Throwback Game of the Week - BAL @ MIN
Week 6: Baltimore at Minnesota
Since the Ravens are relatively new to the NFL scene and reside in a different conference than the Vikings, there’s not much of a rivalry between Baltimore and Minnesota. Yet! That could all change this weekend. The Ravens and Vikings rank among the top of the NFL in 2009 which makes Sunday’s contest a battle of great importance. It will also marks the first time that the Ravens have made an appearance in Minnesota.
The Ravens and Vikings meet on Sunday for just the fourth time ever and the first time in four seasons. Minnesota won the initial meeting in 1998 while Baltimore defeated the Vikings in 2001 and 2005.
First Time:
Dec. 13, 1998 – The Vikings downed the Ravens in Baltimore 38-28. The game’s first three touchdowns came on kickoff returns. See Throwback Game below.
Last Time:
Dec. 25, 2005 – The Baltimore Ravens delivered a Christmas present to their fans with a 30-23 win while eliminating the Minnesota Vikings from the playoffs. Baltimore’s Kyle Boller threw 3 TDs while Derrick Mason caught 9 balls for 103 yards.
Hall of Fame Members
The Ravens do not yet have any long-time members of its organization enshrined in Canton. However, Class of 2009 enshrinee Rod Woodson played four seasons in Baltimore and captured his only Super Bowl ring while a member of the Ravens. Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens General Manager & Executive Vice President was enshrined after a stellar 13-season career as a tight end for the Cleveland Browns. The Vikings have nine Hall of Famers that include guard Randall McDaniel who was enshrined last August. In addition, five other enshrinees played briefly with Minnesota.
Records found in the NFL Record Book
Baltimore set the single-game record for yardage on kickoff returns against the Vikings on Dec. 13, 1998. The Ravens returned kickoffs for a total of 367 yards to break the mark of 362 yards set by the Detroit Lions in a game in 1950.
The Minnesota Vikings are the only team in NFL history that has attempted more than 700 passes in a season. The 1981 Vikings set the NFL mark with 709 throws. Leading the way in ’81 for Minnesota was QB Tommy Kramer with 593 attempts. Other Vikings passes that year came from Steve Dils (102), Wade Wilson (13) and Ted Brown (1).
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| Anderson’s six FGs against Baltimore helped him set a NFL record that day as he converted his 36th straight field goal. He ran the string to 40 but that mark has since been broken. |
The Vikings entered this late season game at 13-1. With a division title already clinched,Minnesota had their eye on getting the NFC’s best record to secure home field advantage. The Ravens, in just their third season, were playing for pride as they entered Week 15 with a 5-9 record.
Gary Anderson kicked six field goals for the Vikings as Minnesota downed Baltimore 38-28. However, following both of his first two field goals, the Ravens returned the ensuing kickoffs for touchdowns and a 14-6 lead. Finally, the Vikings joined in the fun with an 88-yard kickoff return for a TD to narrow the lead.
The three kickoffs returned for the TDs set an NFL record. When the teams weren’t returning kickoffs for scores, they engaged their offenses effectively. The Vikings were led by quarterback Randall Cunningham who threw for 345 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Ravens’ Floyd Turner matched a career-best 10 receptions for 147 yards and one TD.
| Minnesota | 12 | 13 | 10 | 3 | - | 38 |
| Baltimore | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 | - | 28 |
| A– 69,074 | ||||||
| MIN – FG Anderson 43 | ||||||
| BAL – Harris 95 kickoff return (Stover kick) | ||||||
| MIN – FG Anderson 31 | ||||||
| BAL – Johnson 97 kickoff return (Stover kick) | ||||||
| MIN – Palmer 88 kickoff return (pass failed) | ||||||
| MIN – FG Anderson 45 | ||||||
| MIN – Moss 17 pass from Cunningham (Anderson kick) | ||||||
| MIN – FG Anderson 24 | ||||||
| MIN – FG Anderson 46 | ||||||
| MIN – Carter 11 pass from Cunningham (Anderson kick) | ||||||
| BAL – Turner 42 pass from Harbaugh (bad snap) | ||||||
| MIN – FG Anderson 20 | ||||||
| BAL – Holmes 2 run (Turner pass from Harbaugh) | ||||||
More Ravens and Vikings on Profootballhof.com
Team histories
Baltimore | Minnesota
Photos
Vikings RBs
Hall of Fame Vikings
Ravens’ 1st round draft picks
First Ravens team, 1996
Artifacts
Paul Krause sets interception record
Cris Carter’s helmet
Ed Reed’s shoes
Baltimore Ravens commemorative Super Bowl XXXV crystal trophy
Some other stories on Ravens and Vikings
Fran Tarkenton sparks Vikings debut, 1961
Cris Carter’s memorable 1994 season
Ed Reed’s record-setting year in ’04
Peterson and Lewis have best two single-game rushing performances
Christmas Day games