The 2009 Minnesota Vikings season was the franchise's 49th season in the NFL. The Vikings improved upon their 10–6 record and defended their NFC North title from 2008; it was the first time that they had retained a divisional title since they won six NFC Central titles in a row between 1973 and 1978. They beat the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoff, but lost the NFC Championship Game in overtime to the New Orleans Saints, missing out on what would have been their first Super Bowl since 1976. __TOC__