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1984 Minnesota Vikings season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Minnesota Vikings |
| year | 1984 |
| record | 3–13 |
| division_place | 5th NFC Central |
| coach | Les Steckel |
| general manager | Mike Lynn |
| stadium | Metrodome |
| playoffs | *Did not qualify* |
| pro bowlers | K Jan Stenerud |
| AP All-pros | K Jan Stenerud (2nd team) |
| uniform | File:Vikings1975-86.png |
| shortnavlink | Vikings seasons |
| AP All-pros = K Jan Stenerud (2nd team) The 1984 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 24th in the National Football League. The Vikings finished with a 3–13 record, their worst record since the AFL–NFL merger, later equaled by the 2011 team, and the team's second worst overall record by win percentage (only 1962 was worse).
The Vikings' 484 points allowed (30.3 average points per game) was the most by any NFL team between 1983 and 2000, and the most any Vikings team allowed in one season. At the time, it was the third-most allowed in a 16-game season, trailing only the 1981 Baltimore Colts (533, still the record going into the 2021 season) and 1980 New Orleans Saints (487).
The team was coached by Les Steckel after Bud Grant retired; after the bad season, Steckel was fired and Bud Grant was re-hired.
Offseason
1984 draft
Main article: 1984 NFL draft
| Pro Bowler |
|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | 1984 Minnesota Vikings Draft | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Draft order | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Player name | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Position | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | College | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Notes | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Round | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Selection | 1 | 13 | 2 | 40 | 3 | 67 | 4 | 100 | 5 | 127 | 140 | 6 | 154 | 7 | 181 | 196 | 8 | 208 | 9 | 235 | 10 | 268 | 11 | 295 | 308 | 12 | 321 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Millard | Defensive tackle | [Washington State](1983-washington-state-cougars-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [Houston Oilers](1984-houston-oilers-season)*** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alfred Anderson | Running back | [Baylor](1983-baylor-bears-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [Houston Oilers](1984-houston-oilers-season)*** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [Los Angeles Raiders](1984-los-angeles-raiders-season)*** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allen Rice | Running back | [Baylor](1983-baylor-bears-football-team) | from [Raiders](1984-los-angeles-raiders-season) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dwight Collins | Wide receiver | [Pittsburgh](1983-pittsburgh-panthers-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John Haines | Defensive tackle | [Texas](1983-texas-longhorns-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lloyd Lewis | Guard | Texas A&I | from [Raiders](1984-los-angeles-raiders-season) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul Sverchek | Defensive tackle | [Cal Poly](1983-cal-poly-mustangs-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Keith Kidd | Wide receiver | [Arkansas](1983-arkansas-razorbacks-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| James Spencer | Linebacker | [Oklahoma State](1983-oklahoma-state-cowboys-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Edgar Pickett | Linebacker | [Clemson](1983-clemson-tigers-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lawrence Thompson | Wide receiver | [Miami (FL)](1983-miami-hurricanes-football-team) | from [Raiders](1984-los-angeles-raiders-season) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mike Jones | Running back | [North Carolina A&T](1983-north-carolina-a-t-aggies-football-team) | Originally [Packers](1984-green-bay-packers-season) pick |
Notes
1984 supplemental draft
Main article: 1984 NFL supplemental draft of USFL and CFL players
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | 1984 Minnesota Vikings Supplemental USFL/CFL Draft | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Draft order | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Player name | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Position | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | College | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Pro team | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Round | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Selection | 1 | 13 | 2 | 40 | 3 | 67 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allanda Smith | Cornerback | TCU | Los Angeles Express | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert Smith | Defensive end | Grambling State | Arizona Wranglers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David Howard | Linebacker | Long Beach State | Los Angeles Express |
Preseason
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 4 | [Atlanta Falcons](1984-atlanta-falcons-season) | **W** 37–6 | 1–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 51,693 | |||||
| August 11 | [Miami Dolphins](1984-miami-dolphins-season) | **L** 7–29 | 1–1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 54,003 | |||||
| August 18 | [Philadelphia Eagles](1984-philadelphia-eagles-season) | **L** 10–31 | 1–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 51,743 | |||||
| August 24 | at [St. Louis Cardinals](1984-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season) | **L** 0–31 | 1–3 | Busch Memorial Stadium | 31,210 |
Regular season
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2 | [San Diego Chargers](1984-san-diego-chargers-season) | **L** 13–42 | 0–1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 57,276 | |||||||||||||||||
| September 9 | at [Philadelphia Eagles](1984-philadelphia-eagles-season) | **L** 17–19 | 0–2 | Veterans Stadium | 55,942 | |||||||||||||||||
| September 16 | [Atlanta Falcons](1984-atlanta-falcons-season) | **W** 27–20 | 1–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 53,955 | |||||||||||||||||
| September 23 | at [Detroit Lions](1984-detroit-lions-season) | **W** 29–28 | 2–2 | Silverdome | 57,511 | |||||||||||||||||
| September 30 | [Seattle Seahawks](1984-seattle-seahawks-season) | **L** 12–20 | 2–3 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 57,171 | |||||||||||||||||
| October 7 | at [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1984-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season) | **L** 31–35 | 2–4 | Tampa Stadium | 47,405 | |||||||||||||||||
| October 14 | at [Los Angeles Raiders](1984-los-angeles-raiders-season) | **L** 20–23 | 2–5 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 49,276 | |||||||||||||||||
| October 21 | [Detroit Lions](1984-detroit-lions-season) | **L** 14–16 | 2–6 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 57,953 | |||||||||||||||||
| October 28 | at [Chicago Bears](1984-chicago-bears-season) | **L** 7–16 | 2–7 | Soldier Field | 57,517 | |||||||||||||||||
| November 4 | [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1984-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season) | **W** 27–24 | 3–7 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 54,949 | |||||||||||||||||
| November 11 | at [Green Bay Packers](1984-green-bay-packers-season) | **L** 17–45 | 3–8 | Milwaukee County Stadium | 52,931 | |||||||||||||||||
| November 18 | at [Denver Broncos](1984-denver-broncos-season) | **L** 21–42 | 3–9 | Mile High Stadium | 74,716 | |||||||||||||||||
| November 25 | [Chicago Bears](1984-chicago-bears-season) | **L** 3–34 | 3–10 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 56,881 | |||||||||||||||||
| November 29 | [Washington Redskins](1984-washington-redskins-season) | **L** 17–31 | 3–11 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 55,017 | |||||||||||||||||
| December 8 | at [San Francisco 49ers](1984-san-francisco-49ers-season) | **L** 7–51 | 3–12 | Candlestick Park | 56,670 | |||||||||||||||||
| December 16 | [Green Bay Packers](1984-green-bay-packers-season) | **L** 14–38 | 3–13 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 51,197 |
Game summaries
Week 3: vs Atlanta Falcons
First quarter
- ATL – Mick Luckhurst 33-yard field goal, 7:32. ''Falcons 3–0. '''Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 6:28.'''''
- MIN – Jan Stenerud 22-yard field goal, 3:39. ''Tie 3–3. '''Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 4:53.''''' Second quarter
- MIN – Jan Stenerud 54-yard field goal, 14:29. ''Vikings 6–3. '''Drive: 3 plays, 0 yards, 0:22.'''''
- ATL – Mick Luckhurst 43-yard field goal, 6:04. ''Tie 6–6. '''Drive: 6 plays, 21 yards, 2:49.''''' Third quarter
- MIN – Leo Lewis 42-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Jan Stenerud kick), 12:10. ''Vikings 13–6. '''Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 2:50.'''''
- ATL – Stacey Bailey 57-yard pass from Steve Bartkowski (Mick Luckhurst kick), 9:58. ''Tie 13–13. '''Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards, 2:12.'''''
- MIN – Steve Jordan 21-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Jan Stenerud kick), 5:50. ''Vikings 20–13. '''Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:08.'''''
- MIN – Dwight Collins 43-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:59. ''Vikings 27–13. '''Drive: 8 plays, 87 yards, 3:33.''''' Fourth quarter
- ATL – Billy Johnson 32-yard pass from Steve Bartkowski (Mick Luckhurst kick), 5:43. ''Vikings 27–20. '''Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 3:19.''''' Top passers
- ATL – Steve Bartkowski – 14/24, 195 yards, 2 TD, INT
- MIN – Tommy Kramer – 15/30, 203 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
- ATL – Gerald Riggs – 17 rushes, 83 yards
- MIN – Darrin Nelson – 15 rushes, 96 yards Top receivers
- ATL – Stacey Bailey – 4 receptions, 102 yards, TD
- MIN – Leo Lewis – 3 receptions, 69 yards, TD
Week 15: at San Francisco 49ers
First quarter
- SF – Dwight Clark 44-yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick), 6:44. ''49ers 7–0. '''Drive: 1 play, 44 yards, 0:06.'''''
- SF – Freddie Solomon 3-yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick), 1:41. ''49ers 14–0. '''Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 4:26.''''' Second quarter
- MIN – Darrin Nelson 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 13:16. ''49ers 14–7. '''Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 3:25.'''''
- SF – Wendell Tyler 5-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 9:12. ''49ers 21–7. '''Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 4:04.'''''
- SF – Renaldo Nehemiah 59-yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick), 6:54. ''49ers 28–7. '''Drive: 5 plays, 84 yards, 1:10.'''''
- SF – Ray Wersching 41-yard field goal, 0:03. ''49ers 31–7. '''Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 1:01.''''' Third quarter
- SF – Ray Wersching 25-yard field goal, 9:48. ''49ers 34–7. '''Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 5:12.'''''
- SF – Ray Wersching 38-yard field goal, 0:44. ''49ers 37–7. '''Drive: 10 plays, 31 yards, 4:30.''''' Fourth quarter
- SF – Derrick Harmon 3-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 10:08. ''49ers 44–7. '''Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:29.'''''
- SF – Bill Ring 15-yard run (Ray Wersching kick), 3:02. ''49ers 51–7. '''Drive: 12 plays, 70 yards, 5:29.''''' Top passers
- MIN – Wade Wilson – 18/32, 212 yards, INT
- SF – Joe Montana – 15/21, 246 yards, 3 TD Top rushers
- MIN – Darrin Nelson – 7 rushes, 38 yards, TD
- SF – Derrick Harmon – 11 rushes, 56 yards, TD Top receivers
- MIN – Leo Lewis – 3 receptions, 55 yards
- SF – Renaldo Nehemiah – 6 receptions, 125 yards, TD
Standings
Staff
- President – Max Winter
- General manager – Mike Lynn
- Head coach – Les Steckel
- Offensive coordinator – Jerry Burns
- Offensive backfield – John Michels
- Receivers – Bob Leahy
- Offensive line – Dan Radakovich
- Special assistant – Dick Rehbein
- Quality control – Bus Mertes
- Defensive coordinator/inside linebackers – Floyd Reese
- Defensive line – Tom Batta
- Defensive backfield – Ross Fichtner
- Quality control – Bob Hollway
- Special teams/outside linebackers coach – Mike Sweatman
- Strength and conditioning – Bud Bjornaraa
- Strength and conditioning – Dean Brittenham
Roster
Statistics
Team leaders
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Player(s) | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Tommy Kramer | 1,678 | |||||||||
| Passing touchdowns | Tommy Kramer | 9 | |||||||||
| Rushing yards | Alfred Anderson | 773 | |||||||||
| Rushing touchdowns | Ted Brown | ||||||||||
| Darrin Nelson | 3 | ||||||||||
| Receiving yards | Leo Lewis | 830 | |||||||||
| Receiving touchdowns | Leo Lewis | 4 | |||||||||
| Points | Jan Stenerud | 90 | |||||||||
| Kickoff return yards | Darrin Nelson | 891 | |||||||||
| Punt return yards | Darrin Nelson | 180 | |||||||||
| Tackles | Carl Lee | 100 | |||||||||
| Sacks | Randy Holloway | 5 | |||||||||
| Interceptions | Rufus Bess | 3 |
League rankings
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Total yards | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | Yards per game | Minnesota Vikings | year=1984 | border=2}}" | NFL rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (out of 28) | Total offense | 4,716 | 294.8 | 25th | Total defense | 6,352 | 397.0 | 28th | |||||||
| Passing offense | 2,872 | 179.5 | 22nd | ||||||||||||
| Rushing offense | 1,844 | 115.2 | 18th | ||||||||||||
| Passing defense | 3,779 | 236.2 | 26th | ||||||||||||
| Rushing defense | 2,573 | 160.8 | 27th |
References
References
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/tgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&year_min=1983&year_max=2000&game_type=R&game_num_min=0&game_num_max=99&week_num_min=0&week_num_max=99&game_day_of_week=&game_location=&game_result=&overtime=&league_id=&team_id=&opp_id=&conference_game=&division_game=&tm_is_playoff=&opp_is_playoff=&tm_is_winning=&opp_is_winning=&tm_scored_first=&tm_led=&tm_trailed=&c1stat=points_opp&c1comp=gt&c1val=400&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=points_opp Most Points Allowed: 1983 to 2000]
- "1984 Minnesota Vikings". The Pro Football Archives.
- "2010 Minnesota Vikings Media Guide".
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