Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2003 Week 7 Recap

Game story

In Week 7 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-10-19, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Denver Broncos, pulling away with a 28–20 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with +5.73 total EPA.

On the individual side, R. Moss (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.65 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+20.2% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (:12) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss to DEN 15 for 44 yards. Lateral to 20-M.Williams for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 R. Moss · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +12.65 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
2. 2 S. Sharpe · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +6.99 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Culpepper · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +5.73 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Kanell · Denver Broncos · Passing · +5.22 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Campbell · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.22 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.22 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Lelie · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.98 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Portis · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +3.11 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Portis · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.70 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Minnesota Vikings — K. Campbell (D. Culpepper pass) (Q1 51:24)
• Denver Broncos — C. Portis (Q2 31:55)
• Minnesota Vikings — R. Moss (D. Culpepper pass) (Q2 30:12)
• Minnesota Vikings — O. Smith (Q3 24:29)
• Minnesota Vikings — L. Johnstone (Q3 23:06)
• Denver Broncos — M. Anderson (D. Kanell pass) (Q4 6:48)

Field goals

• Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q3 20:24)
• Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q4 14:23)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DEN 47 (Q1 51:24) — (6:24) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 16-K.Campbell for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q1 51:10) — 8-A.Elling extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the MIN 4 (Q2 31:55) — (1:55) 26-C.Portis left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 31:51) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DEN 59 (Q2 30:12); Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 30:00) — 8-A.Elling extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 14–3. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DEN 5 (Q3 24:29) — (9:29) 32-O.Smith right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 24:24) — 8-A.Elling extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the MIN 72 (Q3 23:06); Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 22:57) — 8-A.Elling extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the MIN 27 (Q3 20:24) — (5:24) 1-J.Elam 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the MIN 28 (Q4 14:23) — (14:23) 1-J.Elam 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q4 6:48) — (6:48) 13-D.Kanell pass to 38-M.Anderson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q4 6:45) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 30:12) — (:12) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss to DEN 15 for 44 yards. Lateral to 20-M.Williams for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld. [WPA +20.2% · EPA +6.83]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 51:24) — (6:24) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 16-K.Campbell for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.2% · EPA +4.22]
• Denver Broncos (Q1 49:46) — (4:46) 11-S.Beuerlein pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 27-B.Russell at MIN 5. 27-B.Russell to MIN 8 for 3 yards (80-R.Smith). [WPA -7.1% · EPA -3.51]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 32:03) — (2:03) 11-S.Beuerlein pass to 26-C.Portis to MIN 4 for 29 yards (27-B.Russell). [WPA +7.1% · EPA +2.75]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 52:23) — (7:23) 11-D.Culpepper up the middle to MIN 48 for 2 yards (75-M.Pope; 57-J.Sykes). [WPA +6.3% · EPA +2.18]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 30:12) — (:12) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss to DEN 15 for 44 yards. Lateral to 20-M.Williams for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld. [WPA +20.2% · EPA +6.83]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 23:06) — (8:06) (Shotgun) 11-S.Beuerlein pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 51-L.Johnstone at DEN 33. 51-L.Johnstone for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -3.2% · EPA -6.41]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 51:24) — (6:24) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 16-K.Campbell for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.2% · EPA +4.22]
• Denver Broncos (Q1 49:46) — (4:46) 11-S.Beuerlein pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 27-B.Russell at MIN 5. 27-B.Russell to MIN 8 for 3 yards (80-R.Smith). [WPA -7.1% · EPA -3.51]

Quarterback report card

D.Culpepper led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) · 30 dropbacks · 63.3% completion · +0.19 EPA/play · +5.73 total EPA
• S.Beuerlein (Denver Broncos) · 26 dropbacks · 34.6% completion · -0.52 EPA/play · -13.59 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Minnesota Vikings held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Denver Broncos: 11 drives, -0.75 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 12 drives, +3.10 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Minnesota Vikings leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• R. Moss (Minnesota Vikings) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 51:24 · DEN 47 · Score 0-6
   (6:24) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 16-K.Campbell for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 51:10 · DEN 2 · Score 0-7
   8-A.Elling extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
3. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 31:55 · MIN 4 · Score 6-7
   (1:55) 26-C.Portis left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 31:51 · MIN 2 · Score 7-7
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
5. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 30:12 · DEN 59 · Score 7-13
   (:12) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss to DEN 15 for 44 yards. Lateral to 20-M.Williams for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant a
6. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 30:00 · DEN 2 · Score 7-14
   8-A.Elling extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
7. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 24:29 · DEN 5 · Score 7-20
   (9:29) 32-O.Smith right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 24:24 · DEN 2 · Score 7-21
   8-A.Elling extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
9. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 23:06 · MIN 72 · Score 7-27
   (8:06) (Shotgun) 11-S.Beuerlein pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 51-L.Johnstone at DEN 33. 51-L.Johnstone for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 22:57 · DEN 2 · Score 7-28
    8-A.Elling extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
11. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q3 20:24 · MIN 27 · Score 10-28
    (5:24) 1-J.Elam 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
12. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 14:23 · MIN 28 · Score 13-28
    (14:23) 1-J.Elam 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
13. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 6:48 · MIN 1 · Score 19-28
    (6:48) 13-D.Kanell pass to 38-M.Anderson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 6:45 · MIN 2 · Score 20-28
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.