Cowboys-Vikings rivalry

These teams met for the first time in 1961 when the Vikings joined the league. They always were in different divisions. Minnesota tended to play in the Western Conference, while the Cowboys played their only inaugural season. Most of the time, the Dallas guys played in the East. Vikings played in the Central division after the merger and in the NFC North division since 2002.

The teams played twice in 1961 only. Then the schedule crosses them each two to five years according to the cycling formula. Any other reason to meet more frequently is the playoff game. The first episode happened in 1971 at the divisional stage. The Cowboys rehabilitated for the humiliating debacle last year and kicked the Vikings off. In the championship round, they had overcome their next rivals, the Steelers, and won the Super Bowl.

The Vikings won the 1973 playoff game against the Cowboys but lost the Super Bowl that year. The 1975 Divisional round between these rivals could end in Minnesota’s favor, but Roger Staubach released the 50-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to Drew Pearson. The Cowboys lost the Super Bowl that year. Two years later, the Cowboys became the Super Bowl owners defeating the Vikings in the Conference championship round.

The 1980s presented four games in this rivalry. Even the 1982 player strike didn’t affect it, except that victory was the Cowboy’s single triumph during the decade. The Vikings won all other matches. The 1988 game was notable for the most significant Vikings victory, 43-3. Their next playoff matches happened at Wild Cards in 1996 and 1999. The teams exchanged victories, but nobody reached the decisive round.

The new millennium crossed both teams in some historical moments. That was the last career game for Troy Alkman for the Cowboys in the 2000 and 2007 final competition at Texas Stadium. The Vikings won those matches with difficulties. The 2009 divisional playoff is the latest postseason meeting between these teams. The scandal when the Cowboys player Keith Brooking accused the Vikings’ managers due to a giant score difference of 34-3 followed the game. The Vikings lost the Championship stage to New Orleans Saints.

The 2010s had some memorable moments too. 2010 regular season closed the Vikings Metrodome arena and won the final game there. AT&T Stadium hosted the Vikings in 2013 for the first time, while the 2016 season was the debut of the U.S. Bank Stadium. The Cowboys won both of these games.