Throwback Ten: Week 12

Each week throughout the 2015 NFL Season, ProFootballHOF.com will preserve some history by taking a look back at a matchup from the weekend’s schedule.

The Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons battle during a Week 12 NFC showdown. The outcome of this game will surely play a role in the NFC playoff picture as both teams are fighting for playoff spots.

To help put this Sunday afternoon’s matchup into perspective, here are 10 quick historical notes about the Vikings-Falcons series.

1.

Minnesota and Atlanta have faced each other 26 times during the regular season. The Vikings lead the series 16-10.  

2.

The first time the two clubs faced off was on Dec. 4, 1966 in Minnesota. The then-expansion Falcons won their second game in franchise history with a 20-13 defeat of the Vikings. Bob Riggle returned one of Atlanta’s five interceptions that day 68-yards for touchdown.

3.

Vikings defensive end Randy Holloway set Minnesota’s single-game sack record by sacking Steve Bartkowski five times on Sept. 16, 1984. The Vikings won 27-20.

4.

The Vikings have won all four of the franchises’ meetings on the Kickoff Weekend (1968, 1980, 1999 and 2007).

5.

The two franchises have only met twice during the postseason. That series record is tied 1-1. Both games were played at the Metrodome with the Vikings being the favorites to win.

6.

The first time they met in the postseason was after the strike-shortened 1982 season. The Falcons led 21–16 after three quarters, but Vikings rallied for 30–24 win. Oddly, all 24 of Atlanta’s points were scored on special teams and the defense (blocked punt for TD, fake field for TD, FG and an interception return for TD).

7.

Then, in one of the most memorable NFC championship games in NFL history, Atlanta (14-2) traveled to Minnesota (15–1) for the right to go to Super Bowl XXXIII. The Falcons upset highly favored Vikings 30–27, in overtime.

8.

Quarterback Michael Vick leads all single-game rushers in this series with 173 rushing yards on just 10 carries. The Falcons won the Dec. 1, 2002 matchup 30-24.

9. 

Overall in this series, the Vikings boast a dominate 11-4 record at home, while the Falcons virtually have no home field advantage with just a 6-7 record in Atlanta.

10.

This series will take place for the last time at the Georgia Dome (pictured below) as the Falcons will move into the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium next season. The other stadiums to host a game in this series are Metropolitan Stadium, Atlanta Stadium, the Metrodome, the Georgia Dome and TCF Bank Stadium.