2000 Minnesota Vikings season
OwnerRed McCombs
Head coachDennis Green
Home fieldHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Results
Record11–5
Division place1st NFC Central
Playoff finishWon Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Saints) 34–16
Lost NFC Championship
(at Giants) 0–41
Pro Bowlers5
Uniform

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 and beat the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round of the playoffs before losing 41–0 to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game.

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.

Despite the rough patch, the Vikings would return to the playoffs again for the fifth straight year. After easily beating the Saints in the Divisional game 34–16, they were defeated 41–0 by the New York Giants in the Conference Championship, and to top that, 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.

Offseason

AdditionsSubtractions
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)
CB Cris Dishman (Chiefs)

2000 Draft

2000 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft order Player name Position College Notes
Round Selection
125 Chris HovanDefensive tackleBoston
255 Fred RobbinsDefensive tackleWake Forest
56 Michael BoireauDefensive endUniversity of Miamifrom Redskins[a]
388 Doug ChapmanRunning backMarshall
4106 Antonio WilsonLinebackerTexas A&Mfrom Ravens[b]
118 Tyrone CarterSafetyMinnesota
5155 Surrendered to the Washington Redskins[c]
165 Troy WaltersWide receiverStanfordCompensatory pick
6191 Traded to the Baltimore Ravens[b]
7232 Traded to the Cleveland Browns[d]
240 Mike MalanoCenterSan Diego StateCompensatory pick
244 Giles ColeTight endTexasCompensatory pick
248 Lewis KellyGuardSouth Carolina StateCompensatory pick
^[a] During the 1999 NFL Draft, Washington traded their 1999 first-round selection (11th overall), 1999 third-round selection (73rd overall) and 2000 second-round selection (56th overall) to Minnesota in exchange for QB Brad Johnson.
^[b] The details of these trades are unknown but may involve Baltimore's acquisition of OL Everett Lindsay from Minnesota.
^[c] Washington received this selection as compensation for restricted free agent G Brad Badger.
^[d] Minnesota traded their seventh-round selection (232nd overall) to Cleveland for DT Jerry Ball.

Undrafted free agents

2000 Undrafted free agents of note
Player Position College
Billy Cockerham Quarterback Minnesota

Preseason

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendanceNFL.com
recap
1August 5New Orleans SaintsL 24–250–1Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome63,445Recap
2August 12at San Diego ChargersL 7–310–2Qualcomm Stadium43,805Recap
3August 18Arizona CardinalsW 35–171–2Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome63,563Recap
4August 24at Indianapolis ColtsL 30–321–3RCA Dome51,337Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 1: New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 3 31225
Vikings 0 14 7324

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 2: at San Diego Chargers

Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 7 007
Chargers 0 14 10731

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

Week 3: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 3: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 3 7717
Vikings 7 21 7035

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 4: at Indianapolis Colts

Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 0 101330
Colts 10 3 71232

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

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
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

Week 1: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 6 7727
Vikings 6 3 71430

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

Week 2: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 2: Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 0 077
Vikings 3 0 01013

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

Week 3: at New England Patriots

Week 3: Minnesota Vikings at New England Patriots
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 14 0021
Patriots 7 0 0613

at Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

Week 5: at Detroit Lions

Week 5: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 3 71431
Lions 7 3 01424

at Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

Week 6: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 6: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 7 3 6723
Vikings 7 10 31030

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 7: at Chicago Bears

Week 7: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 14 7728
Bears 6 3 0716

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 8: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week 8: Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 10 71027
Vikings 3 3 71831

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

Week 9: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 3 10 0013
Buccaneers 14 17 3741

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Week 10: at Green Bay Packers

Week 10: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Vikings 3 10 70020
Packers 0 10 100626

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 11: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 7 0 0714
Vikings 7 3 71431

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

Week 12: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 12: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 7 0317
Vikings 14 10 7031

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 13: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 13: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 10 17027
Cowboys 3 6 0615

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

Game information

Week 14: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 14: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 3 01417
Vikings 7 10 0724

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 15: at St. Louis Rams

Week 15: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 7 14829
Rams 14 6 13740

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

Week 16: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 16: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 10 10 31033
Vikings 7 7 7728

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 17: at Indianapolis Colts

Week 17: Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 3 0010
Colts 7 14 7331

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Standings

NFC Central
W L T PCT PF PA STK
(2) Minnesota Vikings 1150.688397371L3
(5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1060.625388269L1
Green Bay Packers 970.563353323W4
Detroit Lions 970.563307307L1
Chicago Bears 5110.313216355W1

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

NFC Divisional Playoffs: (#3) New Orleans Saints at (#2) Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 3 0 7616
Vikings 10 7 10734

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

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

NFC Championship Game: (#2) Minnesota Vikings at (#1) New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 0 000
Giants 14 20 7041

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

Statistics

Team leaders

Category Player(s) Total
Passing yardsDaunte Culpepper3,937
Passing touchdownsDaunte Culpepper33
Rushing yardsRobert Smith1,521
Rushing touchdownsRobert Smith
Daunte Culpepper
7
Receiving yardsRandy Moss1,437
Receiving touchdownsRandy Moss15
PointsGary Anderson111
Kickoff return yardsTroy Walters692
Punt return yardsTroy Walters217
TacklesEd McDaniel118
SacksJohn Randle8
InterceptionsRobert Tate
Kailee Wong
2
Forced fumblesJohn Randle
Robert Tate
2

League rankings

Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 31)
Passing offense3,832239.57th
Rushing offense2,129133.16th
Total offense5,961372.65th
Passing defense3,913244.628th
Rushing defense1,788111.815th
Total defense5,701356.328th

Staff

2000 Minnesota Vikings staff
Front office

Head coaches

  • Head coach/General manager – Dennis Green
  • Assistant head coach/defensive backs – Richard Solomon

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

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

[1]

Roster

2000 Minnesota Vikings final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
53 active, 4 inactive, 5 practice squad

Awards and records

  • Gary Anderson, NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, Week 8 [2]
  • Mitch Berger, NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, Week 14 [2]
  • Mitch Berger, NFC Special Teams Player of the Month, December [2]
  • Cris Carter, All-NFL Team (as selected by the Associated Press, Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers of America)[2]
  • Cris Carter, NFC Pro Bowl Selection[3]
  • Daunte Culpepper, NFC Offensive Player of the Week, Week 6[2]
  • Daunte Culpepper, NFC Offensive Player of the Week, Week 12[2]
  • 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)[2]
  • Randy Moss, PFW/PFWA All-Pro Team[4]
  • Robert Smith, NFC Offensive Player of the Month, December[2]

40-year team

The Vikings named an all-time team in 2000 in recognition of the franchise's 40th year in the NFL.[5]

References

  1. 2009 Minnesota Vikings Media Guide. p. 251. Archived from the original on December 24, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 202
  3. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 362
  4. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 203
  5. "Minnesota Vikings 2010 Team Guide" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 14, 2011.
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