Quick answer
- Winner
- Minnesota Vikings
- Final score
- Minnesota Vikings 20–17 Miami Dolphins
- Halftime
- Miami Dolphins 7–3 Minnesota Vikings at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- D. Bates
- Top passer
- D. Culpepper
- Biggest EPA play
- (11:54) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Game date
- 2002-12-21
Game summary
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Miami Dolphins 20–17 on 2002-12-21, overcoming Miami Dolphins's 7–3 halftime lead. D. Bates posted a game-high +10.77 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Miami Dolphins | 7 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
 Minnesota Vikings | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 20 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
MIAMiami Dolphins(11:54) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
(4:35) 1-G.Anderson 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
(7:49) 20-M.Williams left tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIN-83-H.Goodwin, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
(1:27) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 82-J.Weaver for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
(12:00) 84-R.Moss pass to 85-D.Bates for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
(6:12) 10-O.Mare 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
(:22) 1-G.Anderson 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
MINMinnesota VikingsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- MIAMiami Dolphins
Q1 11:54TD CCC. ChambersPoints+6
- Yard line
- MIN 59
- Score
- 6-0
(11:54) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- MIAMiami Dolphins
Q1 11:43XP OMO. MarePoints+1
- Yard line
- MIN 2
- Score
- 7-0
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
- MINMinnesota Vikings
Q2 4:35FG GAG. AndersonPoints+3
- Yard line
- MIA 17
- Score
- 7-3
(4:35) 1-G.Anderson 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
- MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 7:49TD Mykel WilliamsPoints+6
- Yard line
- MIA 3
- Score
- 7-9
(7:49) 20-M.Williams left tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIN-83-H.Goodwin, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
- MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 7:45XP GAG. AndersonPoints+1
- Yard line
- MIA 2
- Score
- 7-10
1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
- MIAMiami Dolphins
Q3 1:27TD JWJ.J. WeaverPoints+6
- Yard line
- MIN 3
- Score
- 13-10
(1:27) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 82-J.Weaver for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- MIAMiami Dolphins
Q3 1:19XP OMO. MarePoints+1
- Yard line
- MIN 2
- Score
- 14-10
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
- MINMinnesota Vikings
Q4 12:00TD DBD. BatesPoints+6
- Yard line
- MIA 13
- Score
- 14-16
(12:00) 84-R.Moss pass to 85-D.Bates for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- MINMinnesota Vikings
Q4 11:53XP GAG. AndersonPoints+1
- Yard line
- MIA 2
- Score
- 14-17
1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
- MIAMiami Dolphins
Q4 6:12FG OMO. MarePoints+3
- Yard line
- MIN 7
- Score
- 17-17
(6:12) 10-O.Mare 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
- MINMinnesota Vikings
Q4 0:22FG GAG. AndersonPoints+3
- Yard line
- MIA 35
- Score
- 17-20
(:22) 1-G.Anderson 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1D. Bates · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +10.77 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.54 EPA/play
- 2J. Fiedler · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +9.74 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
- 3C. Chambers · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +4.06 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
- 4
Riley Moss · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +3.53 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.53 EPA/play - 5D. Culpepper · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +3.50 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
- 6Riley Moss · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.43 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
- 7
Ryan Williams · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.51 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play - 8Mykel Williams · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +1.76 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
D. Bates — MIN · Receiving
D. Bates posted the highest total EPA (+10.77) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Minnesota Vikings. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +1.54 EPA per play.
D. Bates's top snap (+3.53 EPA): (12:00) 84-R.Moss pass to 85-D.Bates for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Biggest single play (+5.57 EPA): J. Fiedler — (11:54) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
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) · 40 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.09 EPA/play · +3.50 total EPA
- J. Fiedler (Miami Dolphins) · 24 dropbacks · 62.5% completion · +0.41 EPA/play · +9.74 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Miami Dolphins | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.122 | +0.085 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.1% | 53.1% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.406 | +0.186 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.255 | -0.128 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.085 | -0.122 |
| Defensive success rate | 46.9% | 58.9% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Miami Dolphins +0.12, Minnesota Vikings +0.09) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Miami Dolphins: +0.12 EPA/play (80th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
- Minnesota Vikings: +0.09 EPA/play (72nd percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
- Miami Dolphins: 9 drives, +6.82 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Minnesota Vikings: 8 drives, +6.87 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Miami Dolphins — C. Chambers (J. Fiedler pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — Mykel Williams
- Miami Dolphins — J.J. Weaver (J. Fiedler pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — D. Bates (Riley Moss pass)
Field goals
- Minnesota Vikings — G. Anderson
- Miami Dolphins — O. Mare
- Minnesota Vikings — G. Anderson
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the MIN 59 (Q1 11:54) — (11:54) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q1 11:43) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals..
The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 3–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the MIA 17 (Q2 4:35) — (4:35) 1-G.Anderson 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the MIA 3 (Q3 7:49); Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q3 7:45) — 1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the MIN 3 (Q3 1:27) — (1:27) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 82-J.Weaver for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 1:19) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals..
The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 10–3. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the MIA 13 (Q4 12:00) — (12:00) 84-R.Moss pass to 85-D.Bates for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 11:53) — 1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the MIN 7 (Q4 6:12) — (6:12) 10-O.Mare 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the MIA 35 (Q4 0:22) — (:22) 1-G.Anderson 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 14:12) — (14:12) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss to MIA 10 for 60 yards (22-S.Wooden).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:22) — (:22) 1-G.Anderson 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 2:07) — (2:07) 11-D.Culpepper up the middle to MIA 42 for 3 yards (54-Z.Thomas, 59-D.Rodgers).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 12:00) — (12:00) 84-R.Moss pass to 85-D.Bates for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Miami Dolphins (Q1 11:54) — (11:54) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Miami Dolphins (Q1 11:54) — (11:54) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 14:12) — (14:12) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss to MIA 10 for 60 yards (22-S.Wooden).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 8:30) — (8:30) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass intended for 81-C.Walsh INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Madison at MIA -5. Touchback.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 10:38) — (10:38) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper sacked at MIA 34 for -4 yards (sack split by 91-J.Williams and 90-R.Burnett). FUMBLES (91-J.Williams), RECOVERED by MIA-99-J.Taylor at MIA 31.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 11:54 · MIN 59 · Score 6-0
(11:54) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 11:43 · MIN 2 · Score 7-0
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 4:35 · MIA 17 · Score 7-3
(4:35) 1-G.Anderson 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 7:49 · MIA 3 · Score 7-9
(7:49) 20-M.Williams left tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIN-83-H.Goodwin, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 7:45 · MIA 2 · Score 7-10
1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson. - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 1:27 · MIN 3 · Score 13-10
(1:27) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 82-J.Weaver for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 1:19 · MIN 2 · Score 14-10
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 12:00 · MIA 13 · Score 14-16
(12:00) 84-R.Moss pass to 85-D.Bates for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 11:53 · MIA 2 · Score 14-17
1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson. - Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q4 6:12 · MIN 7 · Score 17-17
(6:12) 10-O.Mare 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 0:22 · MIA 35 · Score 17-20
(:22) 1-G.Anderson 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Minnesota Vikings earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- D. Bates (Minnesota Vikings) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings on 2002-12-21?
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Miami Dolphins 20-17 in Week 16, 2002.
What was the score by quarter in Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings?
Q1: Miami Dolphins 7, Minnesota Vikings 0; Q2: Miami Dolphins 0, Minnesota Vikings 3; Q3: Miami Dolphins 7, Minnesota Vikings 7; Q4: Miami Dolphins 3, Minnesota Vikings 10; Final: Miami Dolphins 17, Minnesota Vikings 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings?
Miami Dolphins touchdown — C. Chambers (J. Fiedler pass) (Q1 11:54) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — M. Williams (Q3 7:49) Miami Dolphins touchdown — J. Weaver (J. Fiedler pass) (Q3 1:27) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — D. Bates (R. Moss pass) (Q4 12:00) Minnesota Vikings field goal — G. Anderson (Q2 4:35, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q4 6:12, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — G. Anderson (Q4 0:22, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings?
D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings), 50.0% completion, +0.09 EPA per dropback, +3.50 total passing EPA. J. Fiedler (Miami Dolphins), 62.5% completion, +0.41 EPA per dropback, +9.74 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings?
D. Bates (Minnesota Vikings) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.77 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 7 snaps. Their top snap (+3.53 EPA): (12:00) 84-R.Moss pass to 85-D.Bates for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Was Miami Dolphins vs Minnesota Vikings a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Minnesota Vikings won 20-17 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Miami Dolphins
Entered 9-5 Now 9-6 L
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 4-10 Now 5-10 W
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
