When most fans of football think of the Minnesota Vikings, they often think of the recent teams that have always fielded potent offenses and competent defenses, but which have never seemed to be able to live up to their potential. The Vikings, however, have consistently been among the best in the NFL - as evidenced by their overall franchise winning percentage which is the fifth-best in the NFL. Perhaps the best years of the Vikings franchise began within eight years of the team's 1961 entry into the NFL. During that period, which began in 1969, the Vikings would consistently dominate the NFL, appearing in four Super Bowls within an eight year period. Though they lost all of those games - and have, in fact, never won a Super Bowl title, the period between 1969 and 1977 can rightfully be thought of as the Age of the Vikings.
The beginnings of an era
An era of dominance always has a starting point. For the Vikings, theirs was the 1969 twelve win campaign that won them the berth against the Browns in January 1970's NFL Championship. This would be the end of that tradition, as the NFL would merge with the rival AFL in the following offseason. The game, won by Minnesota, propelled them into Super Bowl IV. Minnesota would lose the game to the Chiefs of the AFL, but in so doing they laid the foundation for the dynasty that would soon follow.
Seventies prominence
The rise of the Vikings' Purple People Eaters defense in the early 1970s powered them to the playoffs in 1970 and 1971. The 1972 season was a seven and seven campaign, in large measure due to roster changes during the offseason (the Vikings had traded with the Giants to bring Fran Tarkenton back to the team. By the team 1973 rolled around, however, the Vikings were back in wining form and began the season with nine straight wins, finishing with another twelve and two record. They then lost Super Bowl VIII to the Dolphins.
Never a Super Bowl
Returning to the title game in the ninth Super Bowl, the Vikings once again had a beautiful season come to a crashing and disappointing end as they lost to the Steelers. 1975 was worse, as the Minnesota team made it to the playoffs only to have Roger Staubach beat them in the closing moments of the game when he hurled the now-legendary Hail Mary pass that sent Dallas on to Super Bowl X while sending Minnesota home. The eleventh Super Bowl saw Minnesota once again representing the NFL, and once again failing to secure a title - this time beaten by the Raiders.
That made a total of three Super Bowl games within a four year span. It was also the team's fourth appearance in eight years. The Vikings of that era should, however, be judged by more than the fact that they lost all four opportunities for the crown. That fact does not diminish in any way the sheer dominance that the Vikings exerted over the NFL during that period, even without winning it all.
The beginnings of an era
An era of dominance always has a starting point. For the Vikings, theirs was the 1969 twelve win campaign that won them the berth against the Browns in January 1970's NFL Championship. This would be the end of that tradition, as the NFL would merge with the rival AFL in the following offseason. The game, won by Minnesota, propelled them into Super Bowl IV. Minnesota would lose the game to the Chiefs of the AFL, but in so doing they laid the foundation for the dynasty that would soon follow.
Seventies prominence
The rise of the Vikings' Purple People Eaters defense in the early 1970s powered them to the playoffs in 1970 and 1971. The 1972 season was a seven and seven campaign, in large measure due to roster changes during the offseason (the Vikings had traded with the Giants to bring Fran Tarkenton back to the team. By the team 1973 rolled around, however, the Vikings were back in wining form and began the season with nine straight wins, finishing with another twelve and two record. They then lost Super Bowl VIII to the Dolphins.
Never a Super Bowl
Returning to the title game in the ninth Super Bowl, the Vikings once again had a beautiful season come to a crashing and disappointing end as they lost to the Steelers. 1975 was worse, as the Minnesota team made it to the playoffs only to have Roger Staubach beat them in the closing moments of the game when he hurled the now-legendary Hail Mary pass that sent Dallas on to Super Bowl X while sending Minnesota home. The eleventh Super Bowl saw Minnesota once again representing the NFL, and once again failing to secure a title - this time beaten by the Raiders.
That made a total of three Super Bowl games within a four year span. It was also the team's fourth appearance in eight years. The Vikings of that era should, however, be judged by more than the fact that they lost all four opportunities for the crown. That fact does not diminish in any way the sheer dominance that the Vikings exerted over the NFL during that period, even without winning it all.
About the Author:
Freddie Brister is a huge fan of all sports and recommends checking out his Minnesota Vikings Bedding and Kansas City Royals blanket at his shop.