The 1998 season was the Minnesota Vikings’ 38th in the National Football League (NFL). The Vikings became the third team in NFL history to win 15 games during the regular season,[1] which earned them the National Football Conference (NFC) Central division championship and the first overall seed in the NFC playoffs. The team entered the playoffs as the favorite to win Super Bowl XXXIII, but their season ended when they were upset by the Atlanta Falcons in 1998 Nfc championship game.
| season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Red McCombs |
| General manager | Jeff Diamond |
| Head coach | Dennis Green |
| Home field | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |
The 1998 Vikings team is known for its offense, which featured veteran quarterback Randall Cunningham, running back Robert Smith, and Hall of Fame wide receivers Cris Carter and rookie Randy Moss. The team scored an NFL record 556 points during the season, and Moss set an NFL record by catching 17 touchdown passes, the most ever by a rookie. On special teams, Gary Anderson became the first placekicker in NFL history to convert every field goal and extra point he attempted. The Vikings defense ranked sixth in the league in points allowed and was led by Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle.During the NFC Championship Game, Gary Anderson missed a field goal for the first time that season. Had the field goal been converted, it would have given the Vikings a nearly insurmountable 10-point lead late in the game. Instead, the Falcons tied the game on their ensuing drive and won by a field goal in sudden death overtime.
The 1998 Vikings were the first NFL team to compile a regular season record of 15–1 and not reach the Super Bowl. Their loss in the NFC Championship Game is also considered by their fans to be one of the most devastating losses in NFL history.
The 1998 Vikings are widely regarded as the greatest team in NFL history to not make the super Bowl.
