2000 Minnesota Vikings season

2000 Minnesota Vikings season
Head Coach	Dennis Green
Home Field	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Results
Record	11–5
Place	1st NFC Central
Playoff Finish	Won NFC Divisional Playoff (Saints) 34–16 Lost NFC Championship Game (Giants) 0–41
Pro Bowlers	5
Timeline
Previous season	Next season
1999	2001

The 2000 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 40th in the National Football League. 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 Rams, Packers and 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 humiliated 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

Additions	Subtractions
T Brad Badger (Redskins)	QB Randall Cunningham (Cowboys)
QB Bubby Brister (Broncos)	QB Jeff George (Redskins)
TE Johnny McWilliams (Cardinals)	TE Andrew Glover (Saints)
QB Scott Mitchell (Ravens)
LB Bryce Paup (Jaguars)

2000 Draft

Main article: 2000 NFL Draft

2000 Minnesota Vikings Draft
Draft order			Player name	Position	College	Notes
Round	Choice	Overall
1	25	25	Chris Hovan	Defensive tackle	Boston
2	24	55	Fred Robbins	Defensive tackle	Wake Forest
	25	56	Michael Boireau	Defensive end	University of Miami	from Redskins
3	26	88	Doug Chapman	Running back	Marshall
4	12	106	Antonio Wilson	Linebacker	Texas A&M	from Ravens
	24	118	Tyrone Carter	Safety	Minnesota
5	26	155	Surrendered to the Washington Redskins
	36	165	Troy Walters	Wide receiver	Stanford	Compensatory pick
6	25	191	Traded to the Baltimore Ravens
7	26	232	Traded to the Cleveland Browns
	34	240	Mike Milano	Center	San Diego State	Compensatory pick
	38	244	Giles Cole	Tight end	Texas	Compensatory pick
	42	248	Lewis Kelly	Guard	South Carolina State	Compensatory pick

^{^[a]} During the 1999 NFL Draft, Washington traded their 1999 1st-round selection (11th overall – Daunte Culpepper), 1999 3rd-round selection (73rd overall – later traded to Pittsburgh), and 2000 2nd-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 7th-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

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance [1]
1	August 5	New Orleans Saints	L 24-25	0-1	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	63,445
2	August 12	at San Diego Chargers	L 7-31	0-2	Qualcomm Stadium	43,805
3	August 18	Arizona Cardinals	W 35-17	1-2	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	63,563
4	August 24	at Indianapolis Colts	L 30-32	1-3	RCA Dome	51,337

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	September 3	Chicago Bears	W 30–27	1–0	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	64,104
2	September 10	Miami Dolphins	W 13–7	2–0	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	64,112
3	September 17	at New England Patriots	W 21–13	3–0	Foxboro Stadium	59,835
4	Bye
5	October 1	at Detroit Lions	W 31–24	4–0	Silverdome	76,438
6	October 9	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 30–23	5–0	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	64,162
7	October 15	at Chicago Bears	W 28–16	6–0	Soldier Field	66,944
8	October 22	Buffalo Bills	W 31–27	7–0	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	64,116
9	October 29	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	L 13–41	7–1	Raymond James Stadium	65,589
10	November 6	at Green Bay Packers	L 20–26 (OT)	7–2	Lambeau Field	59,854
11	November 12	Arizona Cardinals	W 31–14	8–2	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	64,223
12	November 19	Carolina Panthers	W 31–17	9–2	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	64,208
13	November 23	at Dallas Cowboys	W 27–15	10–2	Texas Stadium	63,878
14	November 30	Detroit Lions	W 24–17	11–2	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	64,214
15	December 10	at St. Louis Rams	L 29–40	11–3	TWA Dome	66,273
16	December 17	Green Bay Packers	L 28–33	11–4	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	64,183
17	December 24	at Indianapolis Colts	L 10–31	11–5	RCA Dome	56,672

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

Template:2000 NFC Central standings

Postseason

NFC Divisional Playoffs

NFC Divisional Playoffs: (#3) New Orleans Saints at (#2) Minnesota Vikings – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Saints 3 0 7 6 16 Vikings 10 7 10 7 34 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota Date: January 6 Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST/11:30 a.m. CST Game weather: Played indoors, domed stadium Game attendance: 63,881 Referee: Walt Coleman TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Matt Millen and Pam Oliver Reference Game information First quarter MIN – Randy Moss 53-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 11:57. Vikings 7–0. NO – Doug Brien 33-yard field goal, 7:46. Vikings 7–3. MIN – Gary Anderson 24-yard field goal, 1:36. Vikings 10–3. Second quarter MIN – Cris Carter 17-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 1:29. Vikings 17–3. Third quarter MIN – Randy Moss 68-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 13:33. Vikings 24–3. NO – Dave Stachelski 2-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (Doug Brien kick), 9:33. Vikings 24–10. MIN – Gary Anderson 44-yard field goal, 4:31. Vikings 27–10. Fourth quarter MIN – Robert Smith 2-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 10:46. Vikings 34–10. NO – Willie Jackson 48-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (pass failed), 2:19. Vikings 34–16. Top passers NO – Aaron Brooks – 30/48, 295 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 17/31, 302 yards, 3 TD Top rushers NO – Aaron Brooks – 5 rushes, 29 yards MIN – Robert Smith – 25 rushes, 74 yards, TD Top receivers NO – Willie Jackson – 9 receptions, 125 yards, TD MIN – Randy Moss – 2 receptions, 121 yards, 2 TD

NFC Championship Game

NFC Divisional Playoffs: (#2) Minnesota Vikings at (#1) New York Giants – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Vikings 0 0 0 0 0 Giants 14 20 7 0 41 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey Date: January 14 Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST Game weather: Cloudy, 40 °F (4 °C) Game attendance: 79,310 Referee: Tony Corrente TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall, John Madden, D.J. Johnson and Pam Oliver Reference Game information First quarter NYG – Ike Hilliard 46-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Brad Daluiso kick), 13:03. Giants 7–0. NYG – Greg Comella 18-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Brad Daluiso kick), 12:47. Giants 14–0. Second quarter NYG – Brad Daluiso 21-yard field goal, 14:56. Giants 17–0. NYG – Joe Jurevicius 8-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Brad Daluiso kick), 10:24. Giants 24–0. NYG – Brad Daluiso 22-yard field goal, 5:22. Giants 27–0. NYG – Ike Hilliard 7-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Brad Daluiso kick), 0:12. Giants 34–0. Third quarter NYG – Amani Toomer 7-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Brad Daluiso kick), 12:06. Giants 41–0. Fourth quarter No scoring plays. Top passers MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 13/28, 78 yards, 3 INT NYG – Kerry Collins – 28/39, 381 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT Top rushers MIN – Robert Smith – 7 rushes, 44 yards NYG – Tiki Barber – 12 rushes, 69 yards Top receivers MIN – Cris Carter – 3 receptions, 24 yards NYG – Ike Hilliard – 10 receptions, 155 yards, 2 TD

Statistics

Team leaders

Category	Player(s)	Total
Passing yards	Daunte Culpepper	3,937
Passing touchdowns	Daunte Culpepper	33
Rushing yards	Robert Smith	1,521
Rushing touchdowns	Robert Smith Daunte Culpepper	7
Receiving yards	Randy Moss	1,437
Receiving touchdowns	Randy Moss	15
Points	Gary Anderson	111
Kickoff return yards	Troy Walters	692
Punt return yards	Troy Walters	217
Tackles	Ed McDaniel	118
Sacks	John Randle	8
Interceptions	Robert Tate Kailee Wong	2
Forced fumbles	John Randle Robert Tate	2

League rankings

Category	Total yards	Yards per game	NFL rank (out of 31)
Passing offense	3,832	239.5	7th
Rushing offense	2,129	133.1	6th
Total offense	5,961	372.6	5th
Passing defense	3,913	244.6	28th
Rushing defense	1,788	111.8	15th
Total defense	5,701	356.3	28th

Personnel

Staff

2000 Minnesota Vikings staff
	Front office Owner – Red McCombs President – Gary Woods Director of Football Administration – Rob Brzezinski Head coaches Head Coach – Dennis Green Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs – Richard Solomon Offensive coaches Offensive Coordinator – Sherman Lewis Quarterbacks – Alex Wood Running Backs – Carl Hargrave Wide Receivers – Charlie Baggett Tight Ends – John Tice Offensive Line – Mike Tice Quality Control (Offense) – Dean Dalton			Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator – Emmitt Thomas Defensive Line – Fred von Appen Inside Linebackers – Trent Walters Outside Linebackers – John Fontes Quality Control (Defense) – Chuck Knox, Jr. Special teams coaches Special Teams – Gary Zauner Strength and conditioning Strength and Conditioning – Steve Wetzel Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Daryl Lawrence

Final roster

2000 Minnesota Vikings roster
	Quarterbacks  8 Todd Bouman  6 Bubby Brister 11 Daunte Culpepper 19 Scott Mitchell Running backs 40 Jim Kleinsasser FB 33 Harold Morrow FB 26 Robert Smith 21 Moe Williams Wide receivers 80 Cris Carter 89 Matthew Hatchette 83 Nate Jacquet 84 Randy Moss 22 David Palmer 81 Chris Walsh 82 Troy Walters KR Tight ends 86 John Davis 85 Andrew Jordan 87 Johnny McWilliams		Offensive linemen 74 Brad Badger T 78 Matt Birk C 71 David Dixon G 63 Corbin Lacina G 76 Chris Liwienski T 73 Todd Steussie T 77 Korey Stringer T 60 Cory Withrow C Defensive linemen 91 John Burrough DE 99 Chris Hovan DT 95 Bryce Paup DE 93 John Randle DE 98 Fred Robbins DT 97 Talance Sawyer DE 92 Fernando Smith DE 94 Tony Williams DT		Linebackers 50 Pete Bercich 55 Lemanski Hall OLB 58 Ed McDaniel OLB 90 Gabe Northern OLB 57 Dwayne Rudd OLB 59 Craig Sauer OLB 54 Antonio Wilson OLB 52 Kailee Wong MLB Defensive backs 30 Antonio Banks CB 37 Tyrone Carter FS 24 Robert Griffith SS 31 Don Morgan CB 29 Wasswa Serwanga CB 28 Robert Tate CB 42 Orlando Thomas FS 27 Keith Thibodeaux CB 20 Kenny Wright CB Special teams  1 Gary Anderson K 17 Mitch Berger P 51 Mitch Palmer LS		Reserve lists 96 Michael Boireau DE (IR) 61 Lewis Kelly G (IR) 69 Mike Malano G (IR) -- Todd Sauer LB (IR) Practice squad  5 Billy Cockerham WR 67 Jay Humphrey T 68 Nick O'Brien G 92 Antwone Young DE Rookies in italics 54 Active, 4 Inactive, 1 Practice squad

Awards and records

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

40-year team

The team recognized an all-time team in 2000 by announcing the 40th-season all-time team. [2]

VIKINGS 40TH SEASON ALL-TIME TEAM 1961–2000

• OFFENSE
• WRs: Ahmad Rashad, Cris Carter
• Ts: Ron Yary, Tim Irwin
• Gs: Ed White, Randall McDaniel
• C: Mick Tingelhoff
• TE: Steve Jordan
• QB: Fran Tarkenton
• RBs: Chuck Foreman, Robert Smith
• K: Fred Cox
• Special Teams Coverage: Bill Brown
• DEFENSE
• DEs: Jim Marshall, Carl Eller
• DTs: Alan Page, John Randle
• LBs: Jeff Siemon, Matt Blair, Scott Studwell
• Ss: Paul Krause, Joey Browner
• CBs: Bobby Bryant, Carl Lee
• P: Greg Coleman
• Special Teams Returns: Darrin Nelson
• Head Coach: Bud Grant