2003 Minnesota Vikings season

The 2003 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 43rd in the National Football League. They finished second in the NFC North with a 9–7 record, but missed the playoffs for a third straight year. Despite gaining 6,294 yards of offense over their 16 games, by far the most in the league, the team managed just 416 points, the sixth-most 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. Despite their 9–7 record, they finished second in the division behind the 10–6 Green Bay Packers. The Vikings were officially eliminated from postseason contention with a loss to the Arizona Cardinals on the last play of their final game.

2003 Minnesota Vikings season
Head coachMike Tice
Home fieldHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Results
Record9–7
Division place2nd NFC North
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers
AP All-Pros

Wide receiver Randy Moss led the NFL with 17 touchdown receptions, the third time in his career that he led the league in that category. After two seasons of inconsistency, rejuvenated quarterback Daunte Culpepper was voted to play in the second Pro Bowl of his career at the end of the season.

Offseason

2003 Draft

Pro Bowler
2003 Minnesota Vikings draft
Draft order Player name Position College Notes
Round Overall
19 Kevin WilliamsDefensive tackleOklahoma Statein lieu of #7 (time expired)[a]
240 E. J. HendersonLinebackerMaryland
371 Nate BurlesonWide receiverNevada
4105 Onterrio SmithRunning backOregon
5142 Traded to the Cleveland Browns[b]
6180 Eddie JohnsonPunterIdaho State
190 Mike NattielLinebackerFloridafrom Saints[c]
7221 Keenan HowryWide receiverOregon
^[a] While attempting to agree a trade, the Vikings' time elapsed, allowing the Jacksonville Jaguars to move up and select QB Byron Leftwich. The Carolina Panthers were also able to select OT Jordan Gross before the Vikings ultimately selected DT Kevin Williams.[1]
^[b] The Vikings traded their fifth-round selection (142nd overall) to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Cleveland's 2002 seventh-round selection and defensive lineman Stalin Colinet.
^[c] The Vikings traded quarterback Todd Bouman to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for New Orleans' sixth-round selection (190th overall).

Preseason

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance NFL.com
recap
1 August 9 Jacksonville Jaguars L 14–16 0–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,370 Recap
2 August 16 at Kansas City Chiefs L 16–26 0–2 Arrowhead Stadium 75,634 Recap
3 August 22 at Oakland Raiders W 21–6 1–2 Network Associates Coliseum 37,411 Recap
4 August 28 Arizona Cardinals L 27–31 1–3 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,473 Recap

Week 1: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 1: Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Jaguars 0 13 0316
Vikings 7 0 7014

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 2: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 3 0616
Chiefs 3 13 3726

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: August 16
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear, 100 °F (38 °C)
  • Game attendance: 75,634
  • Referee: Bill Leavy (127)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 3: at Oakland Raiders

Week 3: Minnesota Vikings at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 7 7021
Raiders 0 3 306

at Network Associates Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: August 22
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: Clear, 73 °F (23 °C)
  • Game attendance: 37,411
  • Referee: Pete Morelli (135)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 4: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 4: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cardinals 3 7 14731
Vikings 3 10 7727

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance NFL.com
recap
1 September 7 at Green Bay Packers W 30–25 1–0 Lambeau Field 70,505 Recap
2 September 14 Chicago Bears W 24–13 2–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,144 Recap
3 September 21 at Detroit Lions W 23–13 3–0 Ford Field 60,865 Recap
4 September 28 San Francisco 49ers W 35–7 4–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,111 Recap
5 October 5 at Atlanta Falcons W 39–26 5–0 Georgia Dome 70,427 Recap
6 Bye week
7 October 19 Denver Broncos W 28–20 6–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,381 Recap
8 October 26 New York Giants L 17–29 6–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,114 Recap
9 November 2 Green Bay Packers L 27–30 6–2 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,482 Recap
10 November 9 at San Diego Chargers L 28–42 6–3 Qualcomm Stadium 64,738 Recap
11 November 16 at Oakland Raiders L 18–28 6–4 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 56,653 Recap
12 November 23 Detroit Lions W 24–14 7–4 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,946 Recap
13 November 30 at St. Louis Rams L 17–48 7–5 Edward Jones Dome 66,134 Recap
14 December 7 Seattle Seahawks W 34–7 8–5 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,968 Recap
15 December 14 at Chicago Bears L 10–13 8–6 Soldier Field 61,804 Recap
16 December 20 Kansas City Chiefs W 45–20 9–6 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,291 Recap
17 December 28 at Arizona Cardinals L 17–18 9–7 Sun Devil Stadium 52,734 Recap

Week 1: at Green Bay Packers

Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 10 10 7330
Packers 0 3 81425

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: September 7
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Mostly sunny, 71 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 70,505
  • Referee: Pete Morelli (135)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 2: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 2: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bears 3 7 3013
Vikings 7 10 0724

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: September 14
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,144
  • Referee: Mike Carey (94)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 3: at Detroit Lions

Week 3: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 16 7023
Lions 10 0 3013

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: September 21
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 60,865
  • Referee: Tom White (123)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 4: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 4: San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
49ers 0 0 077
Vikings 14 14 0735

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 5: at Atlanta Falcons

Week 5: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 12 151239
Falcons 6 14 0626

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: October 5
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,427
  • Referee: Ron Blum (7)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 7: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 7: Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 7 31020
Vikings 7 7 14028

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 8: vs. New York Giants

Week 8: New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Giants 7 6 31329
Vikings 3 7 7017

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 9: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 9: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Packers 6 14 01030
Vikings 7 7 6727

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 10: at San Diego Chargers

Week 10: Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 7 01428
Chargers 14 14 7742

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: November 9
  • Game time: 3:05 p.m. CDT/1:05 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 66 °F (19 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,738
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 11: at Oakland Raiders

Week 11: Minnesota Vikings at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 3 7818
Raiders 7 7 7728

at Network Associates Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: November 16
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CDT/1:15 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 55 °F (13 °C)
  • Game attendance: 56,653
  • Referee: Bill Leavy (127)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 12: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 12: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Lions 0 0 7714
Vikings 7 0 01724

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 23
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 63,946
  • Referee: Pete Morelli (135)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 13: at St. Louis Rams

Week 13: Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 10 0017
Rams 10 10 141448

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: November 30
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 66,134
  • Referee: Terry McAulay (77)
  • Recap
Game information

Week 14: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week 14: Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 0 707
Vikings 0 13 71434

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 15: at Chicago Bears

Week 15: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 3 0710
Bears 3 7 3013

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 16: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week 16: Kansas City Chiefs at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chiefs 0 0 71320
Vikings 7 17 71445

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 20
  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,291
  • Referee: Ron Blum (7)
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 17: at Arizona Cardinals

Week 17: Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 0 71017
Cardinals 3 3 01218

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

Game information

Standings

NFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Green Bay Packers 10 6 0 .625 4–2 7–5 442 307 W4
Minnesota Vikings 9 7 0 .563 4–2 7–5 416 353 L1
Chicago Bears 7 9 0 .438 2–4 4–8 283 346 L1
Detroit Lions 5 11 0 .313 2–4 4–8 270 379 W1

Statistics

Team leaders

Category Player(s) Value
Passing yardsDaunte Culpepper3,479
Passing touchdownsDaunte Culpepper25
Rushing yardsMoe Williams745
Rushing touchdownsMoe Williams
Onterrio Smith
5
Receiving yardsRandy Moss1,632 *
Receiving touchdownsRandy Moss17
PointsRandy Moss
Aaron Elling
102
Kickoff return yardsOnterrio Smith588
Punt return yardsKeenan Howry247
TacklesBrian Russell95
SacksKevin Williams10.5
InterceptionsBrian Russell9
Forced fumblesKenny Mixon4

* Vikings single season record

League rankings

Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank
(out of 32)
Passing offense3,951246.94th
Rushing offense2,343146.44th
Total offense6,294393.41st
Passing defense3,477217.326th
Rushing defense1,879117.417th
Total defense5,356334.823rd

Staff

2003 Minnesota Vikings staff
Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Steve Wetzel
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Daryl Lawrence

[2]

Roster

2003 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
54 active, 3 inactive, 3 practice squad

References

  1. Pasquarelli, Len (26 April 2003). "Slow on trigger, Vikings miss pick". ESPN. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  2. 2009 Minnesota Vikings Media Guide. p. 251. Archived from the original on December 24, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
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