John Brodie joined the 49ers as a rookie in 1957. Entering the 1970 season, he still had not played in a postseason game. But he earned the NFC Player of the Year award for leading the Niners to the NFC West crown with a 10-3-1 record. Unfortunately, Dick Nolan's Northern California team would have to travel to frigid Minnesota to play Bud Grant's 12-2 Vikings in the opening round of the playoffs.

The temperature at kickoff in Metropolitan Stadium was 10°.

The 49ers came prepared for the cold. Dr. Lloyd Milburn, the team physician, brought several tubes of a product called Frost Free, a salve that acts like invisible gloves but does not take away feel.

Dr. Milburn said afterward, "I thought the Vikings were supposed to be used to the cold. To me, they looked as if they were all freezing while our guys didn't even need our heaters much."

The Vikings marched to the 49er five on their first possession. But MLB Jim Sniadecki intercepted Gary Cuozzo's swing pass to end the threat.

The 49ers almost went the length of the field to take the lead. Brodie connected with WR Gene Washington to the Minnesota five, but he fumbled into the end zone where DB Bobby Bryant recovered for a touchback.

Brodie would be sacked just once all day by the vaunted "Purple People Eaters" line.

Midway through the first quarter, Viking S Paul Krause picked up a Ken Willard fumble and weaved 22y to the end zone. Fred Cox added the PAT. Vikings 7 49ers 0 (8:37 left in first period)

Bruce Taylor sparked the 49ers by blasting 30y on a punt return to Minnesota's 27. Two plays later from the 24, Brodie hit WR Dick Witcher wide open in the end zone to tie the score. Vikings 7 49ers 7 (1:01)

Witcher said afterward, "I had run a couple of out patterns before on (RCB) Ed Sharock­man, but this time I faked the out and went straight up."

Vikings K Fred Cox, who led the NFC in scoring, missed a 33y field goal.

SF K Bruce Gossett got a chance from 40y after DE Stan Hindman recovered a fumble. He made his. 49ers 10 Vikings 7 (2:27)

49er defensive backfield coach Burnie Miller said, "We felt all week that if we got ahead, they couldn't come back and beat us with the pass. They rely on the run and use the pass only as a striking weapon."

Gossett got another chance before halftime, but DE Carl Eller blocked the 35y try.

HALFTIME SCORE: 49ers 10 Vikings 7

The closest either side came to scoring in the third quarter was a field goal try by Cox. The Vikings faced third-and-eight at the 49er 30. QB Gary Cuozo faded to pass but was buried by Hardman, Earl Edwards, and Tommy Hart for a 6y loss. Cox's 42y field goal try sailed just under the crossbar.

None of 49er P Steve Spurrier's six earlier punts had traveled more than 32y before he hammered one that sailed 59y to the Viking 11. Then his next one was downed on the one.

In the final period, FS Roosevelt Taylor intercepted Cuozo to thwart a Viking advance. Then Taylor returned a short punt 23y to the Minnesota 14. Five plays later, Brodie sneaked over from a foot out. 49ers 17 Vikings 7 with just 1:20 left.

Niner G Randy Beisler said that the Minnesota front four "did things differently on every play. But on the last drive, we had everything together. We knew what they would do, and (FB Ken) Willard ran for good yardage."

Cuozzo led a desperate march of 71y that culminated in his 24y touchdown pass to Gene Washington with 0:01 on the clock. But it was too little too late.

FINAL SCORE: 49ERS 17 VIKINGS 14

Playing catch-up most of the afternoon, Cuozo completed only seven of 27 passes for 124y. Brodie connected on 16 of 32 for 193y.

Brodie was surrounded by reporters when 49er president Lou Spadia walked into the dressing room. He and Brodie hugged. Nothing was said or needed to be said.

Brodie: "We didn't move the ball well on them, but our defense outplayed theirs. That was the key to the game."

The 49ers held the Vikings to 241y, 30 below their average, with 71y coming in the last minute drive. Two fumble recoveries and two interceptions greatly aided the Nines' cause while Minnesota recorded two recoveries but no interceptions.

49er DT Earl Edwards: "Minnesota may have a big front four, but we have a big front eight. I thought we outplayed them."

Bud Grant admitted, "I guess you'd have to say we underrated San Francisco's defense, especially on the line. They met us head-on. But we did make some mental mistakes. You don't mind going down so much in flaming battle, but to be victim of your own errors..."

Carl Eller, one of the "Purple People Eaters," admitted, "They were better than I thought. John Brodie's the one, though. He doesn't fool around with the ball."

When the 49ers arrived back home that night, they found more than 3,000 fans singing and dancing in the rain at the airport.