1982 Minnesota Vikings season

1982 Minnesota Vikings season
1982 Minnesota Vikings season
General manager	Mike Lynn
Head coach	Bud Grant
Home field	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Results
Record	5–4
Division place	4th NFC
Playoff finish	Won Wild Card Playoffs; (vs. Falcons) 30–24; Lost Divisional Playoffs; (at Redskins) 7–21
Uniform

The 1982 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 22nd season in the National Football League (NFL) and their first in the newly constructed Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. The team was looking to improve on its 7–9 record from 1981. However, a players strike meant seven of the team's 16 games were canceled, and each NFL team was only allowed to play nine games. The Vikings won their opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before losing the next week to the Buffalo Bills, a game in which they had a 19–0 lead before the Bills pulled off a miraculous comeback to win 23–22. After the strike ended, the Vikings lost 26–7 to the Packers in Green Bay before beating the Bears 35–7 the following week to sit at 2–2. After a loss to the Dolphins, the Vikings won their next two games to sit at 4–3. In their final game of the season, they upset the Dallas Cowboys 31–27 to clinch the NFC's fourth place spot in the playoffs (as divisions were ignored in 1982 and the standings were determined by conference). In the playoffs, the Vikings defeated the Atlanta Falcons 30–24 to reach the divisional round. However, in that game, they lost 21–7 to the eventual champion Redskins.

Offseason

1982 Draft

	Pro Bowler

1982 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft order		Player name	Position	College	Notes
Round	Selection	Player name	Position	College	Notes
1	7	Darrin Nelson	Running back	Stanford
2	39	Terry Tausch	Guard	Texas
3	66	Traded to the New Orleans Saints^[a]
4	92	Jim Fahnhorst	Linebacker	Minnesota
5	120	Traded to the Miami Dolphins^[b]
6	147	Greg Storr	Linebacker	Boston College
7	179	Steve Jordan	Tight end	Brown
8	206	Kirk Harmon	Linebacker	Pacific
9	233	Bryan Howard	Defensive back	Tennessee State
10	260	Gerald Lucear	Wide receiver	Temple
11	286	Curtis Rouse	Guard	Chattanooga
12	318	Hobson Milner	Running back	Cincinnati

^{^[a]} The Vikings traded their third-round selection (66th overall) to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for RB Tony Galbreath.

^{^[b]} The Vikings traded their fifth-round selection (120th overall) and 1981 sixth-round selection (154th overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for OL Jim Langer.

Roster

**1982 Minnesota Vikings final roster**

	Quarterbacks 12 Steve Dils 9 Tommy Kramer 11 Wade Wilson Running backs 23 Ted Brown FB 32 Tony Galbreath FB 20 Darrin Nelson 31 Eddie Payton 22 Jarvis Redwine 34 Rickey Young Wide receivers 80 Terry LeCount 87 Leo Lewis 84 Sam McCullum 28 Ahmad Rashad 85 Sammy White 89 Harold Jackson Tight ends 82 Bob Bruer 81 Joe Senser 83 Steve Jordan		Offensive linemen 61 Wes Hamilton G 51 Jim Hough G 56 Dave Huffman G 76 Tim Irwin T 78 Steve Riley T 68 Curtis Rouse T 67 Dennis Swilley C Defensive linemen 73 Neil Elshire DE 75 Randy Holloway DE 65 Charlie Johnson NT 79 Doug Martin DE 77 Mark Mullaney DE 72 James White DT 91 Ray Yakavonis DT		Linebackers 59 Matt Blair 52 Dennis Johnson 53 Henry Johnson 54 Fred McNeill 57 Robin Sendlein 55 Scott Studwell 50 Jeff Siemon Defensive backs 45 Tommy Hannon SS 25 Kurt Knoff FS 49 Keith Nord FS 29 John Swain CB 37 Willie Teal CB 27 John Turner CB 44 Walt Williams CB 21 Rufus Bess CB Special teams 8 Greg Coleman P 7 Rick Danmeier K		Reserve lists 62 Brent Boyd G (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 88 Mardye McDole WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve) Rookies in italics

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance^[1]	Notes
1	August 7	Baltimore Colts	W 30–14	1–0	Fawcett Stadium (Canton, Ohio)	23,379	Hall of Fame Game
2	August 14	at Atlanta Falcons	L 17–20	1–1	Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium	49,831
3	August 21	Seattle Seahawks	W 7–3	2–1	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	57,880	First Vikings game at the Metrodome
4	August 28	at Denver Broncos	L 17–27	2–2	Mile High Stadium	73,371
5	September 3	New Orleans Saints	W 24–21	3–2	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	59,810

Regular season

The Vikings opened their new stadium with a 17–10 win over Tampa Bay in the season opener. A close loss to Buffalo on the road followed.

The season was then interrupted by the players' 57-day strike that reduced the NFL regular season to nine games. Upon resumption of play in November, the Vikings went 4–3 to close out the abbreviated regular season and closed the campaign with a 5–4 record. Games against Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, New Orleans, San Francisco, Tampa Bay and Washington were canceled.

As three of Minnesota's losses were to AFC opponents, their 4–1 conference record put them at the top of a logjam of teams with similar records in the playoff seedings. In 1982, the NFL took the top eight teams from each conference regardless of division record for playoff consideration. The Vikings earned the #4 seed based on this tiebreaker and home field advantage in round one.

In their opening round playoff game, the Vikings took on the Atlanta Falcons. The game was a back-and-forth affair that saw Minnesota take a 13–7 halftime lead, only to see the Falcons retake the lead late in the final period on a 41-yard field goal by Mick Luckhurst. With just under two minutes remaining, the Vikings began a game-winning drive that culminated in a Ted Brown 5-yard touchdown run to win the game and send the Vikings on to round two.

In the second round, the Vikings were defeated by the eventual Super Bowl champion Washington Redskins, 21–7, at RFK Stadium. The Vikings trailed 14–0 after one quarter. Ted Brown's touchdown run in the second period cut it to 14–7, but Joe Theismann hit Alvin Garrett late in the quarter with an 18-yard touchdown strike to make it 21–7. Neither team scored in the second half.

QB Tommy Kramer threw for 2,037 yards and 15 touchdowns in the short season. RB Ted Brown had 515 yards to lead all rushers, and WR Sammy White tallied 503 yards and five touchdowns to lead receivers.

LB Matt Blair anchored the Vikings defense and also made the 1982 Pro Bowl.

Schedule

Week	Original week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	1	September 12	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 17–10	1–0	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	58,440
2	2	September 16	at Buffalo Bills	L 22–23	1–1	Rich Stadium	77,753
—	3	September 26	Dallas Cowboys	Postponed	1–1	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	1982 NFL players strike
—	4	October 3	at Chicago Bears	Canceled	1–1	Soldier Field
—	5	October 10	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Canceled	1–1	Tampa Stadium
—	6	October 17	New Orleans Saints	Canceled	1–1	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
—	7	October 24	Green Bay Packers	Canceled	1–1	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
—	8	November 1	Detroit Lions	Canceled	1–1	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
—	9	November 7	at San Francisco 49ers	Canceled	1–1	Candlestick Park
—	10	November 14	at Washington Redskins	Canceled	1–1	Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
3	11	November 21	at Green Bay Packers	L 7–26	1–2	Milwaukee County Stadium	44,681
4	12	November 28	Chicago Bears	W 35–7	2–2	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	54,724
5	13	December 5	at Miami Dolphins	L 14–22	2–3	Miami Orange Bowl	45,721
6	14	December 12	Baltimore Colts	W 13–10	3–3	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	53,981
7	15	December 19	at Detroit Lions	W 34–31	4–3	Pontiac Silverdome	73,058
8	16	December 26	New York Jets	L 14–42	4–4	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	58,672
9	17	January 3, 1983	Dallas Cowboys	W 31–27	5–4	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	60,007

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Buccaneers	3	0	0	7	10
Vikings	0	7	7	3	17

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: September 12
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 58,440
Referee: Gene Barth
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

TB – Bill Capece 51-yard field goal, 2:00. Buccaneers 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 4:55.

Second quarter

MIN – Rickey Young 3-yard run (Rick Danmeier kick), 6:31. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 77 yards, 5:19.

Third quarter

MIN – Sammy White 22-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 6:48. Vikings 14–3. Drive: 14 plays, 81 yards, 8:12.

Fourth quarter

TB – Jimmie Giles 20-yard pass from Doug Williams (Bill Capece kick), 5:06. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:30.
MIN – Rick Danmeier 33-yard field goal, 2:06. Vikings 17–10. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:13.

Top passers

TB – Doug Williams – 21/38, 290 yards, TD, 3 INT
MIN – Tommy Kramer – 16/28, 131 yards, TD

Top rushers

TB – James Owens – 12 rushes, 31 yards
MIN – Ted Brown – 12 rushes, 56 yards

Top receivers

TB – Jimmie Giles – 5 receptions, 100 yards, TD
MIN – Sammy White – 2 receptions, 35 yards, TD

Week 4: vs Chicago Bears

Week 4: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	7	0	0	7
Vikings	0	14	7	14	35

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: November 28
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 54,724
Referee: Red Cashion
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

CHI – Emery Moorehead 50-yard pass from Jim McMahon (John Roveto kick), 14:53. Bears 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 55 yards, 0:47.
MIN – Sammy White 5-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 9:07. Tied 7–7. Drive: 4 plays, 49 yards, 2:16.
MIN – Joe Senser 1-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 2:43. Vikings 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 3:45.

Third quarter

MIN – Sammy White 8-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 5:44. Vikings 21–7. Drive: 8 plays, 95 yards, 3:37.

Fourth quarter

MIN – Leo Lewis 31-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 12:48. Vikings 28–7. Drive: 2 plays, 43 yards, 0:52.
MIN – Sammy White 13-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 6:17. Vikings 35–7. Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards, 2:38.

Top passers

CHI – Jim McMahon – 12/20, 139 yards, TD, INT
MIN – Tommy Kramer – 26/35, 342 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

CHI – Walter Payton – 12 rushes, 67 yards
MIN – Ted Brown – 5 rushes, 43 yards

Top receivers

CHI – Emery Moorehead – 4 receptions, 79 yards, TD
MIN – Sammy White – 10 receptions, 177 yards, 3 TD

Week 5: at Miami Dolphins

Week 5: Minnesota Vikings at Miami Dolphins – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	0	7	0	7	14
Dolphins	6	3	3	10	22

at Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

Date: December 5
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Clear, 82 °F (28 °C)
Game attendance: 45,721
Referee: Fred Silva
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

MIA – David Woodley 1-yard run (kick blocked), 2:48. Dolphins 6–0. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 5:08.

Second quarter

MIN – Tommy Kramer 18-yard run (Rick Danmeier kick), 12:10. Vikings 7–6. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 5:38.
MIA – Uwe von Schamann 34-yard field goal, 0:00. Dolphins 9–7. Drive: 3 plays, 36 yards, 0:17.

Third quarter

MIA – Uwe von Schamann 28-yard field goal, 5:48. Dolphins 12–7. Drive: 16 plays, 62 yards, 9:12.

Fourth quarter

MIA – Andra Franklin 9-yard run (Uwe von Schamann kick), 14:17. Dolphins 19–7. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 4:12.
MIN – Tony Galbreath 1-yard run (Rick Danmeier kick), 9:25. Dolphins 19–14. Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 2:22.
MIA – Uwe von Schamann 24-yard field goal, 1:46. Dolphins 22–14. Drive: 6 plays, 23 yards, 2:44.

Top passers

MIN – Tommy Kramer – 16/28, 127 yards, 3 INT
MIA – David Woodley – 13/20, 132 yards

Top rushers

MIN – Darrin Nelson – 6 rushes, 36 yards
MIA – Andra Franklin – 28 rushes, 129 yards, TD

Top receivers

MIN – Sammy White – 2 receptions, 32 yards
MIA – Jimmy Cefalo – 2 receptions, 71 yards

Week 6: vs Baltimore Colts

Week 6: Baltimore Colts at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	0	3	7	0	10
Vikings	7	0	3	3	13

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: December 12
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 53,981
Referee: Jerry Markbreit
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

MIN – Sammy White 24-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 4:49. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 4:43.

Second quarter

BAL – Mike Wood 39-yard field goal, 10:57. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 13 plays, 56 yards, 6:50.

Third quarter

BAL – Jim Burroughs 94-yard interception return (Mike Wood kick), 6:42. Colts 10–7.
MIN – Rick Danmeier 23-yard field goal, 3:21. Tied 10–10. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 3:11.

Fourth quarter

MIN – Rick Danmeier 40-yard field goal, 9:09. Vikings 13–10. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:41.

Top passers

BAL – Mike Pagel – 14/32, 116 yards, 2 INT
MIN – Tommy Kramer – 19/35, 258 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

BAL – Curtis Dickey – 13 rushes, 42 yards
MIN – Ted Brown – 20 rushes, 75 yards

Top receivers

BAL – Randy McMillan – 5 receptions, 32 yards
MIN – Sammy White – 3 receptions, 78 yards, TD

Week 8: vs New York Jets

Week 8: New York Jets at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets	7	14	7	14	42
Vikings	0	7	0	7	14

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: December 26
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 58,672
Referee: Gene Barth
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

NYJ – Freeman McNeil 2-yard run (Pat Leahy kick), 6:07. Jets 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:54.

Second quarter

NYJ – Bobby Jackson 80-yard return of blocked field goal (Pat Leahy kick), 5:43. Jets 14–0.
NYJ – Freeman McNeil 1-yard run (Pat Leahy kick), 5:17. Jets 21–0. Drive: 3 plays, 9 yards, 0:22.
MIN – Tommy Kramer 1-yard run (Rick Danmeier kick), 0:32. Jets 21–7. Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 4:25.

Third quarter

NYJ – Mickey Shuler 20-yard pass from Pat Ryan (Pat Leahy kick), 1:12. Jets 28–7. Drive: 8 plays, 86 yards, 2:32.

Fourth quarter

MIN – Ted Brown 16-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick), 13:23. Jets 28–14. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 2:36.
NYJ – Bruce Harper 39-yard pass from Richard Todd (Pat Leahy kick), 11:33. Jets 35–14. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 1:38.
NYJ – Bobby Jackson 77-yard interception return (Pat Leahy kick), 7:18. Jets 42–14.

Top passers

NYJ – Richard Todd – 15/22, 236 yards, TD
MIN – Tommy Kramer – 32/56, 328 yards, TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

NYJ – Freeman McNeil – 18 rushes, 82 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Ted Brown – 15 rushes, 57 yards

Top receivers

NYJ – Mickey Shuler – 3 receptions, 80 yards, TD
MIN – Joe Senser – 10 receptions, 115 yards

Standings

NFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Green Bay Packers⁽³⁾	5	3	1	.611	1–2	4–2	226	169	L1
Minnesota Vikings⁽⁴⁾	5	4	0	.556	3–1	4–1	158	178	W3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers⁽⁷⁾	5	4	0	.556	2–1	3–3	158	178	W1
Detroit Lions⁽⁸⁾	4	5	0	.444	3–3	4–4	181	176	W1
Chicago Bears	3	6	0	.333	1–3	2–5	141	174	L1

National Football Conference
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
Washington Redskins⁽¹⁾	8	1	0	.889	190	128	W4
Dallas Cowboys⁽²⁾	6	3	0	.667	226	145	L2
Green Bay Packers⁽³⁾	5	3	1	.611	226	169	L1
Minnesota Vikings⁽⁴⁾	5	4	0	.556	187	198	W1
Atlanta Falcons⁽⁵⁾	5	4	0	.556	183	199	L2
St. Louis Cardinals⁽⁶⁾	5	4	0	.556	135	170	L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers⁽⁷⁾	5	4	0	.556	158	178	W3
Detroit Lions⁽⁸⁾	4	5	0	.444	181	176	W1
New Orleans Saints	4	5	0	.444	129	160	W1
New York Giants	4	5	0	.444	164	160	W1
San Francisco 49ers	3	6	0	.333	209	206	L1
Chicago Bears	3	6	0	.333	141	174	L1
Philadelphia Eagles	3	6	0	.333	191	195	L1
Los Angeles Rams	2	7	0	.222	200	250	W1

Postseason

Schedule

Round	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
Wild Card	January 9, 1982	Atlanta Falcons (5)	W 30–24	1–0	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	60,560
Division	January 15, 1982	at Washington Redskins (1)	L 7–21	1–1	Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium	54,593

Statistics

Team leaders

Category	Player(s)	Value
Passing yards	Tommy Kramer	2,037
Passing touchdowns	Tommy Kramer	15
Rushing yards	Ted Brown	515
Rushing touchdowns	Tommy Kramer	3
Receiving yards	Sammy White	503
Receiving touchdowns	Sammy White	5
Points	Rick Danmeier	47
Kickoff return yards	Jarvis Redwine	286
Punt return yards	Eddie Payton	179
Sacks	Doug Martin	11.5
Interceptions	Willie Teal	4

League rankings

Category	Total yards	Yards per game	NFL rank (out of 28)
Passing offense	1,967	122.9	5th
Rushing offense	912	57.0	22nd
Total offense	2,879	179.9	14th
Passing defense	1,875	117.2	20th
Rushing defense	1,020	63.8	14th
Total defense	2,895	180.9	19th

References

↑ "1982 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - Pro Football Archives".

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[1] "1982 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - Pro Football Archives".

[a]

[b]

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Minnesota Vikings
Founded in 1961 Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota Headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota
Franchise	Franchise History Expansion draft Players First-round draft picks Quarterbacks Head coaches Seasons Statistics Draft Broadcasters Ownership Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center
Stadiums	Metropolitan Stadium Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome TCF Bank Stadium U.S. Bank Stadium
Culture	Purple People Eaters "Skol, Vikings" Herschel Walker trade Love Boat scandal How I Met Your Mother "Little Minnesota" "Tailgate" Cheerleaders Alan Roach Truth Hurts (song) Quarterback "Higher" (Creed song)
Lore	The Wrong Way Run Hail Mary Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy Santa Claus game Miracle at the Met Gary Anderson's missed field goal Minneapolis Miracle Minneapolis Miracle II
Rivalries	Chicago Bears Dallas Cowboys Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Los Angeles Rams New Orleans Saints
Division championships (21)	1968 1969 1970 1971 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1980 1989 1992 1994 1998 2000 2008 2009 2015 2017 2022
Conference championships (4)	1969 1973 1974 1976
League championships (1)	1969
Retired numbers	10 53 70 77 80 88
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League Conference: National Football Conference Division: North Division

Minnesota Vikings seasons
1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Bold indicates NFL Championship (1920–69) or Super Bowl (1966–) victory Italics indicates Super Bowl (1966–) appearance