2002 Minnesota Vikings season

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.

2002 Minnesota Vikings season
Head coachMike Tice
Home fieldHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Results
Record6–10
Division place2nd NFC North
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers
2
  • RB Michael Bennett (alternate)
  • WR Randy Moss (injured)
AP All-ProsDT Chris Hovan (2nd team)
Uniform

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.

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 order Player name Position College Notes
Round Overall
17 Bryant McKinnieOffensive tackleMiami
238 Raonall SmithLinebackerWashington State
370 Willie OffordSafetySouth Carolina
4105 Brian WilliamsCornerbackNorth Carolina State
132 Ed Ta'amuGuardUtahCompensatory pick
5141 Traded to the Cleveland Browns[a]
6177 Nick RogersLinebackerGeorgia Tech
7218 Chad BeasleyOffensive tackleVirginia Tech
^[a] Minnesota traded their 5th round selection (141st overall) to Cleveland for QB Spergon Wynn and RB Travis Prentice.

Undrafted free agents

2002 Undrafted Free Agents of note
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

Staff

2002 Minnesota Vikings staff

Front office

  • Owner – Red McCombs
  • President – Gary Woods
  • Vice president of football operations – Rob Brzezinski

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator – Scott Linehan
  • Quarterbacks – Alex Wood
  • Running backs – Dean Dalton
  • Wide receivers – Charlie Baggett
  • Tight ends/assistant offensive line – John Tice
  • Offensive line – Steve Loney
  • Offensive assistant/quality control – Jim Panagos
Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator/secondary – Willie Shaw
  • Linebackers – Brian Baker
  • Defensive backfield – Chuck Knox Jr.
  • Defensive assistant/quality control – Pete Bercich

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams – Jay Hayes

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Steve Wetzel
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Daryl Lawrence

[1]

Roster

2002 Minnesota Vikings final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

  • 23 Michael Bennett
  • 33 Harold Morrow FB
  • 20 Moe Williams
  • 44 James Wofford

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen
  • 78 Matt Birk C
  • 71 David Dixon G
  • 64 Michael Early C/G
  • 72 Adam Haayer T
  • 63 Corbin Lacina G
  • 62 Everett Lindsay G/T
  • 76 Chris Liwienski T
  • 74 Bryant McKinnie T
  • 60 Cory Withrow C

Defensive linemen

  • 91 Lorenzo Bromell DE
  • 93 Darius Holland DT
  • 99 Chris Hovan DT
  • 51 Lance Johnstone DE
  • 95 Cedric Killings DT
  • 79 Kenny Mixon DE/DT
  • 98 Fred Robbins DT
  • 94 Chuck Wiley DE
Linebackers
  • 54 Greg Biekert MLB
  • 50 Patrick Chukwurah OLB
  • 52 Henri Crockett OLB
  • 55 Lemanski Hall OLB
  • 56 Jim Nelson OLB
  • 58 Nick Rogers OLB
  • 59 Antonio Wilson OLB

Defensive backs

  • 26 Ronnie Bradford FS
  • 42 Jack Brewer FS
  • 22 Tyrone Carter CB
  • 21 Corey Chavous CB/SS
  • 25 Eric Kelly CB
  • 24 Willie Offord SS
  • 27 Brian Russell SS
  • 41 Carey Scott CB
  • 29 Brian Williams CB

Special teams

Reserve lists
  • 82 Derrick Alexander WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 34 Doug Chapman RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 15 Kenny Clark WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 92 Winfield Garnett DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • -- Willie Howard DE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 61 Lewis Kelly G (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • -- O. J. Santiago TE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 97 Talance Sawyer DE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 57 Raonall Smith LB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Practice squad

  • 47 Jeremy Allen FB
  • 49 Jeff Kostrewa TE
  • 28 Larry Ned RB
  • 69 Kenny Sandlin C
  • 75 Ed Ta'amu G (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 66 Lorenzo White T


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

Preseason

Schedule

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 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

Week 1: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 1: Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Browns 7 6 14027
Vikings 7 0 0815

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 10 0724
Bills 6 7 6221

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Titans 0 3 0710
Vikings 0 14 0014

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: August 23
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 63,845
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar (86)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 4: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 7 0714
Steelers 7 7 3017

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

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance NFL.com
recap
1 September 8 at Chicago 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 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 (OT) 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

Week 1: at Chicago Bears

Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 17 0323
Bears 7 3 31427

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
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Bills 6 7 1016645
Vikings 3 10 1313039

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 3: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 3: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 0 71421
Vikings 0 7 0714

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 3 7623
Seahawks 14 31 0348

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 14 7 3024
Vikings 3 7 71431

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: October 13
  • Game time: 12:00 pm CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,013
  • Referee: Larry Nemmers (20)
  • TV: Fox
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 7: at New York Jets

Week 7: Minnesota Vikings at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 0 077
Jets 3 7 7320

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 0 077
Vikings 0 13 12025

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 9: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 10 7724
Buccaneers 14 10 7738

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 7 6 6827
Vikings 0 3 31420

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 7 7721
Vikings 14 0 71031

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 7 7317
Patriots 7 14 0324

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

Week 13: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 13: Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Falcons 0 14 73630
Vikings 7 7 73024

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 10 3 9022
Packers 0 6 71326

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 15: at New Orleans Saints

Week 15: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 14 10 0832
Saints 10 10 3831

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
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 0 7317
Vikings 0 3 71020

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 21
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m. CST/1:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,285
  • Referee: Johnny Grier (23)
  • TV: CBS
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 17: at Detroit Lions

Week 17: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 14 14 7338
Lions 14 3 71236

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

Division

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

Conference

# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV
Division leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] Philadelphia Eagles East 1240.750 5–111–1.469.432
2[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 1240.750 4–29–3.482.432
3[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2] Green Bay Packers North 1240.750 5–19–3.451.414
4 San Francisco 49ers West 1060.625 5–18–4.504.450
Wild Cards
5 New York Giants East 1060.625 5–18–4.482.450
6 Atlanta Falcons South 961.594 4–27–5.494.429
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 New Orleans Saints South 970.563 3–37–5.498.566
8[lower-alpha 3] St. Louis Rams West 790.438 4–25–7.508.446
9[lower-alpha 3] Seattle Seahawks West 790.438 2–45–7.506.433
10[lower-alpha 4] Washington Redskins East 790.438 1–54–8.527.438
11[lower-alpha 4] Carolina Panthers South 790.438 1–54–8.486.357
12 Minnesota Vikings North 6100.375 4–25–7.498.417
13[lower-alpha 5] Arizona Cardinals West 5110.313 1–55–7.500.400
14[lower-alpha 5] Dallas Cowboys East 5110.313 1–53–9.500.475
15 Chicago Bears North 4120.250 2–43–9.521.430
16 Detroit Lions North 3130.188 1–53–9.494.375
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 6]
  1. Philadelphia finished ahead of Tampa Bay and Green Bay based on conference record (11–1 vs 9–3/9–3).
  2. Tampa Bay finished ahead of Green Bay based on head-to-head victory.
  3. St. Louis finished ahead of Seattle based on division record (4–2 to 2–4).
  4. Washington finished ahead of Carolina based on common games (2–3 to 1–4)
  5. 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

Team leaders

Category Player(s) Value
Passing yardsDaunte Culpepper3,853
Passing touchdownsDaunte Culpepper18
Rushing yardsMichael Bennett1,296
Rushing touchdownsMoe Williams11
Receiving yardsRandy Moss1,347
Receiving touchdownsRandy Moss7
PointsGary Anderson90
Kickoff return yardsMoe Williams516
Punt return yardsNick Davis190
TacklesGreg Biekert101
SacksLance Johnstone7
InterceptionsGreg Biekert4
Forced fumblesNick Rogers3

League rankings

Category Total yards Yards per game NFL 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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