1974 Minnesota Vikings season

1974 Minnesota Vikings season
Head coach	Bud Grant
Home field	Metropolitan Stadium
Results
Record	10–4
Division place	1st NFC Central
Playoff finish	Won Divisional Playoffs (vs. Cardinals) 30–14 Won NFC Championship (vs. Rams) 14–10 Lost Super Bowl IX (vs. Steelers) 6–16
Pro Bowlers	DE Carl Eller FB Chuck Foreman WR John Gilliam S Paul Krause DT Alan Page QB Fran Tarkenton T Ron Yary
AP All-Pros	DT Alan Page (1st team) T Ron Yary (1st team) FB Chuck Foreman (2nd team)
Uniform

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.

Offseason

1974 draft

Main article: 1974 NFL draft

Pro Bowler

1974 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft order		Player name	Position	College	Notes
Round	Selection
1	17	Fred McNeill	Linebacker	UCLA	From Falcons[A]
	25	Steve Riley	Offensive tackle	USC
2	29	John Holland	Wide receiver	Tennessee State	From Chargers[B]
	51	Matt Blair	Linebacker	Iowa State
3	64	Steve Craig	Tight end	Northwestern	From Packers via Chargers[B]
	77	Scott Anderson	Center	Missouri
4	86	Mike Townsend	Defensive back	Notre Dame	from Saints[C]
	103	Traded to the Cincinnati Bengals[D]
5	120	Jim Ferguson	Defensive back	Stanford	From Broncos[E]
	128	Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles[F]			From Rams[G]
	129	Traded to the Baltimore Colts[H]
6	155	Mark Kellar	Running back	Northern Illinois
7	181	Fred Tabron	Running back	Southwest Missouri State
8	207	Berl Simmons	Placekicker	TCU
9	232	Sam McCullum	Wide receiver	Montana State
10	259	Barry Reed	Running back	Peru State
11	285	Dave Boone	Defensive end	Eastern Michigan
12	311	Randy Poltl	Defensive back	Stanford
13	337	Gary Keller	Defensive tackle	Utah
14	363	Alan Dixon	Running back	Harding
15	389	Kurt Wachtler	Defensive tackle	St. John's
16	415	John Goebel	Running back	St. Thomas (MN)
17	441	Earl Garrett	Defensive back	Boston State

Notes

1. The Vikings traded QB Bob Lee and LB Lonnie Warwick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a first-round selection (17th overall) and QB Bob Berry.
2. The Vikings traded LB Carl Gersbach and RB Clinton Jones to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for second- and third-round selections (29th and 64th overall).
3. The Vikings traded TE Bob Brown to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a fourth-round selection (86th overall) and a 1973 sixth-round selection (139th overall).
4. The Vikings traded a fourth-round selection (103rd overall) to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for G Steve Lawson.
5. The Vikings traded WR Gene Washington to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a fifth-round selection (120th overall) and WR Rod Sherman.
6. The Vikings traded the fifth-round selection they received from the Rams (128th overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for LB Ron Porter.
7. The Vikings traded CB Charlie Stukes to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a fifth-round selection (128th overall).
8. The Vikings traded a fifth-round selection (129th overall) to the Baltimore Colts in exchange for CB Charlie Stukes.

Roster

1974 Minnesota Vikings roster

Quarterbacks (QB) 17 Bob Berry 10 Fran Tarkenton Running backs (RB) 30 Bill Brown FB 44 Chuck Foreman 49 Ed Marinaro 33 Brent McClanahan 41 Dave Osborn 32 Oscar Reed Wide receivers (WR) 42 John Gilliam 85 John Holland 82 Jim Lash 80 Sam McCullum Tight ends (TE) 84 Steve Craig 89 Doug Kingsriter 83 Stu Voigt

Offensive linemen (OL) 67 Grady Alderman T 56 Scott Anderson C 68 Charles Goodrum G 65 Steve Lawson G 66 Andy Maurer G 78 Steve Riley T 64 Milt Sunde G 53 Mick Tingelhoff C 62 Ed White G 73 Ron Yary T Defensive linemen (DL) 71 Dave Boone DE 81 Carl Eller DE 77 Gary Larsen DT 75 Bob Lurtsema DE/DT 70 Jim Marshall DE 88 Alan Page DT 69 Doug Sutherland DT

Linebackers (LB) 59 Matt Blair OLB 58 Wally Hilgenberg OLB 55 Amos Martin OLB 54 Fred McNeill 50 Jeff Siemon MLB 60 Roy Winston OLB Defensive backs (DB) 21 Joe Blahak 24 Terry Brown S 20 Bobby Bryant CB 22 Paul Krause FS 48 Larry Marshall 29 Randy Poltl S 25 Jackie Wallace SS 23 Jeff Wright SS 43 Nate Wright CB Special teams 14 Fred Cox K 11 Mike Eischeid P

Reserve 72 John Ward G (IR) Rookies in italics , 0 practice squad

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance[1]
1	August 10	at Denver Broncos	L 21–27	0–1	Mile High Stadium	23,822
2	August 19	at Miami Dolphins	L 9–21	0–2	Miami Orange Bowl	67,693
3	August 25	Buffalo Bills	W 32–13	1–2	Metropolitan Stadium	46,553
4	August 31	at St. Louis Cardinals	W 14–10	2–2	Busch Memorial Stadium	38,040
5	September 7	San Diego Chargers	W 42–0	3–2	Metropolitan Stadium	46,553

Regular season

Schedule

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	November 11	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	December 7	Atlanta Falcons	W 23–10	9–4	Metropolitan Stadium	47,105
14	December 14	at Kansas City Chiefs	W 35–15	10–4	Arrowhead Stadium	35,480

^[2]

Game summaries

Week 1: at Green Bay Packers

Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	7	13	9	32
Packers	0	10	0	7	17

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

• Date: September 15
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C)
• Game attendance: 56,267
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter MIN – Fred Cox 20-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0. Second quarter GB – Chester Marcol 19-yard field goal. Tie 3–3. GB – John Brockington 5-yard run (Chester Marcol kick). Packers 10–3. MIN – Chuck Foreman 18-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Tie 10–10. 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. Top passers MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 14/23, 116 yards, INT GB – Jerry Tagge – 9/20, 102 yards, 3 INT Top rushers MIN – Chuck Foreman – 22 rushes, 67 yards, 3 TD GB – John Brockington – 18 rushes, 53 yards, TD Top receivers MIN – Chuck Foreman – 5 receptions, 32 yards GB – Barry Smith – 2 receptions, 29 yards

Week 2: at Detroit Lions

Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	0	7	0	0	7
Lions	0	3	0	3	6

at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

• Date: September 22
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C), Wind 15 mph
• Game attendance: 49,703
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter DET – Errol Mann 29-yard field goal. Lions 3–0. MIN – Chuck Foreman 11-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–3. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter DET – Errol Mann 40-yard field goal. Vikings 7–6. Top passers MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 12/24, 142 yards DET – Bill Munson – 12/18, 56 yards Top rushers MIN – Chuck Foreman – 13 rushes, 83 yards, TD DET – Altie Taylor – 16 rushes, 57 yards Top receivers MIN – John Gilliam – 4 receptions, 87 yards DET – Steve Owens – 5 receptions, 29 yards

Week 3: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 3: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	0	7	7
Vikings	2	6	3	0	11

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

• Date: September 29
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 47 °F (8 °C), Wind 11 mph
• Game attendance: 46,217
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter MIN – Wally Hilgenberg tackled Bob Parsons in the end zone for a safety. Vikings 2–0. Second quarter MIN – Stu Voigt 11-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (kick failed). Vikings 8–0. Third quarter MIN – Fred Cox 32-yard field goal. Vikings 11–0. Fourth quarter CHI – Gary Huff 3-yard run (Mirro Roder kick). Vikings 11–7. Top passers CHI – Gary Huff – 16/27, 171 yards, 2 INT MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 16/25, 165 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers CHI – Ken Grandberry – 19 rushes, 76 yards MIN – Chuck Foreman – 16 rushes, 74 yards Top receivers CHI – Charlie Wade – 6 receptions, 112 yards MIN – Stu Voigt – 5 receptions, 50 yards, TD

Week 4: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	10	7	3	23
Cowboys	7	0	0	14	21

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

• Date: October 6
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C), Wind 12 mph
• Game attendance: 57,847
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter DAL – Golden Richards 58-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Efren Herrera kick). Cowboys 7–0. MIN – Fred Cox 46-yard field goal. Cowboys 7–3. Second quarter MIN – Chuck Foreman 66-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–7. MIN – Fred Cox 30-yard field goal. Vikings 13–7. 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. Top passers MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 17/27, 283 yards, 2 TD DAL – Roger Staubach – 9/20, 144 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT Top rushers MIN – Chuck Foreman – 23 rushes, 72 yards DAL – Calvin Hill – 21 rushes, 95 yards, TD Top receivers MIN – Chuck Foreman – 5 receptions, 131 yards, 2 TD DAL – Golden Richards – 1 reception, 58 yards, TD

Week 5: vs. Houston Oilers

Week 5: Houston Oilers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	3	0	7	0	10
Vikings	16	14	7	14	51

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

• Date: October 13
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C), Wind 9 mph
• Game attendance: 48,006
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter MIN – John Gilliam 80-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0. HOU – Skip Butler 29-yard field goal. Vikings 7–3. MIN – Fred Cox 42-yard field goal. Vikings 10–3. MIN – Stu Voigt 10-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (kick failed). Vikings 16–3. 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 MIN – Steve Craig 10-yard pass from Bob Berry (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 44–10. MIN – Sam McCullum 20-yard pass from Bob Berry (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 51–10. Top passers HOU – Dan Pastorini – 16/32, 167 yards, 4 INT MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 18/24, 274 yards, 3 TD Top rushers HOU – Willie Rodgers – 11 rushes, 42 yards MIN – Chuck Foreman – 16 rushes, 61 yards, TD Top receivers HOU – Billy Johnson – 3 receptions, 52 yards MIN – John Gilliam – 2 receptions, 102 yards, TD

Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 6: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	0	6	7	7	20
Vikings	0	3	13	0	16

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

• Date: October 20
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 38 °F (3 °C), Wind 10 mph
• Game attendance: 47,807
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays. 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. Top passers DET – Bill Munson – 22/32, 276 yards MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 18/30, 229 yards, TD, INT Top rushers DET – Steve Owens – 13 rushes, 59 yards MIN – Dave Osborn – 14 rushes, 96 yards Top receivers DET – Ron Jessie – 10 receptions, 116 yards MIN – Jim Lash – 4 receptions, 89 yards

Week 7: vs. New England Patriots

Week 7: New England Patriots at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	3	7	0	7	17
Vikings	0	0	0	14	14

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

• Date: October 27
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C), Wind 10 mph
• Game attendance: 48,177
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter NE – John Smith 37-yard field goal. Patriots 3–0. Second quarter NE – Steve Schubert 21-yard pass from Jim Plunkett (John Smith kick). Patriots 10–0. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter MIN – Chuck Foreman 2-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Patriots 10–7. MIN – Fran Tarkenton 3-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–10. NE – Bob Windsor 10-yard pass from Jim Plunkett (John Smith kick). Patriots 17–14. Top passers NE – Jim Plunkett – 15/28, 238 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 19/39, 281 yards, 3 INT Top rushers NE – Sam Cunningham – 22 rushes, 129 yards MIN – Chuck Foreman – 17 rushes, 68 yards, TD Top receivers NE – Reggie Rucker – 3 receptions, 61 yards MIN – John Gilliam – 5 receptions, 117 yards

Week 8: at Chicago Bears

Week 8: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	0	7	7	17
Bears	0	0	0	0	0

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

• Date: November 3
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), Wind 13 mph
• Game attendance: 33,343
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter MIN – Fred Cox 23-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0. Second quarter No scoring plays. Third quarter MIN – John Gilliam 35-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–0. Fourth quarter MIN – Stu Voigt 4-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–0. Top passers MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 9/18, 80 yards, 2 TD, INT CHI – Gary Huff – 11/24, 74 yards, INT Top rushers MIN – Dave Osborn – 24 rushes, 98 yards CHI – Carl Garrett – 4 rushes, 23 yards Top receivers MIN – John Gilliam – 1 reception, 35 yards, TD CHI – Jim Kelly – 2 receptions, 38 yards

Week 9: at St. Louis Cardinals

Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Cardinals – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	14	0	7	7	28
Cardinals	7	10	0	7	24

at Civic Center Busch Memorial Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: Monday, November 11
• Game time: 8:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C), Wind 12 mph
• Game attendance: 50,183
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter MIN – Dave Osborn 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0. STL – J. V. Cain 40-yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken kick). Tied 7–7. MIN – John Gilliam 10-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–7. 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 MIN – Chuck Foreman 13-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 21–17. 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. Top passers MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 14/29, 137 yards, TD, INT STL – Jim Hart – 28/43, 353 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers MIN – Dave Osborn – 23 rushes, 98 yards, TD STL – Jim Otis – 14 rushes, 50 yards Top receivers MIN – Dave Osborn – 7 receptions, 71 yards STL – Mel Gray – 6 receptions, 91 yards

Week 10: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 10: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	0	6	3	10	19
Vikings	0	0	0	7	7

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

• Date: November 17
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 33 °F (1 °C), Wind 8 mph
• Game attendance: 47,924
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays. 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 GB – Chester Marcol 18-yard field goal. Packers 12–0. MIN – Chuck Foreman 24-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Packers 12–7. GB – MacArthur Lane 68-yard pass from John Hadl (Chester Marcol kick). Packers 19–7. Top passers GB – John Hadl – 10/19, 199 yards, TD MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 15/31, 222 yards, TD, INT Top rushers GB – John Brockington – 32 rushes, 137 yards MIN – Chuck Foreman – 10 rushes, 39 yards Top receivers GB – MacArthur Lane – 1 reception, 68 yards, TD MIN – Jim Lash – 6 receptions, 136 yards

Week 11: at Los Angeles Rams

Week 11: Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	0	17	0	0	17
Rams	0	6	0	14	20

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

• Date: November 24
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C), Wind 8 mph
• Game attendance: 90,266
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays. 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 No scoring plays. 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. Top passers MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 19/35, 217 yards, TD, INT LA – James Harris – 24/37, 249 yards, TD Top rushers MIN – Chuck Foreman – 12 rushes, 49 yards, TD LA – Lawrence McCutcheon – 15 rushes, 64 yards Top receivers MIN – Chuck Foreman – 9 receptions, 88 yards, TD LA – Jack Snow – 7 receptions, 91 yards, TD

Week 12: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 12: New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	3	6	0	0	9
Vikings	6	6	3	14	29

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

• Date: December 1
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 25 °F (−4 °C), Wind 11 mph
• Game attendance: 44,202
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter MIN – Dave Osborn 2-yard run (kick failed). Vikings 6–0. NO – Bill McClard 27-yard field goal. Vikings 6–3. Second quarter NO – Alvin Maxson 1-yard run (kick failed). Saints 9–6. MIN – Stu Voigt 4-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (conversion failed). Vikings 12–9. 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. Top passers NO – Archie Manning – 9/18, 100 yards MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 20/29, 317 yards, 3 TD Top rushers NO – Alvin Maxson – 18 rushes, 98 yards, TD MIN – Chuck Foreman – 19 rushes, 54 yards Top receivers NO – Bob Newland – 2 receptions, 51 yards MIN – Jim Lash – 3 receptions, 112 yards

Week 13: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 13: Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	0	7	0	3	10
Vikings	7	3	6	7	23

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

• Date: Saturday, December 7
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 28 °F (−2 °C), Wind 10 mph
• Game attendance: 47,105
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter MIN – Dave Osborn 10-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0. Second quarter ATL – Art Malone 1-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Tied 7–7. MIN – Fred Cox 21-yard field goal. Vikings 10–7. 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. Top passers ATL – Kim McQuilken – 11/25, 125 yards, 2 INT MIN – Bob Berry – 14/22, 114 yards, TD, INT Top rushers ATL – Art Malone – 10 rushes, 54 yards, TD MIN – Dave Osborn – 24 rushes, 96 yards, 2 TD Top receivers ATL – Ken Burrow – 3 receptions, 50 yards MIN – Dave Osborn – 6 receptions, 39 yards

Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	0	14	7	14	35
Chiefs	3	9	0	3	15

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: Saturday, December 14
• Game time: 2:45 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 35 °F (2 °C), Wind 13 mph
• Game attendance: 35,480
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 37-yard field goal. Chiefs 3–0. 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 MIN – Ed Marinaro 7-yard pass from Bob Berry (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 21–12. 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. Top passers MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 8/17, 135 yards, 2 TD, INT KC – Len Dawson – 9/16, 124 yards, INT Top rushers MIN – Oscar Reed – 15 rushes, 57 yards KC – Cleo Miller – 12 rushes, 45 yards Top receivers MIN – Sam McCullum – 6 receptions, 118 yards, 2 TD KC – Elmo Wright – 3 receptions, 75 yards

Standings

NFC Central
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Minnesota Vikings	10	4	0	.714	4–2	8–3	310	195	W3
Detroit Lions	7	7	0	.500	3–3	6–5	256	270	L1
Green Bay Packers	6	8	0	.429	3–3	4–7	210	206	L3
Chicago Bears	4	10	0	.286	2–4	4–7	152	279	L2

Playoffs

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Venue	Attendance
Divisional	December 21	St. Louis Cardinals	W 30–14	Metropolitan Stadium	48,150
Conference	December 29	Los Angeles Rams	W 14–10	Metropolitan Stadium	48,444
Super Bowl IX	January 12	Pittsburgh Steelers	L 6–16	Tulane Stadium	80,997

Game summaries

NFC Divisional Playoff: vs. St. Louis Cardinals

NFC Divisional Playoff: St. Louis Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	7	0	7	14
Vikings	0	7	16	7	30

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

• Date: December 21
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 19 °F (−7 °C), flurries
• Game attendance: 48,150
• Referee: Chuck Heberling
• TV announcers (CBS): Brent Musburger, Irv Cross and Johnny Unitas
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter STL – Earl Thomas 13-yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken kick). Cardinals 7–0. MIN – John Gilliam 16-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). 'Tied 7–7. 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 MIN – Chuck Foreman 4-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 30–7. STL – Terry Metcalf 11-yard run (Jim Bakken kick). Vikings 30–14. Top passers STL – Jim Hart – 18/40, 200 yards, TD, INT MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 13/23, 169 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers STL – Terry Metcalf – 15 rushes, 55 yards, TD MIN – Chuck Foreman – 23 rushes, 114 yards, TD Top receivers STL – Mel Gray – 5 receptions, 77 yards MIN – Chuck Foreman – 5 receptions, 54 yards

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

NFC Championship Game: Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	0	3	0	7	10
Vikings	0	7	0	7	14

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

• Date: December 29
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Sunny, 29 °F (−2 °C)
• Game attendance: 48,444
• Referee: Tommy Bell
• TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier and Bart Starr
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter MIN – Jim Lash 29-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0. LA – David Ray 27-yard field goal. Vikings 7–3. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter MIN – Dave Osborn 4-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–3. LA – Harold Jackson 44-yard pass from James Harris (David Ray kick). Vikings 14–10. Top passers LA – James Harris – 13/23, 248 yards, TD, 2 INT MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 10/20, 123 yards, TD, INT Top rushers LA – Jim Bertelsen – 14 rushes, 65 yards MIN – Chuck Foreman – 22 rushes, 80 yards Top receivers LA – Harold Jackson – 3 receptions, 139 yards, TD MIN – Stu Voigt – 4 receptions, 43 yards

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

Main article: Super Bowl IX

Super Bowl IX: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	2	7	7	16
Vikings	0	0	0	6	6

at Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana

• Date: January 12, 1975
• Game time: 2:00 pm CST
• Game weather: Overcast, 51 °F (11 °C)
• Game attendance: 80,997
• Referee: Bernie Ulman
• TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis, and Don Meredith
• Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter PIT – Fran Tarkenton sacked in the end zone by Dwight White for a safety. Steelers 2–0. Third quarter PIT – Franco Harris 9-yard run (Roy Gerela kick). Steelers 9–0. Fourth quarter MIN – Terry Brown blocked punt recovery in end zone (kick failed). Steelers 9–6. PIT – Larry Brown 4-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick). Steelers 16–6. Top passers PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 9/14, 96 yards, TD MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11/26, 102 yards, 3 INT Top rushers PIT – Franco Harris – 34 rushes, 158 yards, TD MIN – Chuck Foreman – 12 rushes, 18 yards Top receivers PIT – Larry Brown – 3 receptions, 49 yards, TD MIN – Chuck Foreman – 5 receptions, 50 yards

Statistics

Team leaders

Category	Player(s)	Value
Passing yards	Fran Tarkenton	2,598
Passing touchdowns	Fran Tarkenton	17
Rushing yards	Chuck Foreman	777
Rushing touchdowns	Chuck Foreman	9
Receiving yards	Jim Lash	631
Receiving touchdowns	Chuck Foreman	6
Points	Chuck Foreman	90
Kickoff return yards	Brent McClanahan	549
Punt return yards	Jackie Wallace	191
Interceptions	Nate Wright	6

League rankings

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

References

1. "1974 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - Pro Football Archives".
2. "1974 Minnesota Vikings".
3. "Chicago Tribune - Historical Newspapers".