1976 Divisional Playoff vs Falcons

Lore & Background

The Vikings jumped to a 35–6 lead by the end of the third quarter, led by running backs Chuck Foreman and Brent McClanahan who each rushed for more than 100 yards. McClanahan's career-long 41-yard run on Minnesota's first play of the game set up quarterback Fran Tarkenton's 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Stu Voigt. Washington defensive back Eddie Brown gave his team some early scoring opportunities with big special teams plays, first returning the kickoff 26 yards to the 38-yard line, and later returning a punt 17 yards to the Vikings 45. But the team was unable to capitalize. All they could do after the kickoff return was go three-and-out, and on the first play after his big punt return, Billy Kilmer threw a pass that was intercepted by Bobby Bryant. Now momentum seemed slipping away, but on the first play after Bryant's pick, Washington took the ball right back with an interception by safety Jake Scott, who returned it 17 yards to the Minnesota 34-yard line. Three plays later, Mark Moseley kicked a 47-yard field goal that cut the Washington deficit to 7–3. Later in the quarter, Minnesota drove 66 yards and scored when Tarkenton threw a 27-yard pass to Sammy White. Safety Ken Houston deflected the ball, but it still bounced to White, who made a diving, juggling catch for a touchdown to put the Vikings up 14–3. By the end of the first quarter, the Vikings had gained 143 yards, while holding Washington to 18 yards and no first downs.

In Their Own Story

The situation only got worse for Washington in the second quarter. A promising drive for them into Vikings territory ended with no points when Moseley missed a 51-yard field goal attempt. Minnesota then drove 66 yards, featuring a 35-yard completion from Tarkenton to Ahmad Rashad, to score on Foreman's 2-yard touchdown run, putting them up 21–3. The Redskins next drive ended with an interception by Vikings defensive back Nate Wright. On the next play, Houston intercepted the ball from Tarkenton and returned it 8 yards to the Vikings 38. But Washington was unable to move the ball and had to punt. In the final seconds of the half, Washington had a chance for a touchdown with a deep throw from Kilmer to receiver Frank Grant. Grant had broken open in the end zone, but was unable to make the catch and the pass fell incomplete. Washington had to punt on the first drive of the second half, and Leonard Willis returned it 10 yards to the Vikings 48, where Minnesota proceeded to drive to a 28–3 lead on a 30-yard touchdown burst by Foreman. This time the Redskins were able to respond, converting a 20-yard catch by tight end Jean Fugett, a 20-yard run by Mike Thomas, and a 10-yard reception by fullback John Riggins into a 35-yard Moseley field goal, making the score 28–6. But after this, the Vikings drove 77 yards and scored on a 9-yard pass from Tarkenton to White. By the time Kilmer completed two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, the game was already out of reach.

Reader's Guide

The Vikings beat the Washington Redskins 35–20 in the divisional round of the playoffs. The game was played at Metropolitan Stadium. The Vikings were led by running backs Chuck Foreman and Brent McClanahan who each rushed for more than 100 yards. Fran Tarkenton threw touchdown passes to Stu Voigt (18 yards), Sammy White (27 yards), and Sammy White again (9 yards). Chuck Foreman also scored on a 2-yard touchdown run and a 30-yard touchdown burst. The Vikings built a 35–6 lead by the end of the third quarter. Washington scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but the game was already out of reach.

Did You Know?

• Brent McClanahan's 41-yard run on Minnesota's first play of the game was his career-long run.
• Sammy White's 27-yard touchdown catch came after safety Ken Houston deflected the ball, but White made a diving, juggling catch.
• By the end of the first quarter, the Vikings had gained 143 yards while holding Washington to 18 yards and no first downs.
• Chuck Foreman and Brent McClanahan each rushed for more than 100 yards in the game.
• The Vikings built a 35–6 lead by the end of the third quarter.