Editing Super Bowl VIII (section)

===Minnesota Vikings===
{{Main|1973 Minnesota Vikings season}}

The Vikings also finished the regular season with a 12–2 record, winning their first nine games before a 20–14 loss on ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' to the [[1973 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1973 Minnesota Vikings Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1973.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Vikings' other loss was a 27–0 shutout in Week 12 to the eventual AFC Central Division Champion [[Cincinnati Bengals]], whom the Dolphins defeated in the AFC divisional playoffs.

Minnesota's offense was led by 13-year veteran quarterback [[Fran Tarkenton]]. During the regular season, Tarkenton completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 2,113 yards, 15 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He also rushed for 202 yards and another touchdown. The team's primary deep threat was Pro Bowl wide receiver [[John Gilliam]], who caught 42 passes for 907 yards, an average of 21.6 yards per catch, and scored eight touchdowns. Tight end [[Stu Voigt]] was also a key element of the passing game, with 23 receptions for 318 yards and two touchdowns.

The Vikings' main rushing weapon was [[NFL Rookie of the Year]] running back [[Chuck Foreman]], who rushed for 801 yards, caught 37 passes for 362 yards and scored six touchdowns. The Vikings had four other significant running backs – [[Dave Osborn]], [[Bill Brown (American football)|Bill Brown]], [[Oscar Reed]] and future actor [[Ed Marinaro]] – who combined for 1,469 rushing/receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. The Vikings' offensive line was also very talented, led by right tackle [[Ron Yary]] and six-time Pro Bowl center [[Mick Tingelhoff]].

The Minnesota defense ranked second in the league in fewest points allowed (168) and was again anchored by a defensive line nicknamed the "[[Purple People Eaters]]", consisting of defensive tackles [[Gary Larsen]] and [[Alan Page]], and defensive ends [[Jim Marshall (defensive end)|Jim Marshall]] and [[Carl Eller]]. Behind them, Pro Bowl linebacker [[Jeff Siemon]] had 2 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries.  Cornerback [[Bobby Bryant]] (seven interceptions, 105 return yards, one touchdown) and safety [[Paul Krause (football player)|Paul Krause]] (four interceptions) led the defensive secondary.