Opening Days of Years Past
Here's something else that you may enjoy while waiting for Sunday's game. These are all from VikeFans on X.
First Viking game ~ 1961
Opening Day 1961 - First Viking game ever and the very first win against a heavily favored Chicago Bears team. At his point, NFL Films did not even exist, as costs for all highlights for the Vikings were underwritten by Grain Belt Beer. pic.twitter.com/V0eaxKqDge
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1969
Opening Day 1969 - The Vikings visit the NY Giants at Yankee Stadium. MIN leads all day until late when Fran Tarkenton leads the Giants back for a 24-23 win. Joe Kapp was hurt and Gary Cuozzo was at QB for MIN and played well - Tark just played better. This is CBS live TV. pic.twitter.com/KFoCioGpFc
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) September 9, 2026
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1973
Opening Day 1973 - Vikes host a good Raiders team and John Gilliam and rookie Chuck Foreman lead Minnesota to the 24-16 win. pic.twitter.com/KcSzdYHHLZ
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1974 ~ Not opening day, but great pic.
Great action shot of Chuck Foreman catching a Fran Tarkenton pass in the 1974 games vs the Falcons - Viking won 23-10 pic.twitter.com/a9uz8hoP7l
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) September 9, 2026
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1980
Opening day 1980 - The Falcons visit the Met. Tommy Kramer explodes for 395 yards passing and 3 scores, while Ahmad Rashad is the main target with 11 catches for 160. Vikes fall behind late in the 4th but come back to win 24-23 in the end. @NBATVAhmad @Kramer9Tommy pic.twitter.com/iVezJqLc48
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) September 10, 2026
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1982
Opening Day 1982 - The very first regular season game in the Metrodome - a new era of indoor Viking football. Vikes lead from wire to wire and win 17-10. MIN won the turnover battle 4-1. The Metrodome was NOT air conditioned in 1982, but fortunately, it was only 73 outside.… pic.twitter.com/telplRUtXg
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) September 10, 2026
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1983
Opening Day 1983 - The Vikings visit the Browns and a balanced Viking offense, coupled with winning the turnover battle 4-2 resulted in Minnesota leading the entire game and winning 27-21. pic.twitter.com/6ifbD1ViPf
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) September 10, 2026
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1985
Opening Day 1985- Vikings host the World Champion 49ers and SF is elite in every phase of the game, and are the heavy favorite. However, this day marked the return of Bud Grant as Head Coach and his Minnesota team forced SEVEN turnovers in the massive upset! pic.twitter.com/NJ9o0T5MVD
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) September 10, 2026
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1987
Opening Day 1987 - Wade Wilson, Anthony Carter and Leo Lewis lead the Vikings to a 34-19 opening day win vs Detroit. pic.twitter.com/T580Iq87rR
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) September 10, 2026
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1989
Rounding out the 1980s - Opening Day 1989 and the Viking bomb the Houston Oilers and Warren Moon 38-7. Minnesota scores 38 unanswered points after the Oilers jump to a 7-0 lead. The Viking defense was so dominant that the explosive HOU run-and-shoot offense had just 104 yards… pic.twitter.com/QwmFLigvwC
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) September 10, 2026
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1996
Opening Day 1996 - Brad Johnson leads the Viking store the opening day win over Detroit. pic.twitter.com/iVHE8NUQzG
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) September 10, 2026
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
1997
Opening Day 1997 - Brad Johnson is firmly entrenched as the starter, as he team with Cris Carter (2 TD receptions) and Robert Smith (no one ever had a smoother stride) to soundly beat the Bills in Buffalo. @Robert26Smith @criscarter80 pic.twitter.com/tQedJkLDip
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) September 10, 2026
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
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