The best 20 victories in Minnesota Vikings history:

The best 20 victories in Minnesota Vikings history:

20) November 9, 1969: A 51-3 pounding of the Cleveland Browns, a top team in the NFL that year.

19) October 18, 1970: A 54-13 pummeling of the Dallas Cowboys, who later went on to win the conference.

18) November 26, 1998: The 46-36 final makes this game seem closer than it was. The Vikings demolished the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving to establish themselves as one of the best teams of the 1998 season.

17)  September 27, 2009: A 27-24 win over the San Francisco 49’ers on the game’s final play, a pass from Brett Favre to Greg Lewis.

16)  September 18, 1985: The Vikes scored 14 points in the last 3 minutes to win 28-21 against the San Francisco 49’ers.

15) October 4, 1992: Down 20-0 in the 4^th quarter, the Vikes rally to beat the Chicago Bears 21-20.

14) December 29, 1974: A close playoff victory, 14-10, against the Los Angeles Rams.

13) January 3, 1988: A 44-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs.

12) November 26, 1987: A 44-38 win in overtime, on Thanksgiving against the Dallas Cowboys.

11) January 17, 2010: Dismantling the Dallas Cowboys 34-3, the Vikings advance to the NFC championship game.

10) December 26, 1976: A 24-13 win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game sends the Vikings to their fourth Super Bowl.

9) December 4, 1977: Losing 24-7 in the 4^th quarter, the Vikes come back to win 28-27 against the San Francisco 49’ers.

8) January 11, 1988: A 36-24 win against the San Francisco 49’ers propels the Vikings to the NFC championship.

7) October 11, 1981: The Vikes recover an onside kick, then win 33-31 on a field goal in the game’s final minute against the San Diego Chargers.

6) December 22, 1973: A second half comeback gives the team a 27-20 victory over the Washington Redskins in the divisional playoffs.

5) October 5, 1998: With both teams undefeated at 4-0 entering this Monday night contest, the Vikings destroy the Green Bay Packers 37-24.

4) January 4, 1970: A 27-7 win over the Cleveland Browns in the last NFL championship game sends the Vikings to their first Super Bowl.

3) December 30, 1973: The Vikings dominate the Dallas Cowboys in a 27-10 victory in the NFC championship game.

2) December 14, 1980: Losing 23-9 in the 4^th quarter, the Vikings rally and beat the Cleveland Browns 29-23 on the game’s final play, a pass from Tommy Kramer to Ahmad Rashad, that gives the team the NFC central division championship.

1)  December 27, 1969: A second half comeback results in a 23-20 Vikings playoff win over the Los Angeles Rams, sending the team to the NFL championship. The game featured big plays from QB Joe Kapp, DT Alan Page, and DE Carl Eller.

The best Wide Receivers in Minnesota Vikings history

The best Wide Receivers in Minnesota Vikings history

 

10) Percy Harvin: While better known as a kick returner, Harvin played 54 games at wide receiver in four seasons from 2009-2012, catching 280 balls for a 11.8 average and 20 touchdowns.

9) Hassan Jones: In seven seasons from 1986-1992 Jones played in 100 games, catching 222 passes for a 16.8 yards per catch average and 24 touchdowns.

8) Jake Reed: Reed played in 134 games and started 83 during his 10 years with the team, 1991-1999, and 2001. His 413 catches rank fourth in team history, and his 33 touchdown receptions are good for sixth.

7) Gene Washington: Playing in 81 games in his six seasons with the Vikings from 1967-1972, Washington was named to the Pro Bowl twice and was the team's top receiver in the 1969 championship season, scoring 9 touchdowns and averaging 21.1 yards per catch.

6) John Gilliam: Named to the Pro Bowl after each of his four seasons with the team from 1972-1975, while playing in 56 games, Gilliam's 20 yard average-per-reception is by far highest among Viking players with at least 100 catches. He scored 27 touchdowns.

5) Ahmad Rashad: Selected to four Pro Bowls in his seven years with the team from 1976-1982, Rashad had 400 receptions and scored 34 touchdowns in 98 games. He was part of one of the most memorable plays in NFL history, catching a touchdown pass on the game's last play against the Browns in 1980.

4) Sammy White: A two time Pro Bowler, White played in 128 games, starting 118, from 1976-1985, averaging 16.3 yards per catch. His 50 touchdown receptions are fourth in team history.

3) Randy Moss: A five time Pro Bowl selection during his seven seasons and 113 games, 101 starts,  with Minnesota from 1998-2003 and 2010, Moss is second in team history in a number of receiving categories, including 587 receptions, 9,316 yards, and 92 touchdowns.

2) Anthony Carter: A dynamic game-changing receiver, Carter averaged 16 yards per catch and is third in team history with 478 receptions, 7,636 yards and 52 touchdowns. Selected to the Pro Bowl three times, he played in 133 games and started 125 in his nine years with the team from 1985-1993.

1) Cris Carter: Selected to 8 consecutive Pro Bowls in his 12 years with the team from 1990-2001, Carter played in 188 games, starting 177. He holds most Viking receiving records, including 1,004 receptions, 12,383 yards, and 110 touchdowns. He ranks fourth all-time in NFL history in receptions and touchdown catches, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2013.

The 10 best teams/seasons in Minnesota Viking history

The Minnesota Vikings have had some dominating teams in their 53 year history. Let's take a look at the top ten seasons for the purple and gold.

Honorable mention:

 

1992: A 11-5 record and a trip to the playoffs.

1968: A 8-6 record and the team's first playoff appearance.

1989: While reaching the playoffs with a 10-6 record, the defense ranked number 1 in the NFL, giving up the least amount of yards of the 28 teams.

1977: While not a dominant team like in previous seasons the 1977 version finished with a 9-5 record and did make it all the way to the NFC championship game.

1986: Interestingly, while this team did not make make the playoffs with a 9-7 record they scored 398 points, the most in franchise history up until that point. The defense gave up 273 points, good for 5th in the NFL, and ranked 4th in takeaway/giveaway ratio.

The Top 10:

10) 2009: The Vikings rode Brett Favre's magic all the way to the NFC championship game, before losing excruciatingly to the Saints.

9) 1988: Although losing in the playoffs this team had a potent offense, scoring 406 points, good for 4th in the league. The defense was outstanding, coming in second in the NFL with 233 points allowed, first in yardage allowed, and first in takeaway/giveaway ratio.

8) 1971: An amazing defense allowed only 139 points, the second least amount in team history. A 11-3 season ended with a playoff loss.

7) 1974: The team compiled a 10-4 record en route to to its third Super Bowl appearance, and ranked in the top 3 in the NFL in several offensive and defensive categories.

 

6) 1998: A dream season that ended with a nightmare. A 15-1 record and 556 points scored - the second most by any team in NFL history - couldn't stop an overtime loss in the NFC championship game.

5) 1970: This team steamrolled opponents with a 12-2 regular season record before losing in the playoffs. The offense was third in the NFL in points scored, and the defense was incredible coming in first the NFL in points and yards allowed and 4th in giveaway/takeaway ratio.

4) 1976: The Vikes' last Super Bowl season, the team's veterans still dominated opponents and finished with an 11-2-1 record.

3) 1973: A 12-2 regular season ended with a Super Bowl loss. This team was well balanced, with a potent offense and strong defense.

2) 1975: The best Vikings team to not reach the Super Bowl, this squad sent 9 players to the Pro Bowl. A 12-2 record in the regular season and rankings in the top 3 in the NFL in most offensive and defensive categories makes this the second best team ever.

1) 1969: A Super Bowl loss doesn't discount this team from being the best in franchise history. They scored 379 points, which led the NFL. The defense allowed allowed a mere 133 points, which also led the NFL and is tops in team history - and second in NFL history. In addition, the defense allowed the least amount of yards in the NFL that year, was 3rd in takeaway/giveaway ratio, and won games by an average of 17.6 points. Two great playoff wins over the Rams and the Browns cement the 1969 team as the best in Vikings history.