Game 134. Seattle at Minnesota
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Tag Archives: Minnesota Vikings
Game 122. Detroit at Minnesota
1997 Game 207 (Week 15) Minnesota at San Francisco
The Vikings shock the 49ers!
In the late 80s and early 90s, quarterback Randall Cunningham used to be one of the feared weapons in the NFL. His dual threat as a passer and a runner used to keep defensive coordinators awake at nights. He retired from football after the ’95 season and missed the entire ’96 season but joined the Minnesota Vikings as a backup quarterback to Brad Johnson this season. After Johnson was hurt last Monday Night against the Packers, Cunningham finally got his opportunity and showed that he does have a little juice in his old body left as the Vikings upset the San Francisco 49ers, 16-14, at 3Comm Park in San Francisco.
Cunningham got the Vikings going early in the 1st quarter when evaded the 49ers rush, scrambled to his right and slung the ball to the end zone into the arms of WR Chris Carter for the game’s first touchdown. Carter, who has been frustrated all season long, finally got the ball humming his way as he caught six passes for 198 yards in the game.
The 49ers offense struggled most of the day. New 49er head coach Steve Mariucci has transformed this year’s Niners offense with a strong running game. Today, they were without star RB Garrison Hearst, who broke his collar bone in last week’s game. Hearst rushed for over a 1,000 yards on the season and scored ten touchdowns, but not having him in the backfield slowed the 49er attack. The Vikings held the Niners to just 90 yards on the ground and 44 of it came from Steve Young scrambles.
The Niners could muter only 299 yards of offense and was shut out in the first half of the game. Steve Young threw for 228 yards on 20 of 37 passing with two touchdowns and an interception.
Cunningham finished with 249 yards passing on 13 of 24 passing with the lone TD and zero interceptions. He also rushed five times for 23 yards. RB Robert Smith rushed for 80 yards on 20 carries.
With the 49er loss, the NFC West is still in doubt because the Saints picked up another win. The 49ers are now 10-4 on the season and hold just a one game lead over the Saints in the standings. If the Niners win either of their final two games against the Broncos or the Seahawks OR the Saints lose one of their two remaining games, then the 49ers will win the West.
The Vikings are now .500 at 7-7 and will have a huge test in the Metrodome next weekend as they face the red-hot Detroit Lions. The Vikings still have an outside shot of making the playoffs, but many factors would have to fall their way for that to happen.
Game 101. Minnesota at Chicago
Game 90. Minnesota at Philadelphia
1997 Game 195 (Week 14) Green Bay at Minnesota (Monday Night)
Favre exorcises demons in the Metrodome!
For the first time in his career, Green Bay Packers’ quarterback won a game in the HHH Metrodome in Minneapolis. The Packers got a huge 3rd quarter from the reigning MVP and the Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings, 31-21, on Monday Night Football.
Favre was 0-6 against Minnesota in the Metrodome going into Monday Night Football; however, Favre erased a 21-16 halftime deficit with two touchdown passes in the third quarter to give the Packers the deciding edge.
Favre connected with WR Antonio Freeman on a 41-yard touchdown pass with 2:30 on the clock to take a 24-21 lead after a successful 2-point conversion. Then on the ensuing kickoff return, David Palmer fumbled and the Packers recovered setting them up at the 15-yard line. On the next play, Favre rifled a dart to WR Robert Brooks for the second touchdown and within 30 seconds the Packers took a 31-21 lead, which they never relinquished.
Favre finished 25 of 42 passing with 299 yards and 2 TDs but did have a costly interception. He also scored on a scramble in the first quarter. Freeman caught six passes for 79 yards and the TD, while Brooks caught 5 passes for 63 yards and the TD. Running back Dorsey Levens had a big night as he rushed for 118 yards on 22 carries.
The Vikings got a huge first half offensively. They racked up 261 yards on the Packers’ defense and scored 21 points. Reggie White and company got the ship right in the second half as they only surrendered 125 yards in the second half with no points.
Vikings’ QB Brad Johnson was injured late in the game, and he ended up 12 of 29 for 220 yards. RB Robert Smith rushed for 96 yards on eight carries. The Vikings rushed for 166 yards in the game but couldn’t take advantage because they fell behind in the 3rd quarter.
The Packers are still atop the NFC with a 12-1 record. They travel to Tampa Bay next week in a big NFC Central showdown. The Packers beat the Buccaneers earlier in the season at Lambeau 19-9. The Vikings are now 6-7 and are probably out of the NFC playoff picture. Next week, they travel to the Bay Area to take on the 49ers.
