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1963 Minnesota Vikings season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Minnesota Vikings |
| year | 1963 |
| record | 5–8–1 |
| division_place | 4th (tied) NFL Western |
| coach | Norm Van Brocklin |
| general manager | Bert Rose |
| stadium | Metropolitan Stadium |
| playoffs | *Did not qualify* |
| pro bowlers | RB Tommy Mason |
| T Grady Alderman | |
| LB Rip Hawkins | |
| AP All-pros | RB Tommy Mason (1st team) |
| LB Rip Hawkins (2nd team) | |
| uniform | File:Vikings1962-64.png |
| shortnavlink | Vikings seasons |
T Grady Alderman LB Rip Hawkins | AP All-pros = RB Tommy Mason (1st team) LB Rip Hawkins (2nd team) The 1963 season was the Minnesota Vikings' third in the National Football League (NFL). Under head coach Norm Van Brocklin, the team finished with a 5–8–1 record. Five wins in a season represented the most in the franchise's three-year history. 22-year-old Paul Flatley of Northwestern University was named the NFL's Rookie of the Year, a first for the fledgling franchise.
Offseason
1963 draft
Main article: 1963 NFL draft
| Hall of Famer |
|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | 1963 Minnesota Vikings Draft | Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | Draft order | Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | Player name | Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | Position | Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | College | Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | Notes | Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | Round | Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | Selection | 1 | 3 | 2 | 16 | 3 | 31 | 4 | 44 | 5 | 59 | 6 | 72 | 7 | 87 | 8 | 100 | 9 | 115 | 10 | 128 | 11 | 143 | 12 | 156 | 13 | 171 | 14 | 184 | 15 | 199 | 16 | 212 | 17 | 227 | 18 | 240 | 19 | 255 | 20 | 268 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Dunaway | Defensive tackle | [Ole Miss](1962-ole-miss-rebels-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bobby Bell | Defensive tackle | [Minnesota](1962-minnesota-golden-gophers-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ray Poage | Running back | [Texas](1962-texas-longhorns-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul Flatley | Wide receiver | [Northwestern](1962-northwestern-wildcats-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gary Kaltenbach | Offensive tackle | [Pittsburgh](1962-pittsburgh-panthers-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [Cleveland Browns](1963-cleveland-browns-season)*** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [New York Giants](1963-new-york-giants-season)*** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jim O'Mahoney | Linebacker | [Miami (FL)](1962-miami-hurricanes-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bob Hoover | Running back | [Florida](1962-florida-gators-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Terry Kosens | Running back | [Hofstra](1962-hofstra-flying-dutchmen-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John Campbell | Linebacker | [Minnesota](1962-minnesota-golden-gophers-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John Sklopan | Running back | [Southern Miss](1962-southern-miss-southerners-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dave O'Brien | Offensive tackle | [Boston College](1962-boston-college-eagles-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ralph Ferrisi | Running back | Southern Connecticut | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John Murio | End | Whitworth | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rex Mirich | Offensive tackle | [Arizona State–Flagstaff](1962-arizona-state-flagstaff-lumberjacks-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tom Munsey | Running back | Concord | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tom McIntyre | Offensive tackle | [St. John's (MN)](1962-saint-john-s-johnnies-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Frank Horvath | Running back | Youngstown | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mailon Kent | Running back | [Auburn](1962-auburn-tigers-football-team) |
Notes
Roster
Preseason
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 10 | [San Francisco 49ers](1963-san-francisco-49ers-season) | **W** 43–28 | 1–0 | Multnomah Stadium (Portland, OR) | 20,837 | ||||||
| August 17 | at [Los Angeles Rams](1963-los-angeles-rams-season) | **W** 27–3 | 2–0 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 42,966 | ||||||
| August 25 | [New York Giants](1963-new-york-giants-season) | **W** 17–16 | 3–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 29,815 | ||||||
| August 31 | [Philadelphia Eagles](1963-philadelphia-eagles-season) | **L** 27–34 | 3–1 | Hershey Stadium (Hershey, PA) | 15,861 | ||||||
| September 6 | at [St. Louis Cardinals](1963-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season) | **W** 35–0 | 4–1 | Busch Stadium | 30,842 |
Regular season
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 15 | at [San Francisco 49ers](1963-san-francisco-49ers-season) | **W** 24–20 | 1–0 | Kezar Stadium | 30,781 | |||||||||||||||
| September 22 | **[Chicago Bears](1963-chicago-bears-season)** | **L** 7–28 | 1–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 33,923 | |||||||||||||||
| September 29 | **[San Francisco 49ers](1963-san-francisco-49ers-season)** | **W** 45–14 | 2–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 28,567 | |||||||||||||||
| October 6 | **[St. Louis Cardinals](1963-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season)** | **L** 14–56 | 2–2 | Metropolitan Stadium | 30,220 | |||||||||||||||
| October 13 | **[Green Bay Packers](1963-green-bay-packers-season)** | **L** 28–37 | 2–3 | Metropolitan Stadium | 42,567 | |||||||||||||||
| October 20 | at [Los Angeles Rams](1963-los-angeles-rams-season) | **L** 24–27 | 2–4 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 30,555 | |||||||||||||||
| October 27 | at [Detroit Lions](1963-detroit-lions-season) | **L** 10–28 | 2–5 | Tiger Stadium | 44,509 | |||||||||||||||
| November 3 | **[Los Angeles Rams](1963-los-angeles-rams-season)** | **W** 21–13 | 3–5 | Metropolitan Stadium | 33,567 | |||||||||||||||
| November 10 | at [Green Bay Packers](1963-green-bay-packers-season) | **L** 7–28 | 3–6 | City Stadium | 42,327 | |||||||||||||||
| November 17 | **[Baltimore Colts](1963-baltimore-colts-season)** | **L** 34–37 | 3–7 | Metropolitan Stadium | 33,136 | |||||||||||||||
| November 24 | **[Detroit Lions](1963-detroit-lions-season)** | **W** 34–31 | 4–7 | Metropolitan Stadium | 28,763 | |||||||||||||||
| December 1 | at [Chicago Bears](1963-chicago-bears-season) | **T** 17–17 | 4–7–1 | Wrigley Field | 47,249 | |||||||||||||||
| December 8 | at [Baltimore Colts](1963-baltimore-colts-season) | **L** 10–41 | 4–8–1 | Memorial Stadium | 54,122 | |||||||||||||||
| December 15 | at [Philadelphia Eagles](1963-philadelphia-eagles-season) | **W** 34–13 | 5–8–1 | Franklin Field | 57,403 |
Game summaries
Week 2: vs Chicago Bears
First quarter
- CHI – Ronnie Bull 24-yard pass from Bill Wade (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 7–0. Second quarter
- MIN – Jerry Reichow 24-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Tie 7–7.
- CHI – Mike Ditka 36-yard pass from Bill Wade (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 14–7. Third quarter
- No scoring plays. Fourth quarter
- CHI – Bill Wade 1-yard run (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 21–7.
- CHI – Mike Ditka 10-yard pass from Bill Wade (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 28–7. Top passers
- CHI – Bill Wade – 23/32, 253 yards, 3 TD
- MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 13/22, 167 yards, TD, 3 INT Top rushers
- CHI – Rick Casares – 7 rushes, 53 yards
- MIN – Tommy Mason – 11 rushes, 60 yards Top receivers
- CHI – Mike Ditka – 8 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TD
- MIN – Ray Poage – 5 receptions, 67 yards
Standings
Postseason
For the first time, the Vikings had starters in the East–West Pro Bowl, played January 12, 1964, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and won by the West squad. Halfback Tommy Mason, linebacker Rip Hawkins and tackle Grady Alderman each were voted to start on the West team coached by the Chicago Bears' George Halas.
Wide receiver Paul Flatley, who led the team in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, was named as the 1963 Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI) and The Sporting News (TSN).
Halfback Tommy Mason, in his third year, was named first-team All-Pro by the AP, UPI, TSN, the Newspaper Enterprise Association and the New York Daily News.
Middle linebacker Rip Hawkins was named second-team All-Pro by the UPI.
Statistics
Team leaders
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | Player(s) | Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Fran Tarkenton | 2,311 | |||||||||
| Passing touchdowns | Fran Tarkenton | 15 | |||||||||
| Rushing yards | Tommy Mason | 763 | |||||||||
| Rushing touchdowns | Tommy Mason | 7 | |||||||||
| Receiving yards | Paul Flatley | 867 | |||||||||
| Receiving touchdowns | Paul Flatley | 4 | |||||||||
| Points | Fred Cox | 75 | |||||||||
| Kickoff return yards | Bill Butler | 713 | |||||||||
| Punt return yards | Bill Butler | 220 | |||||||||
| Interceptions | Ed Sharockman | 5 | |||||||||
| Sacks | Don Hultz, Jim Marshall | 10.5 |
Note that sack totals from 1960 to 1981 are considered unofficial by the NFL.
League rankings
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | Total yards | Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | Yards per game | Minnesota Vikings | year=1963 | border=2}}" | NFL rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (out of 14) | Total offense | 4,011 | 286.5 | 11th | Total defense | 4,731 | 337.9 | 9th | |||||||
| Passing offense | 2,169 | 154.9 | 12th | ||||||||||||
| Rushing offense | 1,733 | 123.8 | 4th | ||||||||||||
| Passing defense | 2,998 | 214.1 | 10th | ||||||||||||
| Rushing defense | 1,733 | 123.8 | 7th |
References
References
- "1963 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - Pro Football Archives".
- "1963 All Pro Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- "Pre-1982 Sacks Added To Pro Football Reference".
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