He was mostly the backup quarterback until 1987, when Kramer started 5 games to Wilson's 7 contests, including the playoffs. He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after the 21-16 win against the Los Angeles Rams, completing 17-of-38 passes for 285 yards and 3 touchdowns, including the 41-yard game winner to wide receiver Hassan Jones with less than a minute to play. He also threw for 3 touchdowns in the season opener against the Detroit Lions and in the eleventh game against the Chicago Bears. He led the Vikings in rushing in the fourteenth game against the Detroit Lions with 8 carries for 55 yards and in the season finale against the Washington Redskins with 10 carries for 75 yards. He also guided the team to the NFC Championship Game after an upset of the 13-2 San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round, finally succumbing 17-10 to the eventual Super Bowl XXII champion Washington Redskins.