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.
This for the first time since 1989, Cris Carter was not on the opening day roster. He signed with the Miami Dolphins in free agency.
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.
Offseason Additions SubtractionsWR 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 order Player name Position College Notes Round Overall17 Bryant McKinnieOffensive tackleMiami (FL)238Raonall SmithLinebackerWashington State370Willie OffordSafetySouth Carolina4105Brian WilliamsCornerbackNC State132Ed Ta'amuGuardUtahCompensatory pick5141Traded to the Cleveland Browns6177Nick RogersLinebackerGeorgia Tech7218Chad BeasleyOffensive tackleVirginia Tech Notes:
Undrafted free agents
+ 2002 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeJeremy AllenRunning backIowaAtrews BellWide receiverFlorida StateJack BrewerSafetyMinnesotaKelly CampbellWide receiverGeorgia TechCarlos DanielsRunning backWestern IllinoisNick DavisWide receiverWisconsinTodd FranceKickerToledoKyries HebertSafetyLouisiana–LafayetteShaun HillQuarterbackMarylandDane KragerLinebackerAngelo StateDevin LewisWide receiverSouthernNick MurphyPunterArizona StateMax YatesLinebackerMarshall
Staff
Roster
Preseason Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance NFL.comrecap 1 August 10 Cleveland Browns L 15–27 0–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,532 Recap 2 August 16 at Buffalo 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 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 14–17 2–2 Heinz Field 57,062 Recap
Game summaries Week 1: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 2: at Buffalo Bills
Week 3: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 4: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance NFL.comrecap 1 September 8 at Chicago Bears L 23–27 0–1 Memorial Stadium 52,168 Recap 2 September 15 Buffalo Bills L 39–45 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 at Seattle 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 at New 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 at Tampa 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 at New England Patriots L 17–24 3–8 Gillette Stadium 68,436 Recap 13 December 1 Atlanta Falcons L 24–30 3–9 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,947 Recap 14 December 8 at Green Bay Packers L 22–26 3–10 Lambeau Field 64,070 Recap 15 December 15 at New 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 at Detroit Lions W 38–36 6–10 Ford Field 60,233 Recap
Game summaries Week 1: at Chicago Bears
Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 3: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 4: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions
Week 7: at New York Jets
Week 8: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 9: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 10: vs. New York Giants
Week 11: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 12: at New England Patriots
Week 13: vs. Atlanta Falcons
With the overtime loss, the Vikings fell to 3-9 and 0-3 against the NFC South.
Week 14: at Green Bay Packers
With the loss, the Vikings failed to sweep the Packers and they were eliminated from playoff contention for the second straight year as result. The game had also featured a massive brawl between Green Bay and Minnesota at the end of the game following a game sealing interception.
Week 15: at New Orleans Saints
With the win, the Vikings improved to 4-10 and finished 1-3 against the NFC South.
Week 16: vs. Miami Dolphins
With the win, the Vikings secured a 1-3 record against the AFC East and finished 4-4 at home.
Week 17: at Detroit Lions
With the win, the Vikings finished the season at 6-10 (4-2 against the NFC North) and 2-6 on the road.
Standings Division
Conference
Statistics
Team leaders 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
League rankings Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank 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
References
External links