1969 was the ninth year of season play for the Minnesota Vikings and the 50th regular season of the National Football League . The Vikings won the NFL Central Division title, finishing with a record of 12 wins and two losses, plus playoff wins over the Los Angeles Rams in the Western Conference Championship Game, as well as the Cleveland Browns in the last NFL Championship Game ever played in the pre-merger era. With these wins, the Vikings became the last team to possess the Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy , introduced 35 years earlier in 1934 .
However, Minnesota lost Super Bowl IV in New Orleans to the AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs in the final professional football game between the two leagues. It was the second consecutive Super Bowl win for the younger league.
The Vikings won the last NFL Championship prior to the league's merger with the American Football League . The season was chronicled for America's Game: The Missing Rings , as one of the five greatest NFL teams to never win the Super Bowl.
Offseason
1969 Draft
^[a] Minnesota traded their 1st round selection (17th overall) and their 1968 1st round selection (7th overall) to New Orleans for QB Gary Cuozzo .
^[b] The New York Giants traded their 2nd round selection (39th overall), 1967 1st round selection (2nd overall), 1967 2nd round selection (28th overall), and 1968 1st round selection (1st overall) to Minnesota for QB Fran Tarkenton .
^[c] Minnesota traded their 3rd round selection (69th overall) to Philadelphia for QB King Hill .
^[d] Atlanta traded their 5th round selection (106th overall) and 1968 7th round selection (167th overall) to Minnesota for QB Ron VanderKelen .
^[e] Pittsburgh traded Detroit's 5th round selection (112th overall) to Minnesota for RB Bobby Walden .
^[f] Minnesota originally chose 147th overall but passed allowing San Diego to move up and Minnesota to choose 147th overall.
^[g] Minnesota traded their 7th round selection (173rd overall) to Washington for Safety Paul Krause .
^[h] Minnesota originally chose 251st overall but passed allowing San Diego and St. Louis to move up and Minnesota to choose 253rd overall.
^[i] Minnesota traded their 16th round selection (407th overall) to Detroit for their 1968 17th round selection (445th overall).
Regular season
The Vikings, led by head coach Bud Grant , ended the season with an NFL best 12–2 regular season record, leading the older league in total points scored (379) and fewest points allowed (133). They had scored 50 or more points in three different games. They had 12 straight victories, the longest single-season winning streak in 35 years,[ 1] and became the first modern NFL expansion team to win an NFL championship. Their defense, considered the most intimidating in the NFL, was anchored by a defensive line nicknamed the "Purple People Eaters ", consisting of defensive tackles Gary Larsen and Alan Page , and defensive ends Carl Eller and Jim Marshall . The secondary was led by defensive backs Bobby Bryant (8 interceptions, 97 return yards), Earsell Mackbee (6 interceptions, 100 return yards), and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Krause (5 interceptions, 82 return yards, 1 touchdown).
On offense, quarterback Joe Kapp was known for his superb leadership and his running ability, both throwing on the run and running for extra yards. And when Kapp did take off and run, instead of sliding when he was about to be tackled like most quarterbacks, he lowered his shoulder and went right at the tackler. This style of play earned him the nickname "Indestructible". In the NFL championship game against Cleveland Browns , he collided with linebacker Jim Houston while running for a first down, and Houston had to be helped off the field after the play ended. Also, Kapp was known for being an extremely unselfish leader: when he was voted the Vikings' Most Valuable Player, he turned the award down and said that every player on the team was equally valuable.
Running back Dave Osborn was the team's top rusher with 643 yards and 7 touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 236 yards and another touchdown. In the passing game, Pro Bowl wide receiver Gene Washington averaged 21.1 yards per catch by recording 821 yards and 9 touchdowns of off just 39 receptions. Wide receiver John Henderson caught 34 passes for 553 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Vikings offensive line was anchored by Pro Bowlers Grady Alderman and Mick Tingelhoff .
The Vikings clinched the division title in week eleven, after their second defeat of the Detroit Lions on November 27,[ 2] which also secured home field advantage for the NFL playoffs . The playoff sites were rotated until 1975 ; the Central division hosted the Coastal (as in 1967 ), and the Western Conference hosted the NFL championship game in odd-numbered years.
Schedule
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
1
September 21
at New York Giants
L 23–24
0–1
Yankee Stadium
62,900
2
September 28
Baltimore Colts
W 52–14
1–1
Metropolitan Stadium
47,900
3
October 5
Green Bay Packers
W 19–7
2–1
Memorial Stadium ^
60,740
4
October 12
at Chicago Bears
W 31–0
3–1
Wrigley Field
45,757
5
October 19
at St. Louis Cardinals
W 27–10
4–1
Busch Memorial Stadium
49,430
6
October 26
Detroit Lions
W 24–10
5–1
Metropolitan Stadium
47,900
7
November 2
Chicago Bears
W 31–14
6–1
Metropolitan Stadium
47,900
8
November 9
Cleveland Browns
W 51–3
7–1
Metropolitan Stadium
47,900
9
November 16
at Green Bay Packers
W 9–7
8–1
Milwaukee County Stadium
48,321
10
November 23
Pittsburgh Steelers
W 52–14
9–1
Metropolitan Stadium
47,202
11
at Detroit Lions
W 27–0
10–1
Tiger Stadium
57,906
12
December 7
at Los Angeles Rams
W 20–13
11–1
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
80,430
13
December 14
San Francisco 49ers
W 10–7
12–1
Metropolitan Stadium
43,028
14
December 21
at Atlanta Falcons
L 3–10
12–2
Atlanta Stadium
52,872
^ The October 5 game was played in Minneapolis at Memorial Stadium at the University of Minnesota ; the baseball Twins hosted game three of the 1969 ALCS at Metropolitan Stadium on Monday, October 6.
Game summaries
Week 1: at New York Giants
Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings
3
14
3 3 23
Giants
3
7
0 14 24
at Yankee Stadium • Bronx, New York
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 17-yard field goal. Vikings 20–10 .
Fourth quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 10-yard field goal. Vikings 23–10 .
NYG – Don Herrmann 16-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Pete Gogolak kick). Vikings 23–17 .
NYG – Don Herrmann 10-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Pete Gogolak kick). Giants 24–23 .
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 2: vs. Baltimore Colts
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
BAL – Tom Matte 42-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Lou Michaels kick). Vikings 14–7 .
MIN – Bob Grim 21-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 21–7 .
MIN – Fred Cox 40-yard field goal. Vikings 24–7 .
MIN – Kent Kramer 13-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 31–7 .
Third quarter
MIN – Gene Washington 42-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 38–7 .
BAL – Tom Matte 4-yard run (Lou Michaels kick). Vikings 38–14 .
MIN – John Beasley 1-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 45–14 .
Fourth quarter
MIN – Jim Lindsey 15-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 52–14 .
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 33-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0 .
MIN – Fred Cox 27-yard field goal. Vikings 6–0 .
Second quarter
MIN – Dave Osborn 3-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 13–0 .
Third quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 41-yard field goal. Vikings 16–0 .
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 4: at Chicago Bears
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 24-yard field goal. Vikings 17–0 .
MIN – Clint Jones 18-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–0 .
MIN – Dave Osborn 58-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 31–0 .
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 5: at St. Louis Cardinals
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
STL – Bob Rowe 18-yard interception return (Jim Bakken kick). Cardinals 10–7 .
MIN – John Henderson 7-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–10 .
Third quarter
MIN – John Henderson 39-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 21–10 .
Fourth quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 21-yard field goal. Vikings 24–10 .
MIN – Fred Cox 15-yard field goal. Vikings 27–10 .
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 33-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0 .
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
DET – Nick Eddy 1-yard run (Errol Mann kick). Vikings 24–10 .
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 7: vs. Chicago Bears
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
CHI – Brian Piccolo 7-yard run (Mac Percival kick). Tied 7–7 .
MIN – Fred Cox 48-yard field goal. Vikings 10–7 .
MIN – John Beasley 13-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–7 .
Third quarter
MIN – Dave Osborn 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–7 .
Fourth quarter
MIN – Clint Jones 80-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 31–7 .
CHI – Gale Sayers 24-yard run (Mac Percival kick). Vikings 31–14 .
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 8: vs. Cleveland Browns
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – Gene Washington 10-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–0 .
CLE – Don Cockroft 28-yard field goal. Vikings 17–3 .
MIN – Fred Cox 28-yard field goal. Vikings 20–3 .
MIN – Gene Washington 1-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 27–3 .
Third quarter
MIN – Dave Osborn 5-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 34–3 .
Fourth quarter
MIN – Clint Jones 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 41–3 .
MIN – Fred Cox 32-yard field goal. Vikings 44–3 .
MIN – Jim Lindsey 2-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 51–3 .
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 9: at Green Bay Packers
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 10-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0 .
Second quarter
Third quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 12-yard field goal. Packers 7–6 .
Fourth quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 20-yard field goal. Vikings 9–7 .
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 10: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 22-yard field goal. Vikings 10–0 .
PIT – Don McCall 101-yard kickoff return (Gene Mingo kick). Vikings 10–7 .
MIN – Bill Brown 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–7 .
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
MIN – Oscar Reed 6-yard pass from Gary Cuozzo (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 38–14 .
MIN – Oscar Reed 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 45–14 .
MIN – John Henderson 7-yard pass from Bob Lee (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 52–14 .
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 11: at Detroit Lions
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 41-yard field goal. Vikings 10–0 .
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
MIN – Alan Page 15-yard touchdown on a lateral (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–0 .
MIN – Fred Cox 38-yard field goal. Vikings 27–0 .
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 12: at Los Angeles Rams
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – Bill Brown 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–0 .
LA – Bruce Gossett 37-yard field goal. Vikings 14–3 .
MIN – Fred Cox 39-yard field goal. Vikings 17–3 .
Third quarter
LA – Bruce Gossett 27-yard field goal. Vikings 17–6 .
Fourth quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 29-yard field goal. Vikings 20–6 .
LA – Larry Smith 4-yard pass from Roman Gabriel (Bruce Gossett kick). Vikings 20–13 .
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 13: vs. San Francisco
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 37-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0 .
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 14: at Atlanta Falcons
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 19-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0 .
Second quarter
Third quarter
ATL – Bob Etter 28-yard field goal. Falcons 10–3 .
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Standings
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
Postseason
Playoffs
Western Conference Championship Game
Western Conference Championship Game: Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Rams
7
10
0 3 20
Vikings
7
0
7 9 23
at Metropolitan Stadium , Bloomington, Minnesota
Date : December 27Game weather : 10 °F (−12 °C), wind 7 mph (11 km/h), wind chill −1 °F (−18 °C), relative humidity 83%Game attendance : 47,900TV : CBSPro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
LA – Bruce Gossett 20-yard field goal. Rams 10–7
LA – Billy Truax 2-yard pass from Roman Gabriel (Bruce Gossett kick). Rams 17–7
Third Quarter
MIN – Dave Osborn 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Rams 17–14
Fourth Quarter
LA – Bruce Gossett 27-yard field goal. Rams 20–14
MIN – Joe Kapp 2-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 21–20
MIN – Safety, Roman Gabriel tackled in end zone by Carl Eller . Vikings 23–20
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
NFL Championship Game
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 30-yard field goal. Vikings 17–0
MIN – Dave Osborn 20-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–0
Third Quarter
MIN – Fred Cox 32-yard field goal. Vikings 27–0
Fourth Quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Super Bowl IV
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 32-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–0
KC – Jan Stenerud 25-yard field goal. Chiefs 9–0
KC – Mike Garrett 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 16–0
Third Quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Awards and records
Led NFL, Points Scored (379)
Led NFL, Fewest Points Allowed (133)
Joe Kapp – 7 passing touchdowns in a single game (NFL Record) – Week 2
Milestones
Roster
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
RB Bill Brown
RB Billy Harris
RB Clint Jones
RB Jim Lindsey
RB Dave Osborn
RB Oscar Reed
Wide Receivers
WR Bob Grim
WR/DB Tom Hall
WR John Henderson
WR Gene Washington
Tight Ends
TE John Beasley
TE Kent Kramer
Offensive Linemen
Defensive Linemen
Linebackers
LB Jim Hargrove
LB Wally Hilgenberg
LB John Kirby
LB Mike McGill
LB Mike Reilly
LB Lonnie Warwick
LB Roy Winston
Defensive Backs
DB Bobby Bryant
DB Dale Hackbart
DB Karl Kassulke
DB Paul Krause
DB Earsell Mackbee
DB Ed Sharockman
DB Charlie West
Special Teams
Statistics
Team leaders
League rankings
Category
Total yards
Yards per game
NFL rank(out of 16)
Passing Offense
2,246 Yards
160.4 YPG
12th
Rushing Offense
1,850 Yards
132.1 YPG
4th
Total Offense
4,096 Yards
292.6 YPG
10th
Passing Defense
1,631 Yards
116.5 YPG
1st
Rushing Defense
1,089 Yards
77.8 YPG
2nd
Total Defense
2,720 Yards
194.3 YPG
1st
References
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Division championships (21) Conference championships (4) League championships (1) Retired numbers Current league affiliations