6 most surprising Minnesota Vikings seasons of all-time

2. 1972 Vikings

Heading into the 1972 season, the Vikings were coming off of four straight division titles and three straight years with at least 11 wins. To improve their outlook heading into the season even more, Minnesota was able to re-acquire quarterback Fran Tarkenton in a trade with the New York Giants.

Many were assuming that with Tarkenton back running the ship, the Vikings would end up as one of the two teams playing in the Super Bowl in 1972. Unfortunately, that’s not how the season worked out for Minnesota and their veteran signal-caller.

Instead, the Vikings finished with a surprisingly, disappointing 7-7 record and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1967.

Minnesota began the year by losing four of their first six games. To make it even worse, the Vikings lost each of these matchups by three points or less. Minnesota turned the ball over 12 times in these losses and that played a tremendous part in the outcomes.

The Vikings were able to get back on track over the next few weeks and they entered their final two games with a 7-5 record and a chance to still make the playoffs.

However, Minnesota ended the year with two more losses and they were left sitting on the outside of the postseason for the first time in four seasons. Even with six future Hall of Famers on their roster, the Vikings failed to live up to their Super Bowl expectations in 1972.