The 49ers were heavily favored after compiling a league-best 13-2 record during the strike-shortened 1987 season. The Vikings, meantime, backed into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. They raised more than a few eyebrows a week earlier, when they knocked off the New Orleans Saints 44-10 in the wild-card round. But few expected them to put away the 49ers, particularly with the ease in which they did it. Anthony Carter was spectacular for the Vikings, catching 10 receptions for an NFL playoff record 227 yards. The Vikings' defense, led by the likes of Keith Millard and Chris Doleman, overwhelmed future Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, who was benched for one of the few times in his career.

1. NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, JAN. 17, 1999 (METRODOME) ATLANTA Falcons 30, Vikings 27, OT

This one still stings Vikings fans. The Vikings went 15-1 and set the NFL scoring record with 556 points during the 1998 season. No 15-1 team had ever failed to reach the Super Bowl ... until this team came along. With a resurgent Randall Cunningham at quarterback and Randy Moss trying to cap a sensational rookie season with a Super Bowl ring, the Vikings had a 10-point lead over the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter of NFC title game. And then the Falcons cut the lead to seven. And then Gary Anderson, who hadn't missed a field goal all season, was just wide with a 38-yard attempt with 2:07 to play. With 49 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Falcons tied the score. The highest-scoring offense in league history got the ball back and, instead of having Cunningham fling the ball to Moss and try for a field goal, Vikings coach Denny Green had Cunningham take a knee with 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter to play for overtime. The Falcons won in OT on a 38-yard field goal.