2002 Minnesota Vikings season

Last updated

2002 Minnesota Vikings season
Head coach Mike Tice
Home stadium Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Results
Record6–10
Division place2nd NFC North
PlayoffsDid not qualify
All-Pros DT Chris Hovan (2nd team)
Pro Bowlers
2
Uniform
Vikings 1996-2005.png

The 2002 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 42nd in the National Football League, and the first under head coach Mike Tice. Tice was the third of the Vikings' six head coaches to be promoted from within the team's coaching ranks but the first to have actually played for the team.

Contents

This for the first time since 1989, Cris Carter was not on the opening day roster.

The Vikings lost their opening game in Chicago 27–23 after surrendering a 20–10 halftime lead, and ended up going 0–4 before their bye week. Results improved after the bye, but they ultimately went 6–6 in their remaining games, including a three-game winning streak to end the season. They finished the season with a 6–10 record and missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Second-year running back Michael Bennett enjoyed a successful year, rushing for 1,296 yards, resulting in a Pro Bowl selection at the end of the season. After losing Cris Carter to retirement, Randy Moss had a career-high 106 receptions, but only had 7 touchdowns.

After the season, Derrick Alexander retired.

Offseason

AdditionsSubtractions
WR Derrick Alexander (Chiefs)T Brad Badger (Raiders)
WR D'Wayne Bates (Bears)P Mitch Berger (Rams)
LB Greg Biekert (Raiders)WR Cris Carter (Dolphins)
CB Corey Chavous (Cardinals)CB Dale Carter (Saints)
LB Henri Crockett (Falcons)WR Jake Reed (Saints)
DE Kenny Mixon (Dolphins)LB Kailee Wong (Texans)
P Kyle Richardson (Ravens)WR Troy Walters (Colts)
FS Ronnie Bradford (Falcons)FS Robert Griffith (Browns)
DE Lorenzo Bromell (Dolphins)CB Robert Tate (Ravens)
TE Hunter Goodwin (Dolphins)CB Kenny Wright (Texans)
DE Chuck Wiley (Falcons)

2002 draft

Pro Bowler
2002 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft orderPlayer namePositionCollegeNotes
RoundOverall
1 7 Bryant McKinnie Offensive tackle Miami (FL)
238 Raonall Smith Linebacker Washington State
370 Willie Offord Safety South Carolina
4105 Brian Williams Cornerback NC State
132 Ed Ta'amu Guard Utah Compensatory pick
5141Traded to the Cleveland Browns [A]
6177 Nick Rogers Linebacker Georgia Tech
7218Chad Beasley Offensive tackle Virginia Tech

Notes:

  1. Minnesota traded their fifth-round selection (141st overall) to the Browns in exchange for QB Spergon Wynn and RB Travis Prentice.

Undrafted free agents

2002 undrafted free agents of note
PlayerPositionCollege
Jack Brewer Safety Minnesota
Kelly Campbell Wide receiver Georgia Tech
Nick Davis Wide receiver Wisconsin
Shaun Hill Quarterback Maryland
Max Yates Linebacker Marshall

Staff

2002 Minnesota Vikings staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

[1]

Roster

2002 Minnesota Vikings roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 10 reserve, 5 practice squad

Preseason

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendanceNFL.com
recap
1August 10 Cleveland Browns L 15–270–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,532 Recap
2August 16at Buffalo Bills W 24–211–1 Ralph Wilson Stadium 47,027 Recap
3August 23 Tennessee Titans W 14–102–1Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome63,845 Recap
4August 29at Pittsburgh Steelers L 14–172–2 Heinz Field 57,062 Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 1: Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Browns7614027
Vikings700815

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: August 10
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 63,532
  • Referee: Dick Hantak (105)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 2: at Buffalo Bills

Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings7100724
Bills676221

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: August 16
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 79 °F (26 °C)
  • Game attendance: 46,027
  • Referee: Tom White (123)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 3: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week 3: Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Titans030710
Vikings0140014

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 4: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings070714
Steelers773017

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: August 29
  • Game time: 7:35 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 75 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 57,062
  • Referee: Tom White (123)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendanceNFL.com
recap
1September 8at Chicago Bears L 23–270–1 Memorial Stadium 52,168 Recap
2September 15 Buffalo Bills L 39–45 (OT)0–2 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,047 Recap
3September 22 Carolina Panthers L 14–210–3Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome63,945 Recap
4September 29at Seattle Seahawks L 23–480–4 Seahawks Stadium 65,212 Recap
5Bye
6October 13 Detroit Lions W 31–241–4Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome64,013 Recap
7October 20at New York Jets L 7–201–5 Giants Stadium 78,516 Recap
8October 27 Chicago Bears W 25–72–5Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome64,122 Recap
9November 3at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 24–382–6 Raymond James Stadium 65,667 Recap
10November 10 New York Giants L 20–272–7Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome64,005 Recap
11November 17 Green Bay Packers W 31–213–7Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome64,153 Recap
12November 24at New England Patriots L 17–243–8 Gillette Stadium 68,436 Recap
13December 1 Atlanta Falcons L 24–30 (OT)3–9Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome63,947 Recap
14December 8at Green Bay Packers L 22–263–10 Lambeau Field 64,070 Recap
15December 15at New Orleans Saints W 32–314–10 Louisiana Superdome 67,851 Recap
16December 21 Miami Dolphins W 20–175–10Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome64,285 Recap
17December 29at Detroit Lions W 38–366–10 Ford Field 60,233 Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: at Chicago Bears

Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings3170323
Bears7331427

at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: September 8
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 85 °F (29 °C)
  • Game attendance: 63,226
  • Referee: Mike Carey (94)
  • TV: FOX
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week 2: Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Bills671016645
Vikings3101313039

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 3: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 3: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers0071421
Vikings070714

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: September 22
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 63,945
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar (86)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 4: at Seattle Seahawks

Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings737623
Seahawks14310348

at Seahawks Stadium, Seattle, Washington

  • Date: September 29
  • Game time: 7:35 p.m. CDT/5:35 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 59 °F (15 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,212
  • Referee: Dick Hantak (105)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 6: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Lions1473024
Vikings3771431

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 7: at New York Jets

Week 7: Minnesota Vikings at New York Jets – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings00077
Jets377320

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: October 20
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 78,516
  • Referee: Mike Carey (94)
  • TV: Fox
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 8: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 8: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bears00077
Vikings01312025

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: October 27
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,122
  • Referee: Bill Leavy (127)
  • TV: FOX
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 9: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings0107724
Buccaneers14107738

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: November 3
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 77 °F (25 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,667
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette (42)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 10: vs. New York Giants

Week 10: New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Giants766827
Vikings0331420

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 11: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 11: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Packers077721
Vikings14071031

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 17
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,153
  • Referee: Ron Blum (7)
  • TV: Fox
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 12: at New England Patriots

Week 12: Minnesota Vikings at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings077317
Patriots7140324

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

Week 13: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 13: Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Falcons01473630
Vikings7773024

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 1
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 63,947
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 14: at Green Bay Packers

Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings1039022
Packers0671326

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 15: at New Orleans Saints

Week 15: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings14100832
Saints10103831

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: December 15
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 67,851
  • Referee: Bob McElwee (95)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 16: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 16: Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Dolphins707317
Vikings0371020

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 17: at Detroit Lions

Week 17: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings14147338
Lions14371236

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: December 29
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 60,233
  • Referee: Bill Carollo (63)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Standings

Division

NFC North
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(3) Green Bay Packers 1240.7505–19–3398328L1
Minnesota Vikings 6100.3754–25–7390442W3
Chicago Bears 4120.2502–43–9281379L2
Detroit Lions 3130.1881–53–9306451L8

Conference

#TeamDivisionWLTPCTDIVCONFSOSSOV
Division leaders
1 [a] Philadelphia Eagles East1240.7505–111–1.469.432
2 [a] [b] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South1240.7504–29–3.482.432
3 [a] [b] Green Bay Packers North1240.7505–19–3.451.414
4 San Francisco 49ers West1060.6255–18–4.504.450
Wild Cards
5 New York Giants East1060.6255–18–4.482.450
6 Atlanta Falcons South961.5944–27–5.494.429
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 New Orleans Saints South970.5633–37–5.498.566
8 [c] St. Louis Rams West790.4384–25–7.508.446
9 [c] Seattle Seahawks West790.4382–45–7.506.433
10 [d] Washington Redskins East790.4381–54–8.527.438
11 [d] Carolina Panthers South790.4381–54–8.486.357
12 Minnesota Vikings North6100.3754–25–7.498.417
13 [e] Arizona Cardinals West5110.3131–55–7.500.400
14 [e] Dallas Cowboys East5110.3131–53–9.500.475
15 Chicago Bears North4120.2502–43–9.521.430
16 Detroit Lions North3130.1881–53–9.494.375
Tiebreakers [f]
  1. 1 2 3 Philadelphia finished ahead of Tampa Bay and Green Bay based on conference record (11–1 vs 9–3/9–3).
  2. 1 2 Tampa Bay finished ahead of Green Bay based on head-to-head victory.
  3. 1 2 St. Louis finished ahead of Seattle based on division record (4–2 to 2–4).
  4. 1 2 Washington finished ahead of Carolina based on common games (2–3 to 1–4)
  5. 1 2 Arizona finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
  6. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

Statistics

Coin flip before Minnesota's game at Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 9, November 3 Walsh Culpepper Birk.JPEG
Coin flip before Minnesota's game at Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 9, November 3

Team leaders

CategoryPlayer(s)Value
Passing yards Daunte Culpepper 3,853
Passing touchdowns Daunte Culpepper 18
Rushing yards Michael Bennett 1,296
Rushing touchdowns Moe Williams 11
Receiving yards Randy Moss 1,347
Receiving touchdowns Randy Moss 7
Points Gary Anderson 90
Kickoff return yards Moe Williams 516
Punt return yards Nick Davis 190
Tackles Greg Biekert 101
Sacks Lance Johnstone 7
Interceptions Greg Biekert 4
Forced fumbles Nick Rogers 3

League rankings

CategoryTotal yardsYards per gameNFL rank
(out of 32)
Passing offense3,685230.39th
Rushing offense2,507156.71st
Total offense6,192387.02nd
Passing defense4,103256.429th
Rushing defense1,666104.110th
Total defense5,769360.626th

References

  1. 2009 Minnesota Vikings Media Guide. p. 251. Archived from the original on December 24, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2010.

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