Though only being in existence since 1961, the Minnesota Vikings are quickly reaching the distinction of being called a cursed franchise.  The team's plight is so unique because generally the Vikings are a good team.  As a result, their disappointments tend to take place on a more frequent and larger scale.

Dating back to the 1970's, the Vikings became the first team to lose four Super Bowls.  Reaching the big game four times in seven years is quite an accomplishment.  Losing all four of these games is an even greater accomplishment.

The Vikings greatest disappointment of the 70's took place in the 1975 NFC Divisional Playoff Game vs. the Dallas Cowboys. Down 14-10, Cowboys' quarterback Roger Staubach completed a 50-yard "Hail Mary" touchdown  pass to wide receiver Drew Pearson, winning the game. 1975 Vikings were considered the best team Minnesota put forth during that era. 

The 70's are remembered for these five horrific playoff defeats.

Since 1987, the Vikings have played in four NFC Championship Games.  Amazingly, they are winless in every game. Two of these contests (1999, 2010) resulted in crushing overtime losses, in which the Vikings could have won or sealed the game at the end of regulation. The 1998 team ('99 playoffs) went 15-1, setting the record for the most points ever scored by an offense in a regular season. 

The Vikings also failed to clinch a postseason berth in 2003, when the Arizona Cardinals scored a touchdown on the last play of the game. This play knocked Minnesota out of the playoffs after they had started the season 6-0.

There is also the infamous Herschel Walker trade that provided the Cowboys, not the Vikings three Super Bowl victories in the 1990's. 

When it comes to driving their fans batty, very few teams can match the exploits of the Minnesota Vikings.

Photograph Source: Associated Press