Minnesota Vikings: Top 20 games in franchise history
By Dan Zinski
May 17, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; NFL former quarterback Randall Cunningham at the 2015 Pac-12 Championships at Drake Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
3. Vikings comeback against the Giants in playoffs
There is no better feeling as a fan than watching a last-second victory. It’s even more thrilling when it’s the NFL playoffs. That’s exactly what happened when the Minnesota Vikings took on the New York Giants on December 27, 1997 at Giants Stadium in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
The Giants led 19-3 at halftime and seemed to have things under control. Minnesota was struggling to move the ball and looked like a team ready to be bounced from the playoffs. However, things were much different in the second half.
Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham led Minnesota on big scoring drives in the second half while holding New York scoreless, closing the lead to 19-13 in the Giants favor. But a New York field goal gave the Giants a 22-13 lead with less than two minutes left in the game.
The game looked like a wrap, but it was far from over.
Cunningham hit Jake Reed on a 30 yard touchdown pass, but that had the Vikings still down by two. They had to try an onside kick, which bounced off the hands of New York Giants wide receiver Chris Calloway. Minnesota landed on the ball, giving the offense a chance to get into field goal range. A completion to Cris Carter and a pass interference call gave Vikings kicker Eddie Murray a 24 yard kick attempt to win the game and complete the improbable comeback.
The kick was good and the 77,000 fans in the Meadowlands sat in their seats, silenced and stunned.