2003 Minnesota Vikings season

The 2003 Minnesota Vikings season was the team's 43rd year in the National Football League. The Vikings gained 6,294 yards on offense, by far the most in the league; however the team 416 points were only 6th best in the NFL.

The Vikings won their first six games of the 2003 season, then lost their next four games, after which they alternated wins and losses for the remainder of the season. Green Bay won the division at 10–6, while the Vikings finished 9–7. The Vikings set a new mark for futility during the season when they lost to every 4–12 team (Giants, Chargers, Raiders, and Cardinals) during their 3–7 finish. Curiously, the Vikings went 4–2 against 2003 playoff teams, but only 5–5 against teams with losing records. The Vikings were 6–2 at home, and 8–3 in domes overall. (They only played one cold-weather game, a loss to Chicago in Week Fifteen.)

The Vikings were officially eliminated from postseason contention when a touchdown reception on 4th and 25 by Arizona Cardinals receiver Nate Poole handed the Vikings a dramatic last-second 18–17 loss in their final game.^[1]

The season is notable for Randy Moss leading the NFL with 17 touchdown receptions. It's the third time in his career that Moss led the league in that category.

After the past two seasons of inconsistentcy, a rejuvenated Daunte Culpepper was voted to play in the Pro Bowl after the season. It was Culpepper's second Pro Bowl appearance.

Offseason

2003 Draft

^{^[a]} The draft took an odd turn with the Minnesota Vikings' pick in the first round. The Vikings were apparently attempting to consummate a trade when their fifteen-minute time allowance elapsed. The Jaguars who selected next were quick to pounce, turning in their card to select QB Byron Leftwich immediately after the Vikings' time elapsed. The Panthers also took advantage of the gaffe, selecting OT Jordan Gross before the Vikings recovered and selected DT Kevin Williams.^[2] Nevertheless, the mistake may have worked in the Vikings' favor as Williams went on to be a mainstay on their team, missing only four games in his first 10 seasons in the NFL and making six Pro Bowls.

^{^[b]} Minnesota traded their 5th round selection (142nd overall) to Cleveland for their 2002 7th round selection and QB Stalin Colinet on October 16, 2001.

^{^[c]} New Orleans traded their 6th round selection (190th overall) to Minnesota in exchange for QB Todd Bouman on March 13, 2003.

Regular season

Schedule

Standings

Statistics

Team leaders

• Vikings single season record.

League rankings

Personnel

Staff

^[3]

Final roster

External links

• YouTube: Minnesota Vikings @ Arizona Cardinals 2003 Josh McCown to Nate Poole game-winning touchdown

References