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1964 Minnesota Vikings season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| logo | 1964-Vikings-mediaguide.jpg |
| team | Minnesota Vikings |
| year | 1964 |
| record | 8–5–1 |
| division_place | T-2nd NFL Western |
| coach | Norm Van Brocklin |
| general manager | Jim Finks |
| stadium | Metropolitan Stadium |
| playoffs | *Did not qualify* |
| pro bowlers | T Grady Alderman |
| FB Bill Brown | |
| RB Tommy Mason | |
| QB Fran Tarkenton | |
| C Mick Tingelhoff | |
| AP All-pros | FB Bill Brown (2nd team) |
| C Mick Tingelhoff (1st team) | |
| uniform | File:Vikings1962-64.png |
| shortnavlink | Vikings seasons |
FB Bill Brown RB Tommy Mason QB Fran Tarkenton C Mick Tingelhoff | AP All-pros = FB Bill Brown (2nd team) C Mick Tingelhoff (1st team) The 1964 season was the Minnesota Vikings' fourth in the National Football League. Under head coach Norm Van Brocklin, the team finished with an 8–5–1 record for their first winning season and a franchise-best until 1969. They tied with the Green Bay Packers for second place in the Western conference, who gained the berth in the third-place Playoff Bowl in Miami on January 3. The two teams had split their season series, with the road teams winning, but the Packers won the tiebreaker on point differential: the Vikings' victory was by just one point, while Green Bay won by over four touchdowns. In the season opener, the Vikings upset eventual Western champion Baltimore.
To date, this is the only season the Vikings wore white jerseys for all their home games. In January 1964, the NFL owners had approved a new rule which allowed home teams to wear the jersey color of their choice.
This was the first season for the forty-man roster, an increase of three.
Offseason
1964 draft
Main article: 1964 NFL draft
| Hall of Famer |
|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | 1964 Minnesota Vikings Draft | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Draft order | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Player name | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Position | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | College | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Notes | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Round | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Selection | 1 | 6 | 2 | 19 | 3 | 34 | 4 | 47 | 53 | 5 | 62 | 6 | 75 | 7 | 90 | 8 | 103 | 9 | 118 | 10 | 131 | 11 | 146 | 12 | 159 | 13 | 174 | 14 | 187 | 15 | 202 | 16 | 215 | 17 | 230 | 18 | 243 | 19 | 258 | 20 | 271 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carl Eller | Defensive tackle | [Minnesota](1963-minnesota-golden-gophers-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hal Bedsole | Wide receiver | [USC](1963-usc-trojans-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| George Rose | Running back | [Auburn](1963-auburn-tigers-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [Chicago Bears](1964-chicago-bears-season)*** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tom Keating | Defensive tackle | [Michigan](1963-michigan-wolverines-football-team) | from [Giants](1964-new-york-giants-season) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John Kirby | Linebacker | [Nebraska](1963-nebraska-cornhuskers-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bob Lacey | Wide receiver | [North Carolina](1963-north-carolina-tar-heels-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wes Bryant | Defensive tackle | [Arkansas](1963-arkansas-razorbacks-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bill McWatters | Fullback | [North Texas State](1963-north-texas-state-eagles-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Darrell Lester | Fullback | [McNeese State](1963-mcneese-state-cowboys-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [Los Angeles Rams](1964-los-angeles-rams-season)*** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| H. O. Estes | Guard | East Central State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sandy Sands | Wide receiver | [Texas](1963-texas-longhorns-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Russ Vollmer | Running back | [Memphis State](1963-memphis-state-tigers-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tom Michel | Running back | [East Carolina](1963-east-carolina-pirates-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monte Kiffin | Defensive tackle | Nebraska | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carleton Oats | Wide receiver | [Florida A&M](1963-florida-a-m-rattlers-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jerry McClurg | Wide receiver | [Colorado](1963-colorado-buffaloes-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carl Robinson | Defensive tackle | [Prairie View A&M](1963-prairie-view-a-m-panthers-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dick Schott | Wide receiver | [Louisville](1963-louisville-cardinals-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Milt Sunde | Offensive tackle | Minnesota |
Notes
Roster
FS/WR
Preseason
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Game | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Date | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Result | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Record | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Venue | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Sources | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 8 | [New York Giants](1964-new-york-giants-season) | **W** 21–7 | 1–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 31,581 | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1964nflmin.html | title=1964 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - Pro Football Archives}} | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 15 | [St. Louis Cardinals](1964-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season) | **W** 24–10 | 2–0 | Cheney Stadium (Atlanta, GA) | 10,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 22 | [San Francisco 49ers](1964-san-francisco-49ers-season) | **W** 24–21 | 3–0 | Ute Stadium (Salt Lake City, UT) | 20,207 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 29 | at [Los Angeles Rams](1964-los-angeles-rams-season) | **W** 34–23 | 4–0 | L.A. Memorial Coliseum | 39,938 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 5 | at [Philadelphia Eagles](1964-philadelphia-eagles-season) | **W** 21–20 | 5–0 | Hershey Stadium (Hershey, PA) | 9,212 |
Regular season
Main article: 1964 NFL season
Schedule
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Game | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Date | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Result | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Record | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Venue | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Recap | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Sources | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 13 | **[Baltimore Colts](1964-baltimore-colts-season)** | **W** 34–24 | 1–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 35,563 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196409130min.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 20 | **[Chicago Bears](1964-chicago-bears-season)** | **L** 28–34 | 1–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 41,387 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196409200min.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 27 | at **[Los Angeles Rams](1964-los-angeles-rams-season)** | **L** 13–22 | 1–2 | L.A. Memorial Coliseum | 50,009 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196409270ram.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 4 | at **[Green Bay Packers](1964-green-bay-packers-season)** | **W** 24–23 | 2–2 | City Stadium | 42,327 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196410040gnb.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 11 | **[Detroit Lions](1964-detroit-lions-season)** | **L** 20–24 | 2–3 | Metropolitan Stadium | 40,840 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196410110min.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 18 | [Pittsburgh Steelers](1964-pittsburgh-steelers-season) | **W** 30–10 | 3–3 | Metropolitan Stadium | 39,873 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196410180min.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 25 | at **[San Francisco 49ers](1964-san-francisco-49ers-season)** | **W** 27–22 | 4–3 | Kezar Stadium | 31,845 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196410250sfo.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 1 | **Green Bay Packers** | **L** 13–42 | 4–4 | Metropolitan Stadium | 44,278 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196411010min.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 8 | **San Francisco 49ers** | **W** 24–7 | 5–4 | Metropolitan Stadium | 40,408 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196411080min.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 15 | at **Baltimore Colts** | **L** 14–17 | 5–5 | Memorial Stadium | 60,213 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196411150clt.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 22 | at **Detroit Lions** | **T** 23–23 | 5–5–1 | Tiger Stadium | 48,291 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196411220det.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 29 | **Los Angeles Rams** | **W** 34–13 | 6–5–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 31,677 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196411290min.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 6 | at [New York Giants](1964-new-york-giants-season) | **W** 30–21 | 7–5–1 | Yankee Stadium | 62,802 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196412060nyg.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 13 | at **Chicago Bears** | **W** 41–14 | 8–5–1 | Wrigley Field | 46,486 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196412130chi.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text. |
Game summaries
Week 7: vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Vikings defeated the 49ers 27–22 on October 25 in San Francisco at Kezar Stadium, but not before defensive end Jim Marshall made one of the most embarrassing errors in NFL history. In the fourth quarter, 49er halfback Billy Kilmer caught a pass from rookie quarterback George Mira and fumbled the ball forward, which was scooped up in stride by Marshall. He unknowingly ran 66 yards with it the wrong way into his own end zone; thinking he scored a touchdown, he tossed the ball in the air throwing it out of bounds, resulting in a safety. The Vikings had a 27–17 lead at the time, and it narrowed the gap to eight points.
On the previous possession, Marshall had forced a Mira fumble in the collapsing pocket and defensive end Carl Eller had scooped up the loose ball and ran it back 45 yards for a touchdown. Just before that, Viking linebacker Roy Winston had intercepted a Mira pass early in the fourth quarter and returned it to the 49er eleven-yard line, setting up a touchdown run by quarterback Fran Tarkenton to take the lead. Two weeks later in Minnesota, the Vikings defeated the 49ers again, by a score of 24–7.
- YouTube – NFL Films – Jim Marshall's Wrong Way Run
Standings
Statistics
Team leaders
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Player(s) | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Fran Tarkenton | 2,506 | |||||||||
| Passing touchdowns | Fran Tarkenton | 22 | |||||||||
| Rushing yards | Bill Brown | 866 | |||||||||
| Rushing touchdowns | Bill Brown | 7 | |||||||||
| Receiving yards | Bill Brown | 703 | |||||||||
| Receiving touchdowns | Bill Brown | 9 | |||||||||
| Points | Fred Cox | 103 | |||||||||
| Kickoff return yards | Bill Butler | 597 | |||||||||
| Punt return yards | Bill Butler | 156 | |||||||||
| Interceptions | George Rose | 6 | |||||||||
| Sacks | Jim Marshall | 11.5 |
Note that sack totals from 1960 to 1981 are considered unofficial by the NFL.
League rankings
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Total yards | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | Yards per game | Minnesota Vikings | year=1964 | border=2}}" | NFL rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (out of 14) | Total offense | 4,306 | 307.6 | 6th | Total defense | 4,340 | 310.0 | 10th | |||||||
| Passing offense | 2,123 | 151.6 | 11th | ||||||||||||
| Rushing offense | 2,183 | 155.9 | 2nd | ||||||||||||
| Passing defense | 2,724 | 194.6 | 13th | ||||||||||||
| Rushing defense | 1,616 | 115.4 | 5th |
References
References
- Lea, Bud. (December 14, 1964). "Packers tie Rams, gain bowl berth". Milwaukee Sentinel.
- (January 29, 1964). "NFL keeps ties same, ups rosters". Milwaukee Sentinel.
- "1964 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - Pro Football Archives".
- Opening day attendance record at Metropolitan Stadium.
- Single game attendance record at Metropolitan Stadium.
- (October 26, 1964). "Marshall runs 60 yards - backwards". Eugene Register-Guard.
- (October 26, 1964). "Wrong way run shakes up coach". Milwaukee Sentinel.
- (October 26, 1964). "Wrong way run as Vikes edge 49ers". Milwaukee Sentinel.
- (October 26, 1964). "Viking opportunists rout 49ers by 27-22". Lodi News-Sentinel.
- (November 8, 1964). "Tarkenton fires 3 TDs in Vike win". Milwaukee Sentinel.
- "Pre-1982 Sacks Added To Pro Football Reference".
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