1973 Minnesota Vikings season

{{main|1973 NFL draft}}

Notes

{{Notelist-ua}}

{{NFL final roster

|Year=1973

|TeamName=Minnesota Vikings

|Active=0

|Inactive=0

|PS=0

|Quarterbacks=

{{NFLplayer|17|Bob Berry|d=American football}}

{{NFLplayer|10|Fran Tarkenton}}

{{NFLplayer|15|Mike Wells|d=quarterback|rookie=y}}

|Running Backs=

{{NFLplayer|30|Bill Brown|d=American football|FB}}

{{NFLplayer|44|Chuck Foreman|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|49|Ed Marinaro}}

{{NFLplayer|33|Brent McClanahan|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|41|Dave Osborn}}

{{NFLplayer|32|Oscar Reed}}

|Wide Receivers=

{{NFLplayer|84|Carroll Dale}}

{{NFLplayer|86|Rhett Dawson}}

{{NFLplayer|42|John Gilliam}}

{{NFLplayer|82|Jim Lash|rookie=y}}

|Tight Ends=

{{NFLplayer|85|Gary Ballman}}

{{NFLplayer|89|Doug Kingsriter|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|83|Stu Voigt}}

|Offensive Linemen=

{{NFLplayer|67|Grady Alderman|T}}

{{NFLplayer|66|Frank Gallagher|d=American football|G}}

{{NFLplayer|68|Charles Goodrum|rookie=y|G}}

{{NFLplayer|65|Steve Lawson|d=American football|G}}

{{NFLplayer|64|Milt Sunde|G}}

{{NFLplayer|53|Mick Tingelhoff|C}}

{{NFLplayer|72|John Ward|d=American football, born 1948|G}}

{{NFLplayer|62|Ed White|d=American football|G}}

{{NFLplayer|73|Ron Yary|T}}

{{NFLplayer|51|Godfrey Zaunbrecher|C}}

|Defensive Linemen=

{{NFLplayer|81|Carl Eller|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|77|Gary Larsen|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|75|Bob Lurtsema|DE/DT}}

{{NFLplayer|70|Jim Marshall|d=defensive end|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|88|Alan Page|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|69|Doug Sutherland|d=American football|DT}}

|Linebackers=

{{NFLplayer|58|Wally Hilgenberg}}

{{NFLplayer|55|Amos Martin}}

{{NFLplayer|52|Ron Porter}}

{{NFLplayer|50|Jeff Siemon}}

{{NFLplayer|60|Roy Winston}}

|Defensive Backs=

{{NFLplayer|24|Terry Brown|d=American football|S}}

{{NFLplayer|20|Bobby Bryant|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|22|Paul Krause|FS}}

{{NFLplayer|34|Al Randolph|FS}}

{{NFLplayer|23|Jeff Wright|d=defensive back|SS}}

{{NFLplayer|43|Nate Wright|CB}}

|Special Teams=

{{NFLplayer|14|Fred Cox|K}}

{{NFLplayer|11|Mike Eischeid|P}}

|Reserve Lists=

{{NFLplayer|40|Charlie West|CB|IR}}

|Practice Squad=

}}

Notes

• Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 1: Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

|date=September 16

|time=1:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Raiders

|R1=0|R2=13|R3=3|R4=0

|home=Vikings

|H1=10|H2=0|H3=7|H4=7

|stadium=Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

|attendance=44,818

|weather={{convert|50|F|C}}

|referee=Tommy Bell1973 Minnesota Vikings highlight film

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309160min.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• MIN – Fred Cox 22-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
• MIN – John Gilliam 43-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–0.

Second quarter

• OAK – George Blanda 16-yard field goal. Vikings 10–3.
• OAK – George Blanda 25-yard field goal. Vikings 10–6.
• OAK – George Atkinson 63-yard punt return (George Blanda kick). Raiders 13–10.

Third quarter

• OAK – George Blanda 9-yard field goal. Raiders 16–10.
• MIN – Chuck Foreman 9-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–16.

Fourth quarter

• MIN – Bill Brown 6-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–16.

|stats=

Top passers

• OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 13/30, 183 yards, 2 INT
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 13/31, 187 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

• OAK – Clarence Davis – 12 rushes, 73 yards
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 6 rushes, 27 yards

Top receivers

• OAK – Mike Siani – 6 receptions, 111 yards
• MIN – John Gilliam – 4 receptions, 90 yards, TD

}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary

|date=September 23

|time=1:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Vikings

|R1=0|R2=13|R3=0|R4=9

|home=Bears

|H1=7|H2=3|H3=0|H4=3

|stadium=Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

|attendance=52,035

|weather={{convert|61|F|C}}

|referee=Jim Tunney1973 Minnesota Vikings highlight film

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309230chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• CHI – Bobby Douglass 1-yard run (Mac Percival kick). Bears 7–0.

Second quarter

• CHI – Mac Percival 31-yard field goal. Bears 10–0.
• MIN – Fred Cox 41-yard field goal. Bears 10–3.
• MIN – John Beasley 3-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Tied 10–10.
• MIN – Fred Cox 25-yard field goal. Vikings 13–10.

Third quarter

• None.

Fourth quarter

• MIN – Fred Cox 14-yard field goal. Vikings 16–10.
• MIN – Fred Cox 11-yard field goal. Vikings 19–10.
• CHI – Mac Percival 12-yard field goal. Vikings 19–13.
• MIN – Fred Cox 35-yard field goal. Vikings 22–13.

|stats=

Top passers

• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 12/18, 189 yards, TD
• CHI – Bobby Douglass – 10/19, 184 yards

Top rushers

• MIN – Chuck Foreman – 16 rushes, 116 yards
• CHI – Carl Garrett – 25 rushes, 90 yards

Top receivers

• MIN – Carroll Dale – 2 receptions, 53 yards
• CHI – Craig Cotton – 3 receptions, 88 yards

}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

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

|date=September 30

|time=1:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Packers

|R1=0|R2=3|R3=0|R4=0

|home=Vikings

|H1=0|H2=5|H3=3|H4=3

|stadium=Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

|attendance=48,176

|weather={{convert|56|F|C}}

|referee=Fred Silva

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309300min.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• None.

Second quarter

• GB – Chester Marcol 42-yard field goal. Packers 3–0.
• MIN – MacArthur Lane tackled in end zone for a safety. Packers 3–2.
• MIN – Fred Cox 22-yard field goal. Vikings 5–3.

Third quarter

• MIN – Fred Cox 13-yard field goal. Vikings 8–3.

Fourth quarter

• MIN – Fred Cox 14-yard field goal. Vikings 11–3.

|stats=

Top passers

• GB – Scott Hunter – 3/6, 44 yards
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 12/16, 109 yards

Top rushers

• GB – John Brockington – 14 rushes, 58 yards
• MIN – Chuck Foreman – 16 rushes, 89 yards

Top receivers

• GB – MacArthur Lane – 3 receptions, 36 yards
• MIN – Chuck Foreman – 5 receptions, 62 yards

}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary

|date=October 7

|time=3:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Vikings

|R1=14|R2=6|R3=0|R4=3

|home=Lions

|H1=3|H2=3|H3=3|H4=0

|stadium=Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

|attendance=49,549

|weather={{convert|61|F|C}}

|referee=Bob Frederic

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197310070det.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• MIN – Ed Marinaro 12-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.
• MIN – Ed Marinaro 8-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–0.
• DET – Errol Mann 37-yard field goal. Vikings 14–3.

Second quarter

• DET – Errol Mann 15-yard field goal. Vikings 14–6.
• MIN – Fred Cox 38-yard field goal. Vikings 17–6.
• MIN – Fred Cox 37-yard field goal. Vikings 20–6.

Third quarter

• DET – Errol Mann 33-yard field goal. Vikings 20–9.

Fourth quarter

• MIN – Fred Cox 27-yard field goal. Vikings 23–9.

|stats=

Top passers

• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 17/24, 199 yards, 2 TD
• DET – Greg Landry – 14/24, 110 yards

Top rushers

• MIN – Chuck Foreman – 16 rushes, 114 yards
• DET – Mel Farr – 11 rushes, 52 yards

Top receivers

• MIN – John Gilliam – 5 receptions, 79 yards
• DET – Mel Farr – 11 receptions, 85 yards

}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 5: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

|date=October 14

|time=3:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Vikings

|R1=7|R2=7|R3=0|R4=3

|home=49ers

|H1=3|H2=3|H3=7|H4=0

|stadium=Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

|attendance=56,438

|weather={{convert|64|F|C}}

|referee=Norm Schachter

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197310140sfo.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• MIN – John Gilliam 12-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.
• SF – Bruce Gossett 28-yard field goal. Vikings 7–3.

Second quarter

• MIN – Chuck Foreman 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–3.
• SF – Bruce Gossett 41-yard field goal. Vikings 14–6.

Third quarter

• SF – Ken Willard 7-yard pass from Steve Spurrier (Bruce Gossett kick). Vikings 14–13.

Fourth quarter

• MIN – Fred Cox 22-yard field goal. Vikings 17–13.

|stats=

Top passers

• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 10/22, 136 yards, TD
• SF – Steve Spurrier – 31/48, 320 yards, TD

Top rushers

• MIN – Chuck Foreman – 22 rushes, 71 yards, TD
• SF – Ken Willard – 10 rushes, 52 yards

Top receivers

• MIN – John Gilliam – 7 receptions, 107 yards, TD
• SF – Gene Washington – 8 receptions, 118 yards

}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 6: Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

|date=October 21

|time=1:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Eagles

|R1=0|R2=7|R3=7|R4=7

|home=Vikings

|H1=7|H2=7|H3=7|H4=7

|stadium=Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

|attendance=47,478

|weather={{convert|54|F|C}}

|referee=Jack Reader

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197310210min.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• MIN – John Gilliam 44-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.

Second quarter

• MIN – Oscar Reed 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–0.
• PHI – Po James 12-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick). Vikings 14–7.

Third quarter

• MIN – John Gilliam 24-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 21–7.
• PHI – Lee Bouggess 2-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick). Vikings 21–14.

Fourth quarter

• MIN – Chuck Foreman 5-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 28–14.
• PHI – Charle Young 17-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick). Vikings 28–21.

|stats=

Top passers

• PHI – Roman Gabriel – 23/32, 201 yards
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 16/21, 202 yards, TD

Top rushers

• PHI – Po James – 11 rushes, 78 yards, TD
• MIN – Chuck Foreman – 21 rushes, 68 yards, TD

Top receivers

• PHI – Charle Young – 6 receptions, 86 yards
• MIN – John Gilliam – 6 receptions, 116 yards, TD

}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 7: Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

|date=October 28

|time=1:00 p.m. CST

|road=Rams

|R1=0|R2=3|R3=3|R4=3

|home=Vikings

|H1=3|H2=7|H3=0|H4=0

|stadium=Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

|attendance=47,787

|weather={{convert|41|F|C}}

|referee=Ben Dreith

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197310280min.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• MIN – Fred Cox 15-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.

Second quarter

• MIN – Chuck Foreman 9-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–0.
• LA – David Ray 30-yard field goal. Vikings 10–3.

Third quarter

• LA – David Ray 35-yard field goal. Vikings 10–6.

Fourth quarter

• LA – David Ray 47-yard field goal. Vikings 10–9.

|stats=

Top passers

• LA – John Hadl – 10/20, 87 yards
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 8/16, 91 yards, TD

Top rushers

• LA – Larry Smith – 16 rushes, 63 yards
• MIN – Chuck Foreman – 23 rushes, 86 yards

Top receivers

• LA – Jim Bertelsen – 4 receptions, 41 yards
• MIN – Stu Voigt – 3 receptions, 40 yards

}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 8: Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

|date=November 4

|time=1:00 p.m. CST

|road=Browns

|R1=3|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0

|home=Vikings

|H1=3|H2=6|H3=7|H4=10

|stadium=Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

|attendance=46,722

|weather={{convert|27|F|C}}

|referee=Dick Jorgensen

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197311040min.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• CLE – Don Cockroft 27-yard field goal. Browns 3–0.
• MIN – Fred Cox 16-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.

Second quarter

• MIN – Fred Cox 23-yard field goal. Vikings 6–3.
• MIN – Fred Cox 33-yard field goal. Vikings 9–3.

Third quarter

• MIN – Oscar Reed 3-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 16–3.

Fourth quarter

• MIN – Stu Voigt 7-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 23–3.
• MIN – Fred Cox 41-yard field goal. Vikings 26–3.

|stats=

Top passers

• CLE – Mike Phipps – 10/20, 82 yards
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 13/22, 166 yards, TD

Top rushers

• CLE – Ken Brown – 7 rushes, 25 yards
• MIN – Oscar Reed – 22 rushes, 79 yards, TD

Top receivers

• CLE – Frank Pitts – 4 receptions, 36 yards
• MIN – Ed Marinaro – 6 receptions, 65 yards

}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 9: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

|date=November 11

|time=1:00 p.m. CST

|road=Lions

|R1=7|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0

|home=Vikings

|H1=7|H2=7|H3=14|H4=0

|stadium=Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

|attendance=47,911

|weather={{convert|39|F|C}}

|referee=Tommy Bell

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197311110min.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• DET – Ron Jessie 33-yard pass from Bill Munson (Jim O'Brien kick). Lions 7–0.
• MIN – Bill Brown 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Tied 7–7.

Second quarter

• MIN – Wally Hilgenberg 2-yard fumble return (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–7.

Third quarter

• MIN – Ed Marinaro 7-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 21–7.
• MIN – John Gilliam 33-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 28–7.

Fourth quarter

• None.

|stats=

Top passers

• DET – Bill Munson – 16/34, 152 yards, TD
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11/15, 177 yards, TD

Top rushers

• DET – Altie Taylor – 9 rushes, 49 yards
• MIN – Bill Brown – 19 rushes, 101 yards, TD

Top receivers

• DET – Ron Jessie – 5 receptions, 71 yards, TD
• MIN – John Gilliam – 5 receptions, 129 yards, TD

}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 10: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

|date=Monday, November 19

|time=8:00 p.m. CST

|road=Vikings

|R1=0|R2=7|R3=0|R4=7

|home=Falcons

|H1=0|H2=17|H3=3|H4=0

|stadium=Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

|attendance=56,519

|weather={{convert|57|F|C}}

|referee=Fred Swearingen

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197311190atl.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• None.

Second quarter

• ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 25-yard field goal. Falcons 3–0.
• MIN – John Gilliam 39-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–3.
• ATL – Dave Hampton 19-yard pass from Bob Lee (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Falcons 10–7.
• ATL – Eddie Ray 39-yard pass from Bob Lee (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Falcons 17–7.

Third quarter

• ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 49-yard field goal. Falcons 20–7.

Fourth quarter

• MIN – Bill Brown 2-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 20–14.

|stats=

Top passers

• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 17/30, 214 yards, 2 TD
• ATL – Bob Lee – 11/23, 171 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

• MIN – Chuck Foreman – 9 rushes, 38 yards
• ATL – Dave Hampton – 23 rushes, 108 yards

Top receivers

• MIN – John Gilliam – 4 receptions, 97 yards, TD
• ATL – Dave Hampton – 3 receptions, 55 yards, TD

}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 11: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

|date=November 25

|time=1:00 p.m. CST

|road=Bears

|R1=3|R2=0|R3=3|R4=7

|home=Vikings

|H1=3|H2=7|H3=14|H4=7

|stadium=Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

|attendance=46,430

|weather={{convert|36|F|C}}

|referee=Fred Wyant

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197311250min.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• MIN – Fred Cox 41-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
• CHI – Mirro Roder 43-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.

Second quarter

• MIN – Chuck Foreman 2-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–3.

Third quarter

• CHI – Mirro Roder 24-yard field goal. Vikings 10–6.
• MIN – John Gilliam 54-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–6.
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton 8-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–6.

Fourth quarter

• MIN – John Gilliam 30-yard pass from Bob Berry (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 31–6.
• CHI – Earl Thomas 29-yard pass from Gary Huff (Mirro Roder kick). Vikings 31–13.

|stats=

Top passers

• CHI – Gary Huff – 6/8, 65 yards, TD
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11/15, 161 yards, TD

Top rushers

• CHI – Joe Moore – 24 rushes, 75 yards
• MIN – Oscar Reed – 12 rushes, 97 yards

Top receivers

• CHI – Earl Thomas – 3 receptions, 43 yards, TD
• MIN – John Gilliam – 5 receptions, 139 yards, 2 TD

}}

The day of this game was declared "Karl Kassulke Day" in honor of former Viking safety Karl Kassulke, who was left paralyzed in a motorcycle accident just before the beginning of training camp. A wheelchair-bound Kassulke attended the game and shook hands with the players on the field at halftime.{{cite news |title=Karl's Day |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FLNPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-AUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2833%2C5824531 |access-date=November 12, 2022 |work=Ocala Star-Banner |date=November 26, 1973 |page=16}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 12: Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary

|date=December 2

|time=1:00 p.m. CST

|road=Vikings

|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0

|home=Bengals

|H1=0|H2=10|H3=10|H4=7

|stadium=Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

|attendance=57,859

|weather={{convert|42|F|C}}

|referee=Pat Haggerty

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197312020cin.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• None.

Second quarter

• CIN – Horst Muhlmann 22-yard field goal. Bengals 3–0.
• CIN – Lemar Parrish 23-yard fumble return (Horst Muhlmann kick). Bengals 10–0.

Third quarter

• CIN – Essex Johnson 40-yard run (Horst Muhlmann kick). Bengals 17–0.
• CIN – Horst Muhlmann 38-yard field goal. Bengals 20–0.

Fourth quarter

• CIN – Bob Trumpy 7-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Horst Muhlmann kick). Bengals 27–0.

|stats=

Top passers

• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11/18, 73 yards
• CIN – Ken Anderson – 12/17, 105 yards, TD

Top rushers

• MIN – Chuck Foreman – 11 rushes, 38 yards
• CIN – Essex Johnson – 9 rushes, 79 yards, TD

Top receivers

• MIN – Oscar Reed – 5 receptions, 30 yards
• CIN – Bob Trumpy – 4 receptions, 37 yards, TD

}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 13: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

|date=December 8

|time=12:00 p.m. CST

|road=Vikings

|R1=14|R2=14|R3=3|R4=0

|home=Packers

|H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=7

|stadium=Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

|attendance=53,830

|weather={{convert|26|F|C}}

|referee=Norm Schachter

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197312080gnb.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• MIN – Stu Voigt 21-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.
• MIN – Bobby Bryant 46-yard interception return (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–0.

Second quarter

• MIN – Chuck Foreman 50-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 21–0.
• MIN – John Gilliam 20-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 28–0.

Third quarter

• MIN – Fred Cox 15-yard field goal. Vikings 31–0.

Fourth quarter

• GB – Barry Smith 17-yard pass from Jim Del Gaizo (Chester Marcol kick). Vikings 31–7.

|stats=

Top passers

• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 8/12, 79 yards, 2 TD
• GB – Jerry Tagge – 10/25, 98 yards

Top rushers

• MIN – Chuck Foreman – 19 rushes, 100 yards, TD
• GB – John Brockington – 27 rushes, 124 yards

Top receivers

• MIN – John Gilliam – 2 receptions, 33 yards, TD
• GB – Barry Smith – 4 receptions, 55 yards, TD

}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants – Game summary

|date=December 16

|time=12:00 p.m. CST

|road=Vikings

|R1=7|R2=10|R3=0|R4=14

|home=Giants

|H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=7

|stadium=Yale Bowl, New Haven, Connecticut

|attendance=70,041

|weather={{convert|30|F|C}}

|referee=John McDonough

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197312160nyg.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• MIN – Oscar Reed 9-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.

Second quarter

• MIN – Fred Cox 22-yard field goal. Vikings 10–0.
• MIN – Terry Brown 63-yard interception return (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–0.

Third quarter

• None.

Fourth quarter

• MIN – Bill Brown 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–0.
• NYG – Ron Johnson 16-yard pass from Randy Johnson (Pete Gogolak kick). Vikings 24–7.
• MIN – Ed Marinaro 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 31–7.

|stats=

Top passers

• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 10/14, 130 yards
• NYG – Randy Johnson – 5/13, 89 yards, TD

Top rushers

• MIN – Dave Osborn – 9 rushes, 72 yards
• NYG – Ron Johnson – 23 rushes, 90 yards

Top receivers

• MIN – Chuck Foreman – 2 receptions, 28 yards
• NYG – Bob Grim – 2 receptions, 54 yards

}}

{{1973 NFC Central standings}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=NFC Divisional Playoff: Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

|date=December 22

|time=1:00 p.m.

|weather={{convert|19|F|C}}

|referee=Jim Tunney

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Wayne Walker, Tommy Mason, Jack Whitaker, Bruce Roberts (field)

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197312220min.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|Road=Redskins

|R1=0|R2=7|R3=3|R4=10

|Home=Vikings

|H1=0|H2=3|H3=7|H4=17

|stadium=Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

|scoring=

First quarter

• None.

Second quarter

• MIN – Fred Cox 19-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
• WAS – Larry Brown 3-yard run (Curt Knight kick). Redskins 7–3.

Third quarter

• MIN – Bill Brown 2-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–7.
• WAS – Curt Knight 52-yard field goal. Tied 10–10.

Fourth quarter

• WAS – Curt Knight 42-yard field goal. Redskins 13–10.
• MIN – John Gilliam 28-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–13.
• MIN – John Gilliam 6-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–13.
• WAS – Roy Jefferson 28-yard pass from Billy Kilmer (Curt Knight kick). Vikings 24–20.
• MIN – Fred Cox 30-yard field goal. Vikings 27–20.

|stats=

Top passers

• WAS – Billy Kilmer – 13/24, 159 yards, TD
• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 16/28, 222 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

• WAS – Larry Brown – 29 rushes, 115 yards, TD
• MIN – Oscar Reed – 17 rushes, 95 yards

Top receivers

• WAS – Roy Jefferson – 6 receptions, 84 yards, TD
• MIN – Oscar Reed – 5 receptions, 76 yards

}}

Minnesota scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to overcome a 13–10 deficit, including two touchdowns in a span of 1:05.

Both offenses struggled in the first quarter. The Vikings were completely unable to move the ball, finishing the quarter without any first downs, while Washington kicker Curt Knight missed two field goal attempts. One miss was from 49 yards and the other from 17, spoiling an impressive drive that saw the Redskins drive from their own 14 to inside the Vikings 10-yard line.

Minnesota finally managed to get rolling in the second quarter, with a 50-yard completion from Tarkenton to running back Oscar Reed setting up Fred Cox's 19-yard field goal. But with 3:30 left in the half, Vikings defensive back Bobby Bryant fumbled a punt return that was recovered by Redskins running back Bob Brunet on the Minnesota 21-yard line. Billy Kilmer then completed a 17-yard pass to Charley Taylor before Larry Brown scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to give the Redskins a 7–3 lead. Minnesota responded with a drive into field goal range, but Mike Bass intercepted a pass from Tarkenton to maintain Washington's lead going into halftime.

The Vikings then took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 79 yards, including a 46-yard run by Reed, to score on fullback Bill Brown's 2-yard rushing touchdown. To make matters worse for Washington, star cornerback Pat Fischer suffered cracked ribs on the drive and was replaced by Speedy Duncan, an 11-year veteran who normally only played as a kick returner. Still, the Redskins managed to take back the lead with Knight's two third-quarter field goals, first tying a playoff record from 52 yards, and the second from 46 yards on the first play of the fourth quarter.{{Cite web|url=https://fs64sports.blogspot.com/2015/12/1973-vikings-defeat-redskins-in-nfc.html|title = Today in Pro Football History: 1973: Vikings Defeat Redskins in NFC Divisional Playoff Game|date = 22 December 2015}}

Now facing a 13–10 fourth-quarter deficit, the Vikings stormed back with two quick touchdowns. First they drove 71 yards in 8 plays to score on Tarkenton's pass to John Gilliam, who beat single coverage by Duncan for a 28-yard touchdown catch. Then on the first play of Washington's ensuing drive, Nate Wright intercepted a pass from Kilmer and returned it 26 yards to the Redskins 8-yard line, setting up a 6-yard touchdown pass from Tarkenton to Gilliam that made the score 24–13. With 5:28 left, Washington got back to within four points, getting good field position due to Ken Stone blocking a Vikings punt and converting it into Kilmer's 28-yard touchdown pass to Roy Jefferson. But the Vikings managed to burn up 4 minutes with their ensuing drive, finishing it off with a 30-yard Cox field goal that gave them a 27–20 lead. The Redskins had less than two minutes to drive for a tying touchdown, and ended up turning the ball over on downs at the Vikings 42-yard line.

Tarkenton completed 16/28 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. Reed had 17 carries for 95 yards and caught four passes for 76. Brown rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown, while also catching two passes for 13 yards.

"Sometimes they’re not concentrating on me," said Oscar Reed, in reference to his big plays in the game. "Since early in the season they've been keying on Chuck Foreman. I'm not the world's greatest pass catcher or runner, but given a little room, I'll use what I've got."{{Cite web|url=https://fs64sports.blogspot.com/2015/12/1973-vikings-defeat-redskins-in-nfc.html|title = Today in Pro Football History: 1973: Vikings Defeat Redskins in NFC Divisional Playoff Game|date = 22 December 2015}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=NFC Championship Game: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary

|date=December 30

|time=1:00 p.m.

|weather={{convert|48|F|C}}

|referee=Norm Schachter

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197312300dal.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]

|Road=Vikings

|R1=3|R2=7|R3=7|R4=10

|Home=Cowboys

|H1=0|H2=0|H3=10|H4=0

|stadium=Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

|scoring=

First quarter

• MIN – Fred Cox 44-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.

Second quarter

• MIN – Chuck Foreman 5-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–0.

Third quarter

• DAL – Golden Richards 63-yard punt return (Toni Fritsch kick). Vikings 10–7.
• MIN – John Gilliam 54-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–7.
• DAL – Toni Fritsch 17-yard field goal. Vikings 17–10.

Fourth quarter

• MIN – Bobby Bryant 63-yard interception return (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–10.
• MIN – Fred Cox 34-yard field goal. Vikings 27–10.

|stats=

Top passers

• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 10/21, 133 yards, TD
• DAL – Roger Staubach – 10/21, 89 yards

Top rushers

• MIN – Chuck Foreman – 19 rushes, 76 yards, TD
• DAL – Robert Newhouse – 14 rushes, 50 yards

Top receivers

• MIN – John Gilliam – 2 receptions, 63 yards, TD
• DAL – Bob Hayes – 2 receptions, 25 yards

}}

The Vikings forced four interceptions and recovered two fumbles in the second half while also holding Dallas to 152 total yards en route to a 27–10 victory over the Cowboys.

With the loss of running back Calvin Hill and defensive tackle Bob Lilly to injuries, Dallas' offense could not get anything going. Minnesota jumped to a 10–0 lead by halftime with a Fred Cox field goal and an 86-yard drive that ended with a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Chuck Foreman. The touchdown drive included Fran Tarkenton's completions to tight end Stu Voigt for gains of 16 and 7 yards, a 2-yard run by Foreman on 4th-and-1, and a 12-yard scramble by Tarkenton himself.

What followed would be an amazingly sloppy second half in which both teams combined for 10 turnovers. Three minutes into the third quarter, Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach threw an interception to Bobby Bryant on the Vikings 2-yard line. But the Cowboys defense forced a punt and Golden Richards returned it 63 yards for a touchdown, cutting the score to 10–7. Tarkenton quickly struck back, throwing a 54-yard touchdown pass to John Gilliam, who managed to outrun single coverage by Cowboys future Hall of Fame defensive back Mel Renfro. Dallas responded with Toni Fritsch's 17-yard field goal which cut the lead to 17–10.

Then a wave of turnovers began. On the ensuing possession, Dallas got a huge opportunity to score when Charlie Waters forced a fumble from Foreman that safety Cliff Harris recovered on the Minnesota 37. However, the Vikings took the ball right back when Staubach threw a pass that was deflected into the arms of linebacker Jeff Siemon. An even better scoring chance awaited the Cowboys at the end of the Vikings' next drive, as Tarkenton threw an interception to Waters on the Minnesota 24. But Dallas fared no better this time, losing the ball again when Jim Marshall knocked it out of Staubach's hand as he wound up for a pass, and defensive lineman Gary Larsen recovered it. The offensive futility continued with Minnesota, as their next drive ended with a fumbled handoff exchange between Tarkenton and Foreman that Dallas lineman Larry Cole recovered on the Vikings 47-yard line.

A few plays later, Dallas faced 3rd-and-3 with 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Staubach attempted a pass to Bob Hayes near the right sideline, but Bryant intercepted the pass and raced 63 yards for a touchdown that put the Vikings up 24–10. Then on Dallas' next drive, Staubach tried to connect with Drew Pearson, but a devastating hit by Nate Wright caused the ball to bounce off his hands and into the arms of defensive back Jeff Wright, who returned the ball 13 yards to set up Cox's 34-yard game clinching field goal.{{Cite web|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1973/12/31/page/33/article/vikings-sail-to-nfc-title-27-10|title=Chicago Tribune - Historical Newspapers}}

Both teams combined for a net total of just 163 passing yards. Tarkenton completed only 10/21 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown with one interception, while also rushing for 16 yards. Staubach had one of the worst postseason performances of his career, completing just 10/21 passes for 89 yards and throwing four interceptions, though he did rush for 30 yards. Foreman was the top offensive performer of the day with 76 rushing yards and four receptions for 28, while fullback Oscar Reed added 18 carries for 75 yards and an 8-yard catch.

{{main|Super Bowl VIII}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|title=Super Bowl VIII: Minnesota Vikings vs. Miami Dolphins – Game summary

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Minnesota Vikings|year=1974|border=2}};text-align:center;

|Road=Vikings (NFC)

|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=7

|Home=Dolphins (AFC)

|H1=14|H2=3|H3=7|H4=0

|stadium=Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas

|weather={{convert|47|F|C}}

|date=January 13

|time=3:50 p.m. EST/2:50 p.m. CST

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Ray Scott, Pat Summerall and Bart Starr

|referee=Ben Dreith

|attendance=71,882

|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197401130mia.htm Pro Football Reference.com]

|scoring=

First quarter

• MIA – Larry Csonka 5-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 7–0.
• MIA – Jim Kiick 1-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 14–0.

Second quarter

• MIA – Garo Yepremian 28-yard field goal. Dolphins 17–0.

Third quarter

• MIA – Larry Csonka 2-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 24–0.

Fourth quarter

• MIN – Fran Tarkenton 4-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Dolphins 24–7.

|stats=

Top passers

• MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 18/28, 182 yards
• MIA – Bob Griese – 6/7, 73 yards

Top rushers

• MIN – Oscar Reed – 11 rushes, 32 yards
• MIA – Larry Csonka – 33 rushes, 145 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

• MIN – Stu Voigt – 3 receptions, 46 yards
• MIA – Paul Warfield – 2 receptions, 33 yards

}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/rosters.nsf/Annual/1973-min Team roster]

{{Minnesota Vikings}}

{{Minnesota Vikings seasons}}

{{1973 NFL season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1973 Minnesota Vikings Season}}

Category:Minnesota Vikings seasons

Category:National Football Conference championship seasons

Minnesota

Category:NFC Central championship seasons

Minnesota Vikings