What Is 1968 Minnesota Vikings football team

Overview

The 1968 Minnesota Vikings represented the National Football League's eighth season for the franchise. Competing in the Western Conference, the team struggled to find consistency, finishing with a .500 record of 7 wins and 7 losses. Despite strong defensive performances, they failed to secure a playoff berth for the second consecutive year.

The season reflected a transitional phase for the Vikings, who were building toward their dominant run in the 1970s. Under head coach Bud Grant, the team emphasized a physical, defense-first approach. Though they showed flashes of potential, inconsistent offensive production limited their success.

• 7-7 record: The Vikings ended the 1968 season with an even win-loss record, failing to improve on their 7-7 mark from 1967.
• Bud Grant: In his third year as head coach, Grant continued to shape the team’s identity around disciplined defense and ball control.
• Metropolitan Stadium: The Vikings played all home games at their home field in Bloomington, drawing an average of over 47,000 fans per game.
• Joe Kapp: The starting quarterback threw for 1,726 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, leading a modest passing attack.
• Defense ranked 5th: The unit allowed only 258.4 yards per game, showcasing the foundation of the team’s future success.

How It Works

The 1968 Vikings operated within the NFL’s two-conference structure, aiming to win the Western Conference and reach the NFL Championship Game. Their season consisted of a 14-game regular schedule, with the top teams advancing to the playoffs—though the Vikings fell short.

• Regular Season Structure: The NFL played a 14-game schedule in 1968; the Vikings played 7 home and 7 away games across the Western Conference.
• Western Conference: Included teams like the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Colts, with the winner advancing to the NFL Championship.
• Bud Grant's Leadership: Emphasized defense and field position, using a conservative offensive scheme to complement the strong defensive line.
• Joe Kapp's Role: As quarterback, Kapp managed the offense with moderate stats—1,726 yards, 13 TDs, and a 51.1% completion rate.
• Defensive Strength: The Vikings allowed just 258.4 total yards per game, anchored by future Hall of Famer Carl Eller and linebacker Wally Hilgenberg.
• Missed Playoffs: Despite a strong defense, the team’s 7-7 record placed them third in the conference, behind the Rams and Colts.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1968 Vikings compared to key rivals in the Western Conference:

The table highlights that while the Vikings had a balanced point differential, they lacked the consistency of the dominant Colts and Rams. Their defense was elite, but the offense struggled to score in key moments. This gap prevented them from rising above mediocrity despite solid fundamentals.

Why It Matters

The 1968 season was a pivotal building block in the Vikings' journey toward becoming a perennial contender in the 1970s. Though they missed the playoffs, the development of key players and the coaching philosophy laid the groundwork for future success.

• Foundation for the 1970s: The defensive core developed in 1968 contributed to four Super Bowl appearances in the decade.
• Bud Grant’s System: Established a culture of discipline and toughness that defined the franchise for years.
• Carl Eller’s Emergence: One of the league’s top pass rushers, Eller recorded multiple sacks and forced fumbles.
• Joe Kapp’s Leadership: Provided stability at quarterback, helping younger players adapt to NFL speed.
• Missed Opportunity: A 7-7 record in a competitive conference showed the team was close but not yet elite.
• Historical Context: This season preceded the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, marking one of the last full NFL-only seasons.

The 1968 Minnesota Vikings may not be remembered for championships, but their season was a crucial step in the evolution of a franchise that would soon dominate the NFC.