On This Date in Sports December 14, 1980: Miracle at the Met
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
The Minnesota Vikings have a miracle comeback to beat the Cleveland Browns 28-23 at Metropolitan Stadium. The Browns had a 23-9 lead with just over five minutes left. The Vikings began their comeback with Ted Brown catching a seven-yard pass from Tommy Kramer, but Rick Danmeier missed the PAT. Kramer late connects with Ahmad Rashad, as the Vikings got the ball down one with 14 seconds left. After a 23-yard completion, Tommy Kramer throws up a prayer that is deflected and caught by Rashad, who backs into the end zone as time expired.
It was a season of heart-stopping wins as the Cleveland Browns led by coach Sam Rutigliano and MVP quarterback Brian Sipe. The Browns earned the nickname “Kardiac Kids” for their propensity to win games late and make fourth-quarter comebacks. The Browns coming off an unfulfilling 9-7 season in 1979, started 0-2 in 1980 but won seven of their next eight games to rise to the top of the AFC Central. After a 17-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road, the Browns won their next three games and sat 10-4 heading into a division leader game.
It was the second season after Fran Tarkenton retired and Tommy Kramer was looking to improve off a lackluster 7-9 season in 1979. The Vikings struggled early for coach Bud Grant but turned things around after a 3-5 start and were in the position to win the NFC Central after winning five of six games, to hold a record of 8-6 entering the penultimate game of the season.
Both teams had a shot at winning their division with a win. The Browns got off to a strong start on a frigid day in Minnesota, as Calvin Hill caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Brian Sipe. Sipe added a two-yard run for a touchdown in the second quarter, but Don Cockroft missed the extra point as Cleveland led 13-0 at the half.
The Vikings' offense sprung to life in the third quarter, as Joe Senser reeled in a 31-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Kamer to put Minnesota on the board. However, Rick Danmeier missed the PAT. Danmeier and Cockroft each missed PATs but hit field goals in the third quarter as the Browns continued to lead 16-9 as the fourth quarter began. Cleveland stretched the lead to 23-9 in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run by Cleo Miller.
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Down 23-9, the Vikings' comeback began when Ted Brown caught a seven-yard pass from Tommy Kramer out of the backfield for a touchdown. A missed extra point complicated matters for Minnesota, who trailed 23-15 with 5:01 left in the game. With 2:16 left, the door began to open for the Vikings when Brian Sipe was picked off by Bobby Bryant. Kramer took advantage, getting the ball down the field quickly as Ahmad Rashad caught a 12-yard touchdown pass.
Down 23-22, the Vikings failed to recover the on-side-kick and needed a miracle. The Browns punted the ball away as the Vikings got the ball at their own 20 with 14 seconds left. The first play was a hook and ladder play from Tommy Kramer to Joe Senser who lateraled to Ted Brown, resulting in a 34-yard gain to the Cleveland 46. With five seconds left, the Vikings had one option throw it up at the end zone and hope for a miracle. Kramer threw up the final pass of the game; It was deflected by Browns DB Thom Darden and ended up in the hands of Ahmad Rashad, who made a one-handed catch and backed into the end zone. Rick Danmeier’s missed a third PAT, but it did not matter as the Vikings won the game 28-23 and celebrated a division title. Tommy Kramer finished the game with 456 passing yards and four touchdowns.
The Browns would recover a week later to win the AFC Central as they posted a record of 11-5. The Vikings, meanwhile, lost their final game and finished 9-7. Both teams would lose in the Division Playoffs to the eventual Super Bowl participants as the Philadelphia Eagles beat Minnesota 31-16 while the Browns were upset by the Oakland Raiders 14-12.