The 1974 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 14th in the National Football League (NFL). They won the NFC Central with a 10–4 record, before defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 30–14 in the NFC divisional playoff game, followed by a 14–10 win over the Los Angeles Rams to claim their second consecutive NFC championship. The Vikings then lost 16–6 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl IX at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, becoming the first team to lose consecutive Super Bowls.
Quick Facts Minnesota Vikings season, Head coach ...
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1974 Minnesota Vikings final roster
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Rookies in italics
, 0 practice squad |
More information Week, Date ...
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Schedule
More information Week, Date ...
Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Record |
Venue |
Attendance |
1 |
September 15 |
at Green Bay Packers |
W 32–17 |
1–0 |
Lambeau Field |
56,267 |
2 |
September 22 |
at Detroit Lions |
W 7–6 |
2–0 |
Tiger Stadium |
49,703 |
3 |
September 29 |
Chicago Bears |
W 11–7 |
3–0 |
Metropolitan Stadium |
46,217 |
4 |
October 6 |
at Dallas Cowboys |
W 23–21 |
4–0 |
Texas Stadium |
57,847 |
5 |
October 13 |
Houston Oilers |
W 51–10 |
5–0 |
Metropolitan Stadium |
48,006 |
6 |
October 20 |
Detroit Lions |
L 16–20 |
5–1 |
Metropolitan Stadium |
47,807 |
7 |
October 27 |
New England Patriots |
L 14–17 |
5–2 |
Metropolitan Stadium |
48,177 |
8 |
November 3 |
at Chicago Bears |
W 17–0 |
6–2 |
Soldier Field |
33,343 |
9 |
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at St. Louis Cardinals |
W 28–24 |
7–2 |
Civic Center Busch Memorial Stadium |
50,183 |
10 |
November 17 |
Green Bay Packers |
L 7–19 |
7–3 |
Metropolitan Stadium |
47,924 |
11 |
November 24 |
at Los Angeles Rams |
L 17–20 |
7–4 |
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
90,266 |
12 |
December 1 |
New Orleans Saints |
W 29–9 |
8–4 |
Metropolitan Stadium |
44,202 |
13 |
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Atlanta Falcons |
W 23–10 |
9–4 |
Metropolitan Stadium |
47,105 |
14 |
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at Kansas City Chiefs |
W 35–15 |
10–4 |
Arrowhead Stadium |
35,480 |
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Game summaries
Week 1: at Green Bay Packers
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Vikings |
3 |
7 |
13 | 9 | 32 |
Packers |
0 |
10 |
0 | 7 | 17 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
- MIN – Fred Cox 20-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
Second quarter
Third quarter
- MIN – Chuck Foreman 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–10.
- MIN – Chuck Foreman 3-yard run (kick failed). Vikings 23–10.
Fourth quarter
- MIN – Fred Cox 21-yard field goal. Vikings 26–10.
- GB – Steve Odom 18-yard run (Chester Marcol kick). Vikings 26–17.
- MIN – Amos Martin 15-yard fumble return (kick failed). Vikings 32–17.
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Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
- MIN – Chuck Foreman – 5 receptions, 32 yards
- GB – Barry Smith – 2 receptions, 29 yards
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Week 2: at Detroit Lions
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Vikings |
0 |
7 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
Lions |
0 |
3 |
0 | 3 | 6 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- DET – Errol Mann 40-yard field goal. Vikings 7–6.
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Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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Week 3: vs. Chicago Bears
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Bears |
0 |
0 |
0 | 7 | 7 |
Vikings |
2 |
6 |
3 | 0 | 11 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- MIN – Fred Cox 32-yard field goal. Vikings 11–0.
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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Week 4: at Dallas Cowboys
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Vikings |
3 |
10 |
7 | 3 | 23 |
Cowboys |
7 |
0 |
0 | 14 | 21 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- MIN – Chuck Foreman 13-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 20–7.
Fourth quarter
- DAL – Walt Garrison 5-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efren Herrera kick). Vikings 20–14.
- DAL – Calvin Hill 6-yard run (Efren Herrera kick). Cowboys 21–20.
- MIN – Fred Cox 27-yard field goal. Vikings 23–21.
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Top receivers
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Week 5: vs. Houston Oilers
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Oilers |
3 |
0 |
7 | 0 | 10 |
Vikings |
16 |
14 |
7 | 14 | 51 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
- MIN – Ed Marinaro 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 23–3.
- MIN – Chuck Foreman 6-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 30–3.
Third quarter
- HOU – Vic Washington 2-yard run (Skip Butler kick). Vikings 30–10.
- MIN – Chuck Foreman 24-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 37–10.
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
Top rushers
- HOU – Willie Rodgers – 11 rushes, 42 yards
- MIN – Chuck Foreman – 16 rushes, 61 yards, TD
Top receivers
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Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Lions |
0 |
6 |
7 | 7 | 20 |
Vikings |
0 |
3 |
13 | 0 | 16 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
- MIN – Fred Cox 23-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
- DET – Errol Mann 36-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
- DET – Errol Mann 27-yard field goal. Lions 6–3.
Third quarter
- MIN – Chuck Foreman 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–6.
- DET – Altie Taylor 1-yard run (Errol Mann kick). Lions 13–10.
- MIN – Chuck Foreman 9-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (kick failed). Vikings 16–13.
Fourth quarter
- DET – Altie Taylor 8-yard run (Errol Mann kick). Lions 20–16.
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Top receivers
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Week 7: vs. New England Patriots
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Patriots |
3 |
7 |
0 | 7 | 17 |
Vikings |
0 |
0 |
0 | 14 | 14 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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Week 8: at Chicago Bears
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Vikings |
3 |
0 |
7 | 7 | 17 |
Bears |
0 |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
- MIN – Fred Cox 23-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- MIN – Stu Voigt 4-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–0.
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Top rushers
Top receivers
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Week 9: at St. Louis Cardinals
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Vikings |
14 |
0 |
7 | 7 | 28 |
Cardinals |
7 |
10 |
0 | 7 | 24 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
- STL – Jim Bakken 46-yard field goal. Vikings 14–10.
- STL – Earl Thomas 12-yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken kick). Cardinals 17–14.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- MIN – Fran Tarkenton 11-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 28–17.
- STL – Jim Hart 4-yard run (Jim Bakken kick). Vikings 28–24.
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Top rushers
Top receivers
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Week 10: vs. Green Bay Packers
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Packers |
0 |
6 |
3 | 10 | 19 |
Vikings |
0 |
0 |
0 | 7 | 7 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
- GB – Chester Marcol 28-yard field goal. Packers 3–0.
- GB – Chester Marcol 31-yard field goal. Packers 6–0.
Third quarter
- GB – Chester Marcol 19-yard field goal. Packers 9–0.
Fourth quarter
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Top rushers
Top receivers
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Week 11: at Los Angeles Rams
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Vikings |
0 |
17 |
0 | 0 | 17 |
Rams |
0 |
6 |
0 | 14 | 20 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
- MIN – Fred Cox 36-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
- MIN – Chuck Foreman 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–0.
- LA – James Harris 1-yard run (kick failed). Vikings 10–6.
- MIN – Chuck Foreman 12-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–6.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- LA – James Harris 1-yard run (David Ray kick). Vikings 17–13.
- LA – Jack Snow 8-yard pass from James Harris (David Ray kick). Rams 20–17.
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Top rushers
Top receivers
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Week 12: vs. New Orleans Saints
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Saints |
3 |
6 |
0 | 0 | 9 |
Vikings |
6 |
6 |
3 | 14 | 29 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- MIN – Fred Cox 25-yard field goal. Vikings 15–9.
Fourth quarter
- MIN – John Gilliam 13-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 22–9.
- MIN – John Gilliam 22-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 29–9.
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Top rushers
Top receivers
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Week 13: vs. Atlanta Falcons
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons |
0 |
7 |
0 | 3 | 10 |
Vikings |
7 |
3 |
6 | 7 | 23 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- MIN – Dave Osborn 5-yard run (kick failed). Vikings 16–7.
Fourth quarter
- ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 36-yard field goal. Vikings 16–10.
- MIN – Stu Voigt 10-yard pass from Bob Berry (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 23–10.
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Top rushers
Top receivers
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Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Vikings |
0 |
14 |
7 | 14 | 35 |
Chiefs |
3 |
9 |
0 | 3 | 15 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 32-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–0.
- MIN – Sam McCullum 34-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–6.
- MIN – Sam McCullum 10-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–6.
- KC – Emmitt Thomas 73-yard interception return (kick failed). Vikings 14–12.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 29-yard field goal. Vikings 21–15.
- MIN – Oscar Reed 3-yard pass from Bob Berry (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 28–15.
- MIN – Brent McClanahan 6-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 35–15.
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Standings
More information NFC Central, W ...
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Schedule
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Game summaries
NFC Divisional Playoff: vs. St. Louis Cardinals
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Cardinals |
0 |
7 |
0 | 7 | 14 |
Vikings |
0 |
7 |
16 | 7 | 30 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- MIN – Fred Cox 37-yard field goal. Vikings 10–7.
- MIN – Nate Wright 20-yard fumble return (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–7.
- MIN – John Gilliam 38-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (kick failed). Vikings 23–7.
Fourth quarter
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Aided by the Cardinals' turnovers, the Vikings scored 16 points in less than 7 minutes in the third quarter. On their first possession of the game, St. Louis drove to the Vikings 35-yard line, but lost the ball on a failed 4th-and-1 conversion attempt. St. Louis eventually got onto the scoreboard first with quarterback Jim Hart's 13-yard touchdown pass to receiver Earl Thomas, but Minnesota countered when quarterback Fran Tarkenton completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to John Gilliam. The 7–7 tie would last till the end of the half. The Cardinals had a chance to take the lead with a 56-yard drive to the Vikings 6-yard line, but Jim Bakken missed a 23-yard field goal attempt as time expired.[3]
On the third play of the second half, Vikings defensive back Jeff Wright intercepted a pass from Hart and returned it 18 yards to set up Fred Cox's 37-yard field goal, giving his team a 10–7 lead. Exactly 60 seconds later, on the Cardinals' ensuing drive, Terry Metcalf lost a fumble while being leveled by Vikings linemen Alan Page and Carl Eller. Cornerback Nate Wright picked up the loose ball and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown that increased Minnesota's lead to 17–7. A few minutes later, Tarkenton finished off a 16-point quarter with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Gilliam. In the fourth quarter, Vikings running back Chuck Foreman, who finished the game with 114 rushing yards and 5 receptions for 54 yards, recorded a 4-yard touchdown run to give Minnesota a 30–7 lead. By the time Metcalf rushed for an 11-yard fourth-quarter touchdown, the game was already out of reach for the Cardinals.
NFC Championship Game: vs. Los Angeles Rams
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Rams |
0 |
3 |
0 | 7 | 10 |
Vikings |
0 |
7 |
0 | 7 | 14 |
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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On an unusually balmy day for December in Minnesota, the Vikings were able to hold onto the ball for the final 5:37 of the game to preserve a 14–10 victory. After a scoreless first quarter, Minnesota quarterback Fran Tarkenton threw a 29-yard touchdown to Jim Lash. Rams kicker David Ray later added a 27-yard field goal to cut the lead to 7–3 before halftime. In the third quarter, Los Angeles advanced the ball from their own 1-yard line to the Minnesota 1-yard line. The big play on the drive was a 73-yard pass play to Harold Jackson, who was finally pushed out of bounds at the Vikings 2 by safety Jeff Wright. With the ball inside the one-yard line, Rams guard Tom Mack was controversially called for illegal procedure (replays showed Mack did not move). Moved back to the six-yard line, the Rams were forced to pass for a touchdown on third down but the pass was deflected and Vikings linebacker Wally Hilgenberg intercepted the ball in the end zone for a touchback. Minnesota then went on a 15-play drive that took almost eight minutes off the clock to score on Dave Osborn's 4-yard touchdown run. With 7:15 left to play in the game, the Rams then cut the deficit to 14–10 with Harold Jackson's 44-yard touchdown reception. Then after forcing the Vikings to punt, Los Angeles drove to the Minnesota 45-yard line. But a third down sack forced the Rams to punt again and the Vikings kept the ball to run out the clock.
Super Bowl IX: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
More information Period, Total ...
Period |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Steelers |
0 |
2 |
7 | 7 | 16 |
Vikings |
0 |
0 |
0 | 6 | 6 |
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Team leaders
More information Category, Player(s) ...
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League rankings
More information Category, Total yards ...
Category |
Total yards |
Yards per game |
NFL rank (out of 26) |
Passing offense | 2,755 | 196.8 | 2nd |
Rushing offense | 1,856 | 132.6 | 15th |
Total offense | 4,611 | 329.4 | 3rd |
Passing defense | 2,302 | 164.4 | 18th |
Rushing defense | 1,605 | 114.6 | 5th |
Total defense | 3,907 | 279.1 | 10th |
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