Pioneer Press sports columnist Bob Sansevere counts down the top five and bottom five playoff performances for the Minnesota Vikings . Check back today through Sunday for updates.
5. NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, DEC. 26, 1976 (METROPOLITAN STADIUM) Vikings 24, LOS ANGELES Rams 13
Vikings fans had gotten used to seeing their team in the NFC title game. The '76 conference championship was the Vikings' third in four seasons, and second in three years against the Rams, who never quite seemed to figure out how to win at Metropolitan Stadium in December. Several former Vikings over the years have talked about how Rams players couldn't adjust to the cold temperatures and how the weather impacted their play. In this NFC title game, which sent the Vikings to their fourth Super Bowl, defense and special teams helped lead the way with two interceptions, a blocked field goal and a blocked punt. Chuck Foreman also played a part, rushing for 118 yards and a touchdown and catching five passes for 81 yards. It was the last time the Vikings won an NFC championship game.
5. SUPER BOWL IV, JAN. 11, 1970 (TULANE STADIUM, NEW ORLEANS) KANSAS CITY Chiefs 23, Vikings 7
The Vikings were the NFL champions -- the last team to be crowned NFL champs before the AFL-NFL merger -- but that mattered little after the way the Chiefs dominated them in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs' defense did what many expected the Vikings' vaunted defense to do: Overwhelm the opposition's offense. Besides holding the Vikings to just 67 rushing yards, the Chiefs also had three interceptions and recovered two fumbles. The Vikings went into the game as 13-point favorites after finishing the regular season 12-2 while leading the NFL in points scored (379) and fewest points allowed (133). Confident their team would cap an NFL championship season with a Super Bowl victory, Vikings fans saw that confidence dissipate over the course of the first half as the Chiefs built a 16-0 lead.
