1969 Minnesota Vikings season

1969 Minnesota Vikings season
Head coach	Bud Grant
General manager	Jim Finks
Home field	Metropolitan Stadium Memorial Stadium (October 5)
Results
Record	12–2
Division place	1st NFL Central
Playoff finish	Won Divisional Playoffs (Los Angeles Rams, 23–20) Won NFL Championship (1) (Cleveland Browns, 27–7) Lost Super Bowl IV (Kansas City Chiefs, 23–7)

The 1969 Minnesota Vikings season was the franchise's 9th season in the National Football League. The Vikings won the NFL Central Division title, finishing with a record of 12 wins and two losses, plus playoff wins over the Los Angeles Rams in the Western Conference Championship Game, as well as the Cleveland Browns in the last NFL Championship Game ever played in the pre-merger era. With these wins, the Vikings became the last team to possess the Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy, introduced 35 years earlier in 1934.

However, Minnesota lost Super Bowl IV in New Orleans to the AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs in the final professional football game between the two leagues. It was the second consecutive Super Bowl win for the younger league.

The Vikings won the last NFL Championship prior to the league's merger with the American Football League. The season was chronicled for America's Game: The Missing Rings, as one of the five greatest NFL teams to never win the Super Bowl.

Offseason

1969 Draft

Main article: 1969 NFL draft

=Pro Bowler

1969 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft order			Player name	Position	College	Notes
Round	Choice	Overall	Player name	Position	College	Notes
1	17	17	Traded to the New Orleans Saints^[a]
2	13	39	Ed White	Guard	California	from Giants^[b]
2	17	43	Volly Murphy	Wide Receiver	Texas-El Paso
3	17	69	Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles^[c]
4	17	95	Mike McCaffrey	Linebacker	California
5	2	106	Jim Barnes	Guard	Arkansas	from Falcons^[d]
	8	112	Mike O'Shea	Wide Receiver	Utah State	from Lions via Steelers^[e]
	17	121	Cornelius Davis	Running Back	Kansas State
6	18	148	Marion Bates	Defensive Back	Texas Southern	originally Chargers pick^[f]
7	17	173	Traded to the Washington Redskins^[g]
8	17	199	Harris Wood	Wide Receiver	Washington
9	17	225	Tom Fink	Guard	Minnesota
10	19	253	Tom McCauley	Defensive Back	Wisconsin	originally Cardinals pick^[h]
11	17	277	Brian Dowling	Quarterback	Yale
12	17	303	Noel Jenke	Linebacker	Minnesota
13	17	329	Jim Moylan	Defensive Tackle	Texas Tech
14	17	355	Tommy Head	Center	Southwest Texas State
15	17	381	Eugene Mosley	Tight End	Jackson State
16	17	407	Traded to the Detroit Lions^[i]
17	17	433	Wendell Housley	Running Back	Texas A&M

^{^[a]} Minnesota traded their 1st round selection (17th overall) and their 1968 1st round selection (7th overall) to New Orleans for QB Gary Cuozzo.

^{^[b]} The New York Giants traded their 2nd round selection (39th overall), 1967 1st round selection (2nd overall), 1967 2nd round selection (28th overall), and 1968 1st round selection (1st overall) to Minnesota for QB Fran Tarkenton.

^{^[c]} Minnesota traded their 3rd round selection (69th overall) to Philadelphia for QB King Hill.

^{^[d]} Atlanta traded their 5th round selection (106th overall) and 1968 7th round selection (167th overall) to Minnesota for QB Ron Vander Kelen.

^{^[e]} Pittsburgh traded Detroit's 5th round selection (112th overall) to Minnesota for RB Bobby Walden.

^{^[f]} Minnesota originally chose 147th overall but passed allowing San Diego to move up and Minnesota to choose 147th overall.

^{^[g]} Minnesota traded their 7th round selection (173rd overall) to Washington for Safety Paul Krause.

^{^[h]} Minnesota originally chose 251st overall but passed allowing San Diego and St. Louis to move up and Minnesota to choose 253rd overall.

^{^[i]} Minnesota traded their 16th round selection (407th overall) to Detroit for their 1968 17th round selection (445th overall).

Regular season

The Vikings, led by head coach Bud Grant, ended the season with an NFL best 12–2 regular season record, leading the older league in total points scored (379) and fewest points allowed (133). They had scored 50 or more points in three different games. They had 12 straight victories, the longest single-season winning streak in 35 years,^[1] and became the first modern NFL expansion team to win an NFL championship. Their defense, considered the most intimidating in the NFL, was anchored by a defensive line nicknamed the "Purple People Eaters", consisting of defensive tackles Gary Larsen and Alan Page, and defensive ends Carl Eller and Jim Marshall. The secondary was led by defensive backs Bobby Bryant (8 interceptions, 97 return yards), Earsell Mackbee (6 interceptions, 100 return yards), and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Krause (5 interceptions, 82 return yards, 1 touchdown).

On offense, quarterback Joe Kapp was known for his superb leadership and his running ability, both throwing on the run and running for extra yards. And when Kapp did take off and run, instead of sliding when he was about to be tackled like most quarterbacks, he lowered his shoulder and went right at the tackler. This style of play earned him the nickname "Indestructible". In the NFL championship game against Cleveland Browns, he collided with linebacker Jim Houston while running for a first down, and Houston had to be helped off the field after the play ended. Also, Kapp was known for being an extremely unselfish leader: when he was voted the Vikings' Most Valuable Player, he turned the award down and said that every player on the team was equally valuable.

Running back Dave Osborn was the team's top rusher with 643 yards and 7 touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 236 yards and another touchdown. In the passing game, Pro Bowl wide receiver Gene Washington averaged 21.1 yards per catch by recording 821 yards and 9 touchdowns off of just 39 receptions. Wide receiver John Henderson caught 34 passes for 553 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Vikings offensive line was anchored by Pro Bowlers Grady Alderman and Mick Tingelhoff.

The Vikings clinched the division title in week eleven, after their second defeat of the Detroit Lions on November 27,^[2] which also secured home field advantage for the NFL playoffs. The playoff sites were rotated until 1975; the Central division hosted the Coastal (as in 1967), and the Western Conference hosted the NFL championship game in odd-numbered years.

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	September 21	at New York Giants	L 23–24	0–1	Yankee Stadium	62,900
2	September 28	Baltimore Colts	W 52–14	1–1	Metropolitan Stadium	47,900
3	October 5	Green Bay Packers	W 19–7	2–1	Memorial Stadium ^	60,740
4	October 12	at Chicago Bears	W 31–0	3–1	Wrigley Field	45,757
5	October 19	at St. Louis Cardinals	W 27–10	4–1	Busch Memorial Stadium	49,430
6	October 26	Detroit Lions	W 24–10	5–1	Metropolitan Stadium	47,900
7	November 2	Chicago Bears	W 31–14	6–1	Metropolitan Stadium	47,900
8	November 9	Cleveland Browns	W 51–3	7–1	Metropolitan Stadium	47,900
9	November 16	at Green Bay Packers	W 9–7	8–1	Milwaukee County Stadium	48,321
10	November 23	Pittsburgh Steelers	W 52–14	9–1	Metropolitan Stadium	47,202
11	November 27	at Detroit Lions	W 27–0	10–1	Tiger Stadium	57,906
12	December 7	at Los Angeles Rams	W 20–13	11–1	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	80,430
13	December 14	San Francisco 49ers	W 10–7	12–1	Metropolitan Stadium	43,028
14	December 21	at Atlanta Falcons	L 3–10	12–2	Atlanta Stadium	52,872

^ The October 5 game was played in Minneapolis at Memorial Stadium at the University of Minnesota;
the baseball Twins hosted game three of the 1969 ALCS at Metropolitan Stadium on Monday, October 6.

Game summaries

Week 1: at New York Giants

Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	14	3	3	23
Giants	3	7	0	14	24

at Yankee Stadium • Bronx, New York

Date: September 21
Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C), Wind 13 mph (21 km/h)
Game attendance: 62,900
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

NYG – Pete Gogolak 25-yard field goal. Giants 3–0.
MIN – Fred Cox 11-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.

Second quarter

MIN – John Henderson 47-yard pass from Gary Cuozzo (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–3.
MIN – Gene Washington 48-yard pass from Gary Cuozzo (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–3.
NYG – Homer Jones 54-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Pete Gogolak kick). Vikings 17–10.

Third quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 17-yard field goal. Vikings 20–10.

Fourth quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 10-yard field goal. Vikings 23–10.
NYG – Don Herrmann 16-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Pete Gogolak kick). Vikings 23–17.
NYG – Don Herrmann 10-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Pete Gogolak kick). Giants 24–23.

Top passers

MIN – Gary Cuozzo – 13/28, 255 yards, 2 TD
NYG – Fran Tarkenton – 19/34, 224 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

MIN – Dave Osborn – 22 rushes, 58 yards
NYG – Tucker Frederickson – 13 rushes, 77 yards

Top receivers

MIN – Gene Washington – 7 rec, 152 yards, TD
NYG – Homer Jones – 3 rec, 100 yards, TD

Week 2: vs. Baltimore Colts

Week 2: Baltimore Colts at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	0	7	7	0	14
Vikings	14	17	14	7	52

at Metropolitan Stadium • Bloomington, Minnesota

Date: September 28
Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C), Wind 7 mph (11 km/h)
Game attendance: 47,900
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

MIN – Dave Osborn 18-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.
MIN – Gene Washington 83-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–0.

Second quarter

BAL – Tom Matte 42-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Lou Michaels kick). Vikings 14–7.
MIN – Bob Grim 21-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 21–7.
MIN – Fred Cox 40-yard field goal. Vikings 24–7.
MIN – Kent Kramer 13-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 31–7.

Third quarter

MIN – Gene Washington 42-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 38–7.
BAL – Tom Matte 4-yard run (Lou Michaels kick). Vikings 38–14.
MIN – John Beasley 1-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 45–14.

Fourth quarter

MIN – Jim Lindsey 15-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 52–14.

Top passers

BAL – Earl Morrall – 12/20, 127 yards, TD
MIN – Joe Kapp – 28/43, 449 yards, 7 TD (NFL Record)

Top rushers

BAL – Tom Matte – 6 rushes, 24 yards, TD
MIN – Oscar Reed – 6 rushes, 29 yards

Top receivers

BAL – Tom Matte – 4 rec, 54 yards, TD
MIN – Gene Washington – 6 rec, 172 yards, 2 TD

Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 3: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

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

at Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: October 5
Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C), Wind 11 mph (18 km/h)
Game attendance: 60,740
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 33-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
MIN – Fred Cox 27-yard field goal. Vikings 6–0.

Second quarter

MIN – Dave Osborn 3-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 13–0.

Third quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 41-yard field goal. Vikings 16–0.

Fourth quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 32-yard field goal. Vikings 19–0.
GB – Dave Hampton 7-yard pass from Bart Starr (Mike Mercer kick). Vikings 19–7.

Top passers

GB – Bart Starr – 18/31, 128 yards, TD
MIN – Joe Kapp – 7/21, 100 yards

Top rushers

GB – Bart Starr – 2 rushes, 31 yards
MIN – Oscar Reed – 14 rushes, 72 yards

Top receivers

GB – Boyd Dowler – 3 rec, 37 yards
MIN – Gene Washington – 3 rec, 73 yards

Week 4: at Chicago Bears

Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	7	0	7	17	31
Bears	0	0	0	0	0

at Wrigley Field • Chicago, Illinois

Date: October 12
Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C), Wind 12 mph (19 km/h)
Game attendance: 45,757
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

MIN – Mike Reilly 0-yard fumble return (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.

Second quarter

None.

Third quarter

MIN – John Beasley 1-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–0.

Fourth quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 24-yard field goal. Vikings 17–0.
MIN – Clint Jones 18-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–0.
MIN – Dave Osborn 58-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 31–0.

Top passers

MIN – Joe Kapp – 9/19, 110 yards, TD
CHI – Jack Concannon – 11/15, 71 yards

Top rushers

MIN – Dave Osborn – 15 rushes, 106 yards, TD
CHI – Ronnie Bull – 6 rushes, 20 yards

Top receivers

MIN – John Beasley – 4 rec, 36 yards, TD
CHI – Ray Ogden – 2 rec, 32 yards

Week 5: at St. Louis Cardinals

Week 5: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Cardinals – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	7	7	7	6	27
Cardinals	3	7	0	0	10

at Busch Memorial Stadium • St. Louis, Missouri

Date: October 19
Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), Wind 9 mph (14 km/h)
Game attendance: 49,430
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

STL – Jim Bakken 26-yard field goal. Cardinals 3–0.
MIN – John Beasley 12-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–3.

Second quarter

STL – Bob Rowe 18-yard interception return (Jim Bakken kick). Cardinals 10–7.
MIN – John Henderson 7-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–10.

Third quarter

MIN – John Henderson 39-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 21–10.

Fourth quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 21-yard field goal. Vikings 24–10.
MIN – Fred Cox 15-yard field goal. Vikings 27–10.

Top passers

MIN – Joe Kapp – 14/31, 243 yards, 3 TD
STL – Charley Johnson – 12/28, 96 yards

Top rushers

MIN – Dave Osborn – 16 rushes, 44 yards
STL – Cid Edwards – 11 rushes, 35 yards

Top receivers

MIN – Gene Washington – 4 rec, 96 yards
STL – Dave Williams – 6 rec, 49 yards

Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 6: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	0	3	0	7	10
Vikings	3	21	0	0	24

at Metropolitan Stadium • Bloomington, Minnesota

Date: October 26
Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C), Wind 15 mph (24 km/h)
Game attendance: 47,900
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 33-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.

Second quarter

MIN – Gene Washington 41-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–0.
DET – Errol Mann 50-yard field goal. Vikings 10–3.
MIN – Bill Brown 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–3.
MIN – Dave Osborn 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–3.

Third quarter

None.

Fourth quarter

DET – Nick Eddy 1-yard run (Errol Mann kick). Vikings 24–10.

Top passers

DET – Greg Landry – 14/28, 116 yards
MIN – Joe Kapp – 11/19, 167 yards, TD

Top rushers

DET – Greg Landry – 8 rushes, 40 yards
MIN – Bill Brown – 12 rushes, 33 yards, TD

Top receivers

DET – Earl McCullough – 4 rec, 44 yards
MIN – Gene Washington – 4 rec, 68 yards, TD

Week 7: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 7: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	7	0	7	14
Vikings	7	10	7	7	31

at Metropolitan Stadium • Bloomington, Minnesota

Date: November 2
Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C), Wind 12 mph (19 km/h)
Game attendance: 47,900
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

MIN – Gene Washington 20-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.

Second quarter

CHI – Brian Piccolo 7-yard run (Mac Percival kick). Tied 7–7.
MIN – Fred Cox 48-yard field goal. Vikings 10–7.
MIN – John Beasley 13-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–7.

Third quarter

MIN – Dave Osborn 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–7.

Fourth quarter

MIN – Clint Jones 80-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 31–7.
CHI – Gale Sayers 24-yard run (Mac Percival kick). Vikings 31–14.

Top passers

CHI – Bobby Douglass – 9/15, 93 yards
MIN – Joe Kapp – 9/18, 133 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

CHI – Gale Sayers – 20 rushes, 116 yards, TD
MIN – Clint Jones – 3 rushes, 88 yards, TD

Top receivers

CHI – Austin Denney – 1 rec, 29 yards
MIN – John Henderson – 2 rec, 64 yards

Week 8: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 8: Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	0	3	0	0	3
Vikings	10	17	7	17	51

at Metropolitan Stadium • Bloomington, Minnesota

Date: November 9
Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C), Wind 8 mph (13 km/h)
Game attendance: 47,900
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

MIN – Gene Washington 16-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.
MIN – Fred Cox 32-yard field goal. Vikings 10–0.

Second quarter

MIN – Gene Washington 10-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–0.
CLE – Don Cockroft 28-yard field goal. Vikings 17–3.
MIN – Fred Cox 28-yard field goal. Vikings 20–3.
MIN – Gene Washington 1-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 27–3.

Third quarter

MIN – Dave Osborn 5-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 34–3.

Fourth quarter

MIN – Clint Jones 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 41–3.
MIN – Fred Cox 32-yard field goal. Vikings 44–3.
MIN – Jim Lindsey 2-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 51–3.

Top passers

CLE – Bill Nelsen – 7/16, 95 yards
MIN – Joe Kapp – 16/24, 223 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

CLE – Leroy Kelly – 6 rushes, 24 yards
MIN – Oscar Reed – 9 rushes, 51 yards

Top receivers

CLE – Dave Jones – 2 rec, 33 yards
MIN – Gene Washington – 7 rec, 119 yards, 3 TD

Week 9: at Green Bay Packers

Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	0	3	3	9
Packers	0	7	0	0	7

at Milwaukee County Stadium • Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Date: November 16
Game weather: 28 °F (−2 °C), Wind 11 mph (18 km/h)
Game attendance: 48,321
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 10-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.

Second quarter

GB – Doug Hart 85-yard interception return (Mike Mercer kick). Packers 7–3.

Third quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 12-yard field goal. Packers 7–6.

Fourth quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 20-yard field goal. Vikings 9–7.

Top passers

MIN – Gary Cuozzo – 11/16, 105 yards
GB – Bart Starr – 12/21, 151 yards

Top rushers

MIN – Dave Osborn – 14 rushes, 58 yards
GB – Dave Hampton – 7 rushes, 39 yards

Top receivers

MIN – Gene Washington – 4 rec, 44 yards
GB – Carroll Dale – 3 rec, 61 yards

Week 10: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 10: Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	7	7	0	14
Vikings	7	10	14	21	52

at Metropolitan Stadium • Bloomington, Minnesota

Date: November 23
Game weather: 32 °F (0 °C), Wind 7 mph (11 km/h)
Game attendance: 47,202
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

MIN – Paul Krause 77-yard interception return (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.

Second quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 22-yard field goal. Vikings 10–0.
PIT – Don McCall 101-yard kickoff return (Gene Mingo kick). Vikings 10–7.
MIN – Bill Brown 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–7.

Third quarter

MIN – John Henderson 28-yard pass from Gary Cuozzo (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–7.
PIT – Jon Henderson 10-yard pass from Terry Hanratty (Gene Mingo kick). Vikings 24–14.
MIN – John Beasley 60-yard fumble return (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 31–14.

Fourth quarter

MIN – Oscar Reed 6-yard pass from Gary Cuozzo (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 38–14.
MIN – Oscar Reed 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 45–14.
MIN – John Henderson 7-yard pass from Bob Lee (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 52–14.

Top passers

PIT – Dick Shiner – 8/15, 86 yards
MIN – Gary Cuozzo – 12/19, 142 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

PIT – Warren Bankston – 10 rushes, 29 yards
MIN – Dave Osborn – 13 rushes, 50 yards

Top receivers

PIT – Roy Jefferson – 7 rec, 72 yards
MIN – John Beasley – 5 rec, 68 yards

Week 11: at Detroit Lions

Week 11: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	7	3	7	10	27
Lions	0	0	0	0	0

at Tiger Stadium • Detroit, Michigan

Date: November 27
Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C), Wind 12 mph (19 km/h)
Game attendance: 57,906
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

MIN – Dave Osborn 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.

Second quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 41-yard field goal. Vikings 10–0.

Third quarter

MIN – Oscar Reed 6-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–0.

Fourth quarter

MIN – Alan Page 15-yard touchdown on a lateral (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–0.
MIN – Fred Cox 38-yard field goal. Vikings 27–0.

Top passers

MIN – Joe Kapp – 7/12, 61 yards, TD
DET – Greg Landry – 12/25, 93 yards

Top rushers

MIN – Dave Osborn – 15 rushes, 36 yards, TD
DET – Nick Eddy – 11 rushes, 26 yards

Top receivers

MIN – Dave Osborn – 2 rec, 27 yards
DET – Charlie Sanders – 3 rec, 47 yards

Week 12: at Los Angeles Rams

Week 12: Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	7	10	0	3	20
Rams	0	3	3	7	13

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los Angeles, California

Date: December 7
Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), Wind 9 mph (14 km/h)
Game attendance: 80,430
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

MIN – Dave Osborn 4-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.

Second quarter

MIN – Bill Brown 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–0.
LA – Bruce Gossett 37-yard field goal. Vikings 14–3.
MIN – Fred Cox 39-yard field goal. Vikings 17–3.

Third quarter

LA – Bruce Gossett 27-yard field goal. Vikings 17–6.

Fourth quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 29-yard field goal. Vikings 20–6.
LA – Larry Smith 4-yard pass from Roman Gabriel (Bruce Gossett kick). Vikings 20–13.

Top passers

MIN – Joe Kapp – 8/16, 72 yards
LA – Roman Gabriel – 21/37, 186 yards, TD

Top rushers

MIN – Oscar Reed – 8 rushes, 52 yards
LA – Larry Smith – 16 rushes, 46 yards

Top receivers

MIN – John Henderson – 5 rec, 56 yards
LA – Jack Snow – 7 rec, 72 yards

Week 13: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 13: San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	0	0	0	7	7
Vikings	0	3	0	7	10

at Metropolitan Stadium • Bloomington, Minnesota

Date: December 14
Game weather: 22 °F (−6 °C), Wind 14 mph (23 km/h)
Game attendance: 43,028
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

None.

Second quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 37-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.

Third quarter

None.

Fourth quarter

SF – Ted Kwalick 1-yard pass from Steve Spurrier (Momčilo Gavrić kick). 49ers 7–3.
MIN – Gene Washington 52-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–7.

Top passers

SF – Steve Spurrier – 26/48, 292 yards, TD
MIN – Joe Kapp – 4/10, 82 yards, TD

Top rushers

SF – Bob Windsor – 1 rush, 5 yards
MIN – Bill Brown – 17 rushes, 53 yards

Top receivers

SF – Bob Windsor – 6 rec, 80 yards
MIN – Gene Washington – 1 rec, 52 yards, TD

Week 14: at Atlanta Falcons

Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	0	0	0	3
Falcons	0	7	3	0	10

at Atlanta Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia

Date: December 21
Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C), Wind 10 mph (16 km/h)
Game attendance: 52,872
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 19-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.

Second quarter

ATL – Claude Humphrey 24-yard fumble return (Bob Etter kick). Falcons 7–3.

Third quarter

ATL – Bob Etter 28-yard field goal. Falcons 10–3.

Fourth quarter

None.

Top passers

MIN – Gary Cuozzo – 4/13, 62 yards
ATL – Bob Berry – 6/13, 70 yards

Top rushers

MIN – Oscar Reed – 10 rushes, 79 yards
ATL – Harmon Wages – 20 rushes, 50 yards

Top receivers

MIN – John Henderson – 3 rec, 53 yards
ATL – Gail Cogdill – 1 rec, 52 yards

Standings

NFL Central
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Minnesota Vikings	12	2	0	.857	6–0	9–1	379	133	L1
Detroit Lions	9	4	1	.692	3–3	6–3–1	259	188	W2
Green Bay Packers	8	6	0	.571	3–3	5–5	269	221	W2
Chicago Bears	1	13	0	.071	0–6	0–10	210	339	L6

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Postseason

Playoffs

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Venue	Attendance
Western Conference	December 27, 1969	Los Angeles Rams	W 23–20	Metropolitan Stadium	47,900
NFL Championship	January 4, 1970	Cleveland Browns	W 27–7	Metropolitan Stadium	47,900
Super Bowl IV	January 11, 1970	N Kansas City Chiefs	L 7–23	Tulane Stadium	80,562

Western Conference Championship Game

Western Conference Championship Game: Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings

	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	7	10	0	3	20
Vikings	7	0	7	9	23

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Date: December 27
Game weather: 10 °F (−12 °C), wind 7 mph (11 km/h), wind chill −1 °F (−18 °C), relative humidity 83%
Game attendance: 47,900
TV: CBS
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First Quarter

LA – Bob Klein 3-yard pass from Roman Gabriel (Bruce Gossett kick). Rams 7–0
MIN – Dave Osborn 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Tied 7–7

Second Quarter

LA – Bruce Gossett 20-yard field goal. Rams 10–7
LA – Billy Truax 2-yard pass from Roman Gabriel (Bruce Gossett kick). Rams 17–7

Third Quarter

MIN – Dave Osborn 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Rams 17–14

Fourth Quarter

LA – Bruce Gossett 27-yard field goal. Rams 20–14
MIN – Joe Kapp 2-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 21–20
MIN – Safety, Roman Gabriel tackled in end zone by Carl Eller. Vikings 23–20

Top passers

LA – Roman Gabriel – 22/32, 150 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Joe Kapp – 12/19, 196 yards

Top rushers

LA – Larry Smith – 11 rushes, 60 yards
MIN – Joe Kapp – 7 rushes, 42 yards, TD

Top receivers

LA – Billy Truax – 5 rec, 47 yards, TD
MIN – Gene Washington – 4 rec, 90 yards

NFL Championship Game

NFL Championship Game: Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings

	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	0	0	0	7	7
Vikings	14	10	3	0	27

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Date: January 4
Game weather: 8 °F (−13 °C), wind 9 mph (14 km/h), wind chill −6 °F (−21 °C), relative humidity 75%
Game attendance: 47,900
TV: CBS
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First Quarter

MIN – Joe Kapp 7-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0
MIN – Gene Washington 75-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–0

Second Quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 30-yard field goal. Vikings 17–0
MIN – Dave Osborn 20-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–0

Third Quarter

MIN – Fred Cox 32-yard field goal. Vikings 27–0

Fourth Quarter

CLE – Gary Collins 3-yard pass from Bill Nelsen (Don Cockroft kick). Vikings 27–7

Top passers

CLE – Bill Nelsen – 17/33, 181 yards, TD
MIN – Joe Kapp – 7/13, 169 yards, TD

Top rushers

CLE – Leroy Kelly – 15 rushes, 80 yards
MIN – Dave Osborn – 18 rushes, 108 yards, TD

Top receivers

CLE – Bo Scott – 5 rec, 56 yards
MIN – Gene Washington – 3 rec, 120 yards, TD

Super Bowl IV

Main article: Super Bowl IV

Super Bowl IV: Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	0	0	7	0	7
Chiefs	3	13	7	0	23

at Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana

Date: January 11
Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), wind 14 mph (23 km/h), relative humidity 84%
Game attendance: 80,562
TV: CBS
Pro-Football-Reference.com

Game information

First Quarter

KC – Jan Stenerud 48-yard field goal. Chiefs 3–0

Second Quarter

KC – Jan Stenerud 32-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–0
KC – Jan Stenerud 25-yard field goal. Chiefs 9–0
KC – Mike Garrett 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 16–0

Third Quarter

MIN – Dave Osborn 4-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Chiefs 16–7
KC – Otis Taylor 46-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 23–7

Top passers

MIN – Joe Kapp – 16/25, 183 yards
KC – Len Dawson – 12/17, 142 yards, TD

Top rushers

MIN – Bill Brown – 6 rushes, 26 yards
KC – Mike Garrett – 11 rushes, 39 yards, TD

Top receivers

MIN – John Henderson – 7 rec, 111 yards
KC – Otis Taylor – 6 rec, 81 yards, TD

Awards and records

Led NFL, Points Scored (379)
Led NFL, Fewest Points Allowed (133)
Joe Kapp – 7 passing touchdowns in a single game (NFL Record) – Week 2

Roster

Minnesota Vikings roster

Quarterbacks

QB Gary Cuozzo
QB Joe Kapp

Running Backs

RB Bill Brown
RB Billy Harris
RB Clint Jones
RB Jim Lindsey
RB Dave Osborn
RB Oscar Reed

Wide Receivers

WR Bob Grim
WR/DB Tom Hall
WR John Henderson
WR Gene Washington

Tight Ends

TE John Beasley
TE Kent Kramer

Offensive Linemen

Defensive Linemen

DT/T Paul Dickson
DE Carl Eller
DT Gary Larsen
DE Jim Marshall
DT Alan Page
T/DE Steve Smith

Linebackers

LB Jim Hargrove
LB Wally Hilgenberg
LB John Kirby
LB Mike McGill
LB Mike Reilly
LB Lonnie Warwick
LB Roy Winston

Defensive Backs

Special Teams

K Fred Cox
P/QB Bob Lee

Statistics

Team leaders

Category	Player(s)	Value
Passing Yards	Joe Kapp	1,726
Passing Touchdowns	Joe Kapp	19
Rushing Yards	Dave Osborn	643
Rushing Touchdowns	Dave Osborn	7
Receiving Yards	Gene Washington	821
Receiving Touchdowns	Gene Washington	9
Points	Fred Cox	121
Kickoff Return Yards	Clint Jones	444
Punt Return Yards	Charlie West	245
Interceptions	Bobby Bryant	8

League rankings

Category	Total yards	Yards per game	NFL rank (out of 16)
Passing Offense	2,246 Yards	160.4 YPG	12th
Rushing Offense	1,850 Yards	132.1 YPG	4th
Total Offense	4,096 Yards	292.6 YPG	10th
Passing Defense	1,631 Yards	116.5 YPG	1st
Rushing Defense	1,089 Yards	77.8 YPG	2nd
Total Defense	2,720 Yards	194.3 YPG	1st

References

↑ "Super Bowl IV," Super Bowl I-X Collector's Set. NFL Productions, LLC, 2003
↑ "Vikings stuff Lions with 27-0 victory". Milwaukee Journal. press dispatches. November 28, 1969. p. 21, part 2.

Vikings on Football Reference

Minnesota Vikings

Founded in 1961 Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota Headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Franchise	Franchise History Expansion draft Players First-round draft picks Quarterbacks Head coaches Seasons Statistics Draft

Stadiums	Metropolitan Stadium Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome TCF Bank Stadium U.S. Bank Stadium

Culture	Purple People Eaters "Skol, Vikings" Herschel Walker trade Love Boat scandal "Little Minnesota" (How I Met Your Mother episode) Cheerleaders

Rivalries	Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers

Lore	The Wrong Way Run Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy Gary Anderson's missed field goal Hail Mary 2010 Metrodome roof collapse

Division championships (19)	1968 1969 1970 1971 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1980 1989 1992 1994 1998 2000 2008 2009 2015

Conference championships (4)	1969 1973 1974 1976

League championships (0^†)	^† does not include 1969 NFL championship

Retired numbers	10 53 70 77 80 88

Current league affiliations	League: National Football League Conference: National Football Conference Division: North Division

Seasons (56)	1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Championship seasons in bold

Minnesota Vikings seasons

1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Bold indicates NFL Championship or Super Bowl victory Italics indicates Super Bowl appearance

1969 NFL season

Capitol	Century	Coastal	Central
Dallas	Cleveland	Atlanta	Chicago
New Orleans	NY Giants	Baltimore	Detroit
Philadelphia	Pittsburgh	Los Angeles	Green Bay
Washington	St. Louis	San Francisco	Minnesota

Related: 1969 AFL Season

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