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1982 Minnesota Vikings season

NFL team season; first one in the Metrodome


NFL team season; first one in the Metrodome

FieldValue
teamMinnesota Vikings
year1982
record5–4
division_place4th NFC (2nd NFC Central)
coachBud Grant
general managerMike Lynn
stadiumHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
playoffs**Won [Wild Card Playoffs](1982-83-nfl-playoffs)**
(vs. [Falcons](1982-atlanta-falcons-season)) 30–24
Lost [Divisional Playoffs](1982-83-nfl-playoffs)
(at [Redskins](1982-washington-redskins-season)) 7–21
pro bowlersLB Matt Blair
uniformFile:Vikings1975-86.png
shortnavlinkVikings seasons

(vs. Falcons) 30–24 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Redskins) 7–21 The 1982 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 22nd season in the National Football League (NFL) and their first in the newly constructed Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. The team was looking to improve on its 7–9 record from 1981. However, a players strike meant seven of the team's 16 games were canceled, and each NFL team was only able to play nine games. The Vikings won their opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before losing the next week to the Buffalo Bills, a game in which they had a 19–0 lead before the Bills pulled off a comeback to win 23–22.

After the strike ended, the Vikings lost 26–7 to the Packers in Green Bay before beating the Bears 35–7 the following week to sit at 2–2. After a loss to the Dolphins, the Vikings won their next two games to sit at 4–3. In their final game of the season, they upset the Dallas Cowboys 31–27 to clinch the NFC's fourth place spot in the playoffs In the playoffs, the Vikings defeated the Atlanta Falcons 30–24 to reach the divisional round. However, in that game, they lost 21–7 to the eventual champion Redskins.

Offseason

1982 draft

Main article: 1982 NFL draft

Pro Bowler
Minnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"1982 Minnesota Vikings DraftMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"Draft orderMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"Player nameMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"PositionMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"CollegeMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"NotesMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"RoundMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"Selection1723936649251206147717982069233102601128612318
Darrin NelsonRunning back[Stanford](1981-stanford-cardinals-football-team)
Terry TauschGuard[Texas](1981-texas-longhorns-football-team)
***Traded to the [New Orleans Saints](1982-new-orleans-saints-season)***
Jim FahnhorstLinebacker[Minnesota](1981-minnesota-golden-gophers-football-team)
***Traded to the [Miami Dolphins](1982-miami-dolphins-season)***
Greg StorrLinebacker[Boston College](1981-boston-college-eagles-football-team)
Steve JordanTight end[Brown](1981-brown-bears-football-team)
Kirk HarmonLinebacker[Pacific](1981-pacific-tigers-football-team)
Bryan HowardDefensive back[Tennessee State](1981-tennessee-state-tigers-football-team)
Gerald LucearWide receiver[Temple](1981-temple-owls-football-team)
Curtis RouseGuard[Chattanooga](1981-chattanooga-moccasins-football-team)
Hobson MilnerRunning back[Cincinnati](1981-cincinnati-bearcats-football-team)

Notes

Roster

Preseason

Minnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"WeekMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"DateMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"OpponentMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"ResultMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"RecordMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"VenueMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"Attendance12345
[Baltimore Colts](1982-baltimore-colts-season)**W** 30–141–0Fawcett Stadium (Canton, Ohio)23,379
at [Atlanta Falcons](1982-atlanta-falcons-season)**L** 17–201–1Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium49,831
[Seattle Seahawks](1982-seattle-seahawks-season)**W** 7–32–1Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome57,880
at [Denver Broncos](1982-denver-broncos-season)**L** 17–272–2Mile High Stadium73,371
[New Orleans Saints](1982-new-orleans-saints-season)**W** 24–213–2Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome59,810

Regular season

The Vikings opened their new stadium with a 17–10 win over Tampa Bay in the season opener. A close loss to Buffalo on the road followed.

The season was then interrupted by the players' 57-day strike that reduced the NFL regular season to nine games. Upon resumption of play in November, the Vikings went 4–3 to close out the abbreviated regular season and closed the campaign with a 5–4 record. Games against Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, New Orleans, San Francisco, Tampa Bay and Washington were canceled.

As three of Minnesota's losses were to AFC opponents, their 4–1 conference record put them at the top of a logjam of teams with similar records in the playoff seedings. In 1982, the NFL took the top eight teams from each conference regardless of division record for playoff consideration. The Vikings earned the #4 seed based on this tiebreaker and home field advantage in round one.

In their opening round playoff game, the Vikings took on the Atlanta Falcons. The game was a back-and-forth affair that saw Minnesota take a 13–7 halftime lead, only to see the Falcons retake the lead late in the final period on a 41-yard field goal by Mick Luckhurst. With just under two minutes remaining, the Vikings began a game-winning drive that culminated in a Ted Brown 5-yard touchdown run to win the game and send the Vikings on to round two.

In the second round, the Vikings were defeated by the eventual Super Bowl champion Washington Redskins, 21–7, at RFK Stadium. The Vikings trailed 14–0 after one quarter. Ted Brown's touchdown run in the second period cut it to 14–7, but Joe Theismann hit Alvin Garrett late in the quarter with an 18-yard touchdown strike to make it 21–7. Neither team scored in the second half.

QB Tommy Kramer threw for 2,037 yards and 15 touchdowns in the short season. RB Ted Brown had 515 yards to lead all rushers, and WR Sammy White tallied 503 yards and five touchdowns to lead receivers.

LB Matt Blair anchored the Vikings defense and also made the 1982 Pro Bowl.

Schedule

Minnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"WeekMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"Original
weekMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"DateMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"OpponentMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"ResultMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"RecordMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"VenueMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"Attendance11223[1982 NFL players strike](1982-nfl-players-strike)4October 3at **[Chicago Bears](1982-chicago-bears-season)**Canceled1–1Soldier Field5October 10at **[Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1982-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)**Tampa Stadium6October 17[New Orleans Saints](1982-new-orleans-saints-season)Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome7October 24**[Green Bay Packers](1982-green-bay-packers-season)**Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome8November 1**[Detroit Lions](1982-detroit-lions-season)**Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome9November 7at [San Francisco 49ers](1982-san-francisco-49ers-season)Candlestick Park10November 14at [Washington Redskins](1982-washington-redskins-season)Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium311412513614715816917
September 12**[Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1982-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)****W** 17–101–0Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome58,440
at [Buffalo Bills](1982-buffalo-bills-season)**L** 22–231–1Rich Stadium77,753
September 26[Dallas Cowboys](1982-dallas-cowboys-season)Postponed1–1Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
November 21at **[Green Bay Packers](1982-green-bay-packers-season)****L** 7–261–2Milwaukee County Stadium44,681
November 28**[Chicago Bears](1982-chicago-bears-season)****W** 35–72–2Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome54,724
December 5at [Miami Dolphins](1982-miami-dolphins-season)**L** 14–222–3Miami Orange Bowl45,721
December 12[Baltimore Colts](1982-baltimore-colts-season)**W** 13–103–3Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome53,981
December 19at **[Detroit Lions](1982-detroit-lions-season)****W** 34–314–3Pontiac Silverdome73,058
December 26[New York Jets](1982-new-york-jets-season)**L** 14–424–4Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome58,672
[Dallas Cowboys](1982-dallas-cowboys-season)**W** 31–275–4Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome60,007
Minnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"**Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

First quarter

  • TB – Bill Capece 51-yard field goal, 2:00. ''Buccaneers 3–0. '''Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 4:55.''''' Second quarter
  • MIN – Rickey Young 3-yard run (Rick Danmeier kick), 6:31. ''Vikings 7–3. '''Drive: 12 plays, 77 yards, 5:19.''''' Third quarter
  • MIN – Sammy White 22-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 6:48. ''Vikings 14–3. '''Drive: 14 plays, 81 yards, 8:12.''''' Fourth quarter
  • TB – Jimmie Giles 20-yard pass from Doug Williams (Bill Capece kick), 5:06. ''Vikings 14–10. '''Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:30.'''''
  • MIN – Rick Danmeier 33-yard field goal, 2:06. ''Vikings 17–10. '''Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:13. ''''' Top passers
  • TB – Doug Williams – 21/38, 290 yards, TD, 3 INT
  • MIN – Tommy Kramer – 16/28, 131 yards, TD Top rushers
  • TB – James Owens – 12 rushes, 31 yards
  • MIN – Ted Brown – 12 rushes, 56 yards Top receivers
  • TB – Jimmie Giles – 5 receptions, 100 yards, TD
  • MIN – Sammy White – 2 receptions, 35 yards, TD

Week 4: vs Chicago Bears

First quarter

  • No scoring plays. Second quarter
  • CHI – Emery Moorehead 50-yard pass from Jim McMahon (John Roveto kick), 14:53. ''Bears 7–0. '''Drive: 2 plays, 55 yards, 0:47.'''''
  • MIN – Sammy White 5-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 9:07. ''Tied 7–7. '''Drive: 4 plays, 49 yards, 2:16.'''''
  • MIN – Joe Senser 1-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 2:43. ''Vikings 14–7. '''Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 3:45.''''' Third quarter
  • MIN – Sammy White 8-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 5:44. ''Vikings 21–7. '''Drive: 8 plays, 95 yards, 3:37.''''' Fourth quarter
  • MIN – Leo Lewis 31-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 12:48. ''Vikings 28–7. '''Drive: 2 plays, 43 yards, 0:52.'''''
  • MIN – Sammy White 13-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 6:17. ''Vikings 35–7. '''Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards, 2:38.''''' Top passers
  • CHI – Jim McMahon – 12/20, 139 yards, TD, INT
  • MIN – Tommy Kramer – 26/35, 342 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT Top rushers
  • CHI – Walter Payton – 12 rushes, 67 yards
  • MIN – Ted Brown – 5 rushes, 43 yards Top receivers
  • CHI – Emery Moorehead – 4 receptions, 79 yards, TD
  • MIN – Sammy White – 10 receptions, 177 yards, 3 TD

Week 5: at Miami Dolphins

First quarter

  • MIA – David Woodley 1-yard run (kick blocked), 2:48. ''Dolphins 6–0. '''Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 5:08.''''' Second quarter
  • MIN – Tommy Kramer 18-yard run (Rick Danmeier kick), 12:10. ''Vikings 7–6. '''Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 5:38.'''''
  • MIA – Uwe von Schamann 34-yard field goal, 0:00. ''Dolphins 9–7. '''Drive: 3 plays, 36 yards, 0:17.''''' Third quarter
  • MIA – Uwe von Schamann 28-yard field goal, 5:48. ''Dolphins 12–7. '''Drive: 16 plays, 62 yards, 9:12.''''' Fourth quarter
  • MIA – Andra Franklin 9-yard run (Uwe von Schamann kick), 14:17. ''Dolphins 19–7. '''Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 4:12.'''''
  • MIN – Tony Galbreath 1-yard run (Rick Danmeier kick), 9:25. ''Dolphins 19–14. '''Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 2:22.'''''
  • MIA – Uwe von Schamann 24-yard field goal, 1:46. ''Dolphins 22–14. '''Drive: 6 plays, 23 yards, 2:44.''''' Top passers
  • MIN – Tommy Kramer – 16/28, 127 yards, 3 INT
  • MIA – David Woodley – 13/20, 132 yards Top rushers
  • MIN – Darrin Nelson – 6 rushes, 36 yards
  • MIA – Andra Franklin – 28 rushes, 129 yards, TD Top receivers
  • MIN – Sammy White – 2 receptions, 32 yards
  • MIA – Jimmy Cefalo – 2 receptions, 71 yards

Week 6: vs Baltimore Colts

First quarter

  • MIN – Sammy White 24-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 4:49. ''Vikings 7–0. '''Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 4:43.''''' Second quarter
  • BAL – Mike Wood 39-yard field goal, 10:57. ''Vikings 7–3. '''Drive: 13 plays, 56 yards, 6:50.''''' Third quarter
  • BAL – Jim Burroughs 94-yard interception return (Mike Wood kick), 6:42. Colts 10–7.
  • MIN – Rick Danmeier 23-yard field goal, 3:21. ''Tied 10–10. '''Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 3:11.''''' Fourth quarter
  • MIN – Rick Danmeier 40-yard field goal, 9:09. ''Vikings 13–10. '''Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:41.''''' Top passers
  • BAL – Mike Pagel – 14/32, 116 yards, 2 INT
  • MIN – Tommy Kramer – 19/35, 258 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
  • BAL – Curtis Dickey – 13 rushes, 42 yards
  • MIN – Ted Brown – 20 rushes, 75 yards Top receivers
  • BAL – Randy McMillan – 5 receptions, 32 yards
  • MIN – Sammy White – 3 receptions, 78 yards, TD

Week 8: vs New York Jets

First quarter

  • NYJ – Freeman McNeil 2-yard run (Pat Leahy kick), 6:07. ''Jets 7–0. '''Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:54.''''' Second quarter
  • NYJ – Bobby Jackson 80-yard return of blocked field goal (Pat Leahy kick), 5:43. Jets 14–0.
  • NYJ – Freeman McNeil 1-yard run (Pat Leahy kick), 5:17. ''Jets 21–0. '''Drive: 3 plays, 9 yards, 0:22.'''''
  • MIN – Tommy Kramer 1-yard run (Rick Danmeier kick), 0:32. ''Jets 21–7. '''Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 4:25.''''' Third quarter
  • NYJ – Mickey Shuler 20-yard pass from Pat Ryan (Pat Leahy kick), 1:12. ''Jets 28–7. '''Drive: 8 plays, 86 yards, 2:32.''''' Fourth quarter
  • MIN – Ted Brown 16-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 13:23. ''Jets 28–14. '''Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 2:36.'''''
  • NYJ – Bruce Harper 39-yard pass from Richard Todd (Pat Leahy kick), 11:33. ''Jets 35–14. '''Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 1:38.'''''
  • NYJ – Bobby Jackson 77-yard interception return (Pat Leahy kick), 7:18. Jets 42–14. Top passers
  • NYJ – Richard Todd – 15/22, 236 yards, TD
  • MIN – Tommy Kramer – 32/56, 328 yards, TD, 3 INT Top rushers
  • NYJ – Freeman McNeil – 18 rushes, 82 yards, 2 TD
  • MIN – Ted Brown – 15 rushes, 57 yards Top receivers
  • NYJ – Mickey Shuler – 3 receptions, 80 yards, TD
  • MIN – Joe Senser – 10 receptions, 115 yards

Standings

Postseason

Schedule

Minnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"RoundMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"DateMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"OpponentMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"ResultMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"RecordMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"VenueMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"AttendanceWild CardDivision
January 9[Atlanta Falcons](1982-atlanta-falcons-season) (5)**W** 30–241–0Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome60,560
January 15at [Washington Redskins](1982-washington-redskins-season) (1)**L** 7–211–1Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium54,593

Statistics

Team leaders

Minnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"CategoryMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"Player(s)Minnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"Value
Passing yardsTommy Kramer2,037
Passing touchdownsTommy Kramer15
Rushing yardsTed Brown515
Rushing touchdownsTommy Kramer3
Receiving yardsSammy White503
Receiving touchdownsSammy White5
PointsRick Danmeier47
Kickoff return yardsJarvis Redwine286
Punt return yardsEddie Payton179
SacksDoug Martin11.5
InterceptionsWillie Teal4

League rankings

Minnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"CategoryMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"Total yardsMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"Yards per gameMinnesota Vikingsyear=1982border=2}}"NFL rank
(out of 28)Total offense2,879179.914thTotal defense2,895180.919th
Passing offense1,967122.95th
Rushing offense91257.022nd
Passing defense1,875117.220th
Rushing defense1,02063.814th

Notes

References

References

  1. "1982 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - Pro Football Archives".
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