# 1973 Minnesota Vikings season

The 1973 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 13th in the National Football League (NFL). With a 12–2 record, the Vikings regained the NFC Central title after having gone 7–7 the previous year. They started the season 9–0 and looked a threat to the previous year's Miami Dolphins' record of a perfect season before losing to the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals in their next three games. Their narrow 10–9 win over the Los Angeles Rams constituted the last time until 1997 that the last two unbeaten NFL teams played each other.
The Vikings defeated the Washington Redskins 27–20 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at home and went on to upset the Dallas Cowboys 27–10 in Irving, Texas to win the NFC Championship, before losing 24–7 to the Dolphins in Super Bowl VIII at Rice Stadium in Houston.

## Offseason
### 1973 draft

* Pro Bowler
1973 Minnesota Vikings Draft :
| Draft order | Draft order | Player name | Position | College | Notes |
| Round | Overall | Player name | Position | College | Notes |
| 1 | 12 | Chuck Foreman | Running back | Miami (FL) | |
| 2 | 34 | Jackie Wallace | Cornerback | Arizona | From Cardinals |
| 2 | 40 | Traded to the New York Giants | Traded to the New York Giants | Traded to the New York Giants | |
| 3 | 65 | Jim Lash | Wide receiver | Northwestern | |
| 4 | 80 | Mike Wells | Quarterback | Illinois | From Eagles |
| 4 | 89 | Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs | Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs | Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs | From Vikings via Cardinals |
| 5 | 118 | Brent McClanahan | Running back | Arizona State | |
| 6 | 139 | Doug Kingsriter | Tight end | Minnesota | From Saints |
| 6 | 143 | Fred Abbott | Linebacker | Florida | |
| 7 | 168 | Josh Brown | Running back | Southwest Texas State | |
| 8 | 196 | Craig Darling | Offensive tackle | Iowa | |
| 9 | 221 | Larry Dibbles | Defensive end | New Mexico | |
| 10 | 236 | Randy Lee | Defensive back | Tulane | From Eagles |
| 10 | 246 | Dave Mason | Defensive back | Nebraska | |
| 11 | 274 | Geary Murdock | Guard | Iowa State | |
| 12 | 299 | Alan Spencer | Wide receiver | Pittsburg State | |
| 13 | 324 | Ron Just | Guard | Minot State | |
| 14 | 352 | Eddie Bishop | Defensive back | Southern | |
| 15 | 377 | Tony Chandler | Running back | Missouri Valley | |
| 16 | 402 | Larry Smiley | Defensive end | Texas Southern | |
| 17 | 429 | Dave Winfield | Tight end | Minnesota | Did not play college football |
Notes
* 1 2 The Vikings traded QB Gary Cuozzo to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for second- and fourth-round selections (34th and 89th overall), and WR John Gilliam.
* ↑ The Vikings traded a second-round selection (40th overall), a 1972 first-round selection (24th overall), QB Norm Snead, WR Bob Grim and RB Vince Clements to the New York Giants in exchange for QB Fran Tarkenton.
* ↑ The Vikings traded QB Bill Cappleman to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a fourth-round selection (80th overall).
* ↑ The Vikings traded a fourth-round selection (89th overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for P Mike Eischeid.
* ↑ The Vikings traded their fourth-round selection (89th overall), LB Mike McGill and DB Dale Hackbart to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for TE Bob Brown and CB Nate Wright.
* ↑ The Vikings traded TE Bob Brown to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a sixth-round selection (139th overall) and a 1974 fourth-round selection (86th overall).
* ↑ The Vikings traded LB Bill Cody to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 10th-round selection (236th overall).
* ↑ Following college, Winfield was drafted by four teams in three different sports. The San Diego Padres selected him as an outfielder with the fourth overall pick in the 1973 Major League Baseball draft. In basketball, both the Atlanta Hawks (NBA) and the Utah Stars (ABA) drafted him. Although he never played college football, the Vikings selected Winfield in the 17th round of the NFL draft. As of 2024, he is one of three players ever to be drafted by three professional sports (the others being Dave Logan and Mickey McCarty).

## Preseason

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
| 1 | August 11 | Pittsburgh Steelers | W 10–6 | 1–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 46,619 |
| 2 | August 18 | at Kansas City Chiefs | W 13–10 | 2–0 | Arrowhead Stadium | 72,676 |
| 3 | August 25 | at Oakland Raiders | W 34–10 | 3–0 | Memorial Stadium (Berkeley, CA) | 57,515 |
| 4 | August 31 | Miami Dolphins | W 20–17 | 4–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 46,619 |
| 5 | September 8 | at San Diego Chargers | W 24–16 | 5–0 | San Diego Stadium | 42,007 |

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
| 1 | September 16 | Oakland Raiders | W 24–16 | 1–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 44,818 |
| 2 | September 23 | at Chicago Bears | W 22–13 | 2–0 | Soldier Field | 52,035 |
| 3 | September 30 | Green Bay Packers | W 11–3 | 3–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 48,176 |
| 4 | October 7 | at Detroit Lions | W 23–9 | 4–0 | Tiger Stadium | 49,549 |
| 5 | October 14 | at San Francisco 49ers | W 17–13 | 5–0 | Candlestick Park | 56,438 |
| 6 | October 21 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 28–21 | 6–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,478 |
| 7 | October 28 | Los Angeles Rams | W 10–9 | 7–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,787 |
| 8 | November 4 | Cleveland Browns | W 26–3 | 8–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 46,722 |
| 9 | November 11 | Detroit Lions | W 28–7 | 9–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,911 |
| 10 | November 19 | at Atlanta Falcons | L 14–20 | 9–1 | Atlanta Stadium | 56,519 |
| 11 | November 25 | Chicago Bears | W 31–13 | 10–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 46,430 |
| 12 | December 2 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 0–27 | 10–2 | Riverfront Stadium | 57,859 |
| 13 | December 8 | at Green Bay Packers | W 31–7 | 11–2 | Lambeau Field | 53,830 |
| 14 | December 16 | at New York Giants | W 31–7 | 12–2 | Yale Bowl | 70,041 |
Notes
* Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Raiders | 0 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
| Vikings | 10 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: September 16
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C)
* Game attendance: 44,818
* Referee: Tommy Bell
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 22-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
MIN – John Gilliam 43-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–0.
Second quarter
OAK – George Blanda 16-yard field goal. Vikings 10–3.
OAK – George Blanda 25-yard field goal. Vikings 10–6.
OAK – George Atkinson 63-yard punt return (George Blanda kick). Raiders 13–10.
Third quarter
OAK – George Blanda 9-yard field goal. Raiders 16–10.
MIN – Chuck Foreman 9-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–16.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Bill Brown 6-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–16.
Top passers
OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 13/30, 183 yards, 2 INT
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 13/31, 187 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
OAK – Clarence Davis – 12 rushes, 73 yards
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 6 rushes, 27 yards
Top receivers
OAK – Mike Siani – 6 receptions, 111 yards
MIN – John Gilliam – 4 receptions, 90 yards, TD :

#### Week 2: at Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 22 |
| Bears | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Date: September 23
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 52,035
* Referee: Jim Tunney
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
CHI – Bobby Douglass 1-yard run (Mac Percival kick). Bears 7–0.
Second quarter
CHI – Mac Percival 31-yard field goal. Bears 10–0.
MIN – Fred Cox 41-yard field goal. Bears 10–3.
MIN – John Beasley 3-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Tied 10–10.
MIN – Fred Cox 25-yard field goal. Vikings 13–10.
Third quarter
None.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 14-yard field goal. Vikings 16–10.
MIN – Fred Cox 11-yard field goal. Vikings 19–10.
CHI – Mac Percival 12-yard field goal. Vikings 19–13.
MIN – Fred Cox 35-yard field goal. Vikings 22–13.
Top passers
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 12/18, 189 yards, TD
CHI – Bobby Douglass – 10/19, 184 yards
Top rushers
MIN – Chuck Foreman – 16 rushes, 116 yards
CHI – Carl Garrett – 25 rushes, 90 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Carroll Dale – 2 receptions, 53 yards
CHI – Craig Cotton – 3 receptions, 88 yards :

#### Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Vikings | 0 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: September 30
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C)
* Game attendance: 48,176
* Referee: Fred Silva
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
None.
Second quarter
GB – Chester Marcol 42-yard field goal. Packers 3–0.
MIN – MacArthur Lane tackled in end zone for a safety. Packers 3–2.
MIN – Fred Cox 22-yard field goal. Vikings 5–3.
Third quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 13-yard field goal. Vikings 8–3.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 14-yard field goal. Vikings 11–3.
Top passers
GB – Scott Hunter – 3/6, 44 yards
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 12/16, 109 yards
Top rushers
GB – John Brockington – 14 rushes, 58 yards
MIN – Chuck Foreman – 16 rushes, 89 yards
Top receivers
GB – MacArthur Lane – 3 receptions, 36 yards
MIN – Chuck Foreman – 5 receptions, 62 yards :

#### Week 4: at Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 14 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
| Lions | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan
* Date: October 7
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 49,549
* Referee: Bob Frederic
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Ed Marinaro 12-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.
MIN – Ed Marinaro 8-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–0.
DET – Errol Mann 37-yard field goal. Vikings 14–3.
Second quarter
DET – Errol Mann 15-yard field goal. Vikings 14–6.
MIN – Fred Cox 38-yard field goal. Vikings 17–6.
MIN – Fred Cox 37-yard field goal. Vikings 20–6.
Third quarter
DET – Errol Mann 33-yard field goal. Vikings 20–9.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 27-yard field goal. Vikings 23–9.
Top passers
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 17/24, 199 yards, 2 TD
DET – Greg Landry – 14/24, 110 yards
Top rushers
MIN – Chuck Foreman – 16 rushes, 114 yards
DET – Mel Farr – 11 rushes, 52 yards
Top receivers
MIN – John Gilliam – 5 receptions, 79 yards
DET – Mel Farr – 11 receptions, 85 yards :

#### Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
| 49ers | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
* Date: October 14
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C)
* Game attendance: 56,438
* Referee: Norm Schachter
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – John Gilliam 12-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.
SF – Bruce Gossett 28-yard field goal. Vikings 7–3.
Second quarter
MIN – Chuck Foreman 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–3.
SF – Bruce Gossett 41-yard field goal. Vikings 14–6.
Third quarter
SF – Ken Willard 7-yard pass from Steve Spurrier (Bruce Gossett kick). Vikings 14–13.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 22-yard field goal. Vikings 17–13.
Top passers
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 10/22, 136 yards, TD
SF – Steve Spurrier – 31/48, 320 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Chuck Foreman – 22 rushes, 71 yards, TD
SF – Ken Willard – 10 rushes, 52 yards
Top receivers
MIN – John Gilliam – 7 receptions, 107 yards, TD
SF – Gene Washington – 8 receptions, 118 yards :

#### Week 6: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: October 21
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 47,478
* Referee: Jack Reader
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – John Gilliam 44-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.
Second quarter
MIN – Oscar Reed 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–0.
PHI – Po James 12-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick). Vikings 14–7.
Third quarter
MIN – John Gilliam 24-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 21–7.
PHI – Lee Bouggess 2-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick). Vikings 21–14.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Chuck Foreman 5-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 28–14.
PHI – Charle Young 17-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick). Vikings 28–21.
Top passers
PHI – Roman Gabriel – 23/32, 201 yards
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 16/21, 202 yards, TD
Top rushers
PHI – Po James – 11 rushes, 78 yards, TD
MIN – Chuck Foreman – 21 rushes, 68 yards, TD
Top receivers
PHI – Charle Young – 6 receptions, 86 yards
MIN – John Gilliam – 6 receptions, 116 yards, TD :

#### Week 7: vs. Los Angeles Rams

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Rams | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Vikings | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: October 28
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 41 °F (5 °C)
* Game attendance: 47,787
* Referee: Ben Dreith
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 15-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
Second quarter
MIN – Chuck Foreman 9-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–0.
LA – David Ray 30-yard field goal. Vikings 10–3.
Third quarter
LA – David Ray 35-yard field goal. Vikings 10–6.
Fourth quarter
LA – David Ray 47-yard field goal. Vikings 10–9.
Top passers
LA – John Hadl – 10/20, 87 yards
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 8/16, 91 yards, TD
Top rushers
LA – Larry Smith – 16 rushes, 63 yards
MIN – Chuck Foreman – 23 rushes, 86 yards
Top receivers
LA – Jim Bertelsen – 4 receptions, 41 yards
MIN – Stu Voigt – 3 receptions, 40 yards :

#### Week 8: vs. Cleveland Browns

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Browns | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Vikings | 3 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 26 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: November 4
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 27 °F (−3 °C)
* Game attendance: 46,722
* Referee: Dick Jorgensen
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
CLE – Don Cockroft 27-yard field goal. Browns 3–0.
MIN – Fred Cox 16-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
Second quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 23-yard field goal. Vikings 6–3.
MIN – Fred Cox 33-yard field goal. Vikings 9–3.
Third quarter
MIN – Oscar Reed 3-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 16–3.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Stu Voigt 7-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 23–3.
MIN – Fred Cox 41-yard field goal. Vikings 26–3.
Top passers
CLE – Mike Phipps – 10/20, 82 yards
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 13/22, 166 yards, TD
Top rushers
CLE – Ken Brown – 7 rushes, 25 yards
MIN – Oscar Reed – 22 rushes, 79 yards, TD
Top receivers
CLE – Frank Pitts – 4 receptions, 36 yards
MIN – Ed Marinaro – 6 receptions, 65 yards :

#### Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 28 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: November 11
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C)
* Game attendance: 47,911
* Referee: Tommy Bell
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
DET – Ron Jessie 33-yard pass from Bill Munson (Jim O'Brien kick). Lions 7–0.
MIN – Bill Brown 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Tied 7–7.
Second quarter
MIN – Wally Hilgenberg 2-yard fumble return (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–7.
Third quarter
MIN – Ed Marinaro 7-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 21–7.
MIN – John Gilliam 33-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 28–7.
Fourth quarter
None.
Top passers
DET – Bill Munson – 16/34, 152 yards, TD
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11/15, 177 yards, TD
Top rushers
DET – Altie Taylor – 9 rushes, 49 yards
MIN – Bill Brown – 19 rushes, 101 yards, TD
Top receivers
DET – Ron Jessie – 5 receptions, 71 yards, TD
MIN – John Gilliam – 5 receptions, 129 yards, TD :

#### Week 10: at Atlanta Falcons

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Falcons | 0 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
at Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
* Date: Monday, November 19
* Game time: 8:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 56,519
* Referee: Fred Swearingen
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
None.
Second quarter
ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 25-yard field goal. Falcons 3–0.
MIN – John Gilliam 39-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–3.
ATL – Dave Hampton 19-yard pass from Bob Lee (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Falcons 10–7.
ATL – Eddie Ray 39-yard pass from Bob Lee (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Falcons 17–7.
Third quarter
ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 49-yard field goal. Falcons 20–7.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Bill Brown 2-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 20–14.
Top passers
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 17/30, 214 yards, 2 TD
ATL – Bob Lee – 11/23, 171 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Chuck Foreman – 9 rushes, 38 yards
ATL – Dave Hampton – 23 rushes, 108 yards
Top receivers
MIN – John Gilliam – 4 receptions, 97 yards, TD
ATL – Dave Hampton – 3 receptions, 55 yards, TD :

#### Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
| Vikings | 3 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 31 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: November 25
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C)
* Game attendance: 46,430
* Referee: Fred Wyant
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 41-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
CHI – Mirro Roder 43-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
Second quarter
MIN – Chuck Foreman 2-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–3.
Third quarter
CHI – Mirro Roder 24-yard field goal. Vikings 10–6.
MIN – John Gilliam 54-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–6.
MIN – Fran Tarkenton 8-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–6.
Fourth quarter
MIN – John Gilliam 30-yard pass from Bob Berry (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 31–6.
CHI – Earl Thomas 29-yard pass from Gary Huff (Mirro Roder kick). Vikings 31–13.
Top passers
CHI – Gary Huff – 6/8, 65 yards, TD
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11/15, 161 yards, TD
Top rushers
CHI – Joe Moore – 24 rushes, 75 yards
MIN – Oscar Reed – 12 rushes, 97 yards
Top receivers
CHI – Earl Thomas – 3 receptions, 43 yards, TD
MIN – John Gilliam – 5 receptions, 139 yards, 2 TD :
The day of this game was declared "Karl Kassulke Day" in honor of former Viking safety Karl Kassulke, who was left paralyzed in a motorcycle accident just before the beginning of training camp. A wheelchair-bound Kassulke attended the game and shook hands with the players on the field at halftime.

#### Week 12: at Cincinnati Bengals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bengals | 0 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 27 |
at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
* Date: December 2
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C)
* Game attendance: 57,859
* Referee: Pat Haggerty
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
None.
Second quarter
CIN – Horst Muhlmann 22-yard field goal. Bengals 3–0.
CIN – Lemar Parrish 23-yard fumble return (Horst Muhlmann kick). Bengals 10–0.
Third quarter
CIN – Essex Johnson 40-yard run (Horst Muhlmann kick). Bengals 17–0.
CIN – Horst Muhlmann 38-yard field goal. Bengals 20–0.
Fourth quarter
CIN – Bob Trumpy 7-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Horst Muhlmann kick). Bengals 27–0.
Top passers
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 11/18, 73 yards
CIN – Ken Anderson – 12/17, 105 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Chuck Foreman – 11 rushes, 38 yards
CIN – Essex Johnson – 9 rushes, 79 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Oscar Reed – 5 receptions, 30 yards
CIN – Bob Trumpy – 4 receptions, 37 yards, TD :

#### Week 13: at Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 14 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 31 |
| Packers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* Date: December 8
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 26 °F (−3 °C)
* Game attendance: 53,830
* Referee: Norm Schachter
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Stu Voigt 21-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.
MIN – Bobby Bryant 46-yard interception return (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–0.
Second quarter
MIN – Chuck Foreman 50-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 21–0.
MIN – John Gilliam 20-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 28–0.
Third quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 15-yard field goal. Vikings 31–0.
Fourth quarter
GB – Barry Smith 17-yard pass from Jim Del Gaizo (Chester Marcol kick). Vikings 31–7.
Top passers
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 8/12, 79 yards, 2 TD
GB – Jerry Tagge – 10/25, 98 yards
Top rushers
MIN – Chuck Foreman – 19 rushes, 100 yards, TD
GB – John Brockington – 27 rushes, 124 yards
Top receivers
MIN – John Gilliam – 2 receptions, 33 yards, TD
GB – Barry Smith – 4 receptions, 55 yards, TD :

#### Week 14: at New York Giants

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
| Giants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
at Yale Bowl, New Haven, Connecticut
* Date: December 16
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 30 °F (−1 °C)
* Game attendance: 70,041
* Referee: John McDonough
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Oscar Reed 9-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0.
Second quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 22-yard field goal. Vikings 10–0.
MIN – Terry Brown 63-yard interception return (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–0.
Third quarter
None.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Bill Brown 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–0.
NYG – Ron Johnson 16-yard pass from Randy Johnson (Pete Gogolak kick). Vikings 24–7.
MIN – Ed Marinaro 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 31–7.
Top passers
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 10/14, 130 yards
NYG – Randy Johnson – 5/13, 89 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Dave Osborn – 9 rushes, 72 yards
NYG – Ron Johnson – 23 rushes, 90 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Chuck Foreman – 2 receptions, 28 yards
NYG – Bob Grim – 2 receptions, 54 yards :

### Standings

NFC Central :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| Minnesota Vikings | 12 | 2 | 0 | .857 | 6–0 | 10–1 | 296 | 168 | W2 |
| Detroit Lions | 6 | 7 | 1 | .464 | 3–2–1 | 6–4–1 | 271 | 247 | L1 |
| Green Bay Packers | 5 | 7 | 2 | .429 | 1–4–1 | 4–6–1 | 202 | 259 | W1 |
| Chicago Bears | 3 | 11 | 0 | .214 | 1–5 | 1–9 | 195 | 334 | L6 |

## Playoffs
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
| Divisional | December 22, 1973 | Washington Redskins | W 27–20 | 1–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 45,475 |
| Conference | December 30, 1973 | at Dallas Cowboys | W 27–10 | 2–0 | Texas Stadium | 60,272 |
| Super Bowl VIII | January 13, 1974 | Miami Dolphins | L 7–24 | 2–1 | Rice Stadium | 71,882 |

### Game summaries
#### NFC Divisional Playoff: vs. Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Redskins | 0 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 20 |
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 27 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: December 22
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 19 °F (−7 °C)
* Referee: Jim Tunney
* TV announcers (CBS): Wayne Walker, Tommy Mason, Jack Whitaker, Bruce Roberts (field)
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
None.
Second quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 19-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
WAS – Larry Brown 3-yard run (Curt Knight kick). Redskins 7–3.
Third quarter
MIN – Bill Brown 2-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–7.
WAS – Curt Knight 52-yard field goal. Tied 10–10.
Fourth quarter
WAS – Curt Knight 42-yard field goal. Redskins 13–10.
MIN – John Gilliam 28-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–13.
MIN – John Gilliam 6-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–13.
WAS – Roy Jefferson 28-yard pass from Billy Kilmer (Curt Knight kick). Vikings 24–20.
MIN – Fred Cox 30-yard field goal. Vikings 27–20.
Top passers
WAS – Billy Kilmer – 13/24, 159 yards, TD
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 16/28, 222 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
WAS – Larry Brown – 29 rushes, 115 yards, TD
MIN – Oscar Reed – 17 rushes, 95 yards
Top receivers
WAS – Roy Jefferson – 6 receptions, 84 yards, TD
MIN – Oscar Reed – 5 receptions, 76 yards :
Minnesota scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to overcome a 13–10 deficit, including two touchdowns in a span of 1:05.
Both offenses struggled in the first quarter. The Vikings were completely unable to move the ball, finishing the quarter without any first downs, while Washington kicker Curt Knight missed two field goal attempts. One miss was from 49 yards and the other from 17, spoiling an impressive drive that saw the Redskins drive from their own 14 to inside the Vikings 10-yard line.
Minnesota finally managed to get rolling in the second quarter, with a 50-yard completion from Tarkenton to running back Oscar Reed setting up Fred Cox's 19-yard field goal. But with 3:30 left in the half, Vikings defensive back Bobby Bryant fumbled a punt return that was recovered by Redskins running back Bob Brunet on the Minnesota 21-yard line. Billy Kilmer then completed a 17-yard pass to Charley Taylor before Larry Brown scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to give the Redskins a 7–3 lead. Minnesota responded with a drive into field goal range, but Mike Bass intercepted a pass from Tarkenton to maintain Washington's lead going into halftime.
The Vikings then took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 79 yards, including a 46-yard run by Reed, to score on fullback Bill Brown's 2-yard rushing touchdown. To make matters worse for Washington, star cornerback Pat Fischer suffered cracked ribs on the drive and was replaced by Speedy Duncan, an 11-year veteran who normally only played as a kick returner. Still, the Redskins managed to take back the lead with Knight's two third-quarter field goals, first tying a playoff record from 52 yards, and the second from 46 yards on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Now facing a 13–10 fourth-quarter deficit, the Vikings stormed back with two quick touchdowns. First they drove 71 yards in 8 plays to score on Tarkenton's pass to John Gilliam, who beat single coverage by Duncan for a 28-yard touchdown catch. Then on the first play of Washington's ensuing drive, Nate Wright intercepted a pass from Kilmer and returned it 26 yards to the Redskins 8-yard line, setting up a 6-yard touchdown pass from Tarkenton to Gilliam that made the score 24–13. With 5:28 left, Washington got back to within four points, getting good field position due to Ken Stone blocking a Vikings punt and converting it into Kilmer's 28-yard touchdown pass to Roy Jefferson. But the Vikings managed to burn up 4 minutes with their ensuing drive, finishing it off with a 30-yard Cox field goal that gave them a 27–20 lead. The Redskins had less than two minutes to drive for a tying touchdown, and ended up turning the ball over on downs at the Vikings 42-yard line.
Tarkenton completed 16/28 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. Reed had 17 carries for 95 yards and caught four passes for 76. Brown rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown, while also catching two passes for 13 yards.
"Sometimes they’re not concentrating on me," said Oscar Reed, in reference to his big plays in the game. "Since early in the season they've been keying on Chuck Foreman. I'm not the world's greatest pass catcher or runner, but given a little room, I'll use what I've got."

#### NFC Championship Game: at Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 3 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 27 |
| Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
* Date: December 30
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C)
* Referee: Norm Schachter
* TV: CBS
* Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 44-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0.
Second quarter
MIN – Chuck Foreman 5-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 10–0.
Third quarter
DAL – Golden Richards 63-yard punt return (Toni Fritsch kick). Vikings 10–7.
MIN – John Gilliam 54-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–7.
DAL – Toni Fritsch 17-yard field goal. Vikings 17–10.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Bobby Bryant 63-yard interception return (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–10.
MIN – Fred Cox 34-yard field goal. Vikings 27–10.
Top passers
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 10/21, 133 yards, TD
DAL – Roger Staubach – 10/21, 89 yards
Top rushers
MIN – Chuck Foreman – 19 rushes, 76 yards, TD
DAL – Robert Newhouse – 14 rushes, 50 yards
Top receivers
MIN – John Gilliam – 2 receptions, 63 yards, TD
DAL – Bob Hayes – 2 receptions, 25 yards :
The Vikings forced four interceptions and recovered two fumbles in the second half while also holding Dallas to 152 total yards en route to a 27–10 victory over the Cowboys.
With the loss of running back Calvin Hill and defensive tackle Bob Lilly to injuries, Dallas' offense could not get anything going. Minnesota jumped to a 10–0 lead by halftime with a Fred Cox field goal and an 86-yard drive that ended with a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Chuck Foreman. The touchdown drive included Fran Tarkenton's completions to tight end Stu Voigt for gains of 16 and 7 yards, a 2-yard run by Foreman on 4th-and-1, and a 12-yard scramble by Tarkenton himself.
What followed would be an amazingly sloppy second half in which both teams combined for 10 turnovers. Three minutes into the third quarter, Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach threw an interception to Bobby Bryant on the Vikings 2-yard line. But the Cowboys defense forced a punt and Golden Richards returned it 63 yards for a touchdown, cutting the score to 10–7. Tarkenton quickly struck back, throwing a 54-yard touchdown pass to John Gilliam, who managed to outrun single coverage by Cowboys future Hall of Fame defensive back Mel Renfro. Dallas responded with Toni Fritsch's 17-yard field goal which cut the lead to 17–10.
Then a wave of turnovers began. On the ensuing possession, Dallas got a huge opportunity to score when Charlie Waters forced a fumble from Foreman that safety Cliff Harris recovered on the Minnesota 37. However, the Vikings took the ball right back when Staubach threw a pass that was deflected into the arms of linebacker Jeff Siemon. An even better scoring chance awaited the Cowboys at the end of the Vikings' next drive, as Tarkenton threw an interception to Waters on the Minnesota 24. But Dallas fared no better this time, losing the ball again when Jim Marshall knocked it out of Staubach's hand as he wound up for a pass, and defensive lineman Gary Larsen recovered it. The offensive futility continued with Minnesota, as their next drive ended with a fumbled handoff exchange between Tarkenton and Foreman that Dallas lineman Larry Cole recovered on the Vikings 47-yard line.
A few plays later, Dallas faced 3rd-and-3 with 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Staubach attempted a pass to Bob Hayes near the right sideline, but Bryant intercepted the pass and raced 63 yards for a touchdown that put the Vikings up 24–10. Then on Dallas' next drive, Staubach tried to connect with Drew Pearson, but a devastating hit by Nate Wright caused the ball to bounce off his hands and into the arms of defensive back Jeff Wright, who returned the ball 13 yards to set up Cox's 34-yard game clinching field goal.
Both teams combined for a net total of just 163 passing yards. Tarkenton completed only 10/21 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown with one interception, while also rushing for 16 yards. Staubach had one of the worst postseason performances of his career, completing just 10/21 passes for 89 yards and throwing four interceptions, though he did rush for 30 yards. Foreman was the top offensive performer of the day with 76 rushing yards and four receptions for 28, while fullback Oscar Reed added 18 carries for 75 yards and an 8-yard catch.

#### Super Bowl VIII: vs. Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings (NFC) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Dolphins (AFC) | 14 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
at Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas
* Date: January 13
* Game time: 3:50 p.m. EST/2:50 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 47 °F (8 °C)
* Game attendance: 71,882
* Referee: Ben Dreith
* TV announcers (CBS): Ray Scott, Pat Summerall and Bart Starr
* Pro Football Reference.com
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Larry Csonka 5-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 7–0.
MIA – Jim Kiick 1-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 14–0.
Second quarter
MIA – Garo Yepremian 28-yard field goal. Dolphins 17–0.
Third quarter
MIA – Larry Csonka 2-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 24–0.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Fran Tarkenton 4-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Dolphins 24–7.
Top passers
MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 18/28, 182 yards
MIA – Bob Griese – 6/7, 73 yards
Top rushers
MIN – Oscar Reed – 11 rushes, 32 yards
MIA – Larry Csonka – 33 rushes, 145 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
MIN – Stu Voigt – 3 receptions, 46 yards
MIA – Paul Warfield – 2 receptions, 33 yards :

## Statistics
### Team leaders

| Category | Player(s) | Value |
| Passing yards | Fran Tarkenton | 2,113 |
| Passing touchdowns | Fran Tarkenton | 15 |
| Rushing yards | Chuck Foreman | 801 |
| Rushing touchdowns | Chuck Foreman | 4 |
| Receiving yards | John Gilliam | 907 |
| Receiving touchdowns | John Gilliam | 8 |
| Points | Fred Cox | 96 |
| Kickoff return yards | Brent McClanahan | 410 |
| Punt return yards | Bobby Bryant | 140 |
| Interceptions | Bobby Bryant | 7 |

### League rankings

| Category | Total yards | Yards per game | NFL rank (out of 26) |
| Passing offense | 1,956 | 139.7 | 14th |
| Rushing offense | 2,275 | 162.5 | 6th |
| Total offense | 4,231 | 302.2 | 7th |
| Passing defense | 1,894 | 135.3 | 12th |
| Rushing defense | 1,974 | 141.0 | 11th |
| Total defense | 3,868 | 276.3 | 12th |