 The Vikings finished the season 15–1, their only loss by 3 points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9.In the divisional playoffs, the Vikings rolled past the Arizona Cardinals 41–21 and came into the Metrodome heavily favored for their NFC title showdown with the Atlanta Falcons, who had finished 14–2.However, kicker Gary Anderson, who had gone 35 for 35 on field goal attempts in the regular season, missed a 38-yard attempt with just over two minutes remaining and the Vikings leading 27–20.