1975 Minnesota Vikings season

NFL team season August 2023 March 2026 Minnesota Vikings 1975 12–2 1st NFC Central Bud Grant Mike Lynn Metropolitan Stadium Lost Divisional Playoffs(vs. Cowboys) 14–17 CB Bobby BryantRB Chuck ForemanWR John GilliamS Paul KrauseDT Alan PageLB Jeff SiemonQB Fran TarkentonG Ed WhiteT Ron Yary RB Chuck Foreman (1st team)QB Fran Tarkenton (1st team)T Ron Yary (1st team)DT Alan Page (1st team)S Paul Krause (1st team) File:Vikings1975-86.png Vikings seasons The 1975 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 15th in the National Football League. The Vikings began with a 10-game win streak before losing by one point to the Washington Redskins, though there was generally very little expectation they would equal the 1972 Dolphins' perfect season.Lowitt Bruce Streaking Vikings Meet Old Nemesis in Falcons Star-Banner Ocala, Florida November 7, 1975 7B The 1975 Vikings had an even easier schedule than the often-criticized one of the unbeaten Dolphin team, and in fact had according to Eddie Epstein clearly the easiest schedule of any team between 1950 and 2001, with their fourteen opponents having a winning percentage excluding Vikings games of .346.Epstein Eddie Dominance: The Best Seasons of Pro Football's Greatest Teams 2002 Brassey’s, Inc. Washington, D.C. 9781574884661 171 According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, only the Super Bowl-winning 1999 Rams have since had a weaker schedule than the 1975 Vikings, playing only one opponent with a winning record during the regular season.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/tgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=game&year_min=1999&year_max=1999&game_type=R&playoff_round=&game_num_min=0&game_num_max=99&week_num_min=0&week_num_max=99&game_day_of_week=&game_time=&time_zone=&game_location=&surface=&roof=&game_result=&overtime=&league_id=&team_id=ram&opp_id=&conference_game=&division_game=&tm_is_playoff=&opp_is_playoff=&tm_is_winning=&opp_is_winning=1&tm_scored_first=&tm_led=&tm_trailed=&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=game_date&order_by_asc=Y 1999 Rams Against Opponents with Winning Record Pro-Football-Reference.com Nine of fourteen opponents finished 4–10 or worse, and like the 1972 Dolphins only two had winning records.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1975.htm 1975 Minnesota Vikings Pro-Football-Reference.com Football journalists noted during their streak how the Vikings had been playing very weak schedules for several seasons and flattered thereby.Donovan Mark http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1090258/index.htm https://archive.today/20130410171846/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1090258/index.htm dead April 10, 2013 National Central Sports Illustrated September 22, 1975 The Vikings’ 10–0 start was not subsequently equaled until the 1984 Miami Dolphins began 11–0.http://www.footballgeography.com/?p=3190 Last Undefeated NFL Team in Each Season March 7, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130117230829/http://www.footballgeography.com/?p=3190 January 17, 2013 dead They sealed their third straight NFC Central title on Thanksgiving Day in this same week when the Detroit Lions lost to the Los Angeles Rams. The Vikings finished with a record of 12 wins and two losses, before losing to the Dallas Cowboys, 17–14 in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at home due to a play known as the "Hail Mary". Earlier in the season, the New York Jets made their first appearance in Minnesota in a much-anticipated match between Super Bowl quarterbacks Fran Tarkenton and Joe Namath, in what had been the first regular season game sold out during the summer.Kallestad, Brent; "Fran, Joe Square Off First Time"; in The Evening News; October 10, 1975; p. 7B Third year halfback Chuck Foreman became the first Vikings running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Offseason 1975 draft 1975 NFL draft 1975 Minnesota Vikings Draft Draft order Player name Position College Notes Round Selection 1 25 Mark Mullaney Defensive end Colorado State 2 52 Robert Barber Defensive tackle USC Originally Steelers pickThe Vikings originally held the 51st overall selection but passed, allowing the Steelers to move up, before making their pick 52nd overall.363Traded to the New Orleans SaintsThe Vikings traded the third-round selection they acquired from the Lions (63rd overall) to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for G Andy Maurer.From LionsThe Vikings traded CB Charlie West to the Lions in exchange for a third-round selection (63rd overall).77Traded to the Cincinnati BengalsBengals The details of this trade are unknown.489Champ HensonRunning backOhio Statefrom BengalsBengals103Bruce AdamsWide receiverKansas5129Robert MillerRunning backKansas6155Bubba BroussardLinebackerHouston7181Henry GreenRunning backSouthern8207Joe HollimonDefensive backArkansas State9233John PassanantiGuardWestern Illinois10258Neil ClaboPunterTennesseeOriginally Raiders pickThe Vikings originally held the 259th overall selection but moved up to 258th overall when the Oakland Raiders passed.11285Ike SpencerRunning backUtah12311Autry BeamonSafetyEast Texas State13336Mike HurdWide receiverMichigan StateOriginally Redskins pickThe Vikings originally held the 337th overall selection but moved up to 336th overall when the Washington Redskins passed on the 334th overall selection and allowed several teams to move up.14363Mike StricklandRunning backEastern Michigan15388Ollie BakkenLinebackerMinnesotaOriginally Raiders pickThe Vikings originally held the 389th overall selection but moved up to 388th overall when the Oakland Raiders passed.16414Tom GoedjenPlacekickerIowa StateOriginally Colts pickThe Vikings originally held the 415th overall selection but moved up to 414th overall when the Baltimore Colts passed.17441Adolph BellizeareRunning backPenn Notes Roster 1975 Minnesota Vikings 43 4 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1975_roster.htm 17 Bob Berry American football 19 Bob Lee quarterback 10 Fran Tarkenton 44 Chuck Foreman 49 Ed Marinaro 33 Brent McClanahan 35 Robert Miller running back y 41 Dave Osborn 42 John Gilliam 87 Clint Haslerig 82 Jim Lash 80 Sam McCullum 84 Steve Craig American football 83 Stu Voigt 68 Charlie Goodrum T 65 Steve Lawson American football G 66 Andy Maurer G 78 Steve Riley American football T 53 Mick Tingelhoff C 72 John Ward American football, born 1948 G 62 Ed White American football G 73 Ron Yary T 81 Carl Eller DE 75 Bob Lurtsema DT 70 Jim Marshall defensive end DE 77 Mark Mullaney DE y 88 Alan Page DT 69 Doug Sutherland American football DT 59 Matt Blair OLB 58 Wally Hilgenberg OLB 54 Fred McNeill OLB 50 Jeff Siemon MLB 56 Bob Stein American football MLB 60 Roy Winston OLB 45 Pete Athas CB 27 Autry Beamon FS y 21 Joe Blahak CB 24 Terry Brown American football SS 20 Bobby Bryant CB 22 Paul Krause FS 43 Nate Wright CB 12 Neil Clabo P y 14 Fred Cox K -- Scott Anderson American football C DNR 89 Doug Kingsriter TE IR 55 Amos Martin LB IR 23 Jeff Wright defensive back S IR Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendancehttps://www.profootballarchives.com/1975nflmin.html 1975 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - Pro Football Archives 1 August 9 New York Jets L 15–20 0–1 Sun Devil Stadium, (Tempe, AZ) 51,323 2 August 17 at New England Patriots L 10–36 0–2 Schaefer Stadium 40,218 3 August 23 at Dallas Cowboys W 16–13 1–2 Texas Stadium 45,395 4 September 1 Miami Dolphins W 20–7 2–2 Metropolitan Stadium 47,653 5 September 6 St. Louis Cardinals L 6–13 2–3 Metropolitan Stadium 46,975 6 September 13 at San Diego Chargers T 14–14 (OT) 2–3–1 San Diego Stadium 31,642 Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 21 San Francisco 49ers W 27–17 1–0 Metropolitan Stadium 46,479 2 September 28 at Cleveland Browns W 42–10 2–0 Cleveland Stadium 68,064 3 October 5 Chicago Bears W 28–3 3–0 Metropolitan Stadium 47,578 4 October 12 New York Jets W 29–21 4–0 Metropolitan Stadium 47,739 5 October 19 Detroit Lions W 25–19 5–0 Metropolitan Stadium 47,872 6 October 27, 1975 at Chicago Bears W 13–9 6–0 Soldier Field 51,259 7 November 2 at Green Bay Packers W 28–17 7–0 Lambeau Field 57,267 8 November 9 Atlanta Falcons W 38–0 8–0 Metropolitan Stadium 43,751 9 November 16 at New Orleans Saints W 20–7 9–0 Louisiana Superdome 52,765 10 November 23 San Diego Chargers W 28–13 10–0 Metropolitan Stadium 43,737 11 November 30 at Washington Redskins L 30–31 10–1 RFK Stadium 54,498 12 December 7 Green Bay Packers W 24–3 11–1 Metropolitan Stadium 46,147 13 December 14 at Detroit Lions L 10–17 11–2 Silverdome 73,130 14 December 20, 1975 at Buffalo Bills W 35–13 12–2 Rich Stadium 54,993Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Game summaries Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers Minnesota Vikings 1975 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 1: San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary September 21, 1975 1:00 p.m. CDT 49ers 0 10 0 7 Vikings 3 10 0 14 Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota 46,479 50 F C Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter MIN – Fred Cox 28-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0. Second quarter MIN – Fred Cox 29-yard field goal. Vikings 6–0. MIN – Terry Brown 26-yard fumble return (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 13–0. SF – Steve Mike-Mayer 19-yard field goal. Vikings 13–3. SF – Gene Washington 22-yard pass from Norm Snead (Steve Mike-Mayer kick). Vikings 13–10. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter MIN – Brent McClanahan 10-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 20–10. MIN – Chuck Foreman 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 27–10. SF – Dave Washington 15-yard blocked punt return (Steve Mike-Mayer kick). Vikings 27–17. Top passers SF – Norm Snead – 10/18, 149 yards, TD MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 14/26, 165 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers SF – Wilbur Jackson – 15 rushes, 59 yards MIN – Brent McClanahan – 16 rushes, 61 yards Top receivers SF – Gene Washington – 6 receptions, 86 yards, TD MIN – Brent McClanahan – 6 receptions, 73 yards, TD Standings Postseason Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Venue Attendance Divisional December 28 Dallas Cowboys (4) L 14–17 Metropolitan Stadium 46,425 Game summaries NFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. (#4) Dallas Cowboys Minnesota Vikings 1975 2;text-align:center; autocollapse NFC Divisional Playoff: (#4) Dallas Cowboys at (#1) Minnesota Vikings – Game summary December 28 1:00 p.m. Cowboys 0 0 7 10 Vikings 0 7 0 7 Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota 25 F C Chuck Heberling CBS Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter MIN – Chuck Foreman 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0. Third quarter DAL – Doug Dennison 4-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick). Tied 7–7. Fourth quarter DAL – Toni Fritsch 24-yard field goal. Cowboys 10–7. MIN – Brent McClanahan 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–10. DAL – Drew Pearson 50-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Toni Fritsch kick). Cowboys 17–14. Top passers DAL – Roger Staubach – 17/29, 246 yards, TD MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 12/26, 135 yards, INT Top rushers DAL – Doug Dennison – 11 rushes, 36 yards, TD MIN – Chuck Foreman – 18 rushes, 56 yards, TD Top receivers DAL – Drew Pearson – 4 receptions, 91 yards, TD MIN – Ed Marinaro – 5 receptions, 64 yards Awards and records Fran Tarkenton, Bert Bell Award,http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/content/awards/bell/past_bell.htm Maxwell Football Club - Bert Bell Award Past Recipients June 28, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090619081037/http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/content/awards/bell/past_bell.htm June 19, 2009 and AP MVP AP First Team All-Pro selections: RB Chuck Foreman, S Paul Krause, DT Alan Page, QB Fran Tarkenton and T Ron Yary Chuck Foreman, set an NFL record with 73 receptions, most by a running back DE Jim Marshall, recovered 26th fumble, a new league record Pro Bowl selections: Bobby Bryant, Chuck Foreman, John Gilliam, Paul Krause, Alan Page, Jeff Siemon, Fran Tarkenton, Ed White and Ron Yary Statistics Team leaders Category Player(s) Value Passing yards Fran Tarkenton 2,994 Passing touchdowns Fran Tarkenton 25 Rushing yards Chuck Foreman 1,070 Rushing touchdowns Chuck Foreman 13 Receiving yards John Gilliam 777 Receiving touchdowns Chuck Foreman 9 Points Chuck Foreman 132 Kickoff return yards Brent McClanahan 360 Punt return yards Bobby Bryant 125 Interceptions Paul Krause 10 * * Vikings single season record. League rankings Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank(out of 26) Passing offense 2,861 204.4 3rd Rushing offense 2,094 149.6 10th Total offense 4,955 353.9 5th Passing defense 1,621 115.8 1st Rushing defense 1,532 109.4 1st Total defense 3,153 262.2 1st References 1975 Minnesota Category:NFC Central championship seasons Minnesota Vikings