The Rams–Vikings rivalry is an NFL rivalry between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings.[1][2][3]
Quick Facts First meeting, Latest meeting ...
Rams–Vikings rivalry |
First meeting | November 5, 1961 Rams 31, Vikings 17 |
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Latest meeting | December 26, 2021 Rams 30, Vikings 23 |
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Next meeting | October 24, 2024 |
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Meetings total | 47 |
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All-time series | Vikings, 27–18–2 |
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Postseason results | Vikings, 5–2
- Most recent
January 23, 2000 Rams 49, Vikings 37 |
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Largest victory | Rams, 39–3 (1967) |
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Longest win streak | Vikings, 6 (1987–1998) |
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Current win streak | Rams, 2 |
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The rivalry was most heated in the 1970s when the Vikings and Rams faced off in many consequential playoff games.[4][5][6][7][8] To-date, the Vikings are the Rams second most played playoff opponent with seven games and the Rams are tied with the Cowboys as the most played playoff opponent for the Vikings.[9]
The Vikings lead the all-time series 27–18–1 and are 5–2 in the playoffs.
- The 1972 game was the highest-scoring game of the year for both of those teams, as Fran Tarkenton of the Vikings threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns. For his part, Roman Gabriel of the Rams would complete 25 passes in the game, which at that time was his second-highest career total ever in that category.
- Playing inside a mud-soaked Los Angeles Coliseum in the divisional round of the '77 playoffs, the Vikings jumped out to a 14–0 lead before holding on for a 14–7 victory. Despite the mud, both teams found considerable traction in their running games. Rams running back Lawrence McCutcheon and Vikings running back Chuck Foreman each rushing for over 100 yards.[10]
- In 1985, it was a defensive battle, as all of the first half scoring came on two Rams field goals to give them a 6–0 lead. Eric Dickerson then scored a touchdown in the third quarter to make it 13–0. The Vikings mounted a bit of a comeback, scoring on a Ted Brown touchdown run and a Jan Stenerud field goal, but it wasn't quite enough as the Rams held on to win 13–10.
- In 2015, the Vikings defeated the Rams 21–18 in overtime following an illegal hit to Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater by Rams' cornerback Lamarcus Joyner.[11] Mike Zimmer famously declined receiving the ball in overtime after winning the toss due to favorable wind conditions for a possible game-winning kick. The Vikings ended up stopping the Rams, getting the ball, and kicking a game winning field goal.
Shortly after the Rams won Super Bowl LVI, the Vikings hired their offensive coordinator, Kevin O'Connell, to serve as their new head coach following the firing of Zimmer at season's end.[12] O'Connell brought several assistants from the Rams to work with him in Minnesota, with the most notable one being current Vikings offensive coordinator and former Rams tight end coach Wes Phillips.
More information Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings season-by-season results, Season ...
Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings season-by-season results |
Season | Season series | at Los Angeles Rams | at Minnesota Vikings | Overall series | Notes |
1961 |
Tie 1–1 |
Rams 31–17 |
Vikings 42–21 |
Tie 1–1 |
Vikings join NFL as an expansion team and are placed in the Western Conference. |
1962 |
Vikings 1–0–1 |
Vikings 38–14 |
Tie 24–24 |
Vikings 2–1–1 |
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1963 |
Tie 1–1 |
Rams 27–24 |
Vikings 21–13 |
Vikings 3–2–1 |
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1964 |
Tie 1–1 |
Rams 22–13 |
Vikings 34–13 |
Vikings 4–3–1 |
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1965 |
Vikings 2–0 |
Vikings 38–35 |
Vikings 24–13 |
Vikings 6–3–1 |
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1966 |
Tie 1–1 |
Rams 21–6 |
Vikings 35–7 |
Vikings 7–4–1 |
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1967 |
Rams 1–0 |
Rams 39–3 |
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Vikings 7–5–1 |
Vikings are moved to the Central Division. |
1968 |
Rams 1–0 |
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Rams 31–3 |
Vikings 7–6–1 |
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1969 |
Vikings 1–0 |
Vikings 20–13 |
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Vikings 8–6–1 |
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1969 Playoffs |
Vikings 1–0 |
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Vikings 23–20 |
Vikings 9–6–1 |
NFL Western Conference Championship Game |
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Season | Results | Location | Overall series | Notes |
2012 |
Vikings 36–22 |
Edward Jones Dome |
Vikings 24–16–2 |
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2014 |
Vikings 34–6 |
Edward Jones Dome |
Vikings 25–16–2 |
Final meeting at Edward Jones Dome. |
2015 |
Vikings 21–18(OT) |
TCF Bank Stadium |
Vikings 26–16–2 |
First meeting at TCF Bank Stadium. Final meeting between the Vikings and St. Louis Rams as the Rams relocated to Los Angeles following the season. |
2017 |
Vikings 24–7 |
U.S. Bank Stadium |
Vikings 27–16–2 |
First meeting at US Bank Stadium, and the first meeting since 1992 between the Vikings and Los Angeles Rams. |
2018 |
Rams 38–31 |
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
Vikings 27–17–2 |
Rams use the L.A. Coliseum as a temporary home while SoFi Stadium is under construction. |
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Season | Season series | at Los Angeles/STL Rams | at Minnesota Vikings | Notes |
Regular season |
Vikings 22–16–2 |
Rams 12–10 |
Vikings 12–4–2 |
Vikings won the series in St. Louis 4–3. |
Postseason |
Vikings 5–2 |
Rams 2–1 |
Vikings 4–0 |
NFC Wild Card Round: 1988; NFC Divisional Round: 1977, 1978, 1999; NFL Western Conference Championship Game; 1969; NFC Championship Game: 1974, 1976 |
Regular and postseason |
Vikings 27–18–2 |
Rams 14–11 |
Vikings 16–4–2 |
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"Rams vs. Vikings". Centre Daily Times. October 11, 1978. p. 27. Retrieved 2023-05-16 – via newspapers.com.