2000 season-in-review team reports —
NFC Central
As published in print Jan. 31, 2001
|
| Overview |
| Though they finished the year on quite a sour note, the Vikings certainly
exceeded everyone’s expectations by winning the NFC Central and reaching the
conference championship with a first-year starting quarterback. Daunte Culpepper looked
like a seasoned veteran at times, guiding the Vikings to a 7-0 start. Despite concluding
the season with a three-game losing streak, Minnesota earned the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
But in the end, the team was brought down by its porous defense. |
| Turning point |
| The Vikings were 11-2 and riding a four-game winning streak entering
their Week 15 game at St. Louis. The Rams came in on a three-game losing streak, but you
never would have known it the way they burst out of the gate, jumping out to a 17-0 lead.
The Vikings’ offense mounted a rally, but the defense couldn’t keep up, allowing
508 yards. Minnesota lost 40-29, the first of three defeats to end the season. |
| Offensive MVP |
| RB Robert Smith gave the Vikings’ offense what it had lacked for
several years — balance. Smith led the NFC with 1,521 rushing yards, averaging 5.2
yards per carry. For the first time in his career, Smith completed a 16-game season,
though his pace slowed down the stretch because of a knee injury that required surgery.
Still, with Leroy Hoard out of the picture, Smith played in all situations, and the extra
snaps equated to a career year. Smith also benefited from a bigger offensive line. |
| Defensive MVP |
| SS Robert Griffith was more deserving of a Pro Bowl berth in 1999, but
his value to the Vikings’ defense cannot be underestimated. Griffith was a true
mentor for the team’s young defensive backs, especially rookie Tyrone Carter, who
took over at free safety when Orlando Thomas went down with an injury. Because he was
forced to stay in coverage so often, Griffith didn’t have his usual impact. But his
leadership and veteran presence were huge. |
| Biggest surprise |
| Having thrown nary an NFL pass entering the season, Daunte Culpepper was
thought by many to be vastly unprepared for a starting role. But he quickly silenced his
doubters, rushing for three touchdowns in his first pro start. He followed that effort
with a 355-yard passing performance. Culpepper built a strong rapport with WRs Cris Carter
and Randy Moss, en route to an NFC-high 33 TD passes (he tied Colts QB Peyton Manning for
the league high). |
| Biggest disappointment |
| For the first time since 1991, DL John Randle failed to record
double-digit sacks. Though the Vikings moved him all over the defensive line to give him
favorable matchups, Randle didn’t produce enough consistency. In fact, he at times
played selfishly, operating outside the team’s scheme for his own benefit. |
| Rookie recap |
| DT Chris Hovan worked himself into the starting lineup with a strong
early-season showing. The first-round pick led all Vikings defensive linemen with 54
tackles. DL Fred Robbins (second round) played sparingly, and DL Michael Boireau spent the
last 12 games on injured reserve. RB Doug Chapman (third round) was inactive for every
game, while LB Antonio Wilson (fourth round) was inactive for all but one game. FS Tyrone
Carter (fourth round) saw a lot of playing time but was protected by the Vikings’
scheme. Troy Walters (fifth round) did an average job as a return man. C Mike Malano and
OG Lewis Kelly (seventh-rounders) spent the season on injured reserve. |
| Free-agent/trade review |
| CB Cris Dishman, who had been released by the Chiefs just before Week
One, turned into a liability. Former Broncos QB Bubby Brister saw significant action once
and didn’t look good. Former Bills LB Gabe Northern had one strong outing. Former
Jaguar Bryce Paup missed six games with a knee injury and was ineffective at defensive
end. Former Redskins OG Brad Badger proved to be a capable backup. DE Fernando Smith, who
had two stints with the team this season, did little. |
Top of page
|
Regular-season record: 11-5
|
| Team leaders |
|
Rushing — Robert
Smith, 1,521 yards on 295 carries, 5.2 avg., 7 TDs.
Passing — Daunte
Culpepper, 297-474 attempts for 3,937 yards, 33 TDs, 16 interceptions, 98.0 rating.
Receiving — Cris
Carter, 96 receptions for 1,274 yards, 13.3 avg., 9 TDs.
Scoring — Gary
Anderson, 111 points on 45 PATs and 22 FGs.
Kickoff returns — Troy
Walters, 30 for 692 yards, 23.1 avg., 0 TDs.
Punt returns — Troy
Walters, 15 for 217 yards, 14.5 avg., 0 TDs.
Punting — Mitch
Berger, 62 for 44.7 avg., 36.2 net, 11 TB, 16 inside 20, 0 blk., 60L.
Interceptions — Kailee
Wong, Robert Tate, 2
Sacks — John
Randle, 8. |
| Results |
|
| Pointspread Shown Refers to Minnesota. |
| Date |
Opponent |
Spread |
Score |
| Sept. 3 |
Chicago |
(-4.5) |
30-27 |
| Sept. 10 |
Miami |
(-3) |
13-7 |
| Sept. 17 |
At New England |
(+2.5) |
21-13 |
| Sept. 24 |
BYE |
|
|
| Oct. 1 |
At Detroit |
(-2) |
31-24 |
| Oct. 9 |
Tampa Bay |
(-2) |
30-23 |
| Oct. 15 |
At Chicago |
(-5.5) |
28-16 |
| Oct. 22 |
Buffalo |
(-5.5) |
31-27 |
| Oct. 29 |
At Tampa Bay |
(+3) |
13-41 |
| Nov. 6 |
At Green Bay |
(-3.5) |
20-26* |
| Nov. 12 |
Arizona |
(-12.5) |
31-14 |
| Nov. 19 |
Carolina |
(-9.5) |
31-17 |
| Nov. 23 |
At Dallas |
(-7.5) |
27-15 |
| Nov. 30 |
Detroit |
(-8.5) |
24-17 |
| Dec. 10 |
At St. Louis |
(+3.5) |
29-40 |
| Dec. 17 |
Green Bay |
(-8) |
28-33 |
| Dec. 24 |
At Indianapolis |
(+1) |
10-31 |
| POSTSEASON |
| Jan. 6 |
New Orleans |
(-8) |
34-16 |
| Jan. 14 |
At New York Giants |
(-3) |
0-41 |
| * Overtime |
|
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