What Is 1987 Minnesota Vikings football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1987 Minnesota Vikings finished the NFL season with an 8-7 record, advancing to the playoffs as a wild card team. They won their first postseason game against the New Orleans Saints but lost in the divisional round to the Washington Redskins.

Key Facts

The 1987 Minnesota Vikings had an 8-7 regular-season record due to a strike-shortened 15-game season.
Head coach Jerry Burns led the team in his first full season after replacing Bud Grant.
Quarterback Wade Wilson threw for 2,571 yards and 17 touchdowns during the regular season.
The Vikings defeated the New Orleans Saints 44-10 in the wild card round.
They lost 41-17 to the Washington Redskins in the divisional playoffs.

Overview

The 1987 Minnesota Vikings season was marked by a unique set of circumstances due to a players' strike that reduced the regular season to 15 games. Despite the disruption, the team posted a winning record of 8-7 and secured a playoff berth as a wild card, showcasing resilience under new head coach Jerry Burns.

Playing in the NFC Central division, the Vikings finished second behind the Chicago Bears but earned one of the two wild card spots. Their postseason run included a dominant win before an eventual loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions, highlighting both their strengths and limitations.

Strike-affected season: The NFL season was shortened to 15 games due to a three-week players' strike, with teams using replacement players for Week 3.
Head coach: Jerry Burns took over as full-time head coach after Bud Grant's retirement and compiled an 8-7 record in his first season.
Regular-season record: The Vikings finished 8-7, their first winning season since 1981, earning a wild card playoff berth.
Offensive leader: Quarterback Wade Wilson led the passing attack with 2,571 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions on a 56.9% completion rate.
Defensive performance: The team allowed 321 total points (21.4 per game), ranking 12th in the NFL in points allowed.

How It Works

The 1987 season operated under unusual conditions due to labor conflict, altering team dynamics and game outcomes. Understanding how the season unfolded requires examining key structural changes and team-specific developments.

Strike games:Weeks 4–6 featured replacement players; the Vikings used a mix of practice squad and free agents, winning 2 of 3 such games.
Playoff qualification:Only 10 teams made the playoffs that year, including two wild cards from each conference, expanding opportunities for teams like Minnesota.
Quarterback role:Wade Wilson became the full-time starter, throwing for over 2,500 yards and leading the league in completion percentage (56.9%).
Running game:Darrin Nelson contributed 780 total yards (506 rushing, 274 receiving), serving as the team’s offensive centerpiece.
Defensive leader:Scott Studwell recorded over 100 tackles and anchored a defense that held opponents under 22 points per game.
Postseason format: The Vikings entered as a 5th seed, defeating the 4th-seeded Saints before losing to the top-seeded Redskins.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1987 Vikings to other playoff teams reveals their mid-tier standing in terms of performance and longevity.

Team	Record	Points For	Points Against	Playoff Result
Minnesota Vikings	8-7	338	321	Lost in Divisional Round
Washington Redskins	11-4	340	297	Won Super Bowl XXII
Chicago Bears	11-4	321	259	Lost in Divisional Round
New Orleans Saints	12-3	352	279	Lost in Wild Card Round
San Francisco 49ers	13-2	454	298	Lost in NFC Championship

The Vikings ranked near the bottom in total wins among playoff teams but outperformed expectations given the strike chaos. Their +17 point differential reflected a balanced team, though not dominant. Ultimately, their playoff victory over New Orleans proved their capability, but the loss to Washington revealed a gap in elite performance.

Why It Matters

The 1987 season remains a notable chapter in Vikings history due to its unusual structure and the team’s ability to adapt under adversity. It marked the beginning of the Jerry Burns era and set the stage for future competitiveness.

Transition period: The season signaled a shift from Bud Grant’s legacy to a new coaching philosophy under Jerry Burns.
Strike resilience: Winning two of three replacement games helped secure their playoff position, demonstrating organizational depth.
Quarterback development: Wade Wilson’s performance solidified him as a reliable starter during a transitional offensive period.
Playoff relevance: Their postseason win ended a five-year playoff drought, restoring hope among fans.
Historical context: The 1987 season is one of only two in NFL history significantly altered by a players’ strike, making it a unique case study.
Legacy impact: Though short-lived, the season laid groundwork for the Vikings’ stronger performance in the early 1990s.

In summary, the 1987 Minnesota Vikings overcame labor turmoil to achieve modest success, marking a turning point in franchise history and illustrating the adaptability required in professional sports.