Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions: 2004 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-12-19, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 28–27 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Harrington (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +10.23 total EPA.

On the individual side, D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.39 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-30.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: 4-J.Hanson extra point is Aborted, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. Snap bounces to holder, tackled by MIN #25-Shaw.

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 D. Culpepper · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +17.39 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Williams · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +11.61 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.66 EPA/play
3. 3 N. Burleson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +11.56 total EPA · 5 snaps · +2.31 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Moss · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +10.32 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.58 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Harrington · Detroit Lions · Passing · +10.23 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Hakim · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +9.79 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.45 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Bennett · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.80 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.93 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Williams · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +3.02 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.51 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 — N. Burleson (D. Culpepper pass) (Q1 47:05)
• Minnesota Vikings — R. Moss (D. Culpepper pass) (Q2 40:05)
• Detroit Lions — K. Jones (Q2 33:28)
• Minnesota Vikings — N. Burleson (D. Culpepper pass) (Q4 8:53)
• Detroit Lions — R. Williams (J. Harrington pass) (Q4 6:17)
• Minnesota Vikings — M. Williams (Q4 1:43)
• Detroit Lions — R. Williams (J. Harrington pass) (Q4 0:12)

Field goals

• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q1 53:37)
• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q2 30:33)

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 7–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 13 (Q1 53:37) — (8:37) 4-J.Hanson 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 36 (Q1 47:05) — (2:05) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 46:58) — 7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte..

The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 10–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 82 (Q2 40:05) — (10:05) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 82 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 39:53) — 7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 16 (Q2 33:28) — (3:28) 34-K.Jones left tackle for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 33:21) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 5 (Q2 30:33) — (:33) 4-J.Hanson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 14–14. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 37 (Q4 8:53) — (8:53) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 8:44) — 7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 9 (Q4 6:17) — (6:17) 3-J.Harrington pass to 11-R.Williams for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions registered a safety from the MIN 1 (Q4 6:11) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 3-J.Harrington pass to 84-T.Streets is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 11 (Q4 1:43) — (1:43) 20-M.Williams up the middle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 1:37); Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q4 0:12) — (:12) 3-J.Harrington pass to 11-R.Williams for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q4 0:08) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is Aborted, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. Snap bounces to holder, tackled by MIN #25-Shaw. [WPA -30.7% · EPA -0.98]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 8:53) — (8:53) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.3% · EPA +4.88]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 21:51) — (6:51) 34-K.Jones up the middle to MIN 29 for no gain (55-C.Claiborne). FUMBLES (55-C.Claiborne), RECOVERED by MIN-55-C.Claiborne at MIN 29. 55-C.Claiborne to MIN 29 for no gain (34-K.Jones). Play Cha [WPA -19.2% · EPA -4.55]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 40:05) — (10:05) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 82 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +8.59]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 0:12) — (:12) 3-J.Harrington pass to 11-R.Williams for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.7% · EPA +2.17]

Impact plays

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

• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 40:05) — (10:05) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 82 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +8.59]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 47:05) — (2:05) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.1% · EPA +5.21]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 8:53) — (8:53) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.3% · EPA +4.88]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 21:51) — (6:51) 34-K.Jones up the middle to MIN 29 for no gain (55-C.Claiborne). FUMBLES (55-C.Claiborne), RECOVERED by MIN-55-C.Claiborne at MIN 29. 55-C.Claiborne to MIN 29 for no gain (34-K.Jones). Play Cha [WPA -19.2% · EPA -4.55]

Quarterback report card

J.Harrington led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Harrington (Detroit Lions) · 47 dropbacks · 53.2% completion · +0.22 EPA/play · +10.23 total EPA
• D.Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) · 41 dropbacks · 61.0% completion · +0.42 EPA/play · +17.39 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Minnesota Vikings +0.13, Detroit Lions +0.12) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Detroit Lions: 11 drives, +10.08 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 12 drives, +10.81 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.

1. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q1 53:37 · MIN 13 · Score 0-3
   (8:37) 4-J.Hanson 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
2. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 47:05 · DET 36 · Score 6-3
   (2:05) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 46:58 · DET 2 · Score 7-3
   7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
4. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 40:05 · DET 82 · Score 13-3
   (10:05) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 82 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 39:53 · DET 2 · Score 14-3
   7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
6. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 33:28 · MIN 16 · Score 14-9
   (3:28) 34-K.Jones left tackle for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 33:21 · MIN 2 · Score 14-10
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
8. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 30:33 · MIN 5 · Score 14-13
   (:33) 4-J.Hanson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
9. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 8:53 · DET 37 · Score 20-13
   (8:53) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 8:44 · DET 2 · Score 21-13
    7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
11. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 6:17 · MIN 9 · Score 21-19
    (6:17) 3-J.Harrington pass to 11-R.Williams for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Detroit Lions Safety (+2) — Q4 6:11 · MIN 1 · Score 21-21
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 3-J.Harrington pass to 84-T.Streets is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
13. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 1:43 · DET 11 · Score 27-21
    (1:43) 20-M.Williams up the middle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 1:37 · DET 2 · Score 28-21
    7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte. PENALTY on DET-42-T.Holt, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
15. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 0:12 · MIN 1 · Score 28-27
    (:12) 3-J.Harrington pass to 11-R.Williams for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.