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1977 Minnesota Vikings season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Minnesota Vikings |
| year | 1977 |
| record | 9–5 |
| division_place | 1st NFC Central |
| coach | Bud Grant |
| general manager | Mike Lynn |
| stadium | Metropolitan Stadium |
| playoffs | **Won [Divisional Playoffs](1977-78-nfl-playoffs)** |
| (at [Rams](1977-los-angeles-rams-season)) 14–7 | |
| Lost [NFC Championship](1977-78-nfl-playoffs) | |
| (at [Cowboys](1977-dallas-cowboys-season)) 6–23 | |
| pro bowlers | LB Matt Blair |
| RB Chuck Foreman | |
| LB Jeff Siemon | |
| G Ed White | |
| WR Sammy White | |
| T Ron Yary | |
| AP All-pros | T Ron Yary (2nd team) |
| uniform | File:Vikings1975-86.png |
| shortnavlink | Vikings seasons |
(at Rams) 14–7 Lost NFC Championship (at Cowboys) 6–23 RB Chuck Foreman LB Jeff Siemon G Ed White WR Sammy White T Ron Yary | AP All-pros = T Ron Yary (2nd team)
The 1977 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 17th in the National Football League. After starting the season 5–3, the team's starting quarterback Fran Tarkenton broke his leg in week 9 and missed the rest of the season. Despite losing Tarkenton, the team managed to finish the season with a 9–5 record and went to the playoffs as winners of the NFC Central division title. They beat the Los Angeles Rams 14–7 in the Divisional Round in a game played in Los Angeles and termed the Mud Bowl, although the Vikings had lost 35–3 to the Rams in week 6.The Super '70s, Tom Danyluk, Mad Uke Publishing, 2005, page 95. The person being interviewed, "LM," is former Rams running back (1972-'79) Lawrence McCutcheon. In the NFC Championship game played in Dallas, the Vikings lost to the Dallas Cowboys 23–6.
Offseason
1977 draft
Main article: 1977 NFL draft
| Pro Bowler |
|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | 1977 Minnesota Vikings Draft | Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | Draft order | Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | Player name | Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | Position | Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | College | Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | Notes | Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | Round | Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | Selection | 1 | 27 | 2 | 55 | 3 | 83 | 4 | 111 | 5 | 138 | 6 | 166 | 7 | 194 | 8 | 222 | 9 | 250 | 10 | 278 | 11 | 306 | 12 | 335 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tommy Kramer | Quarterback | [Rice](1976-rice-owls-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dennis Swilley | Guard | [Texas A&M](1976-texas-a-m-aggies-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tommy Hannon | Safety | [Michigan State](1976-michigan-state-spartans-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [Seattle Seahawks](1977-seattle-seahawks-season)*** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ken Moore | Tight end | [Northern Illinois](1976-northern-illinois-huskies-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [New England Patriots](1977-new-england-patriots-season)*** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [Cincinnati Bengals](1977-cincinnati-bengals-season)*** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clint Strozier | Defensive back | [USC](1976-usc-trojans-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scott Studwell | Linebacker | [Illinois](1976-illinois-fighting-illini-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dan Beaver | Placekicker | [Illinois](1976-illinois-fighting-illini-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Keith Hartwig | Wide receiver | [Arizona](1976-arizona-wildcats-football-team) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jim Kelleher | Running back | [Colorado](1976-colorado-buffaloes-football-team) |
Notes
Personnel
Staff
-
Principal owner/president – Max Winter
-
Chairman/treasurer – H. P. Skoglund
-
General manager – Mike Lynn
-
Coordinator–administration – Harley Peterson
-
Coordinator–football operations – Jerry Reichow
-
Director of player personnel – Frank Gilliam
-
Head coach – Bud Grant
-
Offensive coordinator – Jerry Burns
-
Offensive line – John Michels
-
Offensive backfield – Bus Mertes
-
Defensive coordinator – Neill Armstrong
-
Defensive line – Buddy Ryan
-
Linebackers – Jack Nelson
Roster
Preseason
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 6 | at [Los Angeles Rams](1977-los-angeles-rams-season) | **W** 22–17 | 1–0 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 55,168 | |||||||
| August 13 | [Cleveland Browns](1977-cleveland-browns-season) | **W** 34–33 | 2–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 45,370 | |||||||
| August 19 | at [Baltimore Colts](1977-baltimore-colts-season) | **L** 7–29 | 2–1 | Memorial Stadium | 45,529 | |||||||
| August 26 | [Miami Dolphins](1977-miami-dolphins-season) | **W** 33–7 | 3–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 44,396 | |||||||
| September 3 | at [Cincinnati Bengals](1977-cincinnati-bengals-season) | **L** 7–26 | 3–2 | Riverfront Stadium | 52,942 | |||||||
| September 10 | at [Buffalo Bills](1977-buffalo-bills-season) | **W** 30–6 | 4–2 | Rich Stadium | 35,017 |
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 18 | [Dallas Cowboys](1977-dallas-cowboys-season) | **L** 10–16 (OT) | 0–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,678 | |||||||||||||||
| September 24 | at [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1977-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season) | **W** 9–3 | 1–1 | Tampa Stadium | 66,272 | |||||||||||||||
| October 2 | [Green Bay Packers](1977-green-bay-packers-season) | **W** 19–7 | 2–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,143 | |||||||||||||||
| October 9 | [Detroit Lions](1977-detroit-lions-season) | **W** 14–7 | 3–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 45,860 | |||||||||||||||
| October 16 | [Chicago Bears](1977-chicago-bears-season) | **W** 22–16 (OT) | 4–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,708 | |||||||||||||||
| October 24 | at [Los Angeles Rams](1977-los-angeles-rams-season) | **L** 3–35 | 4–2 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 62,414 | |||||||||||||||
| October 30 | at [Atlanta Falcons](1977-atlanta-falcons-season) | **W** 14–7 | 5–2 | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | 59,257 | |||||||||||||||
| November 6 | [St. Louis Cardinals](1977-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season) | **L** 7–27 | 5–3 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,066 | |||||||||||||||
| November 13 | [Cincinnati Bengals](1977-cincinnati-bengals-season) | **W** 42–10 | 6–3 | Metropolitan Stadium | 45,371 | |||||||||||||||
| November 20 | at Chicago Bears | **L** 7–10 | 6–4 | Soldier Field | 49,563 | |||||||||||||||
| November 27 | at Green Bay Packers | **W** 13–6 | 7–4 | Lambeau Field | 56,267 | |||||||||||||||
| December 4 | [San Francisco 49ers](1977-san-francisco-49ers-season) | **W** 28–27 | 8–4 | Metropolitan Stadium | 40,745 | |||||||||||||||
| December 11 | at [Oakland Raiders](1977-oakland-raiders-season) | **L** 13–35 | 8–5 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 52,771 | |||||||||||||||
| December 17 | at Detroit Lions | **W** 30–21 | 9–5 | Silverdome | 78,572 |
Game summaries
Week 2: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
First quarter
- No scoring plays Second quarter
- MIN – Randy Hedberg sacked in end zone by Carl Eller for a safety. Vikings 2–0.
- TB – Allan Leavitt 18-yard field goal. Buccaneers 3–2. Third quarter
- MIN – Chuck Foreman 31-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 9–3. Fourth quarter
- No scoring plays Top passers
- MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 25/38, 223 yards, TD, 2 INT
- TB – Randy Hedberg – 4/14, 51 yards, 3 INT Top rushers
- MIN – Chuck Foreman 14 rushes, 58 yards
- TB – Ricky Bell – 21 rushes, 66 yards Top receivers
- MIN – Chuck Foreman – 4 receptions, 52 yards, TD
- TB – Morris Owens – 2 receptions, 26 yards
Week 3: vs Green Bay Packers
First quarter
- GB – Steve Odom 95-yard pass from Lynn Dickey (Chester Marcol kick). Packers 7–0.
- MIN – Sammy White 16-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Tied 7–7. Second quarter
- MIN – Chuck Foreman 3-yard run. Vikings 13–7. Third quarter
- No scoring plays. Fourth quarter
- MIN – Sammy Johnson 2-yard run. Vikings 19–7. Top passers
- GB – Lynn Dickey – 8/20, 143 yards, TD
- MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 19/27, 184 yards, TD Top rushers
- GB – Eric Torkelson – 8 rushes, 34 yards
- MIN – Sammy Johnson – 12 rushes, 65 yards, TD Top receivers
- GB – Steve Odom – 1 reception, 95 yards, TD
- MIN – Sammy White – 5 receptions, 73 yards, TD
Week 7: at Atlanta Falcons
- Television network: CBS
- Announcers: Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier Minnesota's Fran Tarkenton threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Sammy White to tie the game in the second quarter, then tossed a 6-yard scoring pass to Bob Tucker in the fourth quarter after Chuck Foreman's 51-yard run to salvage a big win for the Vikings. The Falcons took the lead early lead on a 49-yard scoring pass from Scott Hunter to Greg McCrary.
Week 10: at Chicago Bears
First quarter
- No scoring plays. Second quarter
- CHI – Walter Payton 1-yard run (Bob Thomas kick). Bears 7–0.
- CHI – Bob Thomas 37-yard field goal. Bears 10–0. Third quarter
- MIN – Matt Blair 10-yard return of blocked punt (Fred Cox kick). Bears 10–7. Fourth quarter
- No scoring plays. Top passers
- MIN – Bob Lee – 12/24, 116 yards, 2 INT
- CHI – Bob Avellini – 4/6, 33 yards, INT Top rushers
- MIN – Chuck Foreman – 14 rushes, 54 yards
- CHI – Walter Payton – 40 rushes, 275 yards, TD Top receivers
- MIN – Sammy White – 3 receptions, 31 yards
- CHI – James Scott – 2 receptions, 22 yards
Week 11: at Green Bay Packers
First quarter
- GB – David Whitehurst 3-yard run (kick failed). Packers 6–0. Second quarter
- MIN – Sammy White 40-yard pass from Bob Lee (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–6.
- MIN – Fred Cox 21-yard field goal. Vikings 10–6.
- MIN – Fred Cox 31-yard field goal. Vikings 13–6. Third quarter
- No scoring plays. Fourth quarter
- No scoring plays. Top passers
- MIN – Bob Lee – 5/8, 68 yards, TD
- GB – David Whitehurst – 6/23, 75 yards, 2 INT Top rushers
- MIN – Chuck Foreman – 26 rushes, 101 yards
- GB – Eric Torkelson – 13 rushes, 53 yards Top receivers
- MIN – Sammy White – 1 reception, 40 yards, TD
- GB – Bert Askson – 1 reception, 34 yards
Week 13: at Oakland Raiders
First quarter
- OAK – Mark van Eeghen 2-yard run (Errol Mann kick). Raiders 7–0.
- OAK – Cliff Branch 10-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Errol Mann kick). Raiders 14–0.
- OAK – Willie Hall 2-yard fumble recovery (Errol Mann kick). Raiders 21–0. Second quarter
- MIN – Nate Wright 27-yard fumble recovery (Fred Cox kick). Raiders 21–7. Third quarter
- OAK – Cliff Branch 32-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Errol Mann kick). Raiders 28–7. Fourth quarter
- OAK – Carl Garrett 2-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Errol Mann kick). Raiders 35–7.
- MIN – Sammy White 11-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (kick failed, wide right). Raiders 35–13. Top passers
- MIN – Tommy Kramer – 16/34, 177 yards, TD, 3 INT
- OAK – Ken Stabler – 10/15, 143 yards, 3 TD Top rushers
- MIN – Chuck Foreman – 11 rushes, 48 yards
- OAK – Mark van Eeghen – 28 rushes, 112 yards, TD Top receivers
- MIN – Sammy White – 5 reception, 73 yards, TD
- OAK – Cliff Branch – 4 reception, 95 yards, 2 TD
Standings
Postseason
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Venue | Attendance | Divisional | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 26 | at [Los Angeles Rams](1977-los-angeles-rams-season) | **W** 14–7 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 62,538 | |||
| January 1 | at [Dallas Cowboys](1977-dallas-cowboys-season) | **L** 6–23 | Texas Stadium | 61,968 |
Statistics
Team leaders
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | Player(s) | Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Fran Tarkenton | 1,734 | |||||||||
| Passing touchdowns | Fran Tarkenton | 9 | |||||||||
| Rushing yards | Chuck Foreman | 1,112 | |||||||||
| Rushing touchdowns | Chuck Foreman | 6 | |||||||||
| Receiving yards | Sammy White | 760 | |||||||||
| Receiving touchdowns | Sammy White | 9 | |||||||||
| Points | Chuck Foreman | ||||||||||
| Sammy White | 54 | ||||||||||
| Kickoff return yards | Manfred Moore | 524 | |||||||||
| Punt return yards | Manfred Moore | 277 | |||||||||
| Interceptions | Bobby Bryant | 4 |
League rankings
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | Total yards | Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | Yards per game | Minnesota Vikings | year=1977 | border=2}}" | NFL rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (out of 28) | Total offense | 4,189 | 299.2 | 14th | Total defense | 3,799 | 271.4 | 11th | |||||||
| Passing offense | 2,368 | 169.1 | 6th | ||||||||||||
| Rushing offense | 1,821 | 130.1 | 21st | ||||||||||||
| Passing defense | 1,581 | 112.9 | 3rd | ||||||||||||
| Rushing defense | 2,218 | 158.4 | 21st |
References
References
- [https://books.google.com/books?id=HM0kDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Chuck+would+score+the+first+touchdown+of+the+game+on+a+5-yard+run%22&pg=PA5 Heroes of Yesteryear: Pro Football’S Dying Breed of Players from a Bygone Era], Danny Jones, Bloomington, Indiana: AuthorHouse, 2017. Chapter on Chuck Foreman.
- "1977 Minnesota Vikings Media Guide".
- "1977 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - Pro Football Archives".
Info: Wikipedia Source
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