1998 Minnesota Vikings season

The 1998 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 38th in the National Football League. The Vikings became the third team in NFL history to win 15 games during the regular season,[1] which earned them the National Football Conference (NFC) Central division championship and the first overall seed in the NFC playoffs. The team entered the playoffs as the favorite to win Super Bowl XXXIII, but their season ended when they were upset by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1998 NFC Championship Game.

1998 Minnesota Vikings season
OwnerRed McCombs
Head coachDennis Green
General managerJeff Diamond
Home fieldHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Results
Record15–1
Division place1st NFC Central
Playoff finishWon NFC Divisional Playoff (Cardinals) 41–21
Lost NFC Championship Game (Falcons) 27–30 (OT)
Pro Bowlers
AP All-Pros

The 1998 Vikings team is known for its offense, which featured veteran quarterback Randall Cunningham, running back Robert Smith, and Hall of Fame wide receivers Cris Carter and rookie Randy Moss. The team scored an NFL record 556 points during the season, and Moss set an NFL record by catching 17 touchdown passes, the most ever by a rookie. On special teams, Gary Anderson became the first placekicker in NFL history to convert every field goal and extra point he attempted. The Vikings defense ranked sixth in the league in points allowed and was led by Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle.

During the NFC Championship Game, Gary Anderson missed a field goal for the first time that season. Had the field goal been converted, it would have given the Vikings a nearly insurmountable 10-point lead late in the game. Instead, the Falcons tied the game on their ensuing drive and won by a field goal in sudden death overtime.

The 1998 Vikings were the first NFL team to compile a regular season record of 15–1 and not reach the Super Bowl. Their loss in the NFC Championship Game is also considered by their fans to be one of the most devastating losses in NFL history.

Offseason

1998 Draft
Main article: 1998 NFL Draft
Pro Bowler
Pro Football Hall of Fame
1998 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft order Player name Position College Notes
Round Selection
121 Randy MossWide receiverMarshall
251 Kailee WongLinebackerStanford
380 Ramos McDonaldCornerbackNew Mexico
4110 Kivuusama MaysLinebackerNorth Carolina
5144 Kerry CooksSafetyIowa
6173 Matt BirkOffensive tackleHarvard
7208 Chester BurnettLinebackerArizona
225 Tony DardenCornerbackTexas TechCompensatory pick

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance[2]
1 August 9 at New England Patriots W 28–0 1–0 Foxboro Stadium 54,111
2 August 15 Kansas City Chiefs W 34–0 2–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 60,955
3 August 22 at Carolina Panthers W 25–22 (OT) 3–0 Ericsson Stadium 64,569
4 August 28 San Diego Chargers W 42–28 4–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 62,127

Regular season
Ten Vikings (not all pictured) were named to the 1999 Pro Bowl.

Prior to the start of the 1998 season, the Vikings were sold to Red McCombs. The NFL had not been happy with the Vikings' ownership arrangement of 10 owners with none owning more than 30 per cent. The ownership decided to sell the club. At first it appeared that Tom Clancy would become the new owner. However, his attempt to buy the team fell through. So in July 1998, the team was sold to McCombs, who was from San Antonio, Texas.

1998 was a year to remember for the Minnesota Vikings. With a spectacular offense led by quarterback Randall Cunningham, who had the best year of his NFL career, running back Robert Smith, veteran wide receiver Cris Carter, and explosive rookie Randy Moss, the Vikings set a then-NFL record by scoring a total of 556 points, never scoring fewer than 24 in a game. The Vikings finished the season 15–1, their only loss by three points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week nine. 12 of their 15 wins came by a margin of at least 10 points.

According to Football Outsiders, "The Vikings led the league with 52 plays of 25+ yards. They had 22 offensive plays of 40+ yards; no other team had more than 16 plays of that length."[3]

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 31–7 1–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 62,538
2 September 13 at St. Louis Rams W 38–31 2–0 Trans World Dome 56,234
3 September 20 Detroit Lions W 29–6 3–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,107
4 September 27 at Chicago Bears W 31–28 4–0 Soldier Field 57,783
5 October 5 at Green Bay Packers W 37–24 5–0 Lambeau Field 59,849
6 Bye
7 October 18 Washington Redskins W 41–7 6–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,004
8 October 25 at Detroit Lions W 34–13 7–0 Pontiac Silverdome 77,885
9 November 1 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 24–27 7–1 Raymond James Stadium 64,979
10 November 8 New Orleans Saints W 31–24 8–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,779
11 November 15 Cincinnati Bengals W 24–3 9–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,232
12 November 22 Green Bay Packers W 28–14 10–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,471
13 November 26 at Dallas Cowboys W 46–36 11–1 Texas Stadium 64,366
14 December 6 Chicago Bears W 48–22 12–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,247
15 December 13 at Baltimore Ravens W 38–28 13–1 Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards 69,074
16 December 20 Jacksonville Jaguars W 50–10 14–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,363
17 December 26 at Tennessee Oilers W 26–16 15–1 Vanderbilt Stadium 41,121

Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 0 707
Vikings 14 7 01031

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Cris Carter and rookie Randy Moss caught two touchdowns apiece as the Vikings routed the Bucs 31–7 despite being outgained in yards 319 to 298.

Week 2: at St. Louis Rams
Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 14 10 7738
Rams 0 10 14731

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

Brad Johnson was intercepted twice and eventually knocked out of the game; his replacement Randall Cunningham threw a late touchdown to Cris Carter. Robert Smith rushed for 179 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams stayed within a touchdown despite four Tony Banks interceptions. A last-minute goalline stand by the Vikings sealed a 38–31 win.

Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions
Week 3: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Lions 3 3 006
Vikings 0 6 131029

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Cunningham made his first start of the season and threw for 220 yards and a five-yard score to Randy Moss. The game was mostly a Gary Anderson field goal exhibition as he booted five field goals plus two PATs, the second on Leroy Hoard's 11-yard rushing touchdown in the Vikings 29–6 win.

Week 4: at Chicago Bears

Cunningham and Erik Kramer of the Bears squared off in a spirited duel. Cunningham's four touchdowns (to Smith, Andrew Glover, Carter, and Moss) were answered by Kramer's four scores (to Bobby Engram, Chris Penn, and Ryan Wetnight). The Vikings got the better of the duel as they intercepted Kramer once and won 31–28.

Week 5: at Green Bay Packers
Week 5: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 21 31037
Packers 0 10 01424

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: October 5
  • Game time: 7:20 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: 55 degrees, relative humidity 84%, wind 14 mph
  • Game attendance: 59,849
  • Referee: Gerry Austin (34)
  • Box Score
Game information

Randall Cunningham and Randy Moss unleashed a passing clinic on Monday Night at Lambeau Field as Cunningham tossed for 442 yards and Moss caught five passes for 190 yards and two scores (Moss also had a 75-yard touchdown reception called back due to holding). Cris Carter added eight for 119 yards as the Vikings also intercepted Brett Favre three times; backup Doug Pederson took over and threw two scores in the fourth quarter, but they did nothing to assuage a 37–24 Vikings win.

Week 9: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Vikings' quest for perfection ended as Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott erupted to 243 rushing yards and two scores. Two Cunningham touchdown throws put the Vikings up 24–17 until Alstott's score in the fourth proved the key to Tampa's 27–24 upset of the Vikings.

Week 10: vs. New Orleans Saints

Cunningham threw only two passes against New Orleans and Brad Johnson came off the bench to throw for 316 yards and a touchdown despite two picks; Sammy Knight ran back one pick for a 91-yard touchdown in the fourth. Robert Smith rushed for 137 yards; he and Leroy Hoard accounted for three touchdowns in Minnesota's 31–24 win.

Week 13: at Dallas Cowboys
Week 13: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 21 3 15746
Cowboys 6 6 101436

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: November 26
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: 58 degrees, relative humidity 61%, wind 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 64,366
  • Referee: Bill Carollo (63)
  • Box Score
Game information

Cunningham and Moss led a wild 46–36 win at Dallas as Moss caught just three passes – for 163 yards and three touchdowns. Cris Carter snagged seven passes for 135 yards and a score and Leroy Hoard ran in two more touchdowns. Troy Aikman threw for a career-high 455 yards and a score to Patrick Jeffers while Emmitt Smith ran in three scores; despite 513 total yards the Cowboys could not keep pace with the Vikings. The game was also a penalty-laden affair with a combined 23 fouls eating 230 yards.

Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 14: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bears 0 0 14822
Vikings 14 13 71448

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 6
  • Game time: 7:20 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,247
  • Referee: Bob McElwee (95)
  • Box Score
Game information

Four years after Warren Moon's overtime win over the Bears on Sunday Night Football, the Vikings clinched the NFC Central title by once again hosting the Bears on Sunday Night Football. Randall Cunningham unleashed four more touchdowns, three of them to Randy Moss. Leroy Hoard added a rushing score while the Bears fumbled at the Vikings six-yard line and Dwayne Rudd scored with the turnover. The Vikings won 48–22.

Week 15: at Baltimore Ravens

Vikings offensive coordinator Brian Billick faced his employer for the following season as the two teams combined for just 143 rushing yards. This unusual game featured three kick-off returns for TDs and four fumbles (all in their own half by the Ravens) in just the first 21 minutes of play. Overall, the Ravens coughed up five fumbles but the Vikings offense was largely held in check, with Gary Anderson booting six field goals and Randall Cunningham held to two touchdowns, one to Randy Moss. Future 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh threw a 42-yard touchdown to his former Colts teammate Floyd Turner while Corey Haris, David Palmer on kick returns and Priest Holmes on a two-yard run gave the Ravens the rest of their points scored in a 38–28 Vikings win.

Week 16: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Despite 108 penalty yards the Vikings reached 50 points in a 50–10 slaughter of the AFC Central champion Jaguars. Randall Cunningham threw for 210 yards and three touchdowns, then gave way to Brad Johnson who added a touchdown of his own. Cunningham was one of three Vikings players who rushed for 161 yards and a Chuck Evans touchdown while Jimmy Hitchcock intercepted Jonathan Quinn and scored from 30 yards out.

Week 17: at Tennessee Oilers
Week 17: Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 2 6 15326
Oilers 3 10 3016

at Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: December 26
  • Game time: 11:30 a.m. CT
  • Game weather: 31 degrees, relative humidity 82%, wind 7 mph, wind chill 25
  • Game attendance: 41,121
  • Box Score
Game information

The Vikings became the final club to play against Tennessee before they officially became the Titans. The Oilers clawed to a 13–8 halftime lead despite an intentional grounding penalty against Steve McNair that led to a safety. Two Randall Cunningham touchdowns in the third quarter put the game away to a 26–16 Vikings win, the 15th of the season.

Standings
NFC Central
W L T PCT PF PA STK
(1) Minnesota Vikings 15 1 0 .938 556 296 W8
(5) Green Bay Packers 11 5 0 .688 408 319 W3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8 8 0 .500 314 295 W1
Detroit Lions 5 11 0 .313 306 378 L4
Chicago Bears 4 12 0 .250 276 368 L1

Postseason

In the playoffs, the Vikings rolled past the Arizona Cardinals 41–21, and came into the Metrodome heavily favored for their NFC title showdown with the Atlanta Falcons, who had finished 14–2. Leading 20–7 just before halftime, some would argue that the Vikings got greedy with their playcalling, as they called a deep pass play on third down, which led to a Cunningham fumble deep in Minnesota territory. Shortly thereafter, the Falcons scored to cut the lead to 20–14. The Vikings were again leading 27–20 with two minutes left in the fourth quarter and had a chance to potentially put the game out of reach with a field goal. However, kicker Gary Anderson, who had gone 35 for 35 in the regular season, missed a 39-yard attempt. With multiple defensive injuries for the Vikings the Falcons subsequently marched downfield and scored the game-tying touchdown several plays later.

A controversial decision in the game saw Vikings head coach Dennis Green instruct quarterback Randall Cunningham to take a knee on a third down deep in Viking territory with about 30 seconds remaining rather than risk having to punt back to Atlanta following their game-tying touchdown. Minnesota won the coin toss in overtime but failed to score in two overtime possessions. Atlanta eventually won 30–27 in overtime after Morten Andersen's 38 yard field goal.

Schedule
WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance
Div January 10 Arizona Cardinals W 41–21 1–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,760
Championship January 17 Atlanta Falcons L 27–30 (OT) 1–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,060

NFC Divisional Round: vs (#6) Arizona Cardinals
NFC Divisional Playoffs: (#6) Arizona Cardinals at (#1) Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 7 7721
Vikings 7 17 10741

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: January 10
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (domed stadium)
  • Game attendance: 63,760
  • TV: FOX
  • Recap
Game information

NFC Championship Game: vs (#2) Atlanta Falcons
NFC Divisional Playoffs: (#2) Atlanta Falcons at (#1) Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Falcons 7 7 310330
Vikings 7 13 07027

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: January 17
  • Game time: 11:30 a.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (domed stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,060
  • TV: FOX
  • Recap
Game information

The 16–1 Vikings, boasting the league's first post-merger, 500-point offense since the 1983 Washington Redskins, were heavy favorites at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome and raced to a 20–7 lead in the second quarter off two Randall Cunningham touchdowns (one rushing and a throw to Randy Moss), but at the end of the first half Chris Chandler found Terance Mathis for a 14-yard score. After a Morten Andersen field goal made it 20–17 in the third, the Vikings surged to a 27–17 lead on another Cunningham TD throw (this one to Matthew Hatchette). In the frantic final ten minutes of regulation the Falcons were forced to turn the ball over on downs, but the Vikings fumbled it right back and Andersen kicked another field goal for a 27–20 score. In the final four minutes Gary Anderson, who hadn't missed a field goal all season, shanked a 38-yarder, and suddenly the surging Falcons had a chance, and nailed it when Chandler led the Falcons downfield and connected with Mathis in the end zone with 49 seconds remaining. The Vikings got the ball in overtime but Eugene Robinson stopped a deep pass to Moss and the Falcons got it back on a punt. Chandler led the Falcons downfield again and Andersen nailed a 38-yard field goal at 11:52 of the extra quarter; the 30–27 final sent the Falcons to Super Bowl XXXIII.

Statistics

Team leaders
Category Player(s) Value
Passing yardsRandall Cunningham3,704
Passing touchdownsRandall Cunningham34
Rushing yardsRobert Smith1,187
Rushing touchdownsLeroy Hoard9
Receiving yardsRandy Moss1,313
Receiving touchdownsRandy Moss17 *
PointsGary Anderson164 *
Kickoff return yardsDavid Palmer1,176
Punt return yardsDavid Palmer289
TacklesEd McDaniel125
SacksJohn Randle10.5
InterceptionsJimmy Hitchcock7
Forced fumblesEd McDaniel
John Randle		3

Best performances
  • Randall Cunningham, 442 passing yards vs. Green Bay (October 5)[4]
  • Randy Moss, 3 receptions, 163 yards, 3 TD at Dallas (November 26)

League rankings
Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 30)
Passing offense4,328270.51st
Rushing offense1,936121.011th
Total offense6,264391.52nd
Passing defense3,452215.819th
Rushing defense1,614100.911th
Total defense5,066316.613th


Staff
1998 Minnesota Vikings staff
Front office
  • Owner – Red McCombs
  • President – Gary Woods
  • Executive Vice President/General Manager – Tim Connolly

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Steve Wetzel
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Jeff Friday

[5]

Roster
1998 Minnesota Vikings final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 51 active, 9 inactive, 1 practice squad

Awards and records
  • Randall Cunningham, Bert Bell Award[6]
  • Randy Moss, led rookies in receiving yards, (1,313 yards)[4] Moss also set the record for most receiving touchdowns for a rookie, 17, a record that still stands today.[7]
  • The Vikings became just the third team to post a 15–1 win–loss record since the implementation of the 16-game schedule in 1978. They joined the 1984 San Francisco 49ers and the 1985 Chicago Bears, but became the first of those teams to fail to win the Super Bowl.
  • To date, the only teams to complete a 15–1 season (or better) are the 1984 San Francisco 49ers, the 1985 Chicago Bears, the 1998 Minnesota Vikings, the 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers, the 2007 New England Patriots, the 2011 Green Bay Packers and the 2015 Carolina Panthers. Only the 49ers and Bears capped their seasons with a Super Bowl victory, while the Packers were the only one of the group not to win a playoff game.
  • The Vikings' high-powered offense set a record, which stood until the 2007 season, for most points scored in a season with 556. They eclipsed the 1983 Washington Redskins, who scored 541. The 2007 New England Patriots beat the record by scoring 589 points. The 1998 Vikings now rank fifth all time, behind the 606 points scored by the 2013 Denver Broncos. It is worth noting that the 1998 Vikings followed in the footsteps of the 1983 Redskins and set a mark the 2007 Patriots and 2013 Broncos matched: none of these teams won the Super Bowl (in fact, the Vikings are the only one of these four squads not to have won their conference championship).

References
  1. The others were the 1984 San Francisco 49ers and the 1985 Chicago Bears.
  3. 1998 DVOA Ratings and Commentary
  4. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book. New York: Workman Publishing. March 2001. p. 440. ISBN 0-7611-2480-2.
  5. 2009 Minnesota Vikings Media Guide. p. 251. Archived from the original on December 24, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 19, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. Randy Moss
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