Brian wolf wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2024 4:15 pm
Good discussion SeahawksFever, but the Chiefs would have shut down Tarkenton in SB IV just like they shut down Kapp, who had a stronger arm and tried to loosen their secondary in the game.
Thats what I was saying about the Dolphins blowing them out in the 73/74 SB; once the Vikings lost their second SB, doubt would creep into their heads, which made it easier for the Steelers and Raiders to beat them later. The Bills went through the same thing after losing their second SB to Washington. They couldnt overcome a certain mentality, and pressed more against the Cowboys, who didnt have their experience.
Awhile back I pondered what would have happened if Fran Tarkenton spent his entire career in Minnesota.
I have a different thought now:
The Vikings may still lose in 1969 because of the matchup with the Chiefs (though they go at least 13-1, if not undefeated in the regular season as one of those losses was to the Giants).
But I think the Vikings could’ve won it all in 1970 with Tarkenton instead of Gary Cuozzo at quarterback.
At face value, sure, the 1970 Vikings went one and done in the playoffs losing to the 49ers with MVP John Brodie (one of the most overlooked seasons there is in my book but that’s for another day).
But consider that the Viking defense held that top ranked 49ers offense to 17 points, and while one of their touchdowns was defensive, the Vikings still lost by only three points.
I think they could’ve won that game with a better quarterback.
If so, they are then facing the Cowboys who were good in 1970, but were starting Craig Morton instead of Roger Staubach. A team they beat in week five of the 1970 season 54-13, and in a game where Staubach attempted more passes than Morton interestingly.
Not saying they blow out Dallas, but I think they could’ve won.
And waiting for them out of the AFC would be the team that barely beat Dallas in Super Bowl V: The 1970 Colts.
A team that appears to be solid, but along with the 2011 Giants, is sometimes referred to as one of the worst Super Bowl champions.
I revise my old opinion, if Fran Tarkenton doesn’t play for the Giants, I think the 1969 Vikings potentially go down as the 2007 Patriots of their generation, and could’ve won it all in 1970.
What’s unfortunate for the Vikings is that the Purple People Eaters were arguably at their best in 1969, 70, and 71, and those were the last three years Tarkenton was in New York. Their defense was still very good in the mid 70’s, but arguably wasn’t as dominant as that three year period.