6 best Minnesota Vikings teams to miss the playoffs
By Adam Patrick
No. 2
2003 Vikings
Final Record: 9-7
Minnesota’s 2003 team got off to a blazing fast start as they began their season by winning each of their first six games. Unfortunately, the Vikings were only able to come up with just three victories in their final 10 matchups and they were knocked out of the playoffs on the very last play of the season against a terrible Arizona Cardinals team (yes, that game).
The 2003 campaign was arguably the best for Randy Moss in a Minnesota uniform. The Hall of Fame wide receiver finished the year with 111 catches (career-high), 1,632 yards (career-high), and 17 touchdowns.
Despite the Vikings defense finishing with the second-most interceptions in the NFL in 2003, they did not perform well again the pass (26th) or the run (31st in yards allowed per carry). This was the side of the football that truly prevented this team from making it into the playoffs.
No. 1
1986 Vikings
Final Record: 9-7
How Minnesota’s 1986 team didn’t make it into the postseason is one of the most puzzling things in the history of the franchise.
This Vikings team finished the year with the NFL’s fourth-best scoring offense and the fifth-best defense in terms of points allowed. They also had a point differential of 125, which is higher than a number of Minnesota teams that were actually able to earn a spot in the playoffs.
The Vikings got off to a 5-2 start in 1986, but then they stumbled and lost four of their next five matchups. Despite ending the year by winning three of their final four games, it wasn’t enough to qualify for the playoffs.