4 wins in Minnesota Vikings history that were instant classics
By Randy Smith
Week 3 of the 2009 Season
- Vikings beat the 49ers
The 2009 Vikings season felt like an instant classic in and of itself, but by Week 3, it was starting in the most dramatic way possible. After signing longtime rival Brett Favre for the starting quarterback role, Minnesota had their first home game against the 49ers.
Facing former Vikings quarterback Shaun Hill, the team looked as if they were about to lose to San Francisco, with a score of 24-20 in favor of the 49ers staring them in their face.
With a minute to go in the game, Favre fired off to pass catchers such as Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian, and Visanthe Shiancoe. On 3rd and 3 with 11 seconds left, veteran wide receiver Greg Lewis checked into the game.
From there, Favre fired a laser to the end zone to Lewis, who made the play of the game to put the Vikings up 26-24 with two seconds left in play. After an extra point and no answer from the 49ers, the Vikings would improve to 3-0 to start their season.
Minnesota would end up reaching the NFC Championship game that year, and had it not been for bounty gate, may have served as the storybook ending to Favre’s career and received their first Super Bowl win.
Regardless, for a rival quarterback to win over a fan base that quickly, it showed how special the season was, and it might not have been that special if the instant classic at the Metrodome didn’t happen the way it did.