Patriots-Vikings rarely see each other

Christopher Gates, Daily Norseman:

-And, yes, it has been nearly two decades since the Vikings beat the Patriots in Minneapolis. They've only met in Minnesota once since that 1997 victory, and that was the game in 2006 where Tom Brady basically said, "You know, this Vikings' defense is great against the run, but they're not worth a damn against the pass." And he was right, as Brady threw for 372 yards and four scores in that whooping at the Metrodome. (Brady has never lost to the Vikings, by the way.)

The Patriots will have the distinction of being the 1st team to play the Vikings in 4 different stadiums in Minnesota - Memorial, Met, Metrodome and TCF Bank.

5. December 16, 1979 New England 27 Minnesota 23

Minnesota Vikings QB Tommy Kramer threw 61 times, completing 35 for 308 yards. The Vikings were trying to get to 8-8 so head coach, Jerry Burns could keep his job. The longtime assistant had taken over for Bud Grant. The Patriots were looking for a win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

The Patriots had a hard time running with Sam Cunningham out. QB Steve Steve Grogan made good use of his 204 yards passing with touchdowns to Harold Jackson and Horace Ivory. Jackson and Stanley Morgan each went over 1,000 yards receiving for the season in the game. Both finished the year with over 22 yards per reception.

The high powered New England offense finished second to Pittsburgh in scoring. QB Steve Grogan rushed for 368 yards and tossed 12 touchdown passes to WR Stanley Morgan. RB Sam Cunningham, RB Andy Johnson, RB Don Calhoun and WR Harold Jackson made for a potent offense.

It seemed as though QB Steve Grogan threw a bomb to Stanley Morgan or Harold Jackson on every play. Those guys ran deep patterns and the running game moved the chains.

It was the first year after Patriots Owner, Billy Sullivan had fired head coach, Chuck Fairbanks. The Patriots never got untracked on their way to a 9-7 season. The season ended with a home victory in the snow at Schaefer Stadium.

Performance never seemed to meet expectations.

4. October 20, 1991 New England 26 Minnesota 23 (OT)

New England was a seven point underdog to the underachieving Vikings. Minnesota QB Rich Gannon would attempt 63 passes, completing 35 for 317 yards. The Minnesota running game was nonexistent with RB Herschel Walker rushing for seven yards on six carries. Herschel had been traded from the Dallas Cowboys for a combination of ten players and draft choices.

The Patriots were owned by Victor Kiam.
Wikipedia:

He first made his fortune as the President and CEO of Remington Products, which he famously purchased after his wife bought him his first electric shaver. Kiam became famous as the spokesperson for the Remington shaver. Kiam's famous catchphrase, "I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company", made him a household name.

The QB was former University of Washington star, Hugh Millen. He had his best game of the season on 22 for 32 passing with 326 yards.
The Patriots blew a late 10 point lead, but held on with a 42 yard Jason Staurovsky field goal in overtime. It would be their only win in two months.
The Patriots head coach, Dick McPherson was hospitalized with acute diverticulitis, and special teams coach, Dante Scarnecchia was acting head coach. It is hard to believe this team won six games on the season.



3. December 13, 1970 Minnesota 35 New England 14
Wikipedia:

Prior to the 1969 season, the Minnesota Vikings had exercised the option clause of his contract, so Kapp had played the entire season without a new contract. It was unusual and unprecedented for teams to use the team’s option and not to offer a new contract prior to a season. This dispute made him a free agent for the 1970 season, by the NFL's own rules.

Despite being a Super Bowl quarterback, no teams in the NFL made contact with Kapp until September of the 1970 season, when the Boston Patriots signed him to a four-year contract, making him the highest paid player in the league. Pete Rozelle stepped in and forced the Boston Patriots to give up two number one draft picks as compensation to the Minnesota Vikings.

The Boston Patriots of 1970 were a poor-performing team and the late-arriving Kapp played poorly himself that season, leading the team to the league's worst record at 2-12. When the year ended Pete Rozelle demanded that Kapp sign a Standard Player Contract. After conferring with his lawyer and the NFL Players Association, Kapp refused to sign a new contract.

It was a very rough day for Patriots QB, Joe Kapp. Joe was only 15 for 28 for 128 yards with three interceptions. The game was played at Harvard Stadium with 37, 819 in attendance. Most fans were rooting for a Patriots loss so they could get the No.1 pick in the draft. They got their wish when the Patriots selected Stanford QB Jim Plunkett in 1971.


2. October 27, 1974 New England 17 Minnesota 14
This was the strike season. The Patriots started out with five straight victories. Wins over Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Baltimore Colts, Los Angeles Rams and New York Jets had fans thinking about the playoffs. A close loss in Buffalo 30-28 preceded the trip to Minnesota.

This was the first big test on the road for New England. Tempers would flare in the 4th quarter when Minnesota Vikings QB, Fran Tarkenton threw the football at the head of Patriots CB Ron Bolton after a touchdown run. Both players were ejected after the melee was broken up, and Minnesota led 14-10.

New England QB Jim Plunkett marched the Patriots right down the field. He completed a 10 yard pass for the score as time expired. Patriots TE Bob Windsor suffered a season ending knee injury while twisting into the endzone after the catch having broken many tackles on the play. It was the highlight game of the season.

1. November 13, 1994 New England 26 Minnesota 20 (OT)

The Vikings built an early 20-0 lead. Patriots K Matt Bahr had a late 2nd period field goal to make the score 20-3 at halftime. New England had rushed for 41 yards, and they would attempt no more rushes in the game. Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe would set an NFL record with 70 passing attempts. He would complete 45 for 426 yards and 3 touchdowns. His 14 yard TD pass in the left corner of the endzone in overtime to RB Kevin Turner would provide the margin of victory, 26-20.

Kevin Turner is currently battling ALS.


Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.

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