# 2000 Minnesota Vikings season

The 2000 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 40th in the National Football League (NFL). They won the NFC Central division title with an 11–5 record. After not retaining either Randall Cunningham or Jeff George, the team was led by first-year starting quarterback Daunte Culpepper and running back Robert Smith, who ran for a then team record 1,521 yards and seven touchdowns. The Vikings started out 7–0 and were 11–2 after 14 weeks, but slumped briefly, losing their last three to the St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts while Culpepper was hampered by injury.
After easily beating the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional game 34–16, they were defeated 41–0 by the New York Giants in the Conference Championship. Running back Robert Smith retired at the end of the year, after only playing eight NFL seasons. It would be 2004 before the Vikings returned to the playoffs.
After a contract dispute, Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle was let go after 11 seasons with the Vikings. Randle had only eight sacks this year, ending a streak of eight consecutive seasons with 10+ sacks.
Seven Vikings including Culpepper, Moss, Carter, Smith, Korey Stringer, Robert Griffith and Matt Birk were selected to play in the Pro Bowl after the season. It was Stringer's only Pro Bowl appearance before his death in 2001.
This would be the final full season for Dennis Green as the team's head coach, he was fired the next season with just one game remaining on the schedule.

## Offseason

| Additions | Subtractions |
| T Brad Badger (Redskins) | QB Randall Cunningham (Cowboys) |
| QB Bubby Brister (Broncos) | QB Jeff George (Redskins) |
| TE Johnny McWilliams (Cardinals) | TE Andrew Glover (Saints) |
| DE Bryce Paup (Jaguars) | G Randall McDaniel (Buccaneers) |
| LB Craig Sauer (Falcons) | C Jeff Christy (Buccaneers) |
| CB Cris Dishman (Chiefs) | WR Jake Reed (Saints) |
| LB Lemanski Hall (Cowboys) | DE Duane Clemons (Chiefs) |
| | CB Jimmy Hitchcock (Panthers) |
| | LB Rob Holmberg (Patriots) |

### 2000 draft

2000 Minnesota Vikings Draft :
| Draft order | Draft order | Player name | Position | College | Notes |
| Round | Selection | Player name | Position | College | Notes |
| 1 | 25 | Chris Hovan | Defensive tackle | Boston College | |
| 2 | 55 | Fred Robbins | Defensive tackle | Wake Forest | |
| 2 | 56 | Michael Boireau | Defensive end | Miami (FL) | From Redskins |
| 3 | 88 | Doug Chapman | Running back | Marshall | |
| 4 | 106 | Antonio Wilson | Linebacker | Texas A&M | From Ravens |
| 4 | 118 | Tyrone Carter | Safety | Minnesota | |
| 5 | 155 | Surrendered to the Washington Redskins | Surrendered to the Washington Redskins | Surrendered to the Washington Redskins | |
| 5 | 165 | Troy Walters | Wide receiver | Stanford | Compensatory pick |
| 6 | 191 | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | Traded to the Baltimore Ravens | |
| 7 | 232 | Traded to the Cleveland Browns | Traded to the Cleveland Browns | Traded to the Cleveland Browns | |
| 7 | 240 | Mike Malano | Center | San Diego State | Compensatory pick |
| 7 | 244 | Giles Cole | Tight end | Texas | Compensatory pick |
| 7 | 248 | Lewis Kelly | Guard | South Carolina State | Compensatory pick |
Notes:
* ↑ The Vikings traded QB Brad Johnson to the Redskins in exchange for a second-round selection (56th overall) and 1999 first- and third-round selections (11th and 73rd overall).
* 1 2 The details of these trades are unknown, but may involve Baltimore's acquisition of C Everett Lindsay from Minnesota.
* ↑ The Vikings surrendered a fifth-round selection (155th overall) to the Redskins as compensation for restricted free agent G Brad Badger.
* ↑ The Vikings traded their seventh-round selection (232nd overall) to the Browns in exchange for DT Jerry Ball.

### Undrafted free agents

2000 undrafted free agents of note :
| Player | Position | College |
| Billy Cockerham | Quarterback | Minnesota |
| Andy Crosland | Kicker | Miami (FL) |
| Tim Engelhardt | Defensive tackle | New Mexico State |
| Brody Liddiard | Tight end | Colorado |
| Lenny Lucas | Fullback | Troy State |
| Matt Wilson | Wide receiver | Bloomsburg |
| Antwone Young | Fullback | San Diego State |

## Preseason
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | NFL.com recap |
| 1 | August 5 | New Orleans Saints | L 24–25 | 0–1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 63,445 | Recap |
| 2 | August 12 | at San Diego Chargers | L 7–31 | 0–2 | Qualcomm Stadium | 43,805 | Recap |
| 3 | August 18 | Arizona Cardinals | W 35–17 | 1–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 63,563 | Recap |
| 4 | August 24 | at Indianapolis Colts | L 30–32 | 1–3 | RCA Dome | 51,337 | Recap |

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Saints | 7 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 25 |
| Vikings | 0 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: August 5
* Game time: 7:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 63,445
* Referee: Larry Nemmers (20)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NO – Jake Reed 12-yard pass from Jeff Blake (Doug Brien kick), 7:21. Saints 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 4:21.
Second quarter
MIN – Moe Williams 24-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 8:42. Tied 7–7. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 2:17.
MIN – Jim Kleinsasser 2-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 5:20. Vikings 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 1:37.
NO – Doug Brien 36-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 1:08.
Third quarter
NO – Doug Brien 24-yard field goal, 7:52. Vikings 14–13. Drive: 7 plays, 26 yards, 4:16.
MIN – Doug Chapman 4-yard run (Andy Crosland kick), 0:13. Vikings 21–13. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 7:39.
Fourth quarter
NO – Lamont Hall 6-yard pass from Jake Delhomme (pass failed), 9:37. Vikings 21–19. Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 5:36.
NO – Doug Brien 23-yard field goal, 4:18. Saints 22–21. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 4:14.
MIN – Gary Anderson 40-yard field goal, 1:29. Vikings 24–22. Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards, 2:49.
NO – Doug Brien 49-yard field goal, 0:00. Saints 25–24. Drive: 5 plays, 29 yards, 1:29.
Top passers
NO – Jeff Blake – 5/15, 74 yards, TD, INT
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 8/14, 140 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
NO – Chad Morton – 8 rushes, 32 yards
MIN – Robert Smith – 8 rushes, 32 yards
Top receivers
NO – Chad Morton – 4 receptions, 41 yards
MIN – Randy Moss – 2 receptions, 68 yards :

#### Week 2: at San Diego Chargers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Chargers | 0 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: August 12
* Game time: 7:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Clear and sunny, 81 °F (27 °C)
* Game attendance: 43,805
* Referee: Mike Carey (94)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
No scoring plays.
Second quarter
MIN – Randy Moss 24-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 7:59. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 90 yards, 6:07.
SD – Ronney Jenkins 86-yard kickoff return (John Carney kick), 7:44. Tied 7–7. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:15.
SD – Robert Chancey 1-yard run (John Carney kick), 4:59. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 5 yards, 1:44.
Third quarter
SD – José Cortez 22-yard field goal, 4:58. Chargers 17–7. Drive: 15 plays, 72 yards, 6:08.
SD – Reggie Davis 7-yard pass from Moses Moreno (José Cortez kick), 0:40. Chargers 24–7. Drive: 5 plays, 31 yards, 2:02.
Fourth quarter
SD – Ronney Jenkins 2-yard run (José Cortez kick), 9:33. Chargers 31–7. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:24.
Top passers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 12/23, 129 yards, TD, 2 INT
SD – Moses Moreno – 6/8, 82 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Moe Williams – 6 rushes, 28 yards
SD – Ronney Jenkins – 10 rushes, 69 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Randy Moss – 6 receptions, 89 yards, TD
SD – Pat Batteaux – 2 receptions, 46 yards :

#### Week 3: vs. Arizona Cardinals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| Vikings | 7 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 35 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: August 18
* Game time: 8:20 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 63,563
* Referee: Bernie Kukar (86)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Robert Smith 6-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 4:38. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 2:56.
Second quarter
MIN – Robert Smith 12-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 10:46. Vikings 14–0. Drive: 14 plays, 90 yards, 6:09.
MIN – Randy Moss 54-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 8:14. Vikings 21–0. Drive: 2 plays, 55 yards, 0:48.
MIN – Cris Carter 67-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 5:57. Vikings 28–0. Drive: 3 plays, 72 yards, 0:50.
ARI – Cary Blanchard 49-yard field goal, 1:55. Vikings 28–3. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 4:02.
Third quarter
MIN – Moe Williams 1-yard run (Andy Crosland kick), 8:25. Vikings 35–3. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 4:26.
ARI – Thomas Jones 4-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick), 3:46. Vikings 35–10. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 4:39.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Mac Cody 12-yard pass from Dave Brown (Cary Blanchard kick), 11:09. Vikings 35–17. Drive: 11 plays, 85 yards, 5:08.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 13/24, 143 yards
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 13/23, 311 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
ARI – Thomas Jones – 11 rushes, 32 yards, TD
MIN – Robert Smith – 8 rushes, 53 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
ARI – David Boston – 6 receptions, 68 yards
MIN – Randy Moss – 5 receptions, 164 yards, TD :

#### Week 4: at Indianapolis Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 10 | 13 | 30 |
| Colts | 10 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 32 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: August 24
* Game time: 8:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 51,337
* Referee: Dick Hantak (105)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
IND – Mike Vanderjagt 48-yard field goal, 12:27. Colts 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 2:33.
IND – Marvin Harrison 12-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 7:33. Colts 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 78 yards, 3:23.
MIN – Robert Smith 4-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 3:03. Colts 10–7. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:30.
Second quarter
IND – Mike Vanderjagt 47-yard field goal, 12:33. Colts 13–7. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 5:30.
Third quarter
MIN – Randy Moss 54-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 13:28. Vikings 14–13. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:32.
IND – Jamel White 1-yard run (Danny Kight kick), 10:19. Colts 20–14. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:09.
MIN – Gary Anderson 23-yard field goal, 4:42. Colts 20–17. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 5:37.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Troy Walters 62-yard punt return (Gary Anderson kick), 12:36. Vikings 24–20.
IND – Jamel White 96-yard kickoff return (Danny Kight kick), 12:20. Colts 27–24. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:16.
IND – Penalty on Bubby Brister enforced in the end zone for a safety, 11:13. Colts 29–24.
MIN – Matthew Hatchette 4-yard pass from Bubby Brister (pass failed), 1:01. Vikings 30–29. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 3:39.
IND – Danny Kight 43-yard field goal, 0:00. Colts 32–30. Drive: 6 plays, 26 yards, 1:01.
Top passers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 10/14, 171 yards, TD
IND – Billy Joe Hobert – 6/11, 115 yards
Top rushers
MIN – Moe Williams – 8 rushes, 35 yards
IND – Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar – 8 rushes, 48 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Randy Moss – 3 receptions, 88 yards, TD
IND – Isaac Jones – 5 receptions, 105 yards :

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | NFL.com recap |
| 1 | September 3 | Chicago Bears | W 30–27 | 1–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,104 | Recap |
| 2 | September 10 | Miami Dolphins | W 13–7 | 2–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,112 | Recap |
| 3 | September 17 | at New England Patriots | W 21–13 | 3–0 | Foxboro Stadium | 60,292 | Recap |
| 4 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 5 | October 1 | at Detroit Lions | W 31–24 | 4–0 | Silverdome | 76,438 | Recap |
| 6 | October 9 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 30–23 | 5–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,162 | Recap |
| 7 | October 15 | at Chicago Bears | W 28–16 | 6–0 | Soldier Field | 66,944 | Recap |
| 8 | October 22 | Buffalo Bills | W 31–27 | 7–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,116 | Recap |
| 9 | October 29 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 13–41 | 7–1 | Raymond James Stadium | 65,589 | Recap |
| 10 | November 6 | at Green Bay Packers | L 20–26 (OT) | 7–2 | Lambeau Field | 59,854 | Recap |
| 11 | November 12 | Arizona Cardinals | W 31–14 | 8–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,223 | Recap |
| 12 | November 19 | Carolina Panthers | W 31–17 | 9–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,208 | Recap |
| 13 | November 23 | at Dallas Cowboys | W 27–15 | 10–2 | Texas Stadium | 63,878 | Recap |
| 14 | November 30 | Detroit Lions | W 24–17 | 11–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,214 | Recap |
| 15 | December 10 | at St. Louis Rams | L 29–40 | 11–3 | TWA Dome | 66,273 | Recap |
| 16 | December 17 | Green Bay Packers | L 28–33 | 11–4 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,183 | Recap |
| 17 | December 24 | at Indianapolis Colts | L 10–31 | 11–5 | RCA Dome | 56,672 | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
| Vikings | 6 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 30 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: September 3
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,104
* Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Gary Anderson 35-yard field goal, 10:16. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 54 yards, 4:44.
CHI – John Allred 18-yard pass from Cade McNown (Paul Edinger kick), 3:58. Bears 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 6:18.
MIN – Gary Anderson 38-yard field goal, 1:16. Bears 7–6. Drive: 5 plays, 38 yards, 2:42.
Second quarter
CHI – Paul Edinger 29-yard field goal, 5:19. Bears 10–6. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 3:38.
MIN – Gary Anderson 45-yard field goal, 1:51. Bears 10–9. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 3:28.
CHI – Paul Edinger 49-yard field goal, 0:16. Bears 13–9. Drive: 12 plays, 36 yards, 1:35.
Third quarter
CHI – Marcus Robinson 48-yard pass from Cade McNown (Paul Edinger kick), 10:10. Bears 20–9. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 4:50.
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 5:24. Bears 20–16. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 4:46.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 7-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 10:59. Vikings 23–20. Drive: 6 plays, 93 yards, 3:15.
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 4-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 4:35. Vikings 30–20. Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards, 2:30.
CHI – Cade McNown 8-yard run (Paul Edinger kick), 1:17. Vikings 30–27. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:18.
Top passers
CHI – Cade McNown – 27/41, 290 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 13/23, 190 yards, INT
Top rushers
CHI – Cade McNown – 10 rushes, 87 yards, TD
MIN – Robert Smith – 14 rushes, 109 yards
Top receivers
CHI – Marcus Robinson – 7 receptions, 86 yards, TD
MIN – Randy Moss – 4 receptions, 89 yards :

#### Week 2: vs. Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Vikings | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: September 10
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,112
* Referee: Gerry Austin (34)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Gary Anderson 28-yard field goal, 2:46. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:53.
Second quarter
No scoring plays.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Gary Anderson 49-yard field goal, 11:30. Vikings 6–0. Drive: 13 plays, 63 yards, 5:36.
MIN – Randy Moss 15-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 1:56. Vikings 13–0. Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 1:55.
MIA – Thurman Thomas 2-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 1:02. Vikings 13–7. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 0:54.
Top passers
MIA – Jay Fiedler – 12/31, 175 yards, TD, INT
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 23/37, 355 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
MIA – Lamar Smith – 11 rushes, 27 yards
MIN – Robert Smith – 18 rushes, 72 yards
Top receivers
MIA – Tony Martin – 6 receptions, 120 yards
MIN – Cris Carter – 9 receptions, 168 yards :

#### Week 3: at New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Patriots | 7 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
at Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: September 17
* Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 60,292
* Referee: Phil Luckett (59)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Robert Smith 4-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 6:06. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 17 plays, 73 yards, 8:54.
NE – Kevin Faulk 2-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 4:15. Tied 7–7. Drive: 5 plays, 61 yards, 1:51.
Second quarter
MIN – Johnny McWilliams 1-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 9:53. Vikings 14–7. Drive: 16 plays, 80 yards, 9:22.
MIN – Matthew Hatchette 39-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 5:18. Vikings 21–7. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 3:04.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
NE – Terry Glenn 8-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (run failed), 11:11. Vikings 21–13. Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 2:14.
Top passers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 19/28, 177 yards, 2 TD, INT
NE – Drew Bledsoe – 21/35, 190 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Robert Smith – 29 rushes, 91 yards, TD
NE – Kevin Faulk – 13 rushes, 80 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Cris Carter – 7 receptions, 67 yards
NE – Terry Glenn – 8 receptions, 69 yards, TD :

#### Week 5: at Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 31 |
| Lions | 7 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
at Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit, Michigan
* Date: October 1
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 76,438
* Referee: Bill Carollo (63)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
DET – Germane Crowell 9-yard pass from Charlie Batch (Jason Hanson kick), 11:05. Lions 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 37 yards, 2:45.
MIN – Randy Moss 61-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 8:46. Tied 7–7. Drive: 4 plays, 79 yards, 2:19.
Second quarter
DET – Jason Hanson 21-yard field goal, 4:08. Lions 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 2:38.
MIN – Gary Anderson 20-yard field goal, 0:03. Tied 10–10. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 1:57.
Third quarter
MIN – Randy Moss 17-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 0:14. Vikings 17–10. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 4:50.
Fourth quarter
DET – Charlie Batch 5-yard run (Jason Hanson kick), 12:09. Tied 17–17. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 3:05.
MIN – Randy Moss 50-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 8:48. Vikings 24–17. Drive: 5 plays, 79 yards, 3:21.
MIN – Robert Smith 65-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 6:23. Vikings 31–17. Drive: 1 play, 65 yards, 0:12.
DET – Mario Bates 1-yard run (Jason Hanson kick), 0:03. Vikings 31–24. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 1:35.
Top passers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 17/29, 269 yards, 3 TD
DET – Charlie Batch – 25/44, 239 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Robert Smith – 16 rushes, 134 yards, TD
DET – James Stewart – 20 rushes, 123 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Randy Moss – 7 receptions, 168 yards, 3 TD
DET – Germane Crowell – 8 receptions, 85 yards, TD :

#### Week 6: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Buccaneers | 7 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 23 |
| Vikings | 7 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 30 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: October 9
* Game time: 8:10 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,162
* Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 27-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 14:36. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 27 yards, 0:09.
TB – Shaun King 11-yard run (Martín Gramática kick), 4:01. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 4:28.
Second quarter
MIN – Gary Anderson 37-yard field goal, 12:14. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 6:47.
MIN – John Davis 26-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 11:11. Vikings 17–7. Drive: 3 plays, 27 yards, 0:52.
TB – Martín Gramática 23-yard field goal, 1:06. Vikings 17–10. Drive: 19 plays, 71 yards, 10:05.
Third quarter
MIN – Gary Anderson 42-yard field goal, 11:12. Vikings 20–10. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 3:48.
TB – Martín Gramática 33-yard field goal, 8:11. Vikings 20–13. Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 3:01.
TB – Martín Gramática 35-yard field goal, 0:44. Vikings 20–16. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 5:17.
Fourth quarter
TB – Donnie Abraham 53-yard return of blocked field goal (Martín Gramática kick), 12:13. Buccaneers 23–20.
MIN – Randy Moss 42-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 8:42. Vikings 27–23. Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 3:31.
MIN – Gary Anderson 19-yard field goal, 0:59. Vikings 30–23. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 4:06.
Top passers
TB – Shaun King – 26/40, 295 yards
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 15/19, 231 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
TB – Warrick Dunn – 10 rushes, 32 yards
MIN – Robert Smith – 22 rushes, 81 yards
Top receivers
TB – Jacquez Green – 11 receptions, 131 yards
MIN – Randy Moss – 5 receptions, 118 yards, TD :

#### Week 7: at Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Bears | 6 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 16 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
* Date: October 15
* Game time: 7:35 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,944
* Referee: Larry Nemmers (20)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
CHI – Dez White 25-yard pass from Cade McNown (run failed), 3:46. Bears 6–0. Drive: 5 plays, 63 yards, 3:13.
Second quarter
CHI – Paul Edinger 22-yard field goal, 8:58. Bears 9–0. Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 4:46.
MIN – Robert Smith 72-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 8:35. Bears 9–7. Drive: 1 play, 72 yards, 0:23.
MIN – Cris Carter 24-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 5:26. Vikings 14–9. Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 1:55.
Third quarter
MIN – Matthew Hatchette 24-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 10:01. Vikings 21–9. Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 1:59.
Fourth quarter
CHI – James Allen 6-yard run (Paul Edinger kick), 14:56. Vikings 21–16. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 4:15.
MIN – Randy Moss 7-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 9:26. Vikings 28–16. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 5:30.
Top passers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 15/26, 198 yards, 3 TD
CHI – Cade McNown – 19/33, 210 yards, TD
Top rushers
MIN – Robert Smith – 23 rushes, 170 yards, TD
CHI – James Allen – 22 rushes, 71 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Cris Carter – 7 receptions, 111 yards, TD
CHI – Marcus Robinson – 7 receptions, 88 yards :

#### Week 8: vs. Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 0 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 27 |
| Vikings | 3 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 31 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: October 22
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,116
* Referee: Ron Blum (7)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Gary Anderson 38-yard field goal, 2:27. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 5:10.
Second quarter
BUF – Eric Moulds 25-yard pass from Doug Flutie (Steve Christie kick), 13:38. Bills 7–3. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 1:41.
BUF – Steve Christie 25-yard field goal, 0:54. Bills 10–3. Drive: 21 plays, 80 yards, 10:55.
MIN – Gary Anderson 20-yard field goal, 0:00. Bills 10–6. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 0:54.
Third quarter
MIN – Cris Carter 6-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 9:17. Vikings 13–10. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 5:43.
BUF – Sammy Morris 1-yard run (Steve Christie kick), 1:13. Bills 17–13. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 8:04.
Fourth quarter
BUF – Sammy Morris 18-yard pass from Doug Flutie (Steve Christie kick), 14:19. Bills 24–13. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 0:54.
MIN – Cris Carter 11-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Daunte Culpepper–Moe Williams pass), 9:34. Bills 24–21. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 4:45.
BUF – Steve Christie 48-yard field goal, 6:39. Bills 27–21. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 2:55.
MIN – Randy Moss 39-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 3:42. Vikings 28–27. Drive: 2 plays, 34 yards, 0:12.
MIN – Gary Anderson 21-yard field goal, 1:04. Vikings 31–27. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 1:42.
Top passers
BUF – Doug Flutie – 28/43, 294 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 17/29, 251 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
BUF – Shawn Bryson – 11 rushes, 72 yards
MIN – Robert Smith – 16 rushes, 68 yards
Top receivers
BUF – Eric Moulds – 12 receptions, 135 yards, TD
MIN – Randy Moss – 5 receptions, 110 yards, TD :

#### Week 9: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Buccaneers | 14 | 17 | 3 | 7 | 41 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
* Date: October 29
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Hazy, 80 °F (27 °C)
* Game attendance: 65,589
* Referee: Phil Luckett (59)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
TB – Keyshawn Johnson 9-yard pass from Shaun King (Martín Gramática kick), 10:33. Buccaneers 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 14 yards, 0:47.
MIN – Gary Anderson 30-yard field goal, 6:35. Buccaneers 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 3:58.
TB – Warrick Dunn 23-yard pass from Shaun King (Martín Gramática kick), 3:40. Buccaneers 14–3. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 2:55.
Second quarter
MIN – Randy Moss 7-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 11:57. Buccaneers 14–10. Drive: 13 plays, 82 yards, 6:43.
TB – Dave Moore 20-yard pass from Shaun King (Martín Gramática kick), 9:46. Buccaneers 21–10. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 2:11.
TB – Derrick Brooks 34-yard interception return (Martín Gramática kick), 7:58. Buccaneers 28–10.
TB – Martín Gramática 47-yard field goal, 3:38. Buccaneers 31–10. Drive: 5 plays, 29 yards, 1:54.
MIN – Gary Anderson 37-yard field goal, 0:20. Buccaneers 31–13. Drive: 15 plays, 56 yards, 3:18.
Third quarter
TB – Martín Gramática 26-yard field goal, 6:25. Buccaneers 34–13. Drive: 14 plays, 82 yards, 8:35.
Fourth quarter
TB – Reidel Anthony 16-yard pass from Shaun King (Martín Gramática kick), 5:05. Buccaneers 41–13. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:34.
Top passers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 29/53, 313 yards, TD, 2 INT
TB – Shaun King – 16/23, 267 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Robert Smith – 12 rushes, 61 yards
TB – Warrick Dunn – 11 rushes, 89 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Cris Carter – 7 receptions, 115 yards
TB – Keyshawn Johnson – 6 receptions, 121 yards, TD :

#### Week 10: at Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Vikings | 3 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Packers | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 26 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* Date: November 6
* Game time: 8:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Occasional rain, blustery, 50 °F (10 °C)
* Game attendance: 59,854
* Referee: Dick Hantak (105)
* TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Dan Fouts, Dennis Miller, Melissa Stark and Eric Dickerson
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Gary Anderson 30-yard field goal, 8:25. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 5:36.
Second quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 24-yard field goal, 14:53. Tied 3–3. Drive: 15 plays, 81 yards, 8:32.
MIN – Cris Carter 12-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 10:03. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 4:50.
GB – Ahman Green 5-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 6:51. Tied 10–10. Drive: 6 plays, 87 yards, 3:12.
MIN – Gary Anderson 48-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 13–10. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 1:11.
Third quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 31-yard field goal, 8:48. Tied 13–13. Drive: 6 plays, 21 yards, 2:22.
MIN – Robert Smith 45-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 4:00. Vikings 20–13. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 4:48.
GB – Ahman Green 2-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 3:32. Tied 20–20. Drive: 2 plays, 2 yards, 0:28.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Overtime
GB – Antonio Freeman 43-yard pass from Brett Favre, 11:21. Packers 26–20. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:39.
Top passers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 17/34, 276 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
GB – Brett Favre – 17/36, 235 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
MIN – Robert Smith – 24 rushes, 122 yards
GB – Ahman Green – 23 rushes, 68 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIN – Randy Moss – 6 receptions, 130 yards
GB – Antonio Freeman – 5 receptions, 118 yards, TD :

#### Week 11: vs. Arizona Cardinals

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 31 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: November 12
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,223
* Referee: Bob McElwee (95)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Robert Smith 33-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 6:42. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 86 yards, 5:17.
ARI – Michael Pittman Sr. 1-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick), 0:13. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:29.
Second quarter
MIN – Gary Anderson 33-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 64 yards, 2:19.
Third quarter
MIN – Randy Moss 4-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 10:15. Vikings 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:45.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 3-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 10:11. Vikings 24–7. Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 4:22.
MIN – Cris Carter 12-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 3:45. Vikings 31–7. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 4:19.
ARI – MarTay Jenkins 98-yard kickoff return (Cary Blanchard kick), 3:30. Vikings 31–14. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:15.
Top passers
ARI – Jake Plummer – 19/28, 219 yards
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 25/32, 302 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
ARI – Michael Pittman Sr. – 12 rushes, 50 yards, TD
MIN – Robert Smith – 20 rushes, 117 yards
Top receivers
ARI – Frank Sanders – 5 receptions, 82 yards
MIN – Cris Carter – 11 receptions, 119 yards, TD :

#### Week 12: vs. Carolina Panthers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
| Vikings | 14 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 31 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: November 19
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,208
* Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
CAR – Steve Beuerlein 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick), 8:09. Panthers 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 72 yards, 6:51.
MIN – Randy Moss 36-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 5:41. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 2:28.
MIN – Robert Smith 53-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 0:29. Vikings 14–7. Drive: 2 plays, 62 yards, 0:50.
Second quarter
MIN – Robert Smith 3-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 10:35. Vikings 21–7. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:28.
CAR – Chris Hetherington 1-yard run (Joe Nedney kick), 0:20. Vikings 21–14. Drive: 5 plays, 30 yards, 0:47.
MIN – Gary Anderson 43-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 24–14. Drive: 3 plays, 32 yards, 0:20.
Third quarter
MIN – Cris Carter 15-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 2:02. Vikings 31–14. Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 6:05.
Fourth quarter
CAR – Joe Nedney 28-yard field goal, 4:27. Vikings 31–17. Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 6:23.
Top passers
CAR – Steve Beuerlein – 26/44, 272 yards, 2 INT
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 22/29, 357 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
CAR – Brad Hoover – 18 rushes, 59 yards
MIN – Robert Smith – 23 rushes, 103 yards, TD
Top receivers
CAR – Muhsin Muhammad – 6 receptions, 76 yards
MIN – Cris Carter – 8 receptions, 138 yards, TD :

#### Week 13: at Dallas Cowboys

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 10 | 17 | 0 | 27 |
| Cowboys | 3 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 15 |
at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
* Date: November 23
* Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 55 °F (13 °C)
* Game attendance: 63,878
* Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
* TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall and John Madden
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
DAL – Tim Seder 37-yard field goal, 10:01. Cowboys 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 4:59.
Second quarter
DAL – Tim Seder 43-yard field goal, 12:27. Cowboys 6–0. Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 4:41.
MIN – Gary Anderson 49-yard field goal, 8:10. Cowboys 6–3. Drive: 8 plays, 26 yards, 4:17.
MIN – Robert Smith 15-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 1:52. Vikings 10–6. Drive: 6 plays, 88 yards, 2:29.
DAL – Tim Seder 36-yard field goal, 0:00. Vikings 10–9. Drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 1:52.
Third quarter
MIN – Randy Moss 7-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 12:25. Vikings 17–9. Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 2:35.
MIN – Gary Anderson 29-yard field goal, 6:11. Vikings 20–9. Drive: 8 plays, 41 yards, 3:52.
MIN – Randy Moss 36-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 0:18. Vikings 27–9. Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 3:32.
Fourth quarter
DAL – David LaFleur 6-yard pass from Troy Aikman (run failed), 2:32. Vikings 27–15. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 3:37.
Top passers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 15/22, 205 yards, 2 TD
DAL – Troy Aikman – 30/43, 276 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Robert Smith – 21 rushes, 148 yards, TD
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 12 rushes, 100 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Randy Moss – 7 receptions, 144 yards, 2 TD
DAL – Jason Tucker – 6 receptions, 57 yards :

#### Week 14: vs. Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
| Vikings | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: November 30
* Game time: 7:35 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,214
* Referee: Larry Nemmers (20)
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann and Paul Maguire
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Robert Smith 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 7:39. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 34 yards, 4:05.
Second quarter
MIN – Cris Carter 4-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 14:56. Vikings 14–0. Drive: 12 plays, 71 yards, 5:29.
DET – Jason Hanson 52-yard field goal, 1:12. Vikings 14–3. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 3:05.
MIN – Gary Anderson 40-yard field goal, 0:04. Vikings 17–3. Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 1:08.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
DET – James Stewart 3-yard run (Jason Hanson kick), 13:59. Vikings 17–10. Drive: 2 plays, 9 yards, 0:52.
MIN – Robert Smith 43-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 3:04. Vikings 24–10. Drive: 1 play, 43 yards, 0:11.
DET – Larry Foster 40-yard pass from Stoney Case (Jason Hanson kick), 0:13. Vikings 24–17. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 2:51.
Top passers
DET – Stoney Case – 23/33, 230 yards, TD, INT
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 19/32, 160 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
DET – James Stewart – 15 rushes, 67 yards, TD
MIN – Robert Smith – 17 rushes, 115 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
DET – Larry Foster – 8 receptions, 106 yards, TD
MIN – Cris Carter – 7 receptions, 45 yards, TD :

#### Week 15: at St. Louis Rams

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 14 | 8 | 29 |
| Rams | 14 | 6 | 13 | 7 | 40 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: December 10
* Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 66,273
* Referee: Ron Winter (14)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
STL – Marshall Faulk 1-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick), 8:56. Rams 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 6:04.
STL – Marshall Faulk 1-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick), 4:54. Rams 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 39 yards, 2:03.
Second quarter
STL – Jeff Wilkins 26-yard field goal, 13:48. Rams 17–0. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 2:52.
MIN – Johnny McWilliams 22-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 7:14. Rams 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 6:34.
STL – Jeff Wilkins 19-yard field goal, 1:11. Rams 20–7. Drive: 13 plays, 78 yards, 6:03.
Third quarter
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 8-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 11:20. Rams 20–14. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 3:40.
STL – Marshall Faulk 5-yard run (pass failed), 8:19. Rams 26–14. Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 3:01.
STL – Marshall Faulk 1-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick), 4:36. Rams 33–14. Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 2:05.
MIN – Cris Carter 2-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 0:32. Rams 33–21. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 4:04.
Fourth quarter
STL – Justin Watson 6-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick), 8:10. Rams 40–21. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 7:22.
MIN – Randy Moss 32-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Daunte Culpepper–Randy Moss pass), 2:27. Rams 40–29. Drive: 8 plays, 86 yards, 1:50.
Top passers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 21/33, 221 yards, 3 TD
STL – Kurt Warner – 27/32, 346 yards
Top rushers
MIN – Robert Smith – 15 rushes, 67 yards
STL – Marshall Faulk – 25 rushes, 135 yards, 4 TD
Top receivers
MIN – Cris Carter – 7 receptions, 66 yards, TD
STL – Torry Holt – 9 receptions, 172 yards :

#### Week 16: vs. Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Packers | 10 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 33 |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: December 17
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,183
* Referee: Gerry Austin (34)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 34-yard field goal, 7:38. Packers 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 62 yards, 7:22.
GB – Antonio Freeman 18-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 2:04. Packers 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 87 yards, 4:04.
MIN – Randy Moss 78-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 1:36. Packers 10–7. Drive: 1 play, 78 yards, 0:28.
Second quarter
GB – Ahman Green 6-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 11:51. Packers 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:45.
GB – Ryan Longwell 35-yard field goal, 2:41. Packers 20–7. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 3:07.
MIN – Daunte Culpepper 3-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 0:20. Packers 20–14. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 2:21.
Third quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 43-yard field goal, 8:39. Packers 23–14. Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 4:07.
MIN – Johnny McWilliams 22-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 3:58. Packers 23–21. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 4:41.
Fourth quarter
GB – Bill Schroeder 3-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 14:56. Packers 30–21. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 4:02.
GB – Ryan Longwell 36-yard field goal, 6:51. Packers 33–21. Drive: 7 plays, 7 yards, 3:52.
MIN – Cris Carter 5-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 2:38. Packers 33–28. Drive: 15 plays, 84 yards, 4:13.
Top passers
GB – Brett Favre – 26/38, 290 yards, 3 TD
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 23/38, 335 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
GB – Ahman Green – 25 rushes, 161 yards
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 7 rushes, 42 yards, TD
Top receivers
GB – Antonio Freeman – 6 receptions, 97 yards, TD
MIN – Randy Moss – 4 receptions, 136 yards, TD :

#### Week 17: at Indianapolis Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Colts | 7 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: December 24
* Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 56,672
* Referee: Bill Carollo (63)
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
IND – Marvin Harrison 4-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 7:32. Colts 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 5:45.
MIN – Randy Moss 42-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 3:07. Tied 7–7. Drive: 8 plays, 81 yards, 4:25.
Second quarter
IND – Edgerrin James 52-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 9:12. Colts 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 87 yards, 2:43.
MIN – Gary Anderson 31-yard field goal, 5:04. Colts 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:22.
IND – Marvin Harrison 15-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 1:19. Colts 21–10. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 3:45.
Third quarter
IND – Marvin Harrison 18-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 7:47. Colts 28–10. Drive: 5 plays, 55 yards, 2:25.
Fourth quarter
IND – Mike Vanderjagt 28-yard field goal, 9:54. Colts 31–10. Drive: 13 plays, 85 yards, 6:33.
Top passers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 7/10, 97 yards, TD
IND – Peyton Manning – 25/36, 283 yards, 4 TD, INT
Top rushers
MIN – Robert Smith – 15 rushes, 37 yards
IND – Edgerrin James – 26 rushes, 128 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Cris Carter – 4 receptions, 67 yards
IND – Marvin Harrison – 12 receptions, 109 yards, 3 TD :
This was the first occasion the Colts hosted the Vikings in the regular season since 1968 in Baltimore, although the two teams would again play in the Colts’ stadium during that postseason. The intervening gap of 31 seasons constitutes the second-longest gap without one team visiting another in NFL history, and at the time was a record.

### Standings

NFC Central :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(2)}$ Minnesota Vikings | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 397 | 371 | L3 |
| $^{(5)}$ Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 388 | 269 | L1 |
| Green Bay Packers | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 353 | 323 | W4 |
| Detroit Lions | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 307 | 307 | L1 |
| Chicago Bears | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 216 | 355 | W1 |

## Postseason
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Venue | Attendance | NFL.com recap |
| Division | January 6 | New Orleans Saints | W 34–16 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 63,881 | Recap |
| Championship | January 14 | at New York Giants | L 0–41 | Giants Stadium | 79,310 | Recap |

### Game summaries
#### NFC Divisional Playoffs: vs (#3) New Orleans Saints

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Saints | 3 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 16 |
| Vikings | 10 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 34 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: January 6
* Game time: 11:30 a.m. CST/12:30 p.m. EST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 63,881
* Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
* TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Matt Millen and Pam Oliver
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Randy Moss 53-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 11:57. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 64 yards, 1:20.
NO – Doug Brien 33-yard field goal, 7:46. Vikings 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 4:11.
MIN – Gary Anderson 24-yard field goal, 1:36. Vikings 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 67 yards, 6:10.
Second quarter
MIN – Cris Carter 17-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 1:29. Vikings 17–3. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:40.
Third quarter
MIN – Randy Moss 68-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 13:33. Vikings 24–3. Drive: 3 plays, 77 yards, 1:27.
NO – Dave Stachelski 2-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (Doug Brien kick), 9:33. Vikings 24–10. Drive: 8 plays, 83 yards, 4:00.
MIN – Gary Anderson 44-yard field goal, 4:31. Vikings 27–10. Drive: 10 plays, 50 yards, 5:02.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Robert Smith 2-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 10:46. Vikings 34–10. Drive: 8 plays, 29 yards, 4:32.
NO – Willie Jackson 48-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (pass failed), 2:19. Vikings 34–16. Drive: 3 plays, 66 yards, 0:58.
Top passers
NO – Aaron Brooks – 30/48, 295 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 17/31, 302 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
NO – Aaron Brooks – 5 rushes, 29 yards
MIN – Robert Smith – 25 rushes, 74 yards, TD
Top receivers
NO – Willie Jackson – 9 receptions, 125 yards, TD
MIN – Randy Moss – 2 receptions, 121 yards, 2 TD :

#### NFC Championship Game: vs (#1) New York Giants

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Giants | 14 | 20 | 7 | 0 | 41 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: January 14
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST/11:30 a.m. CST
* Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 35 °F (2 °C)
* Game attendance: 79,310
* Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
* TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall, John Madden, D.J. Johnson and Pam Oliver
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NYG – Ike Hilliard 46-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Brad Daluiso kick), 13:03. Giants 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 1:57.
NYG – Greg Comella 18-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Brad Daluiso kick), 12:47. Giants 14–0. Drive: 1 play, 18 yards, 0:06.
Second quarter
NYG – Brad Daluiso 21-yard field goal, 14:56. Giants 17–0. Drive: 6 plays, 37 yards, 3:10.
NYG – Joe Jurevicius 8-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Brad Daluiso kick), 10:24. Giants 24–0. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 2:42.
NYG – Brad Daluiso 22-yard field goal, 5:22. Giants 27–0. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 3:27.
NYG – Ike Hilliard 7-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Brad Daluiso kick), 0:12. Giants 34–0. Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 3:19.
Third quarter
NYG – Amani Toomer 7-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Brad Daluiso kick), 12:06. Giants 41–0. Drive: 5 plays, 29 yards, 2:35.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 13/28, 78 yards, 3 INT
NYG – Kerry Collins – 28/39, 381 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
MIN – Robert Smith – 7 rushes, 44 yards
NYG – Tiki Barber – 12 rushes, 69 yards
Top receivers
MIN – Cris Carter – 3 receptions, 24 yards
NYG – Ike Hilliard – 10 receptions, 155 yards, 2 TD :

## Statistics
### Team leaders

| Category | Player(s) | Total |
| Passing yards | Daunte Culpepper | 3,937 |
| Passing touchdowns | Daunte Culpepper | 33 |
| Rushing yards | Robert Smith | 1,521 |
| Rushing touchdowns | Robert Smith Daunte Culpepper | 7 |
| Receiving yards | Randy Moss | 1,437 |
| Receiving touchdowns | Randy Moss | 15 |
| Points | Gary Anderson | 111 |
| Kickoff return yards | Troy Walters | 692 |
| Punt return yards | Troy Walters | 217 |
| Tackles | Ed McDaniel | 118 |
| Sacks | John Randle | 8 |
| Interceptions | Robert Tate Kailee Wong | 2 |
| Forced fumbles | John Randle Robert Tate | 2 |

### League rankings

| Category | Total yards | Yards per game | NFL rank (out of 31) |
| Passing offense | 3,832 | 239.5 | 7th |
| Rushing offense | 2,129 | 133.1 | 6th |
| Total offense | 5,961 | 372.6 | 5th |
| Passing defense | 3,913 | 244.6 | 28th |
| Rushing defense | 1,788 | 111.8 | 15th |
| Total defense | 5,701 | 356.3 | 28th |

## Awards and records

* Gary Anderson, NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, Week 8
* Mitch Berger, NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, Week 14
* Mitch Berger, NFC Special Teams Player of the Month, December
* Cris Carter, All-NFL Team (as selected by the Associated Press, Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers of America)
* Cris Carter, NFC Pro Bowl Selection
* Daunte Culpepper, NFC Offensive Player of the Week, Week 6
* Daunte Culpepper, NFC Offensive Player of the Week, Week 12
* Chris Hovan, PFW/Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team
* Randy Moss, All-NFL Team (as selected by the Associated Press, Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers of America)
* Randy Moss, PFW/PFWA All-Pro Team
* Robert Smith, NFC Offensive Player of the Month, December

## 40-year team

The Vikings named an all-time team in 2000 in recognition of the franchise's 40th year in the NFL.
* Offense
** WR: Ahmad Rashad, Cris Carter
** T: Ron Yary, Tim Irwin
** G: Ed White, Randall McDaniel
** C: Mick Tingelhoff
** TE: Steve Jordan
** QB: Fran Tarkenton
** RB: Chuck Foreman, Robert Smith
** K: Fred Cox
** ST: Bill Brown
* Defense
** DE: Jim Marshall, Carl Eller
** DT: Alan Page, John Randle
** LB: Jeff Siemon, Matt Blair, Scott Studwell
** S: Paul Krause, Joey Browner
** CB: Bobby Bryant, Carl Lee
** P: Greg Coleman
** RS: Darrin Nelson
* Head coach: Bud Grant