2001 Minnesota Vikings season
NFL team season
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The 2001 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 41st in the National Football League (NFL). Despite having a 12th ranked offense, the Vikings finished 5–11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1995. Before the end of the season, the team fired head coach Dennis Green, who had become a polarizing force among the Vikings fan base despite his successful coaching tenure with the team. Mike Tice coached the final game of 2001, a loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
OwnerRed McCombs
Head coachDennis Green (fired on January 4, 2002, 5–10 record)
Mike Tice (interim; 0–1 record)
Mike Tice (interim; 0–1 record)
Home stadiumHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
| 2001 Minnesota Vikings season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Red McCombs |
| General manager | Dennis Green |
| Head coach | Dennis Green (fired on January 4, 2002, 5–10 record) Mike Tice (interim; 0–1 record) |
| Home stadium | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |
| Results | |
| Record | 5–11 |
| Division place | 4th NFC Central |
| Playoffs | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | C Matt Birk TE Byron Chamberlain |
| Uniform | |
| |
This was the first season since 1989 that defensive tackle John Randle was not on the opening day roster.
The season began in tragic circumstances when offensive tackle Korey Stringer died of heatstroke in training camp.
The season started off with a 24–13 home loss to the Carolina Panthers, which would prove the Panthers' lone win. They did not win on the road at all during this season. Some season highlights included a 35–13 win over the rival Green Bay Packers in Week 6, and a Week 10 victory over the New York Giants in which Randy Moss pulled in 10 receptions for 171 yards and three touchdowns leading to a 28–16 victory.
This was Cris Carter's final season in Minnesota, having played 12 seasons there, making eight consecutive Pro Bowl appearances (1993–2000), all with the Vikings. He is the team's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He retired at the end of the disappointing season, but would briefly return to play for the Miami Dolphins midway through next season.
Offseason
| Additions | Subtractions |
|---|---|
| WR Jake Reed (Saints) | LB Dwayne Rudd (Browns) |
| TE Byron Chamberlain (Broncos) | DT John Randle (Seahawks) |
| DE Lance Johnstone (Raiders) | WR Matthew Hatchette (Jets) |
| T Todd Steussie (Panthers) |
2001 draft
| Pro Bowler |
| Round | Selection | Player name | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 | Michael Bennett | Running back | Wisconsin | |
| 2 | 57 | Willie Howard | Defensive end | Stanford | |
| 3 | 69 | Eric Kelly | Cornerback | Kentucky | From Patriots[A] |
| 86 | Traded to the New England Patriots[A] | ||||
| 4 | 119 | Traded to the New England Patriots[A] | |||
| 130 | Shawn Worthen | Defensive tackle | TCU | Compensatory pick | |
| 131 | Cedric James | Wide receiver | TCU | Compensatory pick | |
| 5 | 157 | Patrick Chukwurah | Linebacker | Wyoming | |
| 6 | 189 | Carey Scott | Cornerback | Kentucky State | |
| 7 | 225 | Brian Crawford | Defensive tackle | Western Oregon | |
Notes:
- The Vikings traded their third- and fourth-round selections (86th and 119th overall) to the Patriots in exchange for a third-round selection (69th overall).
Undrafted free agents
| Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Hazuga | Defensive End | Wisconsin–Stout |
| Jeff Kostrewa | Tight end | Wisconsin–La Crosse |
| Haun Paga | Fullback | California |
| Brian Russell | Safety | San Diego State |
| Mike Solwold | Long snapper/Tight end | Wisconsin |
Staff
|
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
Roster
Preseason
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | NFL.com recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 11 | at New Orleans Saints | W 28–21 | 1–0 | Alamodome (San Antonio, TX) | 46,752 | Recap |
| 2 | August 16 | Pittsburgh Steelers | W 24–10 | 2–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 63,790 | Recap |
| 3 | August 24 | Indianapolis Colts | W 28–21 | 3–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 63,804 | Recap |
| 4 | August 31 | at Miami Dolphins | W 20–7 | 4–0 | Pro Player Stadium | 60,136 | Recap |
Game summaries
Week 1: at New Orleans Saints
Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
| Saints | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
- Date: August 11
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 46,752
- Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 2: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 2: Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Vikings | 0 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: August 16
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 63,790
- Referee: Bernie Kukar (86)
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 3: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 3: Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | 10 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 21 |
| Vikings | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 4: at Miami Dolphins
Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
| Dolphins | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Regular season
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Game recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 9 | Carolina Panthers | L 13–24 | 0–1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,108 | Recap |
| 2[A] | September 23 | at Chicago Bears | L 10–17 | 0–2 | Soldier Field | 66,944 | Recap |
| 3 | September 30 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 20–16 | 1–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,105 | Recap |
| 4 | October 7 | at New Orleans Saints | L 15–28 | 1–3 | Louisiana Superdome | 70,020 | Recap |
| 5 | October 14 | Detroit Lions | W 31–26 | 2–3 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,048 | Recap |
| 6 | October 21 | Green Bay Packers | W 35–13 | 3–3 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,165 | Recap |
| 7 | October 28 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 14–41 | 3–4 | Raymond James Stadium | 65,558 | Recap |
| 8 | Bye week | ||||||
| 9 | November 11 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 17–48 | 3–5 | Veterans Stadium | 65,638 | Recap |
| 10 | November 19 | New York Giants | W 28–16 | 4–5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,283 | Recap |
| 11 | November 25 | Chicago Bears | L 6–13 | 4–6 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,214 | Recap |
| 12 | December 2 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 16–21 | 4–7 | Heinz Field | 62,661 | Recap |
| 13 | December 9 | Tennessee Titans | W 42–24 | 5–7 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,271 | Recap |
| 14 | December 16 | at Detroit Lions | L 24–27 | 5–8 | Pontiac Silverdome | 72,190 | Recap |
| 15 | December 23 | Jacksonville Jaguars | L 3–33 | 5–9 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,150 | Recap |
| 16 | December 30 | at Green Bay Packers | L 13–24 | 5–10 | Lambeau Field | 59,870 | Recap |
| 17[A] | January 7 | at Baltimore Ravens | L 3–19 | 5–11 | PSINet Stadium | 69,465 | Recap |
Notes
- Intradivision opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 1: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: September 9
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 64,108
- Referee: Wayne McKreight (166)
- TV announcers (Fox): Ray Bentley, Jeff Lageman, and Mike Goldberg
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 2: at Chicago Bears
Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Bears | 0 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 17 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: September 23
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, fog, 63 °F (17 °C)
- Game attendance: 66,944
- Referee: Mike Carey (94)
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 3: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 16 |
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: September 30
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 64,105
- Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 4: at New Orleans Saints
Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 15 |
| Saints | 6 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 28 |
at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: October 7
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 70,020
- Referee: Bill Leavy (127)
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 5: vs. Detroit Lions
Week 5: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 26 |
| Vikings | 7 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 31 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: October 14
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 64,048
- Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 6: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| Vikings | 0 | 20 | 0 | 15 | 35 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: October 21
- Game time: 3:15 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 64,165
- Referee: Ron Winter (14)
- TV announcers (FOX): Pat Summerall and John Madden
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 7: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 7: Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 14 |
| Buccaneers | 7 | 21 | 13 | 0 | 41 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: October 28
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Clear, 67 °F (19 °C)
- Game attendance: 65,558
- Referee: Gerald Austin (34)
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 9: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Eagles | 7 | 24 | 7 | 10 | 48 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 10: vs. New York Giants
Week 10: New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giants | 10 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
| Vikings | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: November 19
- Game time: 8:10 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 64,283
- Referee: Bob McElwee (95)
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 11: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: November 25
- Game time: 7:35 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 64,214
- Referee: Johnny Grier (23)
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 12: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 12: Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 16 |
| Steelers | 0 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Date: December 2
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Mostly sunny, 46 °F (8 °C)
- Game attendance: 62,661
- Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 13: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 13: Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titans | 10 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
| Vikings | 0 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 42 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 14: at Detroit Lions
Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 24 |
| Lions | 14 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 27 |
at Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan
- Date: December 16
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 72,190
- Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
- TV announcers (FOX): Kenny Albert, Tim Green and Jennifer Hammond
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 15: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 15: Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguars | 10 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 33 |
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
To this day, this is the only loss the Vikings had against the Jaguars.
Week 16: at Green Bay Packers
Week 16: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
| Packers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 24 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Date: December 30
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Partly cloudy, 19 °F (−7 °C)
- Game attendance: 59,870
- Referee: Larry Nemmers (20)
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Week 17: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 17: Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Ravens | 0 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 19 |
at PSINet Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
- Date: January 7
- Game time: 9:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C)
- Game attendance: 69,465
- Referee: Gerald Austin (34)
- Recap, Game Book
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Standings
| NFC Central | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
| (2) Chicago Bears | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 338 | 203 | W4 |
| (4) Green Bay Packers | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 390 | 266 | W3 |
| (6) Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 324 | 280 | L1 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 290 | 390 | L4 |
| Detroit Lions | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 270 | 424 | W1 |
Statistics
Team leaders
| Category | Player(s) | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Daunte Culpepper | 2,612 |
| Passing touchdowns | Daunte Culpepper | 14 |
| Rushing yards | Michael Bennett | 682 |
| Rushing touchdowns | Daunte Culpepper | 5 |
| Receiving yards | Randy Moss | 1,233 |
| Receiving touchdowns | Randy Moss | 10 |
| Points | Gary Anderson | 74 |
| Kickoff return yards | Nate Jacquet | 1,012 |
| Punt return yards | Nate Jacquet | 219 |
| Tackles | Kailee Wong | 98 |
| Sacks | Chris Hovan | 6 |
| Interceptions | Robert Griffith Eric Kelly | 2 |
| Forced fumbles | Patrick Chukwurah | 3 |
League rankings
| Category | Total yards | Yards per game | NFL rank (out of 31) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing offense | 3,576 | 223.5 | 7th |
| Rushing offense | 1,609 | 100.6 | 25th |
| Total offense | 5,185 | 324.1 | 12th |
| Passing defense | 3,367 | 210.4 | 18th |
| Rushing defense | 2,299 | 143.7 | 30th |
| Total defense | 5,666 | 354.1 | 27th |
Notes
- The Vikings were originally scheduled to play the Baltimore Ravens during Week 2 of the original NFL schedule (September 17) at PSINet Stadium in Baltimore. However, due to the September 11 attacks, the game was rescheduled to Week 17.