1999 Minnesota Vikings season

The 1999 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 39th in the National Football League (NFL). After going a near perfect 15–1 record in 1998, the Vikings began the 1999 season with high expectations of another great season. Randall Cunningham resumed duties again in 1999, but after a struggling 2–4 start to the season, he was benched and Jeff George was given the starting job as quarterback.

1999 Minnesota Vikings season
OwnerRed McCombs
General managerTim Connolly
Head coachDennis Green
Home fieldHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Results
Record10–6
Division place2nd NFC Central
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Cowboys) 27–10
Lost Divisional Playoffs
(at Rams) 37–49
Pro BowlersP Mitch Berger
C Jeff Christy
WR Cris Carter
OG Randall McDaniel
WR Randy Moss
AP All-ProsWR Cris Carter (1st team)
P Mitch Berger (2nd team)
S Robert Griffith (2nd team)
Uniform

George finished the season with an 8–2 record, and led the Vikings into the postseason once again, with an overall team record of 10–6 failing to match their record from the 1998 season. Minnesota beat the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card Game 27–10 and faced playoff newcomer Kurt Warner and the St. Louis Rams in the divisional round. The game was a shootout which Minnesota led 17–14 at halftime, but the Rams outscored Minnesota 35 to 20 in the second half to win 49–37. St. Louis would then go on to win Super Bowl XXXIV against the Titans.

Offseason

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1999 Expansion Draft

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Minnesota Vikings selected by the expansion
Cleveland Browns
Pick Name Position
18 Duane Butler Safety
27 Orlando Bobo Guard

1999 Draft

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Pro Bowler
1999 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft order Player name Position College Notes
Round Selection
1 11 Daunte Culpepper Quarterback Central Florida From Redskins[a]
29 Dimitrius Underwood Defensive end Michigan State
2 44 Jim Kleinsasser Tight end North Dakota From Steelers[b]
59 Traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers[b]
3 73 Traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers[b] From Redskins[a]
91 Traded to the New England Patriots[c]
4 120 Kenny Wright Cornerback Northwestern State From Dolphins[d]
125 Jay Humphrey Offensive tackle Texas
5 163 Traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers[b]
169 Chris Jones Safety Clemson Compensatory pick
6 185 Talance Sawyer Defensive tackle UNLV From Buccaneers via Ravens[e]
199 Antico Dalton Linebacker Hampton
7 236 Noel Scarlett Defensive tackle Langston
^[a] The Vikings traded QB Brad Johnson to the Washington Redskins in exchange for Washington's first- and third-round selections (11th and 73rd overall), and second-round selection in 2000.
^[b] The Vikings traded their second- and fifth-round selections (59th and 163rd overall), and the third-round selection they acquired from the Washington Redskins (73rd overall) to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Pittsburgh's second-round selection (44th overall).
^[c] The Vikings traded their third-round selection (91st overall) to the New England Patriots in exchange for CB Jimmy Hitchcock.
^[d] The Vikings received Miami's fourth-round selection (120th overall) as compensation for restricted free agent TE Hunter Goodwin.
^[e] The Vikings traded OL Everett Lindsay to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for the sixth-round selection Baltimore acquired from Tampa Bay (185th overall).

Staff

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1999 Minnesota Vikings staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning


[1]

Roster

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1999 Minnesota Vikings roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 5 reserve, 4 practice squad

Preseason

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Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 August 13 New York Giants L 21–36 0–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,434
2 August 21 at Cleveland Browns W 24–17 1–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium 71,398
3 August 26 Philadelphia Eagles W 17–13 2–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,387
4 September 3 at New York Jets L 17–38 2–2 Giants Stadium 76,782

Regular season

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Schedule

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Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 12 at Atlanta Falcons W 17–14 1–0 Georgia Dome 69,555
2 September 19 Oakland Raiders L 17–22 1–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,080
3 September 26 at Green Bay Packers L 20–23 1–2 Lambeau Field 59,868
4 October 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 21–14 2–2 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,106
5 October 10 Chicago Bears L 22–24 2–3 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,107
6 October 17 at Detroit Lions L 23–25 2–4 Silverdome 76,516
7 October 24 San Francisco 49ers W 40–16 3–4 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,109
8 October 31 at Denver Broncos W 23–20 4–4 Mile High Stadium 75,021
9 November 8 Dallas Cowboys W 27–17 5–4 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,111
10 November 14 at Chicago Bears W 27–24 (OT) 6–4 Soldier Field 61,481
11 Bye
12 November 28 San Diego Chargers W 35–27 7–4 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,232
13 December 6 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–24 7–5 Raymond James Stadium 65,741
14 December 12 at Kansas City Chiefs L 28–31 7–6 Arrowhead Stadium 78,932
15 December 20 Green Bay Packers W 24–20 8–6 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,203
16 December 26 at New York Giants W 34–17 9–6 Giants Stadium 78,095
17 January 2 Detroit Lions W 24–17 10–6 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,103

Game summaries

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Week 1: at Atlanta Falcons

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Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 17 0017
Falcons 0 7 0714

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

Week 2: vs. Oakland Raiders

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Week 2: Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 6 16022
Vikings 7 3 0717

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 3: at Green Bay Packers

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Week 3: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 3 3720
Packers 0 10 31023

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: September 26
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 82 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 59,868
  • Referee: Johnny Grier (23)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 4: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Week 4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 7 0714
Vikings 17 0 0017

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: October 3
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,106
  • Referee: Mike Carey (94)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 5: vs. Chicago Bears

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Week 5: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 7 7324
Vikings 3 9 3722

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 6: at Detroit Lions

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Week 6: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 0 14923
Lions 10 9 0625

at Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: October 17
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 76,516
  • Referee: Ron Winter (82)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 7: vs. San Francisco 49ers

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Week 7: San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers 3 10 3016
Vikings 7 17 7940

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: October 24
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,109
  • Referee: Dick Hantak (105)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 8: at Denver Broncos

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Week 8: Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 13 01023
Broncos 12 0 0820

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

Game information

Week 9: vs. Dallas Cowboys

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Week 9: Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 17 0017
Vikings 0 7 61427

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 10: at Chicago Bears

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Week 10: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Vikings 7 7 37327
Bears 14 3 07024

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: November 14
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Mostly sunny, 50 °F (10 °C)
  • Game attendance: 66,944
  • Referee: Bill Carollo (63)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 12: vs. San Diego Chargers

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Week 12: San Diego Chargers at Minnesota Vikings
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Chargers 7 0 17327
Vikings 0 28 7035

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 13: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Week 13: Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 14 0317
Buccaneers 7 3 7724

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: December 6
  • Game time: 9:05 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cool, clear, breezy, 62 °F (17 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,741
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette (42)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 14: at Kansas City Chiefs

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Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 14 7728
Chiefs 14 7 01031

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: December 12
  • Game time: 7:20 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Mostly cloudy and dark, 41 °F (5 °C)
  • Game attendance: 78,932
  • Referee: Dick Hantak (105)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 15: vs. Green Bay Packers

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Week 15: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 13 0720
Vikings 0 10 7724

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 20
  • Game time: 8:15 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,203
  • Referee: Mike Carey (94)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 16: at New York Giants

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Week 16: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 14 71334
Giants 3 3 3817

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: December 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 32 °F (0 °C)
  • Game attendance: 78,095
  • Referee: Johnny Grier (23)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions

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Week 17: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 7 3 0717
Vikings 7 10 0724

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Standings

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NFC Central
W L T PCT PF PA STK
(2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11 5 0 .688 270 235 W2
(4) Minnesota Vikings 10 6 0 .625 399 335 W3
(6) Detroit Lions 8 8 0 .500 322 323 L4
Green Bay Packers 8 8 0 .500 357 341 W1
Chicago Bears 6 10 0 .375 272 341 L2

Postseason

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Schedule

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Week Date Opponent Result Venue Attendance
Wild Card January 9 Dallas Cowboys W 27–10 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,056
Division January 16 at St. Louis Rams L 37–49 Trans World Dome 66,194

Game summaries

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NFC Wild Card Round: vs (#5) Dallas Cowboys

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NFC Wild Card Round: (#5) Dallas Cowboys at (#4) Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 10 0 0010
Vikings 3 14 3727

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

NFC Divisional Round: vs (#1) St. Louis Rams

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NFC Divisional Playoffs: (#4) Minnesota Vikings at (#1) St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 14 02037
Rams 14 0 211449

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

Statistics

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Team leaders

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Category Player(s) Value
Passing yards Jeff George 2,816
Passing touchdowns Jeff George 23
Rushing yards Robert Smith 1,015
Rushing touchdowns Leroy Hoard 10
Receiving yards Randy Moss 1,413
Receiving touchdowns Cris Carter 13
Points Gary Anderson 103
Kickoff return yards Robert Tate 627
Punt return yards Randy Moss 162
Tackles Robert Griffith 128
Sacks John Randle 10
Interceptions Robert Griffith 3
Forced fumbles John Randle 4

League rankings

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Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 31)
Passing offense 3,989 249.3 5th
Rushing offense 1,804 112.8 14th
Total offense 5,793 362.1 3rd
Passing defense 3,980 248.8 30th
Rushing defense 1,617 101.1 14th
Total defense 5,597 349.8 27th

References

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  1. ^ 2009 Minnesota Vikings Media Guide. p. 251. Archived from the original on December 24, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2010.