10 most agonizing playoff losses in Minnesota Vikings history
By Ben Donahue
7. 2000 NFC Championship Game
New York Giants - 41
Minnesota Vikings - 0
In 2000, Minnesota still had many of the same core of players who took the team to the verge of a world title in 1998 (more on that in a moment).
Daunte Culpepper, Cris Carter, Randy Moss, and Robert Smith led the Vikings to an average of nearly 25 points per game, good for fifth in the NFL.
The defense was less than great, however, giving up at least 23 points per game for a 24th overall ranking.
Still, the team shot out of the gate with a 7-0 record before dropping two straight, then winning four straight before closing the season with three consecutive losses.
Minny then took its 11-5 record into the playoffs and met the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional round. The Vikings easily dispatched the Saints, 34-16, before facing the 12-4 New York Giants in New York.
With their team on the doorstep of a Super Bowl berth, Minnesota fans watched in horror as the Vikes got their tails handed to them, 41-0. It was one of the worst losses in NFL playoff history and was the second-worst loss in conference championship history.
Never before and never since has Minnesota been shut out in a playoff game.
Two weeks after blanking the Vikes, New York was crushed by the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV, 34-7.