10 most agonizing playoff losses in Minnesota Vikings history
By Ben Donahue
8. 2015 Wild Card Round
Seattle Seahawks - 10
Minnesota Vikings - 9
In 2013 and 2014, the Vikings won only a total of 12 games total under Leslie Frazier (2013) and Mike Zimmer (2014).
Zimmer’s second year with the franchise started out poorly with just two wins in four games. Then, Minnesota came to life and won its next five games before ending the year with a surprising 11-5 record.
Second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater frequently found receivers Adam Thielen, Mike Wallace, and rookie Stefon Diggs, while Adrian Peterson led the NFL in rushing yards (1,485) and ruhing touchdowns (11).
The Vikings’ defense wasn’t too shabby either, giving up just under 19 points per game for a fifth overall ranking.
Minnesota then hosted its first playoff game since 2009 and met the 10-6 Seattle Seahawks. When both teams arrived at TCF Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota, they found the temperature at a less than balmy -6 degrees.
As both teams struggled to warm up, the Vikes took a 3-0 lead into halftime.
Minnesota kicker Blair Walsh kicked two more field goals in the third quarter for a 9-0 lead before Seattle answered with a Doug Baldwin touchdown catch from Russell Wilson in the fourth. The Seahawks kicked their own field goal minutes later for a 10-9 lead with barely eight minutes remaining.
On Minnesota’s final possession, the team drove to the Seattle nine-yard line with 26 seconds left. Walsh came in to kick a 27-yarder to win the game, then promptly shanked the kick wide left, giving the Seahawks an improbable win.
Seattle lost one week later to the Carolina Panthers in the Divisional round.