Three Super Bowls in Four Years
With the Vikings intimidating line leading their defense and their future Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton leading the offense, the Vikings went on to participate in Super Bowl's VIII, IX, and XI. In 1973, Alan Page was named NEA Defensive player of the year as the Vikings would return to their second Super Bowl in five years.
In 1974, Doug Sutherland would start in place of Gary Larsen and continue for the next seven years. Sutherland would go on to start in Super Bowl IX as the Vikings were once again NFC Champions. However they lost in a 16-6 defensive struggle to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Super Bowl IX would be Larsen's last game.
In 1975 the Vikings' defense gave up the fewest total yards for the third time in 7 years. Meanwhile, Tarkenton was named NFL MVP. The season would come to a disappointing end as the Cowboys would pull off a Hail Mary pass to beat the Vikings in the Divisional round 17-14. The win was not without controversy fans continued to argue that Cowboy's receiver Drew Pearson pushed Vikings cornerback Nate Wright.
In 1976, The Vikings would win yet another divisional title and would make it to their third Super Bowl in four years and fourth overall. But for the fourth time in four Super Bowls, they lost. That year, Alan Page accounted for 18 of the Vikings 46 sacks.
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