Los Angeles Rams–Minnesota Vikings
Los Angeles Rams
Minnesota Vikings
First meetingNovember 5, 1961
Rams 31, Vikings 17
Latest meetingDecember 26, 2021
Rams 30, Vikings 23
Next meeting2024
Statistics
Meetings total47
All-time seriesVikings, 27–18–2
Postseason resultsVikings, 5–2
Most recent
January 23, 2000
Rams 49, Vikings 37
Largest victoryRams, 39–3 (1967)
Longest win streakVikings, 6 (1987–1998)
Current win streakRams, 2

The Rams–Vikings rivalry is an NFL rivalry between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings.[1][2][3]

The rivalry was most heated in the 1970s when the Vikings and Rams faced off in many consequential playoff games.[4][5][6][7][8] To-date, the Vikings are the Rams second most played playoff opponent with seven games and the Rams are tied with the Cowboys as the most played playoff opponent for the Vikings.[9]

The Vikings lead the all-time series 27–18–1 and are 5–2 in the playoffs.

Notable moments and games

  • The 1972 game was the highest-scoring game of the year for both of those teams, as Fran Tarkenton of the Vikings threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns. For his part, Roman Gabriel of the Rams would complete 25 passes in the game, which at that time was his second-highest career total ever in that category.
  • Playing inside a mud-soaked Los Angeles Coliseum in the divisional round of the '77 playoffs, the Vikings jumped out to a 14–0 lead before holding on for a 14–7 victory. Despite the mud, both teams found considerable traction in their running games. Rams running back Lawrence McCutcheon and Vikings running back Chuck Foreman each rushing for over 100 yards.[10]
  • In 1985, it was a defensive battle, as all of the first half scoring came on two Rams field goals to give them a 6–0 lead. Eric Dickerson then scored a touchdown in the third quarter to make it 13–0. The Vikings mounted a bit of a comeback, scoring on a Ted Brown touchdown run and a Jan Stenerud field goal, but it wasn't quite enough as the Rams held on to win 13–10.
  • In 2015, the Vikings defeated the Rams 21–18 in overtime following an illegal hit to Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater by Rams' cornerback Lamarcus Joyner.[11] Mike Zimmer famously declined receiving the ball in overtime after winning the toss due to favorable wind conditions for a possible game-winning kick. The Vikings ended up stopping the Rams, getting the ball, and kicking a game winning field goal.

Connections between the two teams

Shortly after the Rams won Super Bowl LVI, the Vikings hired their offensive coordinator, Kevin O'Connell, to serve as their new head coach following the firing of Zimmer at season's end.[12] O'Connell brought several assistants from the Rams to work with him in Minnesota, with the most notable one being current Vikings offensive coordinator and former Rams tight end coach Wes Phillips.

Game results

Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings season-by-season results
1960s (Vikings, 9–6–1)
SeasonSeason seriesat Los Angeles Ramsat Minnesota VikingsOverall seriesNotes
1961 Tie 1–1 Rams
31–17
Vikings
42–21
Tie
1–1
Vikings join NFL as an expansion team and are placed in the Western Conference.
1962 Vikings 1–0–1 Vikings
38–14
Tie
24–24
Vikings
2–1–1
1963 Tie 1–1 Rams
27–24
Vikings
21–13
Vikings
3–2–1
1964 Tie 1–1 Rams
22–13
Vikings
34–13
Vikings
4–3–1
1965 Vikings 2–0 Vikings
38–35
Vikings
24–13
Vikings
6–3–1
1966 Tie 1–1 Rams
21–6
Vikings
35–7
Vikings
7–4–1
1967 Rams 1–0 Rams
39–3
Vikings
7–5–1
Vikings are moved to the Central Division.
1968 Rams 1–0 Rams
31–3
Vikings
7–6–1
1969 Vikings 1–0 Vikings
20–13
Vikings
8–6–1
1969 Playoffs Vikings 1–0 Vikings
23–20
Vikings
9–6–1
NFL Western Conference Championship Game
1970s (Vikings, 6–5–1)
SeasonResultsLocationOverall seriesNotes
1970 Vikings
13–3
Metropolitan Stadium Vikings
10–6–1
1972 Vikings
45–41
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Vikings
11–6–1
1973 Vikings
10–9
Metropolitan Stadium Vikings
12–6–1
Vikings lose Super Bowl VIII
1974 Rams
20–17
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Vikings
12–7–1
1974 Playoffs Vikings
14–10
Metropolitan Stadium Vikings
13–7–1
NFC Championship Game. Vikings lose Super Bowl IX.
1976 Tie
10–10
Metropolitan Stadium Vikings
13–7–2
1976 Playoffs Vikings
24–13
Metropolitan Stadium Vikings
14–7–2
NFC Championship Game. Vikings lose Super Bowl XI.
1977 Rams
35–3
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Vikings
14–8–2
1977 Playoffs Vikings
14–7
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Vikings
15–8–2
NFC Divisional Round
1978 Rams
34–17
Metropolitan Stadium Vikings
15–9–2
Final meeting at Metropolitan Stadium.
1978 Playoffs Rams
34–10
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Vikings
15–10–2
NFC Divisional Round
1979 Rams
27–21(OT)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Vikings
15–11–2
Final meeting at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum until 2018. Rams lose Super Bowl XIV.
1980s (Vikings, 3–1)
SeasonResultsLocationOverall seriesNotes
1985 Rams
13–10
Anaheim Stadium Vikings
15–12–2
First meeting at Anaheim Stadium.
1987 Vikings
21–16
Anaheim Stadium Vikings
16–12–2
1988 Playoffs Vikings
28–17
Metrodome Vikings
17–12–2
NFC Wild Card Game. First meeting at the Metrodome.
1989 Vikings
23–21
Metrodome Vikings
18–12–2
1990s (Vikings, 3–1)
SeasonResultsLocationOverall seriesNotes
1991 Vikings
20–14
Metrodome Vikings
19–12–2
1992 Vikings
31–17
Anaheim Stadium Vikings
20–12–2
Final meeting at Anaheim Stadium.
1998 Vikings
38–31
Trans World Dome Vikings
21–12–2
First meeting at Trans World Dome and in St. Louis.
1999 Playoffs Rams
49–37
Trans World Dome Vikings
21–13–2
NFC Divisional Round. Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV.
2000s (Rams, 3–2)
SeasonResultsLocationOverall seriesNotes
2000 Rams
40–29
Trans World Dome Vikings
21–14–2
2003 Rams
48–17
Edward Jones Dome Vikings
21–15–2
2005 Vikings
27–13
Metrodome Vikings
22–15–2
2006 Rams
41–21
Metrodome Vikings
22–16–2
Final meeting at the Metrodome.
2009 Vikings
38–10
Edward Jones Dome Vikings
23–16–2
2010s (Vikings, 4–1)
SeasonResultsLocationOverall seriesNotes
2012 Vikings
36–22
Edward Jones Dome Vikings
24–16–2
2014 Vikings
34–6
Edward Jones Dome Vikings
25–16–2
Final meeting at Edward Jones Dome.
2015 Vikings
21–18(OT)
TCF Bank Stadium Vikings
26–16–2
First meeting at TCF Bank Stadium. Final meeting between the Vikings and St. Louis Rams as the Rams relocated to Los Angeles following the season.
2017 Vikings
24–7
U.S. Bank Stadium Vikings
27–16–2
First meeting at US Bank Stadium, and the first meeting since 1992 between the Vikings and Los Angeles Rams.
2018 Rams
38–31
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Vikings
27–17–2
Rams use the L.A. Coliseum as a temporary home while SoFi Stadium is under construction.
2020s (Rams, 1–0)
SeasonResultsLocationOverall seriesNotes
2021 Rams
30–23
U.S. Bank Stadium Vikings
27–18–2
Rams win Super Bowl LVI. Following season's end, the Vikings hired Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell to serve as their next head coach.
Summary of results
SeasonSeason seriesat Los Angeles/STL Ramsat Minnesota VikingsNotes
Regular season Vikings 22–16–2 Rams 12–10 Vikings 12–4–2 Vikings won the series in St. Louis 4–3.
Postseason Vikings 5–2 Rams 2–1 Vikings 4–0 NFC Wild Card Round: 1988; NFC Divisional Round: 1977, 1978, 1999; NFL Western Conference Championship Game; 1969; NFC Championship Game: 1974, 1976
Regular and postseason Vikings 27–18–2 Rams 14–11 Vikings 16–4–2

References

  1. Songco, Dijo (May 19, 2020). "Los Angeles Rams' top 5 rivals of all time, ranked". Clutch Points.
  2. DeArdo, Bryan (September 21, 2021). "Biggest Rivalries of 1970's". CBSSports.
  3. "Rams, Vikings renew old rivalry Sunday". Hawaii Tribune-Herald. 4 October 1985. p. 2. Retrieved 16 May 2023 via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  4. "Vikings, Rams resume rivalry in TV contest". Arizona Republic. October 24, 1977. p. 8. Retrieved 2023-05-16 via newspapers.com.
  5. "Vikings-Rams Resume Rivalry". Indianapolis Star. August 6, 1977. p. 25. Retrieved 2023-05-16 via newspapers.com.
  6. "Rams vs. Vikings". Centre Daily Times. October 11, 1978. p. 27. Retrieved 2023-05-16 via newspapers.com.
  7. "Rams, Vikes Rekindle Old Rivalry". Sacramento Bee. November 29, 1979. p. 12F. Retrieved 2023-05-16 via newspapers.com.
  8. "Rams Seek to Change Viking's Playoff Spell". Daily Oklahoman. December 25, 1977. p. C2. Retrieved 2023-05-16 via newspapers.com.
  9. "Los Angeles Rams Top 5 Rivals of All Time ranked". 19 May 2020.
  10. Florio, Mike (November 15, 2015). "Rams, Vikings rekindle major 1970s rivalry". NBCSports.
  11. "Lamacrus Joyner fined for hit on Bridgewater". Bleacher Report.
  12. "Minnesota Vikings Face Familiar Foe As Stafford, 10-4 Rams Offer Major Challenge". Forbes.
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