The greatest flop of a season in the 58-year history of the Vikings came to a bitter end with a home-field shellacking from a geographic and divisional rival. A season that started with gigantic expectations based on adding a high-profile quarterback to a tremendous defense ended in disgusting mediocrity.
And, dang, it was cold outside.
The Vikings had played magnificent defense in 1971, so much so that tackle Alan Page became the first defensive player to be voted as NFL MVP.
Yet, with eight starts for Gary Cuozzo, four for Bobby Lee and two for Norm Snead, the quarterback situation was chaotic. On Christmas Day, Dallas came to Met Stadium, starter Lee and reliever Cuozzo totaled four interceptions, and the Cowboys walked out with a 20-12 playoff victory.
Patchwork at quarterback … it had to change.
Fran Tarkenton's five-year stay with the New York Giants had fallen into discord. He had held out briefly in a contract dispute, then the Giants went 4-10. Tarkenton passed for 11 touchdowns, threw 21 interceptions and had a quarterback rating of 65.4.
Francis said he wanted a chance to play for a winner. The Vikings wanted a starting quarterback. He came back to Minnesota in a trade with the Giants on Jan. 27, 1972.
He was greeted at the airport by emissaries from Twin City Federal and, within hours, there were TV ads with Tarkenton counseling Minnesotans to either save or borrow money from that institution.