Rams–Vikings rivalry
Los Angeles Rams
Minnesota Vikings
| |
| Location | Los Angeles, Minneapolis |
|---|---|
| First meeting | November 5, 1961 Rams 31, Vikings 17[1] |
| Latest meeting | January 13, 2025 Rams 27, Vikings 9[1] |
| Stadiums | Rams: SoFi Stadium Vikings: U.S. Bank Stadium |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 49[1] |
| All-time series | Vikings: 27–20–2[1] |
| Regular season series | Vikings: 22–17–2[1] |
| Postseason results | Vikings: 5–3[1] |
| Largest victory | Rams: 39–3 (1967) Vikings: 35–7 (1966), 38–10 (2009), 34–6 (2014)[1] |
| Most points scored | Rams: 49 (1999) Vikings: 45 (1972)[1] |
| Longest win streak | Rams: 4 (1978–1985, 2018–present) Vikings: 6 (1987–1998)[1] |
| Current win streak | Rams: 4 (2018–present)[1] |
| Post–season history[1] | |
| |
Location of the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings
The Rams–Vikings rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings.[2][3][4]
The rivalry was most heated in the 1970s when the Vikings and Rams faced off in many consequential playoff games.[5][6][7][8][9] To-date, the Vikings are the Rams second most played playoff opponent with eight games and the Rams are the most played playoff opponent for the Vikings.[10]
The Vikings lead the overall series, 27–20–1. The two teams have met eight times in the playoffs, with the Vikings holding a 5–3 lead.[1]
Notable moments and games
- 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.[11]
- 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.[12] 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.
Connections between the two teams
Shortly after the Rams won Super Bowl LVI, the Vikings hired Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell as their new head coach following the firing of Zimmer at the end of the season.[13] 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.
Season-by-season results
| Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings Season-by-Season Results[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1960s (Vikings, 9–6–1)
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1970s (Vikings, 6–5–1)
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1980s (Vikings, 3–1)
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1990s (Vikings, 3–1)
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2000s (Rams, 3–2)
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2010s (Vikings, 4–1)
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2020s (Rams, 3–0)
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Summary of results
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References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "All Matchups, Cleveland/St. Louis/LA Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings". Pro Football Reference.
- ^ Songco, Dijo (May 19, 2020). "Los Angeles Rams' top 5 rivals of all time, ranked". Clutch Points.
- ^ DeArdo, Bryan (September 21, 2021). "Biggest Rivalries of 1970's". CBSSports.
- ^ "Rams, Vikings renew old rivalry Sunday". Hawaii Tribune-Herald. October 4, 1985. p. 2. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Vikings, Rams resume rivalry in TV contest". Arizona Republic. October 24, 1977. p. 8. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Vikings-Rams Resume Rivalry". Indianapolis Star. August 6, 1977. p. 25. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Rams vs. Vikings". Centre Daily Times. October 11, 1978. p. 27. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Rams, Vikes Rekindle Old Rivalry". Sacramento Bee. November 29, 1979. p. 12F. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Rams Seek to Change Viking's Playoff Spell". Daily Oklahoman. December 25, 1977. p. C2. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Los Angeles Rams Top 5 Rivals of All Time ranked". May 19, 2020.
- ^ Florio, Mike (November 15, 2015). "Rams, Vikings rekindle major 1970s rivalry". NBCSports.
- ^ Zucker, Joseph. "Lamarcus Joyner Fined for Hit on Teddy Bridgewater: Latest Details, Reaction". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ Silverman, Steve (December 24, 2021). "Minnesota Vikings Face Familiar Foe As Stafford, 10-4 Rams Offer Major Challenge". Forbes. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
