1975 NFC Championship Game
A lead lost in seconds; the fumble that denied Minnesota a Super Bowl berth.
The 1975 NFC Championship Game stands as one of the most painful and defining moments in Minnesota Vikings history, often referred to by fans simply as "The Fumble." Played on December 28, 1975, at Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, the contest pitted the Vikings against the Dallas Cowboys for a spot in Super Bowl X. Despite holding a commanding lead late in the fourth quarter, the game ended in a stunning collapse that denied the franchise its first-ever trip to the Super Bowl.
- Date
- December 28, 1975
- Location
- Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
- Opponent
- Dallas Cowboys
- Final Score
- Vikings 6, Cowboys 14 (OT)
- Key Incident
- Fred Cox's fumble on fourth down
- Game Status
- NFC Championship
Lore & Background
The narrative of the game is defined by its tragic ending rather than its dominant first three quarters. With the Vikings leading 6-0 late in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys drove down the field to tie the game and force overtime. In the final minutes of regulation, a critical fumble by running back Fred Cox on a fourth-down play sealed their fate, handing possession to Dallas. The subsequent loss in overtime became a symbol of "almost," haunting the franchise's identity for years.
In Their Own Story
The biting cold of late December settled over Metropolitan Stadium as the clock wound down on regulation. The air was thick with anticipation and the smell of popcorn, but inside the huddle, tension was palpable. Fred Cox took the snap, his eyes fixed on the gap, but a sudden collision sent the ball skittering across the frozen turf. Time seemed to freeze as the Cowboys' defenders dove for the loose leather. The roar of the crowd turned into a collective gasp, then silence, as the dream of Super Bowl X evaporated in an instant.
Reader's Guide
The game context was high stakes: the Vikings, undefeated at 12-0, faced the perennial powerhouse Dallas Cowboys to decide who would represent the NFC. For three quarters, Minnesota's defense held firm, limiting Dallas to a single field goal while Fran Tarkenton managed the clock expertly. The turning point arrived in the dying seconds of regulation with the Vikings leading 6-0. On fourth down from their own 27-yard line, Fred Cox fumbled after being hit by a Cowboys defender. The ball rolled into the hands of Dallas, setting up a game-winning drive that forced overtime. In overtime, the Cowboys marched down the field and kicked the winning field goal, ending the Vikings' season. This match remains etched in fan memory not for the skill displayed, but for the heartbreak of losing a seemingly secure victory due to one catastrophic error.
Did You Know?
- The 1975 Vikings were the first team in NFL history to reach the NFC Championship with an undefeated regular-season record.
- Fran Tarkenton was named the NFL MVP for the 1975 season, making the loss even more poignant.
- This game marked the final time the Vikings played at Metropolitan Stadium before moving to the Metrodome.
- The Cowboys' victory in this game set up their Super Bowl X matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.