The 1978 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 18th in the National Football League (NFL).

The Vikings won a game they had to win in their bid to win a 10th NFC Central division title in 11 seasons, as Fran Tarkenton completed 26 of 43 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Ahmad Rashad.

Tarkenton's third scoring strike to running back Chuck Foreman just before the half went for 16 yards.

Terdell Middleton, who entered the game as the NFC's third leading rusher, scored Green Bay's only touchdown on a 3-yard run midway through the second quarter, giving Green Bay a 7–7 tie.

In 2004, Football Outsiders named the 1978 Vikings as one of the "worst playoff teams ever".