Minnesota Vikings

Founding and Early Years

• The Minnesota Vikings were founded in 1960 and began play in the 1961 NFL season as an expansion team.

• The franchise was awarded to a group of Minneapolis businessmen, led by Bill Boyer, H. P. Skoglund, and Max Winter.

• The name “Vikings” was chosen to honor the region’s large Scandinavian-American heritage and to symbolize strength and bravery.

• The team’s colors—purple, gold, and white—and the Viking horn logo became iconic quickly.

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The Purple People Eaters Era (1968–1977)

• The late 1960s and 1970s defined the Vikings as a powerhouse under legendary head coach Bud Grant (1967–1983).

• They were known for their ferocious defense nicknamed the “Purple People Eaters” (Alan Page, Carl Eller, Jim Marshall, and Gary Larsen).

• During this era, the Vikings made four Super Bowl appearances (IV, VIII, IX, XI) but unfortunately lost all four (to the Chiefs, Dolphins, Steelers, and Raiders).

• Despite the losses, the Vikings built a reputation for toughness, discipline, and consistency.

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1980s: Post-Grant Transition

• Bud Grant briefly retired in 1983, returned in 1985, and then handed over permanently to Jerry Burns (1986–1991).

• The team had playoff appearances, most notably the 1987 NFC Championship Game, where they lost narrowly to Washington after an upset run through the playoffs.

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1990s: The High-Powered Offense

• The Vikings became known for their explosive offenses, led by QBs like Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham, and later Daunte Culpepper.

• The 1998 season was historic:

  • Rookie Randy Moss joined Cris Carter to form one of the best WR duos ever.

  • The Vikings went 15–1, setting an NFL record for points at the time.

  • They lost in the NFC Championship Game to the Atlanta Falcons in overtime, one of the most heartbreaking losses in team history.

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2000s: Rebuilding and Drama

• The early 2000s were turbulent with coaching changes and inconsistent results.

• The team drafted Adrian Peterson in 2007, who became one of the greatest RBs in NFL history and the 2012 NFL MVP after rushing for 2,097 yards (just eight yards short of the all-time record).

• In 2009, with veteran QB Brett Favre, the Vikings reached the NFC Championship Game but lost to the New Orleans Saints in overtime.

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2010s: New Stadium and Zimmer Era

• In 2014, Mike Zimmer became head coach, bringing a defensive mindset.

• The Vikings moved into U.S. Bank Stadium in 2016, a state-of-the-art indoor venue in downtown Minneapolis.

• The highlight was the 2017 season, when QB Case Keenum led the team to a 13–3 record.

• That postseason produced the legendary “Minneapolis Miracle” (Stefon Diggs’ last-second TD vs. the Saints in the Divisional Round).

• They lost in the NFC Championship Game to the Philadelphia Eagles.

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2020s: Cousins, Jefferson, and a New Era

• QB Kirk Cousins (signed in 2018) gave the team stability, including a playoff win over the Saints in 2019.

• WR Justin Jefferson, drafted in 2020, quickly became one of the best receivers in the NFL, winning Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.

• In 2022, the Vikings went 13–4 under new head coach Kevin O’Connell, known for their league-leading number of close wins. They were upset in the Wild Card round by the Giants.

• The team is currently in a transitional phase, looking toward the future with young talent while moving past the Cousins era (he left in 2024).

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Legacy

• Super Bowls: 0 wins, 4 appearances

• NFC Championships: 4

• Division Titles: 20+

• Known for passionate fans, the “Skol” chant, and a reputation for heartbreaking playoff losses alongside consistent competitiveness.

• Despite never winning a Super Bowl, the Vikings remain one of the most recognizable and respected franchises in the NFL.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns NFL London Game on Sunday, 5 October 2025—an exciting part of the NFL International Series.

Game Overview

• Matchup: Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns

• Date & Time: Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. BST (8:30 a.m. Central Time)

• Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London — the only purpose-built NFL venue outside the U.S.

• Broadcast: Available on NFL Network

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Context & Significance

• This marks the first time the Browns serve as the designated “home” team in London since the 2017 International Series; they’ve only faced the Vikings once before overseas

• The Vikings return for their second consecutive season at Tottenham and fifth overall in London

• The NFL is launching an even larger international push in 2025, with seven games outside the U.S., including matchups in Dublin, London, Berlin, and Madrid

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Attendance & Tickets

• The NFL London Series typically sells out quickly, with Tottenham capacity often met months in advance.

• Premium VIP Tickets & Hospitality Packages are available from Eventmasters Official resellers for Tottenham Hotspur

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Why It’s a Must-Watch

• The Vikings are on a roll internationally, holding a 4–0 record in London games to date.

• The Browns-Vikings clash brings together two compelling storylines:

  • New quarterback dynamics for Minnesota with J.J. McCarthy taking the helm after a strong debut

  • A fresh start for the Browns under Kevin Stefanski, aiming to rebound from a 2024 playoff miss and improve from a 3–14 record.

• A recent season preview projects the Vikings finishing at 12–5—victory in this matchup is a key forecasted component

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Summary Table

 

Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns Hospitality – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – NFL London 2025 On sale now