1999 Minnesota Vikings season

1999 Minnesota Vikings season
Head coach	Dennis Green
Home field	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Results
Record	10–6
Division place	2nd NFC Central
Playoff finish	Won Wild Card Playoffs (vs. Cowboys) 27–10 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Rams) 37–49
← 1998 Vikings seasons 2000 →

The 1999 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 39th in the National Football League. 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.

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 Dallas 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

1999 Expansion Draft

Main article: 1999 NFL expansion draft

Minnesota Vikings selected by the expansion
Cleveland Browns

Pick	Name	Position
18	Duane Butler	Safety
27	Orlando Bobo	Guard

1999 Draft

Main article: 1999 NFL draft

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).

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance[1]
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 17–3	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

Schedule

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

Standings

NFC Central
view talk edit	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

Schedule

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

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

NFC Wild Card Round: (#5) Dallas Cowboys at (#4) Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	10	0	0	0	10
Vikings	3	14	3	7	27

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Date: January 9
• Game time: 11:35 a.m. CST
• Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
• Game attendance: 64,056
• Referee: Gerry Austin (34)
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter DAL – Eddie Murray 18-yard field goal, 11:09. Cowboys 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 78 yards, 3:51. MIN – Gary Anderson 47-yard field goal, 7:59. Tied 3–3. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:59. DAL – Emmitt Smith 5-yard run (Eddie Murray kick), 5:00. Cowboys 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 2:59. Second quarter MIN – Robert Smith 26-yard pass from Jeff George (Gary Anderson kick), 9:21. Tied 10–10. Drive: 4 plays, 23 yards, 2:23. MIN – Randy Moss 58-yard pass from Jeff George (Gary Anderson kick), 0:28. Vikings 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards, 1:58. Third quarter MIN – Gary Anderson 38-yard field goal, 3:10. Vikings 20–10. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:01. Fourth quarter MIN – Cris Carter 5-yard pass from Jeff George (Gary Anderson kick), 12:40. Vikings 27–10. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 3:49. Top passers DAL – Troy Aikman – 22/38, 286 yards, INT MIN – Jeff George – 12/25, 212 yards, 3 TD Top rushers DAL – Emmitt Smith – 15 rushes, 99 yards, TD MIN – Robert Smith – 28 rushes, 140 yards Top receivers DAL – Raghib Ismail – 8 receptions, 163 yards MIN – Randy Moss – 5 receptions, 127 yards, TD

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

NFC Divisional Playoffs: (#4) Minnesota Vikings at (#1) St. Louis Rams – Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	14	0	20	37
Rams	14	0	21	14	49

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: January 16
• Game time: 11:35 a.m. CST
• Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
• Game attendance: 66,194
• Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Gary Anderson 31-yard field goal, 9:23. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 5:37. STL – Isaac Bruce 77-yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick), 9:02. Rams 7–3. Drive: 1 play, 77 yards, 0:21. STL – Marshall Faulk 41-yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick), 4:19. Rams 14–3. Drive: 4 plays, 82 yards, 1:55. Second quarter MIN – Cris Carter 22-yard pass from Jeff George (Gary Anderson kick), 9:53. Rams 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 96 yards, 3:42. MIN – Leroy Hoard 4-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 2:40. Vikings 17–14. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 3:43. Third quarter STL – Tony Horne 95-yard kickoff return (Jeff Wilkins kick), 14:42. Rams 21–17. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:18. STL – Marshall Faulk 1-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick), 8:28. Rams 28–17. Drive: 9 plays, 51 yards, 4:59. STL – Jeff Robinson 13-yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick), 0:22. Rams 35–17. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 4:23. Fourth quarter STL – Ryan Tucker 1-yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick), 13:36. Rams 42–17. Drive: 4 plays, 23 yards, 1:33. STL – Roland Williams 2-yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick), 8:13. Rams 49–17. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 4:01. MIN – Jake Reed 4-yard pass from Jeff George (Leroy Hoard run), 4:56. Rams 49–25. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:17. MIN – Randy Moss 44-yard pass from Jeff George (pass failed), 3:48. Rams 49–31. Drive: 5 plays, 63 yards, 1:08. MIN – Randy Moss 2-yard pass from Jeff George (pass failed), 0:31. Rams 49–37. Drive: 16 plays, 85 yards, 2:09. Top passers MIN – Jeff George – 29/50, 423 yards, 4 TD, INT STL – Kurt Warner – 27/33, 391 yards, 5 TD, INT Top rushers MIN – Robert Smith – 20 rushes, 64 yards STL – Marshall Faulk – 11 rushes, 21 yards, TD Top receivers MIN – Randy Moss – 9 receptions, 188 yards, 2 TD STL – Isaac Bruce – 4 receptions, 133 yards, TD

Statistics

Team leaders

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

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

Staff

1999 Minnesota Vikings staff

	Front office Owner – Red McCombs President – Gary Woods Executive vice president/general manager – Tim Connolly Director of football administration – Rob Brzezinski Head coaches Head coach – Dennis Green Assistant head coach/defensive backs – Richard Solomon Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Ray Sherman Quarterbacks – Alex Wood Running backs – Carl Hargrave Wide receivers – Hubbard Alexander Tight ends – Dave Atkins Offensive line – Mike Tice Quality control – Dean Dalton			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Foge Fazio Defensive line – Andre Patterson Inside linebackers – Tom Olivadotti Outside linebackers – Trent Walters Special teams coaches Special teams – Gary Zauner Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Steve Wetzel Assistant strength and conditioning – John Kasper

^[2]

Roster

1999 Minnesota Vikings final roster

	Quarterbacks  3 Jeff George 12 Daunte Culpepper  7 Randall Cunningham Running backs 40 Jim Kleinsasser FB 44 Leroy Hoard 33 Harold Morrow FB 26 Robert Smith 21 Moe Williams Wide receivers 80 Cris Carter 89 Matthew Hatchette 84 Randy Moss PR 19 Yo Murphy 86 Jake Reed 81 Chris Walsh Tight ends 87 Carlester Crumpler 82 Andrew Glover 85 Andrew Jordan		Offensive linemen 78 Matt Birk C 62 Jeff Christy C 71 David Dixon G 63 Corbin Lacina G 76 Chris Liwienski T 64 Randall McDaniel G 73 Todd Steussie T 77 Korey Stringer T Defensive linemen 91 John Burrough DE 96 Jerry Ball DT 92 Duane Clemons DE 95 Keith Council DT 56 Chris Doleman DE 95 Martin Harrison DE 75 Joe Phillips DT 93 John Randle DE 97 Talance Sawyer DE 94 Tony Williams DT		Linebackers 51 Rob Holmberg 55 Olrick Johnson 58 Ed McDaniel MLB 57 Dwayne Rudd OLB 52 Kailee Wong OLB Defensive backs 30 Antonio Banks CB 32 Anthony Bass CB 43 Greg Briggs CB 24 Robert Griffith SS 37 Jimmy Hitchcock CB 31 Don Morgan CB 29 Chris Rogers DB 28 Robert Tate CB 20 Kenny Wright CB Special teams  1 Gary Anderson K 17 Mitch Berger P 68 Mike Morris LS		Reserve lists 50 Pete Bercich LB (IR) 23 Torrian Gray FS (PUP) 45 John Henry Mills FB (IR) 22 David Palmer RB (IR) 27 Keith Thibodeaux CB (IR) 42 Orlando Thomas FS (IR) Practice squad 50 Antico Dalton LB -- Carlos Jones CB 60 Cory Withrow C Rookies in italics 52 active, 6 inactive, 3 practice squad

References

1. [1]
2. 2009 Minnesota Vikings Media Guide. p. 251. Archived from the original on 2010-12-24. Retrieved 2010-03-06.