| 1988 Minnesota Vikings season | |
|---|---|
| General manager | Mike Lynn |
| Head coach | Jerry Burns |
| Home field | Metrodome |
| Local radio | WCCO |
| Results | |
| Record | 11–5 |
| Division place | 2nd NFC Central |
| Playoff finish | Won Wild Card Playoffs (vs. Rams) 28–17 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at 49ers) 9–34 |
| Pro Bowlers | S Joey Browner WR Anthony Carter DE Chris Doleman TE Steve Jordan CB Carl Lee DT Keith Millard LB Scott Studwell QB Wade Wilson T Gary Zimmerman |
| AP All-Pros | S Joey Browner (1st team) CB Carl Lee (1st team) DT Keith Millard (1st team) T Gary Zimmerman (1st team) |
| Uniform | |
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The 1988 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 28th in the National Football League. They finished with an 11–5 record, and finished second to the Chicago Bears in the NFC Central division.
The Vikings had one of the best defenses in the NFL in 1988. The team allowed 4,091 total yards, 4.3 yards per play, and 243 first downs, all best in the league. The Vikings also had a league-best 53 takeaways.[1] Opposing quarterbacks had a league-worst 41.2 passer rating against the Vikings' defense, the lowest total of the 1980s and fifth all-time for the Super Bowl era.[2]
The Vikings made the postseason for the second consecutive time under coach Jerry Burns. They defeated the Los Angeles Rams 28-17 in the wildcard round, but lost 34–9 in the divisional round to the San Francisco 49ers, who went on to win their third Super Bowl. This was the last time the Vikings won a playoff game until 1997.