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1975 Minnesota Vikings season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Minnesota Vikings |
| year | 1975 |
| record | 12–2 |
| division_place | 1st NFC Central |
| coach | Bud Grant |
| general manager | Mike Lynn |
| stadium | Metropolitan Stadium |
| playoffs | Lost [Divisional Playoffs](1975-76-nfl-playoffs) |
| (vs. [Cowboys](1975-dallas-cowboys-season)) 14–17 | |
| pro bowlers | CB Bobby Bryant |
| RB Chuck Foreman | |
| WR John Gilliam | |
| S Paul Krause | |
| DT Alan Page | |
| LB Jeff Siemon | |
| QB Fran Tarkenton | |
| G Ed White | |
| T Ron Yary | |
| AP All-pros | RB Chuck Foreman (1st team) |
| QB Fran Tarkenton (1st team) | |
| T Ron Yary (1st team) | |
| DT Alan Page (1st team) | |
| S Paul Krause (1st team) | |
| uniform | File:Vikings1975-86.png |
| shortnavlink | Vikings seasons |
(vs. Cowboys) 14–17 RB Chuck Foreman WR John Gilliam S Paul Krause DT Alan Page LB Jeff Siemon QB Fran Tarkenton G Ed White T Ron Yary | AP All-pros = RB Chuck Foreman (1st team) QB Fran Tarkenton (1st team) T Ron Yary (1st team) DT Alan Page (1st team) S Paul Krause (1st team) The 1975 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 15th in the National Football League.
The Vikings began with a 10-game win streak before losing by one point to the Washington Redskins, though there was generally very little expectation they would equal the 1972 Dolphins' perfect season. The 1975 Vikings had an even easier schedule than the often-criticized one of the unbeaten Dolphin team, and in fact had according to Eddie Epstein clearly the easiest schedule of any team between 1950 and 2001, with their fourteen opponents having a winning percentage excluding Vikings games of .346. According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, only the Super Bowl-winning 1999 Rams have since had a weaker schedule than the 1975 Vikings, playing only one opponent with a winning record during the regular season. Nine of fourteen opponents finished 4–10 or worse, and like the 1972 Dolphins only two had winning records. Football journalists noted during their streak how the Vikings had been playing very weak schedules for several seasons and flattered thereby.
The Vikings’ 10–0 start was not subsequently equaled until the 1984 Miami Dolphins began 11–0. They sealed their third straight NFC Central title on Thanksgiving Day in this same week when the Detroit Lions lost to the Los Angeles Rams.
The Vikings finished with a record of 12 wins and two losses, before losing to the Dallas Cowboys, 17–14 in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at home due to a play known as the "Hail Mary". Earlier in the season, the New York Jets made their first appearance in Minnesota in a much-anticipated match between Super Bowl quarterbacks Fran Tarkenton and Joe Namath, in what had been the first regular season game sold out during the summer.
Third year halfback Chuck Foreman became the first Vikings running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
Offseason
1975 draft
Main article: 1975 NFL draft
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | 1975 Minnesota Vikings Draft | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Draft order | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Player name | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Position | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | College | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Notes | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Round | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Selection | 1 | 25 | 2 | 52 | 3 | 63 | 77 | 4 | 89 | 103 | 5 | 129 | 6 | 155 | 7 | 181 | 8 | 207 | 9 | 233 | 10 | 258 | 11 | 285 | 12 | 311 | 13 | 336 | 14 | 363 | 15 | 388 | 16 | 414 | 17 | 441 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Mullaney | Defensive end | [Colorado State](1974-colorado-state-rams-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert Barber | Defensive tackle | [USC](1974-usc-trojans-football-team) | Originally [Steelers](1975-pittsburgh-steelers-season) pick | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [New Orleans Saints](1975-new-orleans-saints-season)*** | From [Lions](1975-detroit-lions-season) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [Cincinnati Bengals](1975-cincinnati-bengals-season)*** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Champ Henson | Running back | [Ohio State](1974-ohio-state-buckeyes-football-team) | from [Bengals](1975-cincinnati-bengals-season) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bruce Adams | Wide receiver | [Kansas](1974-kansas-jayhawks-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert Miller | Running back | [Kansas](1974-kansas-jayhawks-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bubba Broussard | Linebacker | [Houston](1974-houston-cougars-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Henry Green | Running back | [Southern](1974-southern-jaguars-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joe Hollimon | Defensive back | [Arkansas State](1974-arkansas-state-indians-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John Passananti | Guard | Western Illinois | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Neil Clabo | Punter | [Tennessee](1974-tennessee-volunteers-football-team) | Originally [Raiders](1975-oakland-raiders-season) pick | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ike Spencer | Running back | [Utah](1974-utah-utes-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Autry Beamon | Safety | East Texas State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mike Hurd | Wide receiver | [Michigan State](1974-michigan-state-spartans-football-team) | Originally [Redskins](1975-washington-redskins-season) pick | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mike Strickland | Running back | [Eastern Michigan](1974-eastern-michigan-hurons-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ollie Bakken | Linebacker | [Minnesota](1974-minnesota-golden-gophers-football-team) | Originally [Raiders](1975-oakland-raiders-season) pick | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tom Goedjen | Placekicker | [Iowa State](1974-iowa-state-cyclones-football-team) | Originally [Colts](1975-baltimore-colts-season) pick | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adolph Bellizeare | Running back | [Penn](1974-penn-quakers-football-team) |
Notes
Roster
|
Preseason
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Week | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Date | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Result | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Record | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Venue | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 9 | [New York Jets](1975-new-york-jets-season) | **L** 15–20 | 0–1 | Sun Devil Stadium, (Tempe, AZ) | 51,323 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 17 | at [New England Patriots](1975-new-england-patriots-season) | **L** 10–36 | 0–2 | Schaefer Stadium | 40,218 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 23 | at [Dallas Cowboys](1975-dallas-cowboys-season) | ** W** 16–13 | 1–2 | Texas Stadium | 45,395 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 1 | [Miami Dolphins](1975-miami-dolphins-season) | **W** 20–7 | 2–2 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,653 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 6 | [St. Louis Cardinals](1975-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season) | **L** 6–13 | 2–3 | Metropolitan Stadium | 46,975 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 13 | at [San Diego Chargers](1975-san-diego-chargers-season) | **T** 14–14 (OT) | 2–3–1 | San Diego Stadium | 31,642 |
Regular season
Schedule
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Week | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Date | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Result | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Record | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Venue | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 21 | **[San Francisco 49ers](1975-san-francisco-49ers-season)** | **W** 27–17 | 1–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 46,479 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 28 | at [Cleveland Browns](1975-cleveland-browns-season) | **W** 42–10 | 2–0 | Cleveland Stadium | 68,064 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 5 | **[Chicago Bears](1975-chicago-bears-season)** | **W** 28–3 | 3–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,578 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 12 | **[New York Jets](1975-new-york-jets-season)** | **W** 29–21 | 4–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,739 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 19 | **[Detroit Lions](1975-detroit-lions-season)** | **W** 25–19 | 5–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,872 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| at [Chicago Bears](1975-chicago-bears-season) | **W** 13–9 | 6–0 | Soldier Field | 51,259 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 2 | at [Green Bay Packers](1975-green-bay-packers-season) | **W** 28–17 | 7–0 | Lambeau Field | 57,267 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 9 | **[Atlanta Falcons](1975-atlanta-falcons-season)** | **W** 38–0 | 8–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 43,751 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 16 | at [New Orleans Saints](1975-new-orleans-saints-season) | **W** 20–7 | 9–0 | Louisiana Superdome | 52,765 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 23 | **[San Diego Chargers](1975-san-diego-chargers-season)** | **W** 28–13 | 10–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 43,737 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 30 | at [Washington Redskins](1975-washington-redskins-season) | **L** 30–31 | 10–1 | RFK Stadium | 54,498 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 7 | **[Green Bay Packers](1975-green-bay-packers-season)** | **W** 24–3 | 11–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 46,147 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 14 | at [Detroit Lions](1975-detroit-lions-season) | **L** 10–17 | 11–2 | Silverdome | 73,130 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| at [Buffalo Bills](1975-buffalo-bills-season) | **W** 35–13 | 12–2 | Rich Stadium | 54,993 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | **Note**: Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text. |
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers
First quarter
- MIN – Fred Cox 28-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0. Second quarter
- MIN – Fred Cox 29-yard field goal. Vikings 6–0.
- MIN – Terry Brown 26-yard fumble return (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 13–0.
- SF – Steve Mike-Mayer 19-yard field goal. Vikings 13–3.
- SF – Gene Washington 22-yard pass from Norm Snead (Steve Mike-Mayer kick). Vikings 13–10. Third quarter
- No scoring plays. Fourth quarter
- MIN – Brent McClanahan 10-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 20–10.
- MIN – Chuck Foreman 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 27–10.
- SF – Dave Washington 15-yard blocked punt return (Steve Mike-Mayer kick). Vikings 27–17. Top passers
- SF – Norm Snead – 10/18, 149 yards, TD
- MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 14/26, 165 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers
- SF – Wilbur Jackson – 15 rushes, 59 yards
- MIN – Brent McClanahan – 16 rushes, 61 yards Top receivers
- SF – Gene Washington – 6 receptions, 86 yards, TD
- MIN – Brent McClanahan – 6 receptions, 73 yards, TD
Standings
Postseason
Schedule
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Week | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Date | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Result | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Venue | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Divisional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 28 | **[Dallas Cowboys](1975-dallas-cowboys-season) (4)** | **L** 14–17 | Metropolitan Stadium | 46,425 |
Game summaries
NFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. (#4) Dallas Cowboys
First quarter
- No scoring plays. Second quarter
- MIN – Chuck Foreman 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0. Third quarter
- DAL – Doug Dennison 4-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick). Tied 7–7. Fourth quarter
- DAL – Toni Fritsch 24-yard field goal. Cowboys 10–7.
- MIN – Brent McClanahan 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–10.
- DAL – Drew Pearson 50-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Toni Fritsch kick). Cowboys 17–14. Top passers
- DAL – Roger Staubach – 17/29, 246 yards, TD
- MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 12/26, 135 yards, INT Top rushers
- DAL – Doug Dennison – 11 rushes, 36 yards, TD
- MIN – Chuck Foreman – 18 rushes, 56 yards, TD Top receivers
- DAL – Drew Pearson – 4 receptions, 91 yards, TD
- MIN – Ed Marinaro – 5 receptions, 64 yards
Awards and records
- Fran Tarkenton, Bert Bell Award, and AP MVP
- AP First Team All-Pro selections: RB Chuck Foreman, S Paul Krause, DT Alan Page, QB Fran Tarkenton and T Ron Yary
- Chuck Foreman, set an NFL record with 73 receptions, most by a running back
- DE Jim Marshall, recovered 26th fumble, a new league record
- Pro Bowl selections: Bobby Bryant, Chuck Foreman, John Gilliam, Paul Krause, Alan Page, Jeff Siemon, Fran Tarkenton, Ed White and Ron Yary
Statistics
Team leaders
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Player(s) | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Fran Tarkenton | 2,994 | |||||||||
| Passing touchdowns | Fran Tarkenton | 25 | |||||||||
| Rushing yards | Chuck Foreman | 1,070 | |||||||||
| Rushing touchdowns | Chuck Foreman | 13 | |||||||||
| Receiving yards | John Gilliam | 777 | |||||||||
| Receiving touchdowns | Chuck Foreman | 9 | |||||||||
| Points | Chuck Foreman | 132 | |||||||||
| Kickoff return yards | Brent McClanahan | 360 | |||||||||
| Punt return yards | Bobby Bryant | 125 | |||||||||
| Interceptions | Paul Krause | 10 * |
- Vikings single season record.
League rankings
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Total yards | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | Yards per game | Minnesota Vikings | year=1975 | border=2}}" | NFL rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (out of 26) | Total offense | 4,955 | 353.9 | 5th | Total defense | 3,153 | 262.2 | 1st | |||||||
| Passing offense | 2,861 | 204.4 | 3rd | ||||||||||||
| Rushing offense | 2,094 | 149.6 | 10th | ||||||||||||
| Passing defense | 1,621 | 115.8 | 1st | ||||||||||||
| Rushing defense | 1,532 | 109.4 | 1st |
References
References
- Lowitt, Bruce. (November 7, 1975). "Streaking Vikings Meet Old Nemesis in Falcons". [[Star-Banner]].
- (2002). "Dominance: The Best Seasons of Pro Football's Greatest Teams". Brassey’s, Inc..
- "1999 Rams Against Opponents with Winning Record".
- "1975 Minnesota Vikings".
- Donovan, Mark. (September 22, 1975). "National Central".
- "Last Undefeated NFL Team in Each Season".
- Kallestad, Brent; "Fran, Joe Square Off First Time"; in ''[[The Evening News (Newburgh). The Evening News]]''; October 10, 1975; p. 7B
- "1975 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - Pro Football Archives".
- "Maxwell Football Club - Bert Bell Award Past Recipients".
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