Game story
In Week 11 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-11-21, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 22–19 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with +8.24 total EPA.
On the individual side, D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.24 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+25.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: 1-J.Cortez kicks 62 yards from MIN 30 to DET 8. 18-E.Drummond for 92 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | 14 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 7 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 22 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Culpepper · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +8.24 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
- 2 N. Burleson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +7.92 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
- 3 J. Wiggins · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.07 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
- 4 K. Campbell · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.85 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.85 EPA/play
- 5 M. Williams · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.17 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.58 EPA/play
- 6 M. Williams · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +2.65 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
- 7 J. Harrington · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +2.63 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
- 8 K. Jones · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +1.93 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
D. Culpepper — MIN · Passing
D. Culpepper posted the highest total EPA (+8.24) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Minnesota Vikings's efficiency. Across 39 counted snaps, they averaged +0.21 EPA per play.
The signature play (+6.97 EPA) came from Detroit Lions: 1-J.Cortez kicks 62 yards from MIN 30 to DET 8. 18-E.Drummond for 92 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Detroit Lions — E. Drummond
- Minnesota Vikings — J. Wiggins (D. Culpepper pass)
- Detroit Lions — S. Alexander (J. Harrington pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — N. Burleson (D. Culpepper pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — M. Williams
Field goals
- Detroit Lions — J. Hanson
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 30 (Q1 60:00) — 1-J.Cortez kicks 62 yards from MIN 30 to DET 8. 18-E.Drummond for 92 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q1 59:48) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 8 (Q1 58:25) — (13:25) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 85-J.Wiggins for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 58:18) — 7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q1 50:57) — (5:57) 3-J.Harrington pass to 86-S.Alexander for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q1 50:53) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..
The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 3–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 30 (Q2 34:12) — (4:12) 4-J.Hanson 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..
The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 2–0. Detroit Lions registered a safety from the DET 99 (Q3 24:36) — (9:36) 32-O.Smith up the middle tackled in End Zone for -1 yards, SAFETY (78-C.Redding)..
The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 15–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q4 14:22) — (14:22) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings registered a safety from the DET 2 (Q4 14:17) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q4 5:29) — (5:29) 20-M.Williams up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 5:27) — 7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Detroit Lions (Q1 60:00) — 1-J.Cortez kicks 62 yards from MIN 30 to DET 8. 18-E.Drummond for 92 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 59:48) — (14:48) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 16-K.Campbell to DET 19 for 61 yards (31-B.Marion). PENALTY on DET-78-C.Redding, Roughing the Passer, 10 yards, enforced at DET 19.
- Detroit Lions (Q4 1:49) — (1:49) (Shotgun) 3-J.Harrington pass intended for 88-R.Swinton INTERCEPTED by 26-A.Winfield at DET 21. 26-A.Winfield to DET 18 for 3 yards (88-R.Swinton). PENALTY on MIN, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 y
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 6:28) — (6:28) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 20-M.Williams pushed ob at DET 1 for 14 yards (25-F.Bryant).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 30:29) — (:29) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper sacked at 50 for -6 yards (96-J.Hall).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Detroit Lions (Q1 60:00) — 1-J.Cortez kicks 62 yards from MIN 30 to DET 8. 18-E.Drummond for 92 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 59:48) — (14:48) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 16-K.Campbell to DET 19 for 61 yards (31-B.Marion). PENALTY on DET-78-C.Redding, Roughing the Passer, 10 yards, enforced at DET 19.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 40:04) — (10:04) 11-D.Culpepper pass incomplete to 16-K.Campbell.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 6:28) — (6:28) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 20-M.Williams pushed ob at DET 1 for 14 yards (25-F.Bryant).
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) · 39 dropbacks · 56.4% completion · +0.21 EPA/play · +8.24 total EPA
- J.Harrington (Detroit Lions) · 23 dropbacks · 52.2% completion · -0.31 EPA/play · -7.04 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Detroit Lions | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.096 | +0.076 |
| Offensive success rate | 50.0% | 44.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.196 | +0.248 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.171 | -0.009 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.076 | -0.096 |
| Defensive success rate | 55.1% | 50.0% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Detroit Lions +0.10, Minnesota Vikings +0.08) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Detroit Lions: 11 drives, +6.51 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, +6.78 total EPA, 4 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.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- D. Culpepper (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.
- Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 60:00 · MIN 30 · Score 6-0
1-J.Cortez kicks 62 yards from MIN 30 to DET 8. 18-E.Drummond for 92 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 59:48 · MIN 2 · Score 7-0
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 58:25 · DET 8 · Score 7-6
(13:25) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 85-J.Wiggins for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 58:18 · DET 2 · Score 7-7
7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 50:57 · MIN 1 · Score 13-7
(5:57) 3-J.Harrington pass to 86-S.Alexander for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 50:53 · MIN 2 · Score 14-7
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 34:12 · MIN 30 · Score 17-7
(4:12) 4-J.Hanson 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. - Detroit Lions Safety (+2) — Q3 24:36 · DET 99 · Score 19-7
(9:36) 32-O.Smith up the middle tackled in End Zone for -1 yards, SAFETY (78-C.Redding). - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 14:22 · DET 6 · Score 19-13
(14:22) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings Safety (+2) — Q4 14:17 · DET 2 · Score 19-15
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 5:29 · DET 1 · Score 19-21
(5:29) 20-M.Williams up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 5:27 · DET 2 · Score 19-22
7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Detroit Lions 22-19 in Week 11, 2004 on 2004-11-21.
What was the final score of Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?
The final score was Detroit Lions 19, Minnesota Vikings 22 (DET 19-22 MIN) in Week 11, 2004 on 2004-11-21.
What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?
Q1: Detroit Lions 14, Minnesota Vikings 7; Q2: Detroit Lions 3, Minnesota Vikings 0; Q3: Detroit Lions 2, Minnesota Vikings 0; Q4: Detroit Lions 0, Minnesota Vikings 15; Final: Detroit Lions 19, Minnesota Vikings 22.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?
Detroit Lions touchdown — E. Drummond (Q1 60:00) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — J. Wiggins (D. Culpepper pass) (Q1 58:25) Detroit Lions touchdown — S. Alexander (J. Harrington pass) (Q1 50:57) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — N. Burleson (D. Culpepper pass) (Q4 14:22) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — M. Williams (Q4 5:29) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q2 34:12, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?
D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings), 56.4% completion, +0.21 EPA per dropback, +8.24 total passing EPA. J. Harrington (Detroit Lions), 52.2% completion, -0.31 EPA per dropback, -7.04 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?
D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) led the game in total EPA with +8.24 on passing plays. across 39 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+6.97 EPA): 1-J.Cortez kicks 62 yards from MIN 30 to DET 8. 18-E.Drummond for 92 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +25.3%.
Was Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Minnesota Vikings won 22-19 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Detroit Lions
Entered 4-5 Now 4-6 L
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 5-4 Now 6-4 W
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
