Vikings 17–18 Cardinals: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 17, 2003

Quick answer

Winner: Arizona Cardinals
Final score: Arizona Cardinals 18–17 Minnesota Vikings
Halftime: Minnesota Vikings 0–6 Arizona Cardinals at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: N. Poole
Top passer: J. McCown
Biggest EPA play: (:04) 12-J.McCown pass to 89-N.Poole for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review As…
Game date: 2003-12-28

Game summary

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Minnesota Vikings 18–17 on 2003-12-28. N. Poole posted a game-high +11.83 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 22 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Minnesota Vikings	0	0	7	10	0	17
Arizona Cardinals	3	3	0	12	0	18

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

MINMinnesota Vikings

+3ARI 28

MIN 28

ARIArizona Cardinals

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

9 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

ARIArizona Cardinals
Q1 1:34FG
NRN. Rackers
Points+3
Yard line
MIN 5
Score
0-3
(1:34) 1-N.Rackers 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q2 0:28FG
NRN. Rackers
Points+3
Yard line
MIN 8
Score
0-6
(:28) 1-N.Rackers 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 7:11TD
Mykel Williams
Points+6
Yard line
ARI 1
Score
6-6
(7:11) 20-M.Williams left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ARI, Illegal Substitution, declined.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 7:08XP
AEA. Elling
Points+1
Yard line
ARI 2
Score
7-6
8-A.Elling extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q4 8:59TD
Riley Moss
Points+6
Yard line
ARI 7
Score
13-6
(8:59) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q4 8:54XP
AEA. Elling
Points+1
Yard line
ARI 2
Score
14-6
8-A.Elling extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q4 6:52FG
AEA. Elling
Points+3
Yard line
ARI 28
Score
17-6
(6:52) 8-A.Elling 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q4 2:00TD
SBS. Bush
Points+6
Yard line
MIN 2
Score
17-12
(2:00) 12-J.McCown pass to 87-S.Bush for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q4 0:04TD
NPN. Poole
Points+6
Yard line
MIN 28
Score
17-18
(:04) 12-J.McCown pass to 89-N.Poole for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1N. Poole · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +11.83 total EPA · 5 snaps · +2.37 EPA/play
2Riley Moss · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.30 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
3D. Culpepper · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +4.46 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
4D. Bates · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.25 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
5S. Bush · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.18 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.18 EPA/play
6A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.82 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
7Elerson G. Smith · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.65 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
8Mykel Williams · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.29 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.15 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

N. Poole — ARI · Receiving

N. Poole posted the highest total EPA (+11.83) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Arizona Cardinals. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +2.37 EPA per play.

N. Poole's top snap (+5.63 EPA): (:04) 12-J.McCown pass to 89-N.Poole for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.

Quarterback report card

J. McCown led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

J. McCown (Arizona Cardinals) · 45 dropbacks · 44.4% completion · +0.02 EPA/play · +0.68 total EPA
D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) · 30 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · -0.10 EPA/play · -2.85 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Minnesota Vikings	Arizona Cardinals
Offensive EPA/play	-0.009	-0.025
Offensive success rate	48.1%	41.8%
Pass EPA/play	+0.028	+0.014
Rush EPA/play	+0.126	-0.492
Defensive EPA/play	+0.025	+0.009
Defensive success rate	58.2%	51.9%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Minnesota Vikings -0.01, Arizona Cardinals -0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Minnesota Vikings: -0.01 EPA/play (51st percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)
Arizona Cardinals: -0.03 EPA/play (48th percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)

Arizona Cardinals: 11 drives, -2.00 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, -0.66 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Minnesota Vikings — Mykel Williams (Q3 7:11)
Minnesota Vikings — Riley Moss (D. Culpepper pass) (Q4 8:59)
Arizona Cardinals — S. Bush (J. McCown pass) (Q4 2:00)
Arizona Cardinals — N. Poole (J. McCown pass) (Q4 0:04)

Field goals

Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q1 1:34)
Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q2 0:28)
Minnesota Vikings — A. Elling (Q4 6:52)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the MIN 5 (Q1 1:34) — (1:34) 1-N.Rackers 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the MIN 8 (Q2 0:28) — (:28) 1-N.Rackers 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q3 7:11) — (7:11) 20-M.Williams left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ARI, Illegal Substitution, declined.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 7:08) — 8-A.Elling extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 12–10. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 7 (Q4 8:59) — (8:59) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 8:54) — 8-A.Elling extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the ARI 28 (Q4 6:52) — (6:52) 8-A.Elling 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIN 2 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 12-J.McCown pass to 87-S.Bush for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIN 28 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 12-J.McCown pass to 89-N.Poole for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 12-J.McCown pass to 89-N.Poole for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld. [WPA +59.2% · EPA +5.63]
Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:00) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-J.McCown rushes kneels. ATTEMPT FAILS. [WPA +22.3% · EPA -0.95]
Minnesota Vikings (Q4 1:54) — 1-N.Rackers kicks onside 9 yards from ARI 30 to ARI 39. RECOVERED by ARI-20-D.Anderson. (Ball touched by MIN Kleinsasser on ARI 41.) [WPA -21.7% · EPA -1.65]
Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:31) — (:31) 12-J.McCown sacked at MIN 26 for -9 yards (99-C.Hovan). FUMBLES (99-C.Hovan), recovered by ARI-74-R.Wells at MIN 28. 74-R.Wells to MIN 28 for no gain (79-K.Mixon). [WPA -16.8% · EPA -1.36]
Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:39) — (:39) 12-J.McCown sacked at MIN 17 for -8 yards (93-K.Williams). [WPA -16.6% · EPA -1.47]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 12-J.McCown pass to 89-N.Poole for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld. [WPA +59.2% · EPA +5.63]
Arizona Cardinals (Q4 8:48) — (8:48) 12-J.McCown pass intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 93-K.Williams at ARI 32. 93-K.Williams to ARI 29 for 3 yards (31-M.Shipp, 67-C.Dishman). [WPA -10.9% · EPA -4.97]
Minnesota Vikings (Q2 0:55) — (:55) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass intended for 16-K.Campbell INTERCEPTED by 34-D.Jackson at MIN 43. 34-D.Jackson pushed ob at MIN 13 for 30 yards (81-N.Burleson). [WPA -8.2% · EPA -4.00]
Arizona Cardinals (Q4 3:26) — (3:26) (Shotgun) 12-J.McCown pass to 89-N.Poole to MIN 11 for 37 yards (27-B.Russell). [WPA +2.6% · EPA +3.64]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 1:34 · MIN 5 · Score 0-3
(1:34) 1-N.Rackers 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 0:28 · MIN 8 · Score 0-6
(:28) 1-N.Rackers 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 7:11 · ARI 1 · Score 6-6
(7:11) 20-M.Williams left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ARI, Illegal Substitution, declined.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 7:08 · ARI 2 · Score 7-6
8-A.Elling extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 8:59 · ARI 7 · Score 13-6
(8:59) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 8:54 · ARI 2 · Score 14-6
8-A.Elling extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 6:52 · ARI 28 · Score 17-6
(6:52) 8-A.Elling 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · MIN 2 · Score 17-12
(2:00) 12-J.McCown pass to 87-S.Bush for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.
Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 0:04 · MIN 28 · Score 17-18
(:04) 12-J.McCown pass to 89-N.Poole for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.

Key takeaways

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

Arizona Cardinals earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
N. Poole (Arizona Cardinals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals on 2003-12-28?

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Minnesota Vikings 18-17 in Week 17, 2003.

What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals?

Q1: Minnesota Vikings 0, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 0, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 7, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 10, Arizona Cardinals 12; Final: Minnesota Vikings 17, Arizona Cardinals 18.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals?

Minnesota Vikings touchdown — M. Williams (Q3 7:11) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — R. Moss (D. Culpepper pass) (Q4 8:59) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — S. Bush (J. McCown pass) (Q4 2:00) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — N. Poole (J. McCown pass) (Q4 0:04) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q1 1:34, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q2 0:28, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — A. Elling (Q4 6:52, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals?

J. McCown (Arizona Cardinals), 44.4% completion, +0.02 EPA per dropback, +0.68 total passing EPA. D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings), 60.0% completion, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -2.85 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals?

N. Poole (Arizona Cardinals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +11.83 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 5 snaps. Their top snap (+5.63 EPA): (:04) 12-J.McCown pass to 89-N.Poole for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld..

Was Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?

Yes — the margin was 1 points. Arizona Cardinals won 18-17 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Minnesota Vikings

Entered 9-6 Now 9-7 L

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 3-12 Now 4-12 W

Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2003 Week 17 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Vikings

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

Quick answer

Game summary