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 Western Conference Championship Game (Rams) 23–20
Won NFL Championship Game (Browns) 27–7
Lost Super Bowl IV
(vs. Chiefs) 7–23
The Vikings playing the Chiefs in Super Bowl IV.

The 1969 season was the Minnesota Vikings' ninth season in the National Football League. With a 12–2 record, the Vikings won the NFL Central division title, before beating the Los Angeles Rams in the Western Conference Championship Game, and 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

Pro Bowler
1969 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft order Player name Position College Notes
Round Choice Overall
11717Traded to the New Orleans Saints[a]
21339Ed WhiteGuardCaliforniafrom Giants[b]
1743Volly MurphyWide receiverTexas-El Paso
31769Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles[c]
41795Mike McCaffreyLinebackerCalifornia
52106Jim BarnesGuardArkansasfrom Falcons[d]
8112Mike O'SheaWide receiverUtah Statefrom Lions via Steelers[e]
17121Cornelius DavisRunning backKansas State
618148Marion BatesDefensive backTexas Southernoriginally Chargers pick[f]
717173Traded to the Washington Redskins[g]
817199Harris WoodWide receiverWashington
917225Tom FinkGuardMinnesota
1019253Tom McCauleyDefensive backWisconsinoriginally Cardinals pick[h]
1117277Brian DowlingQuarterbackYale
1217303Noel JenkeLinebackerMinnesota
1317329Jim MoylanDefensive tackleTexas Tech
1417355Tommy HeadCenterSouthwest Texas State
1517381Eugene MosleyTight endJackson State
1617407Traded to the Detroit Lions[i]
1717433Wendell HousleyRunning backTexas 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).

Preseason

Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 August 2 at Miami Dolphins (AFL) W 45–10 1–0 Tampa Stadium (Tampa, FL) 37,461
2 August 9 Denver Broncos (AFL) W 26–6 2–0 Metropolitan Stadium 45,918
3 August 23 St. Louis Cardinals W 41–13 3–0 Memorial Stadium (Memphis, TN) 34,417
4 August 30 New York Jets (AFL) L 21–24 3–1 Groves Stadium (Winston-Salem, NC) 31,500
5 September 6 New York Giants W 28–27 4–1 Metropolitan Stadium 47,900
6 September 13 at Cleveland Browns W 23–16 5–1 Rubber Bowl (Akron, OH) 28,551

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 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 11, 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, due to a clash with the Minnesota Twins hosting 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 34Total
Vikings 3 14 3323
Giants 3 7 01424

at Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York

Game information

Week 2: vs. Baltimore Colts

Week 2: Baltimore Colts at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Colts 0 7 7014
Vikings 14 17 14752

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Game information

Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 3: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Packers 0 0 077
Vikings 6 7 3319

at Memorial Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 4: at Chicago Bears

Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 0 71731
Bears 0 0 000

at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 5: at St. Louis Cardinals

Week 5: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Cardinals – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 7 7627
Cardinals 3 7 0010

at Busch Memorial Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 6: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Lions 0 3 0710
Vikings 3 21 0024

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Game information

Week 7: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 7: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bears 0 7 0714
Vikings 7 10 7731

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Game information

Week 8: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 8: Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Browns 0 3 003
Vikings 10 17 71751

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Game information

Week 9: at Green Bay Packers

Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 0 339
Packers 0 7 007

at Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 10: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 10: Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 7 7014
Vikings 7 10 142152

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Game information

Week 11: at Detroit Lions

Week 11: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 3 71027
Lions 0 0 000

at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

Week 12: at Los Angeles Rams

Week 12: Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 10 0320
Rams 0 3 3713

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Game information

Week 13: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 13: San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
49ers 0 0 077
Vikings 0 3 0710

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

Game information

Week 14: at Atlanta Falcons

Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 0 003
Falcons 0 7 3010

at Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

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
Conference December 27 Los Angeles Rams W 23–20 Metropolitan Stadium 47,900
NFL Championship January 4 Cleveland Browns W 27–7 Metropolitan Stadium 47,900
Super Bowl IV January 11 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 34Total
Rams 7 10 0320
Vikings 7 0 7923

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

NFL Championship Game

NFL Championship Game: Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings
1 2 34Total
Browns 0 0 077
Vikings 14 10 3027

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

Super Bowl IV

Super Bowl IV: Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs
1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 0 707
Chiefs 3 13 7023

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

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

1969 Minnesota Vikings final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists
Vacant


Practice squad

Vacant


Rookies in italics
 44 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 Practice squad

Statistics

Team leaders

Category Player(s) Value
Passing yardsJoe Kapp1,726
Passing touchdownsJoe Kapp19
Rushing yardsDave Osborn643
Rushing touchdownsDave Osborn7
Receiving yardsGene Washington821
Receiving touchdownsGene Washington9
PointsFred Cox121
Kickoff return yardsClint Jones444
Punt return yardsCharlie West245
InterceptionsBobby Bryant8

League rankings

Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 16)
Passing offense2,246160.412th
Rushing offense1,850132.14th
Total offense4,096292.610th
Passing defense1,631116.51st
Rushing defense1,08977.82nd
Total defense2,720194.31st

References

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