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1987 Minnesota Vikings season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Minnesota Vikings |
| year | 1987 |
| record | 8–7 |
| division_place | 2nd NFC Central |
| coach | Jerry Burns |
| general manager | Mike Lynn |
| stadium | Metrodome |
| playoffs | Won Wild Card Playoffs |
| (at Saints) 44–10 | |
| Won Divisional Playoffs | |
| (at 49ers) 36–24 | |
| Lost NFC Championship | |
| (at Redskins) 10–17 | |
| pro bowlers | S Joey Browner |
| WR Anthony Carter | |
| DE Chris Doleman | |
| TE Steve Jordan | |
| LB Scott Studwell | |
| T Gary Zimmerman | |
| AP All-pros | S Joey Browner (1st team) |
| T Gary Zimmerman (1st team) | |
| DE Chris Doleman (2nd team) | |
| DT Keith Millard (2nd team) | |
| uniform | File:Vikings1987-88.png |
| shortnavlink | Vikings seasons |
(at Saints) 44–10 Won Divisional Playoffs (at 49ers) 36–24 Lost NFC Championship (at Redskins) 10–17 WR Anthony Carter DE Chris Doleman TE Steve Jordan LB Scott Studwell T Gary Zimmerman | AP All-pros = S Joey Browner (1st team) T Gary Zimmerman (1st team) DE Chris Doleman (2nd team) DT Keith Millard (2nd team) The 1987 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 27th year in the National Football League. A players' strike caused the cancellation of the September 27 game at the Kansas City Chiefs, while the games played on October 4, 11 and 18 were played with replacement players. The Vikings finished with an 8–7 record.
Despite finishing the season only one game over .500, and losing three of their final four games, Minnesota sneaked into the playoffs with the final Wild Card position. There, they won two huge upsets, beating the New Orleans Saints (12–3), and the San Francisco 49ers (13–2) on the road to advance to their first NFC Championship Game in 10 years. The Vikings were unable, however, to defeat the eventual Super Bowl champion Washington Redskins in the NFC Championship Game.
The last remaining active member of the 1987 Minnesota Vikings was quarterback Rich Gannon, who played his final NFL game in the 2004 season, although he missed the 1989 and 1994 seasons.
Offseason
1987 draft
Main article: 1987 NFL draft
| Pro Bowler |
|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | 1987 Minnesota Vikings Draft | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Draft order | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Player name | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Position | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | College | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Notes | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Round | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | borde r=2}}" | Selection | 1 | 14 | 16 | 2 | 44 | 3 | 72 | 4 | 100 | 5 | 128 | 6 | 156 | 7 | 184 | 8 | 211 | 9 | 239 | 10 | 267 | 11 | 295 | 12 | 323 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. J. Dozier | Running back | Penn State | From Dolphins | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *Traded to the Miami Dolphins* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ray Berry | Linebacker | Baylor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Henry Thomas | Defensive tackle | LSU | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reggie Rutland | Cornerback | Georgia Tech | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *Traded to the Miami Dolphins* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greg Richardson | Wide receiver | Alabama | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *Traded to the Seattle Seahawks* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rick Fenney | Running back | Washington | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leonard Jones | Defensive back | Texas Tech | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bob Riley | Offensive tackle | Indiana State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brent Pease | Quarterback | Montana | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Keith Williams | Defensive tackle | Florida |
Notes:
Staff
- President – Wheelock Whitney, Jr.
- Executive vice president/general manager – Mike Lynn
- Director of football operations – Jerry Reichow
- Director of player personnel – Frank Gilliam
- Director of pro personnel – Bob Hollway
- Head coach – Jerry Burns
- Offensive coordinator – Bob Schnelker
- Running backs – Rollie Dotsch
- Interim running backs – John Brunner
- Receivers – Dick Rehbein
- Offensive line – John Michels
- Defensive coordinator – Floyd Peters
- Defensive line – Paul Wiggin
- Linebackers – Monte Kiffin
- Secondary – Pete Carroll
- Special teams/tight ends coach – Tom Batta
Roster
- Reggie Rutland CB
NFL replacement players
After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled:
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}};" | 1987 Minnesota Vikings replacement roster |
|---|---|---|---|
Preseason
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 15 | at New Orleans Saints | L 17–23 | 0–1 | Louisiana Superdome | 52,884 | |||||
| August 22 | Indianapolis Colts | W 37–13 | 1–1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 49,304 | |||||
| August 29 | New England Patriots | L 27–38 | 1–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 49,339 | |||||
| September 3 | at Denver Broncos | W 27–17 | 2–2 | Mile High Stadium | 74,081 |
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 13 | Detroit Lions | W 34–19 | 1–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 57,061 | |||||||||||||||||
| September 20 | at Los Angeles Rams | W 21–16 | 2–0 | Anaheim Stadium | 63,367 | |||||||||||||||||
| September 27 | at Kansas City Chiefs | canceled | 2–0 | Arrowhead Stadium | ||||||||||||||||||
| October 4 | Green Bay Packers | L 16–23 | 2–1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 13,911 | |||||||||||||||||
| October 11 | at Chicago Bears | L 7–27 | 2–2 | Soldier Field | 32,113 | |||||||||||||||||
| October 18 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 10–20 | 2–3 | Tampa Stadium | 20,850 | |||||||||||||||||
| October 26 | Denver Broncos | W 34–27 | 3–3 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 51,011 | |||||||||||||||||
| November 1 | at Seattle Seahawks | L 17–28 | 3–4 | Kingdome | 61,134 | |||||||||||||||||
| November 8 | Los Angeles Raiders | W 31–20 | 4–4 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 57,150 | |||||||||||||||||
| November 15 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 23–17 | 5–4 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 48,605 | |||||||||||||||||
| November 22 | Atlanta Falcons | W 24–13 | 6–4 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 53,866 | |||||||||||||||||
| November 26 | at Dallas Cowboys | W 44–38 (OT) | 7–4 | Texas Stadium | 54,229 | |||||||||||||||||
| December 6 | Chicago Bears | L 24–30 | 7–5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 62,331 | |||||||||||||||||
| December 13 | at Green Bay Packers | L 10–16 | 7–6 | Milwaukee County Stadium | 47,059 | |||||||||||||||||
| December 20 | at Detroit Lions | W 17–14 | 8–6 | Pontiac Silverdome | 27,693 | |||||||||||||||||
| December 26 | Washington Redskins | L 24–27 (OT) | 8–7 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 59,160 |
Notes:
- Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
- The October 18 game against Tampa Bay was originally scheduled to be played in Minneapolis. The game was switched with the November 15 game due to Game 2 of the World Series. The game against the Broncos, originally scheduled for October 25, was pushed back to Monday because the Metrodome was being used for Game 7 of the World Series.
Game summaries
Week 10: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
First quarter
- No scoring plays. Second quarter
- TB – Calvin Magee 20-yard pass from Steve DeBerg (Donald Igwebuike kick), 11:02. ''Buccaneers 7–0. '''Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards.'''''
- MIN – Chuck Nelson 29-yard field goal, 6:58. ''Buccaneers 7–3. '''Drive: 12 plays, 53 yards.'''''
- MIN – Chuck Nelson 27-yard field goal, 0:11. ''Buccaneers 7–6. '''Drive: 6 plays, 20 yards.''''' Third quarter
- MIN – Rick Fenney 1-yard run (Chuck Nelson kick), 10:58. ''Vikings 13–7. '''Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards.'''''
- TB – Donald Igwebuike 26-yard field goal, 6:54. ''Vikings 13–10. '''Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards.'''''
- MIN – Chuck Nelson 26-yard field goal, 0:03. ''Vikings 16–10. '''Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards.''''' Fourth quarter
- MIN – Steve Jordan 2-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Chuck Nelson kick), 10:56. ''Vikings 23–10. '''Drive: 2 plays, 8 yards.'''''
- TB – Phil Freeman 64-yard pass from Steve DeBerg (Donald Igwebuike kick), 7:55. ''Vikings 23–17. '''Drive: 5 plays, 73 yards.''''' Top passers
- TB – Steve DeBerg – 22/37, 284 yards, 2 TD, INT
- MIN – Wade Wilson – 8/19, 97 yards Top rushers
- TB – Jeff Smith – 8 rushes, 16 yards
- MIN – Darrin Nelson – 17 rushes, 103 yards Top receivers
- TB – Phil Freeman – 2 receptions, 76 yards, TD
- MIN – Anthony Carter – 3 receptions, 37 yards
Week 12: at Dallas Cowboys
First quarter
- MIN – Anthony Carter 11-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 7–0.
- MIN – Tommy Kramer 1-yard run (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 14–0. Second quarter
- DAL – Danny White 1-yard run (Roger Ruzek kick). Vikings 14–7.
- DAL – Herschel Walker 3-yard pass from Danny White (Roger Ruzek kick). Tied 14–14.
- MIN – Anthony Carter 37-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 21–14. Third quarter
- MIN – Darrin Nelson 52-yard run (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 28–14.
- DAL – Roger Ruzek 38-yard field goal. Vikings 28–17.
- DAL – Mike Renfro 8-yard pass from Danny White (Roger Ruzek kick). Vikings 28–24. Fourth quarter
- MIN – Chuck Nelson 33-yard field goal. Vikings 31–24.
- MIN – Rick Fenney 1-yard run (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 38–24.
- DAL – Mike Renfro 14-yard pass from Danny White (Roger Ruzek kick). Vikings 38–31.
- DAL – Mike Renfro 18-yard pass from Danny White (Roger Ruzek kick). Tie 38–38. Overtime
- MIN – Darrin Nelson 24-yard run. Vikings 44–38. Top passers
- MIN – Wade Wilson – 9/18, 189 yards, INT
- DAL – Danny White – 25/41, 341 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT Top rushers
- MIN – Darrin Nelson – 16 rushes, 118 yards, 2 TD
- DAL – Herschel Walker – 21 rushes, 76 yards Top receivers
- MIN – Anthony Carter – 8 receptions, 184 yards, 2 TD
- DAL – Mike Renfro – 7 receptions, 100 yards, 3 TD In the Vikings' first game on Thanksgiving in 18 years, starting quarterback Tommy Kramer helped the team to a 14–0 lead by the end of the first quarter, opening with an 11-yard strike to Anthony Carter, before taking the ball in himself from a yard out. However, a bruised throwing arm meant he had to leave the game. Wade Wilson then took over. The Cowboys tied it up with two touchdowns of their own in the second quarter, but another throw from Kramer to Carter, this time from 37 yards, meant the Vikings took a seven-point lead into halftime. Darrin Nelson extended the Vikings' lead with the opening score of the second half, running 52 yards for the Vikings' fourth touchdown of the game. A field goal and another touchdown for the Cowboys reduced the Vikings' lead to four points going into the final quarter, but they restored the two-score margin with a field goal from Chuck Nelson and a 1-yard run from Rick Fenney. The Cowboys managed to come back and tie the game with just over two minutes left to play, enough time for the Vikings to drive downfield and set up a potential game-winning, 46-yard field goal attempt for Chuck Nelson with nine seconds left. He missed the kick and the game went to overtime. Both teams failed with their first two possessions, with both throwing interceptions. Vikings linebacker Scott Studwell returned his interception to the Minnesota 40-yard line to begin their third drive of the extra period. They opened with four straight run plays, including a fourth-down conversion to get them to midfield, followed by a 24-yard pass from Wilson to Carter, before Darrin Nelson ran the remaining distance for the walk-off game-winning touchdown. The result brought the Vikings to a 7–4 record with four games left to play.
Standings
Postseason
Schedule
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Round | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Date | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Opponent (seed) | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Result | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Record | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Venue | Wild Card | Divisional | NFC Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 3, 1988 | at New Orleans Saints (4) | W 44–10 | 1–0 | Louisiana Superdome | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 9, 1988 | at San Francisco 49ers (1) | W 36–24 | 2–0 | Candlestick Park | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 17, 1988 | at Washington Redskins (3) | L 10–17 | 2–1 | Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium |
Game summaries
NFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (#4) New Orleans Saints
First quarter
- NO – Eric Martin 10-yard pass from Bobby Hebert (Morten Andersen kick). Saints 7–0.
- MIN – Chuck Nelson 42-yard field goal. Saints 7–3.
- MIN – Anthony Carter 84-yard punt return (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 10–7. Second quarter
- MIN – Steve Jordan 5-yard pass from Wade Wilson (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 17–7.
- MIN – Anthony Carter 10-yard pass from Allen Rice (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 24–7.
- NO – Morten Andersen 40-yard field goal. Vikings 24–10.
- MIN – Hassan Jones 44-yard pass from Wade Wilson (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 31–10. Third quarter
- MIN – Chuck Nelson 42-yard field goal. Vikings 34–10. Fourth quarter
- MIN – Chuck Nelson 19-yard field goal. Vikings 37–10.
- MIN – D. J. Dozier 18-yard run (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 44–10. Top passers
- MIN – Wade Wilson – 11/20, 189 yards, 2 TD
- NO – Bobby Hebert – 9/19, 84 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers
- MIN – Darrin Nelson – 17 rushes, 73 yards
- NO – Dalton Hilliard – 8 rushes, 39 yards Top receivers
- MIN – Anthony Carter – 6 receptions, 79 yards, TD
- NO – Hoby Brenner – 2 receptions, 33 yards In the Saints' first playoff game in history, the Vikings dominated the game by recording two sacks, forcing four turnovers and allowing only 149 yards. The 34-point margin of victory stands as the most lopsided win by an NFC team in a Wild Card round game in NFL history.
NFC Divisional Playoffs: at (#1) San Francisco 49ers
First quarter
- MIN – Chuck Nelson 21-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
- SF – Ray Wersching 43-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. Second quarter
- MIN – Carl Hilton 7-yard pass from Wade Wilson (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 10–3.
- MIN – Chuck Nelson 23-yard field goal. Vikings 13–3.
- MIN – Najee Mustafaa 45-yard interception return (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 20–3. Third quarter
- SF – Jeff Fuller 48-yard interception return (Ray Wersching kick). Vikings 20–10.
- MIN – Hassan Jones 5-yard pass from Wade Wilson (Chuck Nelson kick). Vikings 27–10.
- SF – Steve Young 5-yard run (Ray Wersching kick). Vikings 27–17.
- MIN – Chuck Nelson 40-yard field goal. Vikings 30–17. Fourth quarter
- MIN – Chuck Nelson 40-yard field goal. Vikings 33–17.
- SF – John Frank 16-yard pass from Steve Young (Ray Wersching kick). Vikings 33–24.
- MIN – Chuck Nelson 23-yard field goal. Vikings 36–24. Top passers
- MIN – Wade Wilson – 20/34, 298 yards, 2 TD, INT
- SF – Steve Young – 12/17, 158 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
- MIN – Darrin Nelson – 11 rushes, 42 yards
- SF – Steve Young – 6 rushes, 72 yards, TD Top receivers
- MIN – Anthony Carter – 10 receptions, 227 yards
- SF – Roger Craig – 9 receptions, 78 yards
The heavy underdog Vikings pulled off a shocker in San Francisco, controlling most of the game with Anthony Carter leading the way with 227 receiving yards.
NFC Championship Game: at (#3) Washington Redskins
First quarter
- WAS – Kelvin Bryant 42-yard pass from Doug Williams (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 7–0. Second quarter
- MIN – Leo Lewis 23-yard pass from Wade Wilson (Chuck Nelson kick). Tied 7–7. Third quarter
- WAS – Ali Haji-Sheikh 28-yard field goal. Redskins 10–7. Fourth quarter
- MIN – Chuck Nelson 18-yard field goal. Tied 10–10.
- WAS – Gary Clark 7-yard pass from Doug Williams (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick). Redskins 17–10. Top passers
- MIN – Wade Wilson – 19/39, 243 yards, TD, INT
- WAS – Doug Williams – 9/26, 119 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
- MIN – Wade Wilson – 4 rushes, 28 yards
- WAS – Timmy Smith – 13 rushes, 72 yards Top receivers
- MIN – Anthony Carter – 7 receptions, 85 yards
- WAS – Gary Clark – 3 receptions, 57 yards, TD In a defensive battle, the Redskins played a little better by limiting the Vikings to only 76 rushing yards and forcing eight sacks. Washington scored first on a 98-yard drive that was capped by running back Kelvin Bryant's 42-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Doug Williams. However, Minnesota tied the game before halftime with quarterback Wade Wilson's 23-yard touchdown pass to Leo Lewis. In the third quarter, Redskins linebacker Mel Kaufman returned an interception 10 yards to the Minnesota 17-yard line to set up kicker Ali Haji-Sheikh's 28-yard field goal. In the final period, Vikings kicker Chuck Nelson made an 18-yard field goal to tie the game, 10–10. The Redskins then marched 70 yards to score on Williams' 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Gary Clark to take the lead, 17–10, with 5:06 remaining in the game. Minnesota then advanced to the Washington 6-yard line, but Wilson's fourth down pass, intended for running back Darrin Nelson in the end zone was defended by Darrell Green with 52 seconds remaining and the Redskins ran out the clock.
Statistics
Team leaders
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Player(s) | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Wade Wilson | 2,106 | |||||||||
| Passing touchdowns | Wade Wilson | 14 | |||||||||
| Rushing yards | Darrin Nelson | 642 | |||||||||
| Rushing touchdowns | D.J. Dozier | ||||||||||
| Wade Wilson | 5 | ||||||||||
| Receiving yards | Anthony Carter | 922 | |||||||||
| Receiving touchdowns | Anthony Carter | 7 | |||||||||
| Points | Chuck Nelson | 75 | |||||||||
| Kickoff return yards | Neal Guggemos | 808 | |||||||||
| Punt return yards | Leo Lewis | 275 | |||||||||
| Tackles | Jesse Solomon | 126 | |||||||||
| Sacks | Chris Doleman | 11.0 | |||||||||
| Interceptions | Joey Browner | 6 | |||||||||
| Forced fumbles | Chris Doleman | 6 |
League rankings
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Total yards | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | Yards per game | Minnesota Vikings | year=1987 | border=2}}" | NFL rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (out of 28) | Total offense | 4,809 | 300.6 | 15th | Total defense | 4,824 | 301.8 | 10th | |||||||
| Passing offense | 2,826 | 176.6 | 20th | ||||||||||||
| Rushing offense | 1,983 | 123.9 | 11th | ||||||||||||
| Passing defense | 3,100 | 193.8 | 16th | ||||||||||||
| Rushing defense | 1,724 | 107.8 | 11th |
References
References
- "2010 Minnesota Vikings Media Guide".
- "1987 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - Pro Football Archives".
- Wilbon, Michael. (November 27, 1987). "Vikings top Cowboys in overtime". The Washington Post.
Info: Wikipedia Source
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