So I read Gonzo’s post about the Eric Guliford game, which was a great moment in this storied rivalry, and I thought—What are the top games or moments in the Vikings Packers rivalry?  Now admittedly, most of these games are from the 1990’s and the aughts for a few reasons.  The 1960’s was a decade pretty much dominated by the Packers, the 70’s was dominated pretty much by the Vikings, and both teams pretty much sucked in the 1980’s.  It wasn’t until the 1990’s that Minnesota and Green Bay have both fielded competitive, talented teams, and both franchises, for the most part, have been equals on the field.  With arguably the most anticipated Vikings-Packers game ever coming up on Monday, I thought it might be nice to look back on some memorable moments and contests from the most bitter border war in the NFL.  I wanted to rank order them, but they’re all special to me, so I’ll leave it to you guys to pick what was your most favorite moment.

1964, at Green Bay.  Minnesota 24, Packers 23.  This was the first-ever Vikings victory over the dynasty of the 1960’s.  Vince Lombardi was in his 6th year as the Packers coach and had two NFL titles, with more on the way.  The Norm Van Brocklin led Vikings were in their fourth year of existence and were just looking for some respect.  Fred Cox kicked a late field goal to give the Vikings a win, and Minnesota would end the season at 8-5-1, their first winning record in team history.

1966, at Green Bay.  Vikes 20, Green Bay 17.  Minnesota scored 10 points on the road in the fourth quarter to beat what was the NFL’s juggernaut, making this the most stunning upset for the Vikings in the series.  The Packers were in the middle of dominating the 1960’s, and would go on to win the now mythological ‘Ice Bowl’ game and then Super Bowl I later that season.  The Vikings?  A forgettable 4-9-1 record, and the first ‘schism’ in Vikings history.  Fran Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants because he and Van Brocklin couldn’t co-exist.  Then Van Brocklin retired…but didn’t, as he ended up coaching the Falcons.  The Vikings hired a little known CFL coach named Bud Grant.  The tide was about to turn. 

1968, Vikings sweep season series.  This was a milestone event for both franchises in a couple of ways.  Bud Grant was starting to shape the Vikings into one of the NFL/NFC’s most dominant teams, and Vince Lombardi had left the Packers for Washington.  1968 was a symbolic passing of the torch for the franchises, as the Packers began a slow descent into a hell of Lynn Dickey, David Whitehurst, Terdell Middleton, et al, while the Vikings were forming the nucleus of the now legendary Purple People Eaters, and the golden era of Minnesota Vikings football. 

The 1970’s.  I got nothing.  It was during the 1970’s that the Green Bay Packers began playing more of their home games at the old Milwaukee County Stadium, because, well, they sucked and couldn’t fill up Lambeau.  True or not, it makes a good story.  Let’s viral this!!  Little known fact:  The only two stadiums where both teams were on the same sideline were Met Stadium and…anyone…Milwaukee County Stadium.  The only highlight of significance was John Brockington of the Packers (I swear it was Brockington but I could be wrong) running down the far sideline of the Met late in the season from left to right on you TV dial, not being able to slow down, and falling over the rolled up tarp and smacking his legs into a chain link fence.  He really hurt himself on that play, as I recall.  If anyone with a better memory of this than I do, please share.  I was still a kid when that happened. 

1986, at Minnesota.  Vikes crush the Pack 42-7.  Tommy Kramer threw a career best 6 TD passes-- two each to Hassan Jones and Steve Jordan-- as the Vikes scored 28 first quarter points and cruised.  And that’s about it for the 1980’s.  I wish I had more, I really do, but it was a pretty forgettable decade for both teams.  And I gotta be honest, I moved away from Minnesota, went to college, and invested most of my spare time drinking and chasing women.  Had to mention 2 minute Tommy, though.  Loved the guy.  And Hassan Jones.  Great name, lame receiver. 

1992, at Green Bay.  Vikes 23, Green Bay 20 (OT).  Viking fans were introduced to two people that day, Terry Allen and Dennis ‘The Sheriff’ Green.  Up until that point, Allen had been an unremarkable running back and the budding author Green had actually introduced Northwestern University to a very foreign concept—football teams that win games.  Allen gashed the Packers for 140 yards on only 12 carries, and Green began his mostly anonymous, scandal free tenure as Vikings coach with a big road victory that eventually led to a division title, the first for the Vikings in the 1990’s.  Sadly, Denny turned out not to be who we thought he was.  Maybe we prematurely crowned his ass, I don’t know. 

1993, at Minnesota.  Vikings 15, Packers 13.  The Guliford game, described much better by Gonzo. 

1998, at Green Bay.  Minnesota 38, Green Bay 24.  Randy Moss, this is the NFL.  NFL, meet Randy Moss.  Up until that point, Moss was more rumor than fact, because you see, kids, this was in the early days of the Internet, and 24 hour video on demand was nothing like it is today.  Moss had started off strong, but there was kind of a Paul Bunyan myth about him.  Viking fans tried to warn people, though:  He’s 50 feet tall!!  He’s faster than sunlight!!  He has 8 tentacles for hands!!  “Bullshit”, said Green Bay and the NFL.  “He is but a mortal man”.  When this game was over, Green Bay and the NFL pissed down their collective leg.  As a matter of fact, Green Bay spending their next 52 draft picks on defensive backs, none of which could cover the Legend of Randy Moss. 

2003, at Green Bay.  Minnesota 30, Green Bay 25.  It really wasn’t that close, though.  Minnesota ruined the re-christening of Lambeau Field by picking off Brett Favre 4 times while amassing a 27-11 lead at the end of the third quarter.  Green Bay got back into it, but Corey Chavous ended whatever chance Green Bay had by intercepting Favre late in the game.  The Vikes ran out the clock, Moss had 150 yards receiving with a TD, and the Vikes started out 6-0.  As an aside, I hope Nate Poole burns in Football Hell.  But that's just me. 

2004, at Green Bay.  Minnesota 31, Green Bay 17, NFC Wild Card Playoff.  It was the first ever post season meeting between the teams, and it was one that was thoroughly dominated by the Vikings.  Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss had their signature moment as Vikings, beating Al Harris twice for long scores while earning their last playoff victory together.  At halftime, Harris was admitted to the University of Wisconsin Burn Center, and Favre had a very forgettable day, throwing 26 interceptions.  Moss mooned the Lambeau crowd, Joe Buck was horrified, Cris Collinsworth wasn’t, and Brett Favre announced he was going to hang it up and fade off into the sunset.  No, really. 

2005, Vikes sweep season series.  You guys remember 2005, right?  It was the first year of the post-Randy Moss era.  During the pre-season, Daunte Culpepper proclaimed himself to be a ‘Jedi Knight’ while operating the offense.  Eh, not so much.  The Vikings started out slow, going 1-3 and getting blown out in all three losses before taking the most infamous boat cruise this side of the Titanic, the Poseidon, and the USS Minnow all rolled into one.  Green Bay came to town and were expecting to crush the Vikings, but the Little Kicker That Could, Paul Edinger, kicked an improbable 56 yard field goal as time expired to win 23-20.  56 yarder…damn.  That’s still impressive four years later.  When the Vikings visited Green Bay that November, they were in the middle of a 6 game winning streak that got them back in contention for a playoff spot.  Koren Robinson caught a pass late in the game, and Edinger once again kicked a field goal as time expired as Minnesota won 20-17.  I know Edinger was only 25/34 in FG attempts, with a terrible 3/8 in the 30-39 yard range, but I would’ve re-signed him for another year just based on those two kicks alone. 

2008, at Minnesota.  Vikings 28, Green Bay 27.  Adrian Peterson had a monster day, rushing for 192 yards.  However, a late fumble by Peterson almost cost the Vikings the game, and when they got the ball back they found themselves down 27-21.  Gus Frerotte had thrown three interceptions, one of which was returned for a TD, Green Bay had also returned a punt for a TD, but it was Peterson’s fumble on 4th and 1 at his own 40 that took the air out of the Metrodome crowd.  That play killed a drive and set up a Green Bay field goal.  Minnesota got the ball at their own 31 with 5:56 left, and Adrian Peterson eschewed Viking Purple and Gold for Superman Red and Blue, accounting for 64 of the 69 yards on their final touchdown drive, the capper being a scintillating 29 yard run to the goal line.  The Packers still had a chance at the end, but Mason Crosby missed a long field goal as time expired. 

So that’s what I’ve got.  It's not, by any means, all encompassing, and I'm sure folks have better memories or moments.  I'd love to hear them.