1998 Minnesota Vikings’ Heartbreak

1998 Minnesota Vikings’ Heartbreak

1998 Minnesota Vikings: The Best Team to Never Win a Championship

Minnesota Vikings fans had many reasons to feel optimistic going into the 1998 playoffs. The franchise had lost four Super Bowls between 1969 and 1976, and fans hoped this offensive juggernaut, which posted a 15-1 regular-season record, would finally bring home the first championship. Randall Cunningham, Cris Carter and rookie phenom Randy Moss terrorized defenses, and the high-powered offense led the NFL in scoring with 556 points. Pro Bowlers John Randle and Ed McDaniel led the defense. Kicker Gary Anderson didn’t miss a single field goal or extra point attempt all season. The stars were aligned, or so it seemed.

An Offensive Juggernaut

Cunningham Steps In

The Vikings’ offense started the season with a bang. Brad Johnson threw four touchdown passes as the Vikings beat up the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-7. Cris Carter and Randy Moss each caught two touchdowns. In the second game of the season, Johnson left with an injury and 35-year-old backup Randall Cunningham took over. Cunningham threw the game-winning touchdown and started at quarterback for the rest of the year.

A Career Year Throwing to Carter and Moss

Cunningham went on to have one of the best seasons of his career. He completed 60% of his passes for 3,704 yards and 34 touchdowns. It helped that he was throwing to two outstanding wide receivers. Cris Carter had 78 receptions for 1,011 yards and 12 touchdowns. Lining up across the field from Carter was rookie Randy Moss. The 21st pick of the 1998 draft had 69 catches for 1,313 yards and an astounding 17 touchdowns. Moss went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

A Thanksgiving Shootout in Dallas

The Vikings’ explosive offense was on full display during their Thanksgiving matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Troy Aikman threw for 455 yards and Emmitt Smith ran for three touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough. Cunningham threw for 359 yards and four touchdowns. Randy Moss caught only three passes, but those three catches went for 163 yards and three touchdowns. Cris Carter added 135 yards and one touchdown as the Vikings won the shootout 46-36.

One Loss and a 15-1 Finish

The Vikings’ only loss came against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9. The Bucs’ running back tandem of Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott ran all over the Vikings for 243 rushing yards and two touchdowns. After that loss, the Vikings won eight straight games and became the first team to post a 15-1 record since the Super Bowl-winning 1985 Chicago Bears. The 1998 Minnesota Vikings then beat the Arizona Cardinals 41-21 in the divisional round to reach the NFC Championship Game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Heartbreak in the NFC Championship Game

Even with an excellent 14-2 regular-season record, the Falcons had to travel to the Metrodome for the championship game. Atlanta opened the scoring when Pro Bowl quarterback Chris Chandler connected with Pro Bowl running back Jamal Anderson on a 5-yard touchdown. The Vikings then scored 20 straight points to take a 20-7 lead in the second quarter. The Falcons added a late touchdown to cut the score to 20-14 at halftime. The Vikings pushed their lead back to double digits with a Randall Cunningham touchdown pass to Matthew Hatchette, but the Falcons answered with a Morten Andersen field goal to pull within one touchdown.

In the final minutes, Gary Anderson, the kicker who hadn’t missed a field goal all season, had a chance to give the Vikings a 10-point lead. Anderson missed the 38-yard attempt, which gave the Falcons a chance to tie the game. With less than a minute remaining, Chandler found Terance Mathis for a 16-yard touchdown that tied it. In overtime, Morten Andersen kicked a 38-yard field goal to win the game and send the Falcons to the Super Bowl. A season full of hope and promise for the 1998 Minnesota Vikings ended in one of the most heartbreaking losses in NFL history.