Atlanta FalconsVERSUSMinnesota Vikings

Minnesota had authored one of the most explosive offensive seasons in league history behind Randall Cunningham, Randy Moss and Cris Carter. Atlanta was hardly a conventional underdog after winning 14 games, but the Falcons were walking into a dome where the Vikings had overwhelmed opponents all year.

• The Vikings finished 15–1 and scored a then-record 556 points behind a rookie season from Moss that changed how defenses covered the field.
• Minnesota kicker Gary Anderson had not missed a field goal or extra point during the entire regular season.
• Atlanta was seeking the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history after its own best regular season to that point.

Sources: NFL: 1998 NFC Championship · Falcons championship notes