hooked it left and hooked it hard and with that the underdog Falcons had breath they had life they had a chance to tie the game with 209 left on the clock and tie it they did the Falcons drove down the field and after nearly throwing an interception and then nearly throwing another the Falcons unbelievably tied the game yet still the Vikings had 30 seconds and two timeouts Dennis Green had 30 seconds Dennis Green had two timeouts Dennis Green had the most explosive a passing attack in football he had Randle Cunningham he had Chris Carter he had Randy bleeping Moss certainly his team with these weapons would push the ball down the field and into field goal range right wrong Dennis Green elected to kneel out the clock I mean I what was he thinking with this Litany of stars how do you play it you know what never mind in overtime which was sudden death in ’98 the Vikings got the ball first the Vikings punted then got a stop then punted again this time the Falcons drove into field goal range they made the field goal they were headed to the Super Bowl and the 98 Vikings yes the plus 260 Point differential explosive Minnesota Vikings saw their best chance at a Lombardi since the70s and in crushing fashion in 1999 Jeff George took over for Cunningham the Vikings made the playoffs again and got their get back again against the Cowboys in the playoffs but were then bounced by the great show on Turf who ironically the Minnesota Vikings were called first ah 98 they really couldn’t get it done in 98 anyway let’s move on at the turn of the Millennium the Vikings were still reeling after the Heartbreak in ‘ 98 but did draft their future in the 99 draft Dante col pepper 11th overall the fourth quarterback off the board in 2000 col pepper took over as a starter in his second season and immediately flourished leading the league in passing touchdowns and star running back Robert Smith had a tremendous season of his own the Vikings finished 11 and5 and won the NFC Central for the second time in three seasons getting a first round bu in the divisional round they matched up with the Saints and as expected crushed them 34 to 16 but in their second conference championship appearance they were unable to atone for their shortcomings in ’98 getting crushed in the NFC title 41 to nothing by the Giants after the 2000 season Rob Smith retired at only 28 years old and Vikings right tackle Cory Stringer who was a first-round draft pick by the team several years earlier tragically collapsed from heat stroke during training camp and died the next [Music] day following the retirement of Smith and the tragic loss of stringer the Vikings took a massive step back in 2001 finishing 5- 11 and Dennis Green was let go before the season concluded in 2002 not much improved under interim turn permanent head coach Mike Ty with a 6 and10 regular season finish and a Randy Moss second degreee assault charge that was lowered from a felony to two misdem meaners in 2003 the Vikings took a step forward under Ty after two down years but still missed the playoffs in 9- seven after starting 6 and0 then collapsing down the stretch failing to beat the Cardinals in week 17 to clinch the Vision in a playoff birth when Arizona famously recovered an onside kick and threw a game-winning touchdown in which famous Minnesota radio play byplay analyst Paul Allen made this a kind of call no no the Cardinals have knocked the Vikings out of the playoffs 2004 wasn’t much different although Co pepper finally bounced back from a few down Seasons to produce a career year throwing for over 4,700 yards and 39 touchdowns the Vikings finished 8 and8 after starting 5- one but making the playoffs this time and winning a wild card game against hated rival Green Bay and Brett Favre 31 to 17 a game in which Randy Moss did thiss the mo to the fans here in Green Bay but the Vikings inevitably lost to the Eagles in the divisional round the next week who would represent the NFC in the Super Bowl in 2005 the Vikings got new ownership when Ziggy wol purchased the team from red mcoles and traded Randy Moss of the Raiders prior to the start of the season after another mediocre year in 2005 and 9 and 7 in which col pepper struggled on the field with multiple turnovers as well as a knee injury and off the field in the Vikings bow crew scandal in which C pepper was charged for disorderly conduct incident conduct and LW conduct although the charges were inevitably dropped Ty was let go and Brad shr took over after the season Co pepper requested a trade or to be released if he wasn’t traded the Vikings Del col pepper to the Dolphins for a second round pick Childers struggled in his first year as head coach in 2006 with a 6-10 record but Childers in the Vikings improved in 2007 after the Vikings selected yep Adrien Peterson seventh overall in the 2007 draft Adrien Peterson Peterson had one of the most spectacular rookie seasons ever with over 1300 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns including a week n performance against the Chargers in which he broke the single game rushing record with 296 yards it looked like the Vikings finally had their answer at running back after the failed hersel Walker trade and the retirement of Rob Smith in 2008 the Vikings won their first NFC North title which was the central but changed to the North in 2002 Peterson continued to impress but the Vikings simply could not get over the hump with Gus forat and tarus Jackson at quarterback and fell to the Eagles in the Wild Card round 26 to 14 in 2009 the Vikings needed to change a quarterback and they turned to a familiar face no not FR an Arington although that would be funny and no not butd grant that would be funny as well this face was wait let me make sure I’m reading this correctly Brett Favre yes Brett Favre Packers Legend Brett Favre the quarterback that tormented the Vikings and other members of the nsec north for over a decade this time he was coming to Minnesota to avenge his unceremonious exit from Green Bay when he was replaced by another guy who we might talk about a little later in 2009 with favv under Center feels weird saying that and Peterson in the backfield the Vikings were in Super Bowl form again they rattled off 12 wins an NFC North title and a first round by they matched up with the Cowboys in the divisional round and blew them out 34 to3 and punched their ticket back to the NFC championship for the first time in nine Seasons this time they matched up with the Saints the Vikings jumped out to an early 7even to nothing lead on a Peterson touchdown but the Saints answered with a 38- yd rushing touchdown to tie at sevens faran answered again with another touchdown drive retaking a seven-point lead that was quickly nullified by the Saints again tying the game at 14s going into the break in the second half the Saints opened the scoring to take a lead 21 to4 but Favre and the Vikings answered again tying the game again after favv got HT on a dirty hit from the Saints one in a laundry list of such hits in the game he returned but the Vikings Percy Harvin fumbled again giving the Saints the ball deep in Vikings territory the Saints cashed in taking a seven-point lead and the Vikings were in trouble in the fourth with fav on a herd angle the Vikings defense answered the Bell again after fumbling again on the drive immediately after the Saints touchdown the Vikings forced to stop and drove down to tie the game at 28 in the waiting minutes the Vikings got the ball back with a chance to kick the game-winning field goal punching their ticket to the Super Bowl until Favre did this and Paul Allen voice of Vikings football appropriately responded with this this is not Detroit man this is the Super Bowl after fav’s disastrous decision and Paul Allen’s hilarious call the game went overtime any guesses on what happened next the Saints won following the horrifying letdown in 2009 it’d be fair to wonder if the Vikings would ever get back to the Super Bowl in 2010 the team took a massive step back with far still under Center and oh yeah the roof of the Metrodome collapsed that’s okay a new stadium was being built regardless anyway children SC fired mid-season was replaced by Leslie Frasier and the team finished 6 and 10 2011 wasn’t much better under Frasier in fact it was a lot worse as the Vikings finished 3 and 13 and Adrien Peterson blew out his knee but in 2012 coming off his horrific knee injury Peterson exploded and the Vikings bounced back Adrien ran for over 2,000 yards coming just eight yards shy of the coveted single season record he won offensive player of the year and MVP the Vikings finished 10- six in Leslie Frasier’s second full season as head coach and with Christian pound now under Center but we’re bounced by Green Bay when Joe Webb was forced to start due to a Ponder injury 24 to10 in the Wild Card round after another letdown season in 2013 at 510 And1 frer was fired and Mike simmer was hired in Zimmer’s first year as head coach the team took a step forward in 2014 with a 7-9 finish but in 2015 the Vikings were back winning the north at 11-5 but again losing in the Wild Card round this time to the Seahawks 10 to n as the offense failed to get anything going 2016 they finished 8 and8 and missed the playoffs but in 2017 they exploded winning 13 games in Zimmer’s Four Season as head coach the defense was Stout posting a depth chart oozing with talented players like Harrison Smith Xavier rhods everon Griffin denal Hunter Anthony bar and Eric Kendricks with Case Keenum having a season for the ages by his standards will this finally be the Vikings year in the divisional round the Vikings matched up with the Saints uhoh in a game that felt mostly in the Saints control the Vikings found themselves in a tough spot with no timeouts and only a few seconds left on the clock needing a touch down to win well this happened touchdown unbelievable Vikings win it after the Minneapolis Miracle the Vikings matched up with the Eagles in the NFC Championship with backup Nick F starting for Philly would this be the year it would not full stayed hot Philly the 2017 team of Destiny rolled Minnesota 38 to7 and went on to win the Super Bowl in 2018 the Vikings turned to Kirk Cousins finally some stability at quarterback maybe the Vikings finished 87 And1 in cousins first year under Center and missed the playoffs but finished 10 and six The Following Season making the playoffs and were matched up in the Wild Card round with the Saints oh boy in another Thriller the Vikings got the best of New Orleans again in a dramatic overtime Victory although it still feels like no win over the Saints could atoned for 09 what say you Vikings fans after the overtime vict Victory the Vikings faced off with the ners in the divisional round and were quickly shown the door 27 to1 the Niners went on to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl and well lost to this guy in 2020 the Vikings took a step back finishing 7- n but the good news was the arrival of this guy and his gritty in 2021 it was more of the same finishing 8- n the Vikings defensive Corp other than Harrison Smith had mostly aged out and zimber was fired following the season in response to Zimmer’s firing the Vikings hired this guy Kevin oconnell offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl champion Rams and well things turned around in a big way the Vikings finished 13-4 with the rookie head coach Justin Jefferson won offensive player of the year and the Vikings went an incredible 11-0 in one score games wow would this be the Vikings year in the Wild Card round they matched up with Daniel Jones and the Giants who barely squeaked into the playoffs looks like the Vikings were headed to the divisional round until they weren’t losing their first one- score game of the season 31 to 24 in the playoffs 2023 the Vikings took a major step back Kirk Cousins blew out his Achilles Nick Mullins took over his starter and the Vikings regressed toward the mean in ons score games finishing 7- 10 after the season the Vikings let cousins walk after six seasons with the team and drafted JJ McCarthy National Championship winning quarterback out of Michigan 10th overall in the following draft in addition to McCarthy the Vikings traded up for Dallas Turner as well to bolster the defense after losing denil Hunter to the Texans in what Vikings brass termed to be a competitive rebuild they further bolstered the roster with the additions of Andrew van GLE Jonathan grenard Blake Cashman Aaron Jones and oh yeah this other guy Sam darnold well after a solid showing in training camp in the preseason JJ McCarthy was set to be the starter until he tore his miniscus H it was a rebuilding Year anyway right wrong the Vikings rattled off five straight wins to start the season jumping on nearly every team they played and beating down several Super Bowl contenders in the process they blew out the Giants in week one who weren’t Super Bowl contenders but continued their success against San Francisco Houston Green Bay and the New York Jets who were thought to be contenders but definitely weren’t Sam Darnell was playing at an MVP level the new defensive free agent acquisitions were falling and the Vikings were 5-0 coming off a bu to face 4-1 Detroit in a dramatic game in which the Vikings jumped out to an early lead then battled back after giving up 21 and answered points to take a 29 to 28 lead late in the fourth quarter they had a chance to seal it on third down until some miscommunication between receivers led to a darnold overthrow Detroit got the ball marched down the field and sealed it 10 Minnesota’s hopes of a perfect season no harm no foul the next week they matched up with the Rams and with the ball down eight needing 90 plus yards in a two-point conversion to tie the game a misf Mas call resulted in a safety and the Rams handed the Vikings their second loss of the Season okay 5- two so what after that the Vikings got rolling again rattling off nine straight wins including an overtime Thriller against the Bears a stellar comeback against the Cardinals and gutsy wins against the Seahawks and Packers to set up a divisional round showdown at fortfield against the Lions the Vikings were 14 and two the lions were 14-2 it was winner take all the north the one seed everything was on the line and with the Vikings playing hot and Detroit’s defense struggling it started to look like this season that was once thought to be a rebuild year could finally be the year the Vikings get over the hump until it wasn’t multiple Miss forth down throws by darnold and a drop pick six later the Vikings were headed for the Wild Card round the first ever 14- win wild card team in NFL history was matched up with the Rams wait a minute didn’t they play Detroit and La back toback once already this season uh as they say history often repeats itself and this would be no different the Rams used a similar scheme the Lions did Sam darnold who was once playing like an MVP candidate struggled mightily again with the NFL World watching and the Vikings lost again 27-9 14-4 on the year with their only losses coming against two teams Detroit and La is there anything more Minnesota while heartbreaking here’s the bright side the Vikings are far from finished many key players are returning including the trio of defensive studs they signed before 2024 McCarthy the air will be back they still have Jefferson they still have Addison and they still have Kevin oconnell the Vikings have a lot of cap space and while some holes certainly need to be filled along the offensive line and maybe in the secondary the future is bright in Minnesota this story for now is over and 2024 was simply a footnote in the most tremendously Successful Failure that is Minnesota Vikings football the Vikings are incredible they’re a well-run franchise with good ownership and a proud fan base who every Sunday home game win or lose he’ll hear chanting skull only time will tell if Minnesota will ever get over the hump with their cast of characters they’ve got as good a chance as ever [Applause] [Music]

Out of the ten winningest franchises in NFL history, all have won a Super Bowl except for have one, but not for a lack of trying.

The Minnesota Vikings have had tremendous success, yet even greater let downs. In this video, we go through their history in full detail, highlighting every brilliant moment and gut-wrenching defeat.