One week before the Vikings host the Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium to open 2023, fans in the Twin Cities can rewatch the 1998 Vikings hosting the Buccaneers at the Metrodome to begin that historic season.
Vikings Replay will air that 1998 season opener from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. (CT) Sunday on WFTC FOX 9+.
Mark Rosen and Tatum Everett will serve as hosts for the program that is scheduled to feature appearances by Brad Johnson, Robert Griffith, Robert Smith, Cris Carter, John Randle and Pete Bercich.
View the best photos of Vikings legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss.
Johnson threw the first two of 156 career touchdown catches by rookie Randy Moss in that opener. Johnson became the first member of Randy’s QB Club, a group of 13 quarterbacks who combined for 13 dozen touchdowns hauled in by the Hall of Famer.
When Moss joined Carter in the Vikings Ring of Honor, Carter shared the memory of Moss’ pregame meal that day: "a box of Hot Tamales and a Coke."
A broken ankle suffered in Week 2 forced Johnson to miss most of the rest of the season and prevented him from adding to his touchdown tally, but he'll always have the moments that helped launched Moss' career and the historic 15-1 season. The Vikings outscored opponents by 260 points (556 to 296).
View the Vikings rookie records for most receptions during a season.
No. 1 Justin Jefferson, 2020
- 88 Receptions, Season
No. 2 Jordan Addison, 2023
- 70 Receptions, Season
No. 3 Randy Moss, 1998
- 69 Receptions, Season
No. 4 Percy Harvin, 2009
- 60 Receptions, Season
No. 5 Stefon Diggs, 2015
- 52 Receptions, Season
No. 6 Paul Flatley, 1963
- 51 Receptions, Season
From left: Chicago Bears coach George Halas; Minnesota Vikings player Paul Flatley, and New York Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle. The three were name, respectively, Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Player of the Year.
No. 7 Sammy White, 1976
- 51 Receptions, Season
No. 8 Cordarrelle Patterson, 2013
- 45 Receptions, Season
No. 9 Chuck Foreman (RB), 1973
- 37 Receptions, Season
No. 10 Irv Smith, Jr. (TE), 2019
- 36 Receptions, Season
Despite cruising through Tampa Bay for a 31-7 win in Week 1, the Buccaneers wound up being the only team to top the Vikings (27-24 in Week 9). Minnesota responded with eight wins to close the regular season and prevailed in the Divisional Round over Arizona before falling to Atlanta (30-27 in overtime) in the NFC Championship.
Enjoy revisiting that magical season with Johnson, Griffith, Smith, Carter, Randle and Bercich as you prep for Minnesota's 2023 opener at U.S. Bank Stadium.
