The 1990 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 30th in the National Football League. Under head coach Jerry Burns, they finished with a 6–10 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1986. The Vikings went 1–6 through their first seven games, including a five-game losing streak. They then won their next five (including a 41–13 win over the eventual NFC Central champion Chicago Bears in Week 12) to get back to 6–6 and give themselves a shot at a wild card spot in the playoffs; however, the Vikings lost their final four games to finish at 6–10. While their overall record was tied with three other teams in the division, the Vikings' 4–8 record against fellow NFC teams meant they finished bottom of the NFC Central. It was the first time since 1984 Minnesota finished last in the division, and the second since 1968.
Notable additions to the team this season were wide receiver Cris Carter, and undrafted defensive lineman John Randle, both of whom went on to have Hall of Fame careers.
Injuries to the defense and a lackluster season from Herschel Walker were the story of the team's season.
Offseason 1990 draft
Pro Bowler
1990 Minnesota Vikings Draft Draft order Player name Position College Notes Round Selection121Traded to the Dallas Cowboys247Traded to the Dallas Cowboys354Mike JonesTight endTexas A&M From Cowboys74Marion HobbyDefensive endTennessee4104Alonzo HamptonDefensive backPittsburgh5116Reggie ThorntonWide receiverBowling GreenFrom Chargers, via Cowboys131Cedric SmithFullbackFlorida6158Traded to the Dallas Cowboys7188John LevelisLinebackerC. W. Post8214Craig SchlichtingDefensive endWyoming9241 Terry AllenRunning backClemson10249Pat NewmanWide receiverUtah StateFrom Cowboys271Donald SmithDefensive backLiberty11298Traded to the Los Angeles Raiders12324Ron GoetzLinebackerMinnesota Notes:
Undrafted free agents
+ 1990 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegePat EilersSafetyNotre DameTim PetersonQuarterbackWisconsin–StoutJohn RandleDefensive tackleTexas A&M–Kingsville
Staff
Roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 August 11 New Orleans Saints L 10–13 0–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 48,154 2 August 19 at Cleveland Browns W 23–20 1–1 Cleveland Stadium 60,989 3 August 26 Houston Oilers W 22–21 2–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 46,191 4 August 31 at Miami Dolphins W 20–17 3–1 Joe Robbie Stadium 44,689
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 9 at Kansas City Chiefs L 21–24 0–1 Arrowhead Stadium 68,363 2 September 16 New Orleans Saints W 32–3 1–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 56,272 3 September 23 at Chicago Bears L 16–19 1–2 Soldier Field 65,420 4 September 30 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 20–23 1–3 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 54,462 5 October 7 Detroit Lions L 27–34 1–4 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 57,586 6 October 15 at Philadelphia Eagles L 24–32 1–5 Veterans Stadium 66,296 7 Bye 8 October 28 at Green Bay Packers L 10–24 1–6 Milwaukee County Stadium 55,125 9 November 4 Denver Broncos W 27–22 2–6 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 57,331 10 November 11 at Detroit Lions W 17–7 3–6 Silverdome 68,264 11 November 18 at Seattle Seahawks W 24–21 4–6 Kingdome 59,735 12 November 25 Chicago Bears W 41–13 5–6 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 58,866 13 December 2 Green Bay Packers W 23–7 6–6 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 62,058 14 December 9 at New York Giants L 15–23 6–7 Giants Stadium 76,121 15 December 16 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 13–26 6–8 Tampa Stadium 47,272 16 December 22 Los Angeles Raiders L 24–28 6–9 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 53,899 17 December 30 San Francisco 49ers L 17–20 6–10 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 51,590
Game summaries Week 1: at Kansas City Chiefs
Standings
Statistics Team leaders Category Player(s) Value Passing yards Rich Gannon 2,278 Passing touchdowns Rich Gannon 16 Rushing yards Herschel Walker 770 Rushing touchdowns Herschel Walker 5 Receiving yards Anthony Carter 1,008 Receiving touchdowns Anthony Carter 8 Points Donald Igwebuike 61 Kickoff return yards Herschel Walker 966 Punt return yards Leo Lewis 180 Tackles Henry Thomas 109 Sacks Chris Doleman 11.0 Interceptions Joey Browner 7 Forced fumbles Chris Doleman 4
League rankings Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank Passing offense 3,167 197.9 11th Rushing offense 1,867 116.7 15th Total offense 5,034 314.6 12th Passing defense 2,643 165.2 3rd Rushing defense 2,074 129.6 21st Total defense 4,717 294.8 13th
Awards and honors Randall McDaniel, NFC Pro Bowl selection Randall McDaniel, All-Pro selection by Associated Press Randall McDaniel, All-NFC selection by UPI
References