What Is 1979 Minnesota Vikings football team

Overview

The 1979 Minnesota Vikings represented a transitional year for the franchise, ending a streak of consistent playoff appearances. After dominating the NFC in the mid-1970s, the team struggled with inconsistency on both offense and defense, finishing with a .500 record.

Head coach Bud Grant entered his 12th season at the helm, trying to maintain the team’s competitive edge amid aging stars and emerging younger players. Despite a solid defensive foundation, injuries and offensive inefficiency hampered their playoff chances.

• Record: The Vikings posted an 8-8 win-loss record, their first non-winning season since 1976, when they started 0-10 before finishing 3-11.
• Division Standing: They finished third in the NFC Central, behind the Chicago Bears (11-5) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6), who made the playoffs.
• Home Field: The team played at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota, their home since 1961, before relocating to the Metrodome in 1982.
• Quarterback Situation: Tommy Kramer started 10 games, throwing for 2,028 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions, reflecting offensive struggles.
• Defensive Leaders: Carl Eller recorded 7.5 sacks, nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career, while safety Paul Krause added 3 interceptions, bringing his career total to 81.

Season Performance and Key Players

The 1979 season highlighted both resilience and growing pains as the Vikings adjusted to a changing NFL landscape. While defense remained a strength, the offense lacked consistency, particularly in the passing game.

• Tommy Kramer: The second-year starter threw for over 2,000 yards but had a low touchdown-to-interception ratio of 11:18, indicating growing pains.
• Chuck Foreman: The veteran running back rushed for 508 yards and 3 touchdowns in his final season before retiring due to a contract dispute.
• Alan Page: At age 34, the future Hall of Fame defensive tackle recorded 5 sacks and remained a key presence on the defensive line.
• Pass Defense: The Vikings allowed 207 passing yards per game, ranking 13th in the league, a drop from previous years’ elite status.
• Special Teams: Kicker Mike Merriweather made 16 of 24 field goals (66.7%), one of the lowest percentages in the team’s recent history.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1979 Vikings compared to their 1977 and 1980 seasons across key performance metrics:

The table illustrates a dip in performance in 1979 compared to surrounding seasons. While the 1977 team reached the playoffs and the 1980 team rebounded strongly, the 1979 season served as a bridge between eras, marked by declining production from aging stars and growing pains in quarterback development.

Why It Matters

The 1979 season is significant as a turning point in the Vikings’ history, marking the end of one era and the beginning of a rebuilding phase. It exposed vulnerabilities that would need addressing to remain competitive in the 1980s.

• End of an Era: The retirement of Chuck Foreman signaled the close of the Vikings’ 1970s core, which included legends like Fran Tarkenton and Carl Eller.
• Quarterback Transition: Tommy Kramer’s mixed performance highlighted the team’s need for a long-term solution at quarterback beyond the Tarkenton era.
• Defensive Aging: Key defenders like Alan Page and Carl Eller were in their mid-30s, raising concerns about sustaining elite defensive play.
• Missed Playoffs: Failing to reach the postseason for the first time since 1976 was a wake-up call for management and fans alike.
• Stadium Transition: The team was preparing to move to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, symbolizing a shift in both infrastructure and team identity.
• Coaching Stability: Bud Grant remained head coach, providing continuity during a period of roster turnover and uncertainty.

The 1979 season ultimately served as a necessary adjustment year, setting the stage for a rebound in 1980 when the Vikings returned to the playoffs with a 10-6 record.