Editing Minnesota Vikings (section)

====1998====
{{Main|1998 Minnesota Vikings season}}
[[1998 NFL season|1998]] was a year to remember for the franchise. With a spectacular offense led by quarterback [[Randall Cunningham]] (who replaced an injured [[Brad Johnson (American football)|Brad Johnson]]), running back [[Robert Smith (running back)|Robert Smith]], veteran wide receiver [[Cris Carter]], and explosive rookie [[Randy Moss]], the Vikings set a then-NFL record by scoring a total of 556 points, never scoring fewer than 24 in a game.<ref name="u276">{{Cite web |title=100 Highest scoring teams |url=https://mcubed.net/nfl/ptmpfpg.shtml |access-date=August 29, 2024 |website=mcubed.net}}</ref> The Vikings finished the season 15–1, their only loss was to the [[1998 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] 27–24 in Week 9.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199811010tam.htm |title=Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 1st, 1998 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |date=November 1, 1998 |access-date=September 3, 2012 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105214104/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199811010tam.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1998 Minnesota Vikings Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1998.htm |access-date=August 29, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In the playoffs, the Vikings rolled past the [[1998 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]] 41–21,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199901100min.htm |title=Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – January 10th, 1999 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |date=January 10, 1999 |access-date=September 3, 2012 |archive-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722115015/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199901100min.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and came into the Metrodome heavily favored for their NFC title showdown with the [[1998 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]], who had gone 14–2 in the regular season. After kicker [[Gary Anderson (placekicker)|Gary Anderson]], who had just completed the first perfect regular season in NFL history (not missing a single extra point or field goal attempt the entire year), [[Gary Anderson's missed field goal in the 1999 NFC Championship Game|missed a 38-yard field goal attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining]], the Falcons' ensuing drive tied the game. This led to a controversial decision by head coach Dennis Green to run out the clock and let the game go to overtime.<ref name="x124">{{cite web | last=Cronin | first=Courtney | title=Vikings aim to snap five-game skid in NFC Championship games | website=ESPN.com | date=January 20, 2018 | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-vikings/post/_/id/25516/minnesota-vikings-aim-to-snap-five-game-losing-streak-in-nfc-championship-game | access-date=August 29, 2024}}</ref> Though the Vikings won the coin toss, Atlanta went on to win it 30–27 in overtime on [[Morten Andersen]]'s 38-yard field goal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Original sin |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/1998/playoffs/news/1999/01/17/vikings_anderson/ |work=CNNSI.com |publisher=CNN/SI |date=January 17, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108112925/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/1998/playoffs/news/1999/01/17/vikings_anderson/ |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Vikings became the first 15–1 team to fail to reach the Super Bowl.<ref name="f892">{{cite web | title=Packers join Vikings as 15-1 team failing to advance to Super Bowl | website=Twin Cities | date=January 16, 2012 | url=https://www.twincities.com/2012/01/16/packers-join-vikings-as-15-1-team-failing-to-advance-to-super-bowl/ | access-date=August 29, 2024}}</ref>