The 1993 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 33rd in the National Football League (NFL), and their second under head coach Dennis Green. The Vikings failed to match their 11–5 record from the previous season, finishing at 9–7. They finished in second place in the NFC Central to qualify for the playoffs, but lost 17–10 to the New York Giants in the wildcard round.
Newly acquired Jim McMahon, who was known for helping the Chicago Bears win Super Bowl XX in the 1985 season, was the Vikings starting quarterback for the season. He spent only one year with the team and after the season, the rebuilding Vikings decided not to renew McMahon's contract and he would go on to sign with other teams. The Vikings later acquired Warren Moon for next season.
Cris Carter and John Randle were named to play in the Pro Bowl after the season. It was the first Pro Bowl for both future Hall of Famers. Terry Allen, who had a breakout season the previous year, missed the entire season after tearing his ACL in practice.
Offseason Additions SubtractionsQB Jim McMahon (Eagles) QB Rich Gannon (Redskins)LB Fred Strickland (Rams) G Brian Habib (Broncos) WR Hassan Jones (Chiefs) C Kirk Lowdermilk (Colts) LB Mike Merriweather (Jets) RB Darrin Nelson (retirement) DE Al Noga (Redskins) T Gary Zimmerman (Broncos) S Felix Wright (Chiefs)
1993 draft
=Pro Bowler
1993 Minnesota Vikings DraftDraft orderPlayer namePositionCollegeNotesRoundSelection121Robert SmithRunning backOhio State252Qadry IsmailWide receiverSyracuse357John GerakGuardPenn StateFrom Patriots, via Raiders and Seahawks79Gilbert BrownDefensive tackleKansas4106Ashley SheppardLinebackerClemson5133Everett LindsayOffensive tackleOle Miss6160Traded to the Washington Redskins7192Gino TorrettaQuarterbackMiami (FL)8219Traded to the San Francisco 49ers Notes:
Undrafted free agents
+ 1993 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeRon CarpenterSMiami (OH)Matt EllerDEBethel (MN)Eric Guliford WRArizona StateDave GarnettLBStanfordShawn JonesSGeorgia TechRobert StatenFBJackson State
Staff
Roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Notes 1 August 1 at Dallas Cowboys W 13–7 1–0 Texas Stadium 60,010 2 August 7 Buffalo Bills W 20–6 2–0 Olympiastadion, Berlin 67,132 American Bowl 3 August 14 Seattle Seahawks W 23–10 3–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 42,240 4 August 21 at Kansas City Chiefs L 20–27 3–1 Arrowhead Stadium 73,080 5 August 26 Pittsburgh Steelers W 30–13 4–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 41,512
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 5 at Los Angeles Raiders L 24–7 0–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 44,120 2 September 12 Chicago Bears W 10–7 1–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 57,921 3 Bye 4 September 26 Green Bay Packers W 15–13 2–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 61,746 5 October 3 at San Francisco 49ers L 38–19 2–2 Candlestick Park 63,071 6 October 10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 15–0 3–2 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 54,215 7 Bye 8 October 25 at Chicago Bears W 19–12 4–2 Soldier Field 64,677 9 October 31 Detroit Lions L 30–27 4–3 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 53,428 10 November 7 San Diego Chargers L 30–17 4–4 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 55,527 11 November 14 at Denver Broncos W 26–23 5–4 Mile High Stadium 67,329 12 November 21 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 23–10 5–5 Tampa Stadium 40,848 13 November 28 New Orleans Saints L 17–14 5–6 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 53,030 14 December 5 at Detroit Lions W 13–0 6–6 Silverdome 63,216 15 December 12 Dallas Cowboys L 37–20 6–7 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,321 16 December 19 at Green Bay Packers W 21–17 7–7 Milwaukee County Stadium 54,773 17 December 26 Kansas City Chiefs W 30–10 8–7 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 59,236 18 December 31 at Washington Redskins W 14–9 9–7 Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium 42,836
Game summaries
Week 4: vs Green Bay Packers
Standings
Postseason Week Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Attendance Wild Card January 9 at New York Giants (#4) L 17–10 0–1 Giants Stadium 75,089
Statistics
Team leaders Category Player(s) Value Passing yards Jim McMahon 1,968 Passing touchdowns Jim McMahonSean Salisbury 9 Rushing yards Scottie Graham 488 Rushing touchdowns Scottie Graham 3 Receiving yards Cris Carter 1,071 Receiving touchdowns Cris Carter 9 Points Fuad Reveiz 105 Kickoff return yards Qadry Ismail 902 Punt return yards Eric Guliford 212 Tackles Fred Strickland 110 Sacks Chris DolemanJohn Randle 12.5 Interceptions Vencie Glenn 5 Forced fumbles Roy BarkerChris DolemanCarlos JenkinsJohn Randle 3
League rankings Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank Passing offense 3,200 200.0 14th Rushing offense 1,624 101.5 21st Total offense 4,824 301.5 17th Passing defense 2,870 179.4 6th Rushing defense 1,536 96.0 6th Total defense 4,406 275.4 1st
References