4 wins in Minnesota Vikings history that were instant classics
By Randy Smith
Week 15 of the 1980 Season
- Vikings beat the Browns
The Miracle at the Met holds a special place in Vikings fans’ hearts and serves as one of the instant classics in the team’s history. Held at the Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota, the team faced the Browns, who were three-point favorites.
The Vikings were down 23-9 by the fourth quarter, but they weren’t out of it. Quarterback Tommy Kramer threw two touchdowns to wide receiver Ahmad Rashad, with the second being a 46-yard Hail Mary to win the game.
Kramer lofted a jump ball to a sea of Browns defenders, the ball was tipped, Rashad stuck one hand out, and the rest was history.
In an ironic turn of events, the Vikings now had their historic Hail Mary moment, as the original was afflicted against them by Drew Pearson, Rodger Staubach, and the Dallas Cowboys. With fan receptions from both a dire contrast, it’s not a secret which Hail Mary Minnesota prefers.
With that win, the Vikings improved their season record to 8-6, which was good enough to win them the NFC Central Division that season. They would end up losing to Philadelphia in the post-season, making The Miracle at the Met that much more of the highlight for that year and an instant classic.