![]() However, through a series of fortunate chances, the Vikings made the playoffs, and they were being matched up against NFC North rivals, the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings went 1-5 over the last stretch and ended up 8-8. He had three games where he had tossed for five touchdowns.īut in what was becoming a pattern with the Vikings, they fell apart midseason and dropped three straight before rebounding with another two wins while Culpepper continued to throw for career stats. The Vikings posted a 5-1 start as Culpepper was already posting career numbers. Things were looking up as Culpepper entered the 2004 season. The Vikings won their last two games, but narrowly missed the playoffs. He returned to the Pro Bowl and led the Vikings to a 7-7 record before falling to injury. Other big names such as Cris Carter also left the team.Ĭulpepper's 2003 campaign proved to be more successful. Dennis Green was shown the door at the conclusion of the 2001 season, leading to the hiring of Mike Tice. He struggled in 20, leading the Vikings to a 4-7 (in an injury shortened season) and 6-10 records respectively. The once great Vikings, were falling apart at the seams.Ĭulpepper's next two seasons proved this to be a fact. Robert Smith, their star running back at the peak of his career, retired prematurely. The loss proved to a truly crushing blow to the Vikings. He threw three picks as the Giants ended up with a 41-0 victory over the Vikings. Culpepper's performance that day didn't help matters. The Giants posted a 14-0 lead before the Vikings offense had even come onto the field. The New York Giants destroyed the Vikings in every possible way. After the disappointments of 19, the Vikings found themselves in a strong position to win their first Super Bowl. They went into the NFC Championship as the favorites. ![]() The Vikings stomped the Saints in the Divisional round, 34-16, with Culpepper having another solid game. These numbers were good enough for him to earn a spot in the Pro Bowl. 33/16 TD/INT ratio, 3,937 passing yards, and a 98 QB rating. The Vikings sputtered at the end of the season by dropping three games in a row, but they still had a first round bye with an 11-5 record.Ĭulpepper's stats that year were impressive for a first year starter. However, the Vikings managed to win both games, so nothing was declared amiss.Īs the Vikings cruised to an 11-2 record, Culpepper began to blossom, and was consistently having good games. All that remained was the hope that Culpepper could step up to the plate.Ĭulpepper was shaky at the start of the season, throwing four picks to one touchdown in his first two starts. Still, the majority of the superior players were on the team, and Randy Moss was only getting better. The Vikings also had many talented players with contracts expiring at the end of the season. Cris Carter, one half of the Vikings' star receiving duo, was showing signs of age, as was John Randle, the Vikings' defensive anchor. Despite being a first round pick, could he really be trusted to take control of the Vikings well oiled machine?Ģ000 was seen as a make or break year for a Vikings Super Bowl title. The talented quarterback out of Central Florida was picked 11th overall in 1999 by the Vikings, and rode the bench as the third string quarterback all season. So only one option remained on the Vikings roster. Cunningham ended up with Dallas, and Jeff George was allowed to be released.
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