1970 Minnesota Vikings season
12-2 and the first NFC Central title, then a 17-14 home playoff upset by San Francisco.
The 1970 season was the Minnesota Vikings' tenth in the NFL and the first after the AFL-NFL merger. In Bud Grant's fourth year the team went 12-2 and won the first NFC Central title, but lost its opening playoff game at home to the San Francisco 49ers, 17-14.
Quick Facts
- Team
- Minnesota Vikings
- Record
- 12–2
- Division place
- 1st NFC Central
- Coach
- Bud Grant
- General manager
- Jim Finks
- Stadium
- Metropolitan Stadium
- Playoffs
- Lost Divisional Playoffs (vs. 49ers) 14–17
Facts from the source article.
Background
The divisional playoff on December 27, 1970 was a major upset: the 10-3-1 49ers, in their first playoff game since 1957, beat the defending NFL champions at Metropolitan Stadium and ended the Vikings' 16-game home winning streak. Paul Krause opened the scoring by returning a fumble 22 yards for a touchdown, but San Francisco answered with 17 straight points and Minnesota's late touchdown came with only seconds left. During the season the Vikings' defense became only the second in NFL history to lead the league in fewest points and fewest yards allowed in two straight seasons.
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