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.
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
+ 2001 Minnesota Vikings draft selections 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 86 Traded to the New England Patriots 4 119 Traded to the New England Patriots 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:
Undrafted free agents + 2001 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
Roster
Preseason
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance NFL.comrecap 1 August 11 at New Orleans Saints W 28–21 1–0 Alamodome 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 2: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 3: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 4: at Miami Dolphins
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Gamerecap 1 September 9 Carolina Panthers L 13–24 0–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,108 Recap 2 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 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 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 2: at Chicago Bears
Week 3: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 4: at New Orleans Saints
Week 5: vs. Detroit Lions
Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 7: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 9: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 10: vs. New York Giants
Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 12: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 13: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 14: at Detroit Lions
Week 15: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
To this day, this is the only loss the Vikings had against the Jaguars. Week 16: at Green Bay Packers
Week 17: at Baltimore Ravens
Standings
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 GriffithEric Kelly 2 Forced fumbles Patrick Chukwurah 3
League rankings Category Total yards Yards per game NFL rank 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
References