Comparing the 1998 Vikings to the 2007 Packers | The Squirrel Speaks

You might ask, why would you compare these hated rivals in two different years?

Well...That answer is simple my friend, they have something in common...They are the only two teams to ever lose in overtime of the NFC Championship game. Moreover, both were at Home. And both lost by a field goal.

So how similar were these two teams?

The 1998 Vikings were the most prolific offensive scoring attack in NFL history until this year. They averaged four TDs a game. They had an aging quarterback who everyone thought was past his prime, yet ended up throwing for 3500+ yards and 30+ TDs. (Randall Cunningham) They had a crafty veteran wideout who was accompanied by an explosive young gun. They could run the ball when they needed to, really never needed to, but still had a 1000+ yard rusher. They had one team who always seemed to have their number when they played each other. They also had an ageless kicker from South Africa who seemed to never be able to miss...

The 1998 Vikings were 2nd in the NFL in total offense, were 13th in total defense, and played on a field that was harder than a rock.

The 2007 Packers, on the other hand, were 4th in the NFL in total points. They averaged three TDs a game.

However, they had an aging QB who everyone thought was past his prime, yet still threw for 4000+ yards and 25+ TDs. They had a crafty veteran wideout and a young explosive wideout. They never seemed to need to trun the ball, but still had a 950+ yard rusher. They had one team that they just couldn't beat. Their kicker was a rookie with an atomic leg from Colorado.

The 2007 Packers were 2nd in total offense, 11th in total defense, and played on a field which had fan benches that were harder than rocks.

Each team played on their home turf in the NFC Championship game. The Vikings against a Falcons team who was getting their coach back for motivational support, the Packers a Giants team who's QB had been ridiculed the whole season for inconsistent play. The Packers got lucky with missed Field Goals in regulation. The Vikings were extremely unlucky with field goals in regulation. However, both games came down to the legs of Europeans in overtime, each one resulting in defeat.

The Vikings team at 15-1 definitely had a better year, but these teams were incredibly similar.

Squirrel

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January 21, 2008 04:16 PM ET

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I would say the Viings offense would run over the GB secondary, but Ryan Grant would have a field day on the Vikings defense. I think it would be close, but Randy Moss is too quick for Al Harris and Charles Woodson.

DetroitFan* BS: Next…

The Big House, MI

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January 21, 2008 04:17 PM ET

75 Views?

January 21, 2008 04:20 PM ET

The one thing I've noticed that's not a coincidence, Randy Moss has been on the two most prolific scoring offenses in NFL history...

SS-Our Universe...

The Best City In, MN

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January 21, 2008 04:22 PM ET

Then again, the Vikings MISSED a last second field goal, leading to their OT loss.

The Giants, on the other hand, missed their last second field goal to set up an OT win.

EagleHater: Goodbye,…

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January 21, 2008 04:28 PM ET

I don't know SUper Squirrel, the story seemed a little long if you caych my drift...

Lol

http://fannation.com/blogs/post/121615

January 21, 2008 05:00 PM ET

The Vikings did have the better O, obviously, but I think the Packers have the better team. And I'm a Vikihgs fan.

That Vikings D was flawed, but it was masked by the prolific O. They got early leads, put the other teams in known passing situations, then went after the QB and got lots of INTs and sacks.

If they'd have made the SB, their D was banged up, missing several LBs and a DB. Elway would have picked em apart.