| 2002 Minnesota Vikings season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Mike Tice |
| Home stadium | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |
| Results | |
| Record | 6–10 |
| Division place | 2ndNFC North |
| Playoffs | Did not qualify |
| All-Pros | DTChris Hovan (2nd team) |
| Pro Bowlers | 2
|
| Uniform | |
The2002 season was theMinnesota Vikings' 42nd in theNational Football League, and the first under head coachMike 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.
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 losingCris Carter to retirement, Randy Moss had a career-high 106 receptions, but only had 7 touchdowns.
After the season, Derrick Alexander retired.
| Additions | Subtractions |
|---|---|
| WRDerrick Alexander (Chiefs) | TBrad Badger (Raiders) |
| WRD'Wayne Bates (Bears) | PMitch Berger (Rams) |
| LBGreg Biekert (Raiders) | WRCris Carter (Dolphins) |
| CBCorey Chavous (Cardinals) | CBDale Carter (Saints) |
| LBHenri Crockett (Falcons) | WRJake Reed (Saints) |
| DEKenny Mixon (Dolphins) | LBKailee Wong (Texans) |
| PKyle Richardson (Ravens) | WRTroy Walters (Colts) |
| FSRonnie Bradford (Falcons) | FSRobert Griffith (Browns) |
| DELorenzo Bromell (Dolphins) | CBRobert Tate (Ravens) |
| TEHunter Goodwin (Dolphins) | CBKenny Wright (Texans) |
| DEChuck Wiley (Falcons) |
| Pro Bowler |
| 2002 Minnesota Vikings Draft | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draft order | Player name | Position | College | Notes | |
| Round | Overall | ||||
| 1 | 7 | Bryant McKinnie | Offensive tackle | Miami (FL) | |
| 2 | 38 | Raonall Smith | Linebacker | Washington State | |
| 3 | 70 | Willie Offord | Safety | South Carolina | |
| 4 | 105 | Brian Williams | Cornerback | NC State | |
| 132 | Ed Ta'amu | Guard | Utah | Compensatory pick | |
| 5 | 141 | Traded to theCleveland Browns[A] | |||
| 6 | 177 | Nick Rogers | Linebacker | Georgia Tech | |
| 7 | 218 | Chad Beasley | Offensive tackle | Virginia Tech | |
Notes:
| Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Brewer | Safety | Minnesota |
| Kelly Campbell | Wide receiver | Georgia Tech |
| Nick Davis | Wide receiver | Wisconsin |
| Shaun Hill | Quarterback | Maryland |
| Max Yates | Linebacker | Marshall |
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
| Quarterbacks(QB) Running backs(RB) Wide receivers(WR) Tight ends(TE) | Offensive linemen(OL) | Linebackers(LB)
Defensive backs(DB)
Special teams(ST) | Reserve lists
|
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | NFL.com recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 10 | Cleveland Browns | L 15–27 | 0–1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 63,532 | Recap |
| 2 | August 16 | atBuffalo Bills | W 24–21 | 1–1 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | 47,027 | Recap |
| 3 | August 23 | Tennessee Titans | W 14–10 | 2–1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 63,845 | Recap |
| 4 | August 29 | atPittsburgh Steelers | L 14–17 | 2–2 | Heinz Field | 57,062 | Recap |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | 7 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 27 |
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 15 |
atHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome,Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| Bills | 6 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 21 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titans | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Vikings | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
atHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome,Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Steelers | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | NFL.com recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 8 | atChicago Bears | L 23–27 | 0–1 | Memorial Stadium | 52,168 | Recap |
| 2 | September 15 | Buffalo Bills | L 39–45(OT) | 0–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,047 | Recap |
| 3 | September 22 | Carolina Panthers | L 14–21 | 0–3 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 63,945 | Recap |
| 4 | September 29 | atSeattle Seahawks | L 23–48 | 0–4 | Seahawks Stadium | 65,212 | Recap |
| 5 | Bye | ||||||
| 6 | October 13 | Detroit Lions | W 31–24 | 1–4 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,013 | Recap |
| 7 | October 20 | atNew York Jets | L 7–20 | 1–5 | Giants Stadium | 78,516 | Recap |
| 8 | October 27 | Chicago Bears | W 25–7 | 2–5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,122 | Recap |
| 9 | November 3 | atTampa Bay Buccaneers | L 24–38 | 2–6 | Raymond James Stadium | 65,667 | Recap |
| 10 | November 10 | New York Giants | L 20–27 | 2–7 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,005 | Recap |
| 11 | November 17 | Green Bay Packers | W 31–21 | 3–7 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,153 | Recap |
| 12 | November 24 | atNew England Patriots | L 17–24 | 3–8 | Gillette Stadium | 68,436 | Recap |
| 13 | December 1 | Atlanta Falcons | L 24–30(OT) | 3–9 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 63,947 | Recap |
| 14 | December 8 | atGreen Bay Packers | L 22–26 | 3–10 | Lambeau Field | 64,070 | Recap |
| 15 | December 15 | atNew Orleans Saints | W 32–31 | 4–10 | Louisiana Superdome | 67,851 | Recap |
| 16 | December 21 | Miami Dolphins | W 20–17 | 5–10 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,285 | Recap |
| 17 | December 29 | atDetroit Lions | W 38–36 | 6–10 | Ford Field | 60,233 | Recap |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 3 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
| Bears | 7 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 27 |
atMemorial Stadium,Champaign, Illinois
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bills | 6 | 7 | 10 | 16 | 6 | 45 |
| Vikings | 3 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 39 |
atHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome,Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
| Seahawks | 14 | 31 | 0 | 3 | 48 |
atSeahawks Stadium,Seattle, Washington
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 14 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
| Vikings | 3 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 31 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Jets | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Vikings | 0 | 13 | 12 | 0 | 25 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
| Buccaneers | 14 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
atRaymond James Stadium,Tampa, Florida
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giants | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 27 |
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 20 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| Vikings | 14 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 31 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Patriots | 7 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 24 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 0 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 30 |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 10 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 22 |
| Packers | 0 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 26 |
atLambeau Field,Green Bay, Wisconsin
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 14 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 32 |
| Saints | 10 | 10 | 3 | 8 | 31 |
atLouisiana Superdome,New Orleans, Louisiana
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins | 7 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 14 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 38 |
| Lions | 14 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 36 |
atFord Field,Detroit, Michigan
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| NFC North | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
| (3)Green Bay Packers | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 9–3 | 398 | 328 | L1 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 4–2 | 5–7 | 390 | 442 | W3 |
| Chicago Bears | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 2–4 | 3–9 | 281 | 379 | L2 |
| Detroit Lions | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 1–5 | 3–9 | 306 | 451 | L8 |
| # | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division leaders | ||||||||||
| 1[a] | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 11–1 | .469 | .432 |
| 2[a][b] | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 4–2 | 9–3 | .482 | .432 |
| 3[a][b] | Green Bay Packers | North | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .451 | .414 |
| 4 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 5–1 | 8–4 | .504 | .450 |
| Wild Cards | ||||||||||
| 5 | New York Giants | East | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 5–1 | 8–4 | .482 | .450 |
| 6 | Atlanta Falcons | South | 9 | 6 | 1 | .594 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .494 | .429 |
| Did not qualify for the postseason | ||||||||||
| 7 | New Orleans Saints | South | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3–3 | 7–5 | .498 | .566 |
| 8[c] | St. Louis Rams | West | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 5–7 | .508 | .446 |
| 9[c] | Seattle Seahawks | West | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .506 | .433 |
| 10[d] | Washington Redskins | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .527 | .438 |
| 11[d] | Carolina Panthers | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .486 | .357 |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 4–2 | 5–7 | .498 | .417 |
| 13[e] | Arizona Cardinals | West | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 5–7 | .500 | .400 |
| 14[e] | Dallas Cowboys | East | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .500 | .475 |
| 15 | Chicago Bears | North | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 2–4 | 3–9 | .521 | .430 |
| 16 | Detroit Lions | North | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .494 | .375 |
| Tiebreakers[f] | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| Category | Player(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 |
| Category | Total yards | Yards per game | NFL rank (out of 32) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing offense | 3,685 | 230.3 | 9th |
| Rushing offense | 2,507 | 156.7 | 1st |
| Total offense | 6,192 | 387.0 | 2nd |
| Passing defense | 4,103 | 256.4 | 29th |
| Rushing defense | 1,666 | 104.1 | 10th |
| Total defense | 5,769 | 360.6 | 26th |
Media related to2002 Minnesota Vikings season at Wikimedia Commons