1990 Minnesota Vikings season

The 1990 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 30th in the National Football League. Under head coach Jerry Burns, they finished with a 6–10 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1986. The Vikings went 1–6 through their first seven games, including a five-game losing streak. They then won their next five (including a 41–13 win over the eventual NFC Central champion Chicago Bears in Week 12) to get back to 6–6 and give themselves a shot at a wild card spot in the playoffs; however, the Vikings lost their final four games to finish at 6–10. While their overall record was tied with three other teams in the division, the Vikings' 4–8 record against fellow NFC teams meant they finished bottom of the NFC Central. It was the first time since 1984 Minnesota finished last in the division, and the second since 1968.

1990 Minnesota Vikings season
Head coachJerry Burns
General managerMike Lynn
Home fieldMetrodome
Results
Record6–10
Division place5th NFC Central
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Notable additions to the team this season were wide receiver Cris Carter and undrafted defensive lineman John Randle, both of whom would go on to have Hall of Fame careers.

Injuries to the defense and a lackluster season from Herschel Walker were the story of the team's season.

Offseason

1990 Draft
Pro Bowler
1990 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft order Player name Position College Notes
Round Selection
121 Traded to the Dallas Cowboys[a]
247 Traded to the Dallas Cowboys[a]
354 Mike JonesTight endTexas A&Mfrom Cowboys[a]
74 Marion HobbyDefensive endTennessee
4104 Alonzo HamptonDefensive backPittsburgh
5116 Reggie ThorntonWide receiverBowling Green Statefrom Chargers via Cowboys[a]
131 Cedric SmithFullbackFlorida
6158 Traded to the Dallas Cowboys[a]
7188 John LevelisLinebackerC. W. Post
8214 Craig SchlichtingDefensive endWyoming
9241 Terry AllenRunning backClemson
10249 Pat NewmanWide receiverUtah Statefrom Cowboys[a]
271 Donald SmithDefensive backLiberty
11298 Traded to the Los Angeles Raiders[b]
12324 Ron GoetzLinebackerMinnesota
^[a] These picks were involved in the Herschel Walker trade on October 12, 1989.
^[b] During the 1989 Draft, the Raiders traded their 12th-round selection (335th overall) to Minnesota for their 11th-round selection in the 1990 draft.

Undrafted free agents
1990 Undrafted Free Agents of note
Player Position College
Pat Eilers Safety Notre Dame
John Randle Defensive tackle Texas A&M–Kingsville

Staff
1990 Minnesota Vikings staff
Front office
  • President – Wheelock Whitney, Jr.
  • General Manager – Mike Lynn
  • Administrative Assistant to the Head Coach – Marc Trestman

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams/Tight Ends – Tom Batta

[1]

Roster
1990 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
 48 active, 8 inactive, 1 practice squad

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance[2]
1 August 11 New Orleans Saints L 10–13 0–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 48,154
2 August 19 at Cleveland Browns W 23–20 1–1 Cleveland Stadium 60,989
3 August 26 Houston Oilers W 22–21 2–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 46,191
4 August 31 at Miami Dolphins W 20–17 3–1 Joe Robbie Stadium 44,689

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 9 at Kansas City Chiefs L 24–21 0–1 Arrowhead Stadium 68,363
2 September 16 New Orleans Saints W 32–3 1–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 56,272
3 September 23 at Chicago Bears L 19–16 1–2 Soldier Field 65,420
4 September 30 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 23–20 (OT) 1–3 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 54,462
5 October 7 Detroit Lions L 34–27 1–4 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 57,586
6 October 15 at Philadelphia Eagles L 32–24 1–5 Veterans Stadium 66,296
7 Bye
8 October 28 at Green Bay Packers L 24–10 1–6 Milwaukee County Stadium 55,125
9 November 4 Denver Broncos W 27–22 2–6 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 57,331
10 November 11 at Detroit Lions W 17–7 3–6 Silverdome 68,264
11 November 18 at Seattle Seahawks W 24–21 4–6 Kingdome 59,735
12 November 25 Chicago Bears W 41–13 5–6 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 58,866
13 December 2 Green Bay Packers W 23–7 6–6 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 62,058
14 December 9 at New York Giants L 23–15 6–7 Giants Stadium 76,121
15 December 16 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 26–13 6–8 Tampa Stadium 47,272
16 December 22 Los Angeles Raiders L 28–24 6–9 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 53,899
17 December 30 San Francisco 49ers L 20–17 6–10 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 51,590

Standings
NFC Central
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Chicago Bears 11 5 0 .688 6–2 9–3 348 280 L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6 10 0 .375 5–3 6–8 264 367 L2
Detroit Lions 6 10 0 .375 3–5 5–7 373 413 L1
Green Bay Packers 6 10 0 .375 3–5 5–7 271 347 L5
Minnesota Vikings 6 10 0 .375 3–5 4–8 351 326 L4

Statistics

Team leaders
Category Player(s) Value
Passing yardsRich Gannon2,278
Passing touchdownsRich Gannon16
Rushing yardsHerschel Walker770
Rushing touchdownsHerschel Walker5
Receiving yardsAnthony Carter1,008
Receiving touchdownsAnthony Carter8
PointsDonald Igwebuike61
Kickoff return yardsHerschel Walker966
Punt return yardsLeo Lewis180
TacklesHenry Thomas109
SacksChris Doleman11.0
InterceptionsJoey Browner7
Forced fumblesChris Doleman4

League rankings
Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 28)
Passing offense3,167197.911th
Rushing offense1,867116.715th
Total offense5,034314.612th
Passing defense2,643165.23rd
Rushing defense2,074129.621st
Total defense4,717294.813th

Awards and honors
  • Randall McDaniel, NFC Pro Bowl selection
  • Randall McDaniel, All-Pro selection by Associated Press
  • Randall McDaniel, All-NFC selection by UPI

References
  1. 2010 Minnesota Vikings Media Guide. p. 265. Archived from the original on 2010-12-24. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
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