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1989 Minnesota Vikings season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Minnesota Vikings |
| year | 1989 |
| record | 10–6 |
| division_place | 1st NFC Central |
| coach | Jerry Burns |
| general manager | Mike Lynn |
| stadium | Metrodome |
| playoffs | Lost [Divisional Playoffs](1989-90-nfl-playoffs) |
| (at [49ers](1989-san-francisco-49ers-season)) 13–41 | |
| pro bowlers | S Joey Browner |
| WR Anthony Carter | |
| DE Chris Doleman | |
| TE Steve Jordan | |
| CB Carl Lee | |
| G Randall McDaniel | |
| T Gary Zimmerman | |
| AP All-pros | DE Chris Doleman (1st team) |
| DT Keith Millard (1st team) | |
| S Joey Browner (2nd team) | |
| uniform | File:Vikings1989.png |
| shortnavlink | Vikings seasons |
(at 49ers) 13–41 WR Anthony Carter DE Chris Doleman TE Steve Jordan CB Carl Lee G Randall McDaniel T Gary Zimmerman | AP All-pros = DE Chris Doleman (1st team) DT Keith Millard (1st team) S Joey Browner (2nd team)
The 1989 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 29th in the National Football League (NFL). They finished with a 10–6 record to win the NFC Central Division. This title was secured during one of what is considered by many to be among the most exciting Monday Night Football contests ever: a Christmas Day victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at home, at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, which was the de facto first playoff game of the year. The Vikings were beaten 41–13 in the divisional round of the playoffs by the eventual Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers.
This season was also notable for the number of sacks the defense recorded: 71 overall, with 39 coming from only two players (Chris Doleman and Keith Millard). Millard was named the Defensive Player of the Year after putting up record numbers by a defensive tackle.
Offseason
1989 draft
Main article: 1989 NFL draft
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | 1989 Minnesota Vikings Draft | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Draft order | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Player name | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Position | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | College | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Notes | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Round | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Selection | 1 | 24 | 2 | 52 | 3 | 80 | 4 | 108 | 5 | 136 | 6 | 163 | 7 | 191 | 8 | 219 | 9 | 247 | 10 | 275 | 11 | 303 | 12 | 331 | 335 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ***Traded to the [Pittsburgh Steelers](1989-pittsburgh-steelers-season)*** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David Braxton | Linebacker | [Wake Forest](1988-wake-forest-demon-deacons-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John Hunter | Offensive tackle | [BYU](1988-byu-cougars-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Darryl Ingram | Tight end | [California](1988-california-golden-bears-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Pick forfeited during [1988 supplemental draft](1988-minnesota-vikings-season-supplemental-draft)*** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jeff Mickel | Offensive tackle | Eastern Washington | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benji Roland | Defensive end | [Auburn](1988-auburn-tigers-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alex Stewart | Defensive end | [Cal State Fullerton](1988-cal-state-fullerton-titans-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [New England Patriots](1989-new-england-patriots-season)*** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [Miami Dolphins](1989-miami-dolphins-season)*** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brad Baxter | Running back | [Alabama State](1988-alabama-state-hornets-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shawn Woodson | Linebacker | [James Madison](1988-james-madison-dukes-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Everett Ross | Wide receiver | [Ohio State](1988-ohio-state-buckeyes-football-team) | From [49ers](1989-san-francisco-49ers-season), via [Raiders](1989-los-angeles-raiders-season) |
Notes:
Undrafted free agents
| Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|
| Pat Beaty | Kicker | North Dakota |
| Robert Carter | Running back | Troy State |
| Jarrod Delaney | Wide receiver | TCU |
| Darrell Ellison | Linebacker | Tulsa |
| Devin Harberts | Wide receiver | Iowa |
| Ken Johnson | Defensive back | Florida A&M |
| Andy Keeler | Guard | Nebraska |
| Tony Peterson | Quarterback | Marshall |
| Everett Ross | Wide receiver | Ohio State |
| Pat Thompson | Punter | BYU |
Staff
- President – Wheelock Whitney, Jr.
- General manager – Mike Lynn
- Head coach – Jerry Burns
- Offensive coordinator – Bob Schnelker
- Assistant offensive coordinator/passing game – Dick Rehbein
- Running backs – John Brunner
- Wide receivers – Jerry Brown
- Offensive line – John Michels
- Defensive coordinator – Floyd Peters
- Defensive line – Paul Wiggin
- Linebackers – Monte Kiffin
- Defensive backs – Pete Carroll
- Special teams/tight ends – Tom Batta
Roster
- Reggie Rutland CB
Preseason
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 12 | vs [Kansas City Chiefs](1989-kansas-city-chiefs-season) | **W** 23–13 | 1–0 | Liberty Bowl (Memphis, TN) | 63,528 | |||||
| August 21 | [Washington Redskins](1989-washington-redskins-season) | **W** 24–13 | 2–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 50,213 | |||||
| August 26 | at [Los Angeles Rams](1989-los-angeles-rams-season) | **L** 14–24 | 2–1 | Anaheim Stadium | 45,087 | |||||
| September 1 | [Cincinnati Bengals](1989-cincinnati-bengals-season) | **W** 17–10 | 3–1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 49,867 |
Regular season
The defensive line of Chris Doleman, Keith Millard, Al Noga and Henry Thomas were key contributors in helping the Vikings rank number one in the NFL in total defense. In addition, the Vikings set a franchise record with 71 sacks in one season. Chris Doleman had 21 sacks and was one shy of tying the NFL record.
Schedule
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Week | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Date | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Result | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Record | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Venue | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 10 | [Houston Oilers](1989-houston-oilers-season) | **W** 38–7 | 1–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 54,015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 17 | at **[Chicago Bears](1989-chicago-bears-season)** | **L** 7–38 | 1–1 | Soldier Field | 66,475 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 24 | at [Pittsburgh Steelers](1989-pittsburgh-steelers-season) | **L** 14–27 | 1–2 | Three Rivers Stadium | 50,744 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 1 | **[Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1989-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)** | **W** 17–3 | 2–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 54,817 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 8 | **[Detroit Lions](1989-detroit-lions-season)** | **W** 24–17 | 3–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 55,380 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 15 | **[Green Bay Packers](1989-green-bay-packers-season)** | **W** 26–14 | 4–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 62,075 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 22 | at **[Detroit Lions](1989-detroit-lions-season)** | **W** 20–7 | 5–2 | Silverdome | 51,579 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| at [New York Giants](1989-new-york-giants-season) | **L** 14–24 | 5–3 | Giants Stadium | 76,041 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 5 | [Los Angeles Rams](1989-los-angeles-rams-season) | **W** 23–21 (OT) | 6–3 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 59,600 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 12 | at **[Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1989-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)** | **W** 24–10 | 7–3 | Tampa Stadium | 56,271 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 19 | at [Philadelphia Eagles](1989-philadelphia-eagles-season) | **L** 9–10 | 7–4 | Veterans Stadium | 65,944 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 26 | at **[Green Bay Packers](1989-green-bay-packers-season)** | **L** 19–20 | 7–5 | Milwaukee County Stadium | 55,592 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 3 | **[Chicago Bears](1989-chicago-bears-season)** | **W** 27–16 | 8–5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 60,664 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 10 | [Atlanta Falcons](1989-atlanta-falcons-season) | **W** 43–17 | 9–5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 58,116 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 17 | at [Cleveland Browns](1989-cleveland-browns-season) | **L** 17–23 (OT) | 9–6 | Cleveland Stadium | 70,777 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 25 | [Cincinnati Bengals](1989-cincinnati-bengals-season) | **W** 29–21 | 10–6 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 58,829 |
Game summaries
Week 2 at Chicago Bears
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
;Top passers
- MIN – Wade Wilson – 24/42, 253 yards, TD, 4 INT
- CHI – Mike Tomczak – 10/26, 142 yards, TD, INT ;Top rushers
- MIN – Alfred Anderson – 5 rushes, 25 yards
- CHI – Neal Anderson – 23 rushes, 97 yards, 2 TD ;Top receivers
- MIN – Anthony Carter – 6 receptions, 80 yards
- CHI – Neal Anderson – 3 receptions, 58 yards, TD
Week 3 at Pittsburgh Steelers
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
;Top passers
- MIN – Wade Wilson – 12/22, 118 yards, INT
- PIT – Bubby Brister – 16/22, 157 yards, TD ;Top rushers
- MIN – Hassan Jones – 1 rushes, 37 yards
- PIT – Merril Hoge – 17 rushes, 64 yards, TD ;Top receivers
- MIN – Anthony Carter – 5 receptions, 56 yards
- PIT – Tim Worley – 4 receptions, 45 yards
Week 5: vs Detroit Lions
First quarter
- DET – Eric Hipple 1-yard rush (Eddie Murray) kick good, 1:40. ''Detroit 7–0 '''Drive: 4 plays, 31 yards, 1:40.''''' Second quarter
- MIN – Rich Karlis 22-yard field goal, 12:45. ''Detroit 7–3 '''Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 4:38.'''''
- MIN – Mike Merriweather 15–yard interception return (Rich Karlis kick good), 11:42. Minnesota 10–7.
- MIN – Issiac Holt 90-yard interception return (Rich Karlis kick good), 5:19. Minnesota 17–7.
- MIN – Brent Novoselsky 2-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rich Karlis kick good), 0:54. ''Minnesota 24–7 '''Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 4:25.'''''
- DET – Eddie Murray 50-yard field goal, 0:54. ''Minnesota 24–10 '''Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 0:54.''''' Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter
- DET – Bob Gagliano 1-yard rush (Eddie Murray kick good), 4:25. ''Minnesota 24–17 '''Drive: 19 plays, 80 yards, 7:12.'''''
Top passers
- DET – Eric Hipple – 7/18, 90 yards, 3 INT
- MIN – Tommy Kramer – 11/18, 146 yards, TD
Top receivers
- DET – Richard Johnson – 3 receptions, 38 yards
- MIN – Hassan Jones – 2 receptions, 44 yards
Top rushers
- DET – Barry Sanders – 23 attempts, 99 yards
- MIN – Rick Fenney – 9 attempts, 35 yards
Week 6 vs Green Bay Packers
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
;Top passers
- GB – Don Majkowski – 9/24, 198 yards, TD, 2 INT
- MIN – Tommy Kramer – 14/24, 172 yards, 2 TD, INT ;Top rushers
- GB – Keith Woodside – 3 rushes, 36 yards
- MIN – Herschel Walker – 18 rushes, 148 yards ;Top receivers
- GB – Sterling Sharpe – 2 receptions, 82 yards
- MIN – Hassan Jones – 4 receptions, 68 yards
Standings
Postseason
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent (seed) | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Wild Card | Divisional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Bye* | ||||||||
| January 6 | at [San Francisco 49ers](1989-san-francisco-49ers-season) (1) | **L** 13–41 | 0–1 | Candlestick Park | 64,585 |
Herschel Walker trade
Main article: Herschel Walker trade
In 1989, at the height of his NFL career, the Cowboys traded Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for a total of five players (LB Jesse Solomon, DB Issiac Holt, RB Darrin Nelson, LB David Howard, DE Alex Stewart) and six draft picks (which led to Emmitt Smith, Russell Maryland, Kevin Smith, and Darren Woodson). This was judged to be one of the turning points in the rise of the Cowboys to the top echelon of the NFL. Walker's trade was widely perceived as an exceptionally poor move considering what the Vikings had to give up in order to get him, and remains one of the most frequently vilified roster moves of the team's history. The Vikings coaches reluctantly accepted Walker after the trade and never totally used the tool they had been given. Scout.com says, "Walker was never used properly by the coaching brain trust (a total oxymoron in this case)".
Statistics
Team leaders
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Player(s) | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Wade Wilson | 2,543 | |||||||||
| Passing touchdowns | Wade Wilson | 9 | |||||||||
| Rushing yards | Herschel Walker | 669 | |||||||||
| Rushing touchdowns | Herschel Walker | 5 | |||||||||
| Receiving yards | Anthony Carter | 1,066 | |||||||||
| Receiving touchdowns | Anthony Carter | 4 | |||||||||
| Points | Rich Karlis | 120 | |||||||||
| Kickoff return yards | Herschel Walker | 374 | |||||||||
| Punt return yards | Leo Lewis | 446 | |||||||||
| Tackles | Chris Doleman | ||||||||||
| Henry Thomas | 94 | ||||||||||
| Sacks | Chris Doleman | 21.0 | |||||||||
| Interceptions | Joey Browner | 5 | |||||||||
| Forced fumbles | Chris Doleman | 5 |
League rankings
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Total yards | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Yards per game | Minnesota Vikings | year=1989 | border=2}}" | NFL rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (out of 28) | Total offense | 5,255 | 328.4 | 14th | Total defense | 4,184 | 261.5 | 1st | |||||||
| Passing offense | 3,189 | 199.3 | 17th | ||||||||||||
| Rushing offense | 2,066 | 129.1 | 7th | ||||||||||||
| Passing defense | 2,501 | 156.3 | 1st | ||||||||||||
| Rushing defense | 1,683 | 105.2 | 11th |
Awards and records
- Keith Millard – NFL Defensive Player of the Year (AP, UPI, PFWA)
- Chris Doleman – NFL sacks leader (21.0)
- Randall McDaniel – NFC Pro Bowl selection
Milestones
- Chris Doleman, third player in NFL history to reach 20 sacks in a season
- Chris Doleman, franchise record, 21 sacks
References
References
- "2010 Minnesota Vikings Media Guide".
- "1989 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - Pro Football Archives".
- (June 20, 2001). "History: Walker Trade". Scout.com.
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