10 most agonizing playoff losses in Minnesota Vikings history
By Ben Donahue
5. 1975 Divisional Round
Dallas Cowboys - 17
Minnesota Vikings - 14
Minnesota was once again in the midst of a great run of football in the mid 1970s. The 1973 and 1974 teams had both advanced to the Super Bowl and it looked like the franchise would return in ‘75.
Both the Vikings offense and defense were ranked third in the NFL, and Fran Tarkenton, Chuck Foreman, Dave Osborn, John Gilliam, and the Purple People Eaters were determined to bring home a world title.
That determination was evident when the 1975 season began, and the Vikes jumped out to a 10-0 record. Minnesota would drop two of their remaining four games, but that seemed to be a formality as the organization headed to the postseason with a lofty 12-2 record.
Their first opponent would be the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas had last come to Minnesota for a playoff showdown in 1971 and escaped victorious (the Vikings went to Dallas in 1973 for the NFC Championship game and won).
That didn’t look possible this time around as the ‘Boys arrived in town with an eighth-ranked offense and ninth-ranked defense.
The game was still a matchup of two very good teams and the Vikes took a slim 7-0 lead into halftime. Dallas answered with a touchdown of their own in the third and a field goal in the fourth to take a 10-7 lead. Minnesota then responded with a touchdown to take a 14-10 lead with 5:24 left.
Both sides went three and out before Dallas got the ball back with 1:51 remaining. Roger Staubach took the Cowboys to the Minny 50-yard line after a controversial 25-yard reception by receiver Drew Pearson on 4th and 16.
Two plays later, Staubach reared back and launched a bomb to Pearson, who caught the ball at the Minnesota four-yard line before running in for the touchdown.
Just as he was completing the catch, an orange object flew by Pearson. It turned out to be an actual orange that had been thrown by an enraged fan.
More objects flew onto the field as it became obvious that Dallas had come away with another playoff miracle and a 17-14 win.
After the game, Staubach called his throw a “Hail Mary” and the term became part of the sport lexicon.
The Cowboys advanced to play in the sport's biggest game but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl X, 21-17.