Game story
In Week 18 of the 2004 NFL season on 2005-01-09, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Green Bay Packers, pulling away with a 31–17 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Favre (Green Bay Packers) paced the passing game, with -6.72 total EPA.
On the individual side, D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.68 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+18.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (13:36) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 20-M.Williams for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 17 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Green Bay Packers | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Culpepper · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +13.68 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
- 2 R. Moss · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +7.95 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.99 EPA/play
- 3 N. Burleson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +6.12 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.53 EPA/play
- 4 M. Williams · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.88 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.94 EPA/play
- 5 D. Driver · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +5.77 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
- 6 B. Franks · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +4.62 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.31 EPA/play
- 7 D. Culpepper · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +4.08 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
- 8 J. Walker · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +2.39 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.20 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 (+13.68) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Minnesota Vikings's efficiency. Across 35 counted snaps, they averaged +0.39 EPA per play.
The signature play (+6.81 EPA) came from Minnesota Vikings: (13:36) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 20-M.Williams for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Minnesota Vikings — M. Williams (D. Culpepper pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — R. Moss (D. Culpepper pass)
- Green Bay Packers — B. Franks (B. Favre pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — N. Burleson (D. Culpepper pass)
- Green Bay Packers — N. Davenport
- Minnesota Vikings — R. Moss (D. Culpepper pass)
Field goals
- Minnesota Vikings — M. Andersen
- Green Bay Packers — R. Longwell
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 17–3. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the GB 68 (Q1 58:36) — (13:36) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 20-M.Williams for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q1 58:20) — 7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the GB 20 (Q1 54:57) — (9:57) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q1 54:50) — 7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the GB 17 (Q1 51:12) — (6:12) 7-M.Andersen 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the MIN 25 (Q1 47:47) — (2:47) 8-R.Longwell 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the MIN 4 (Q2 40:28) — (10:28) 4-B.Favre pass to 88-B.Franks for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 40:24) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the GB 19 (Q2 36:38) — (6:38) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q2 36:33) — 7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q4 13:39) — (13:39) 44-N.Davenport right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q4 13:37) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker. MIN #29 (Williams) injured on play.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the GB 34 (Q4 10:26) — (10:26) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q4 10:18) — 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.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 58:36) — (13:36) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 20-M.Williams for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Green Bay Packers (Q2 40:28) — (10:28) 4-B.Favre pass to 88-B.Franks for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Green Bay Packers (Q2 37:25) — (7:25) 4-B.Favre pass intended for 84-J.Walker INTERCEPTED by 27-B.Russell at GB 42. 27-B.Russell to GB 28 for 14 yards (33-W.Henderson).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 37:31) — (7:31) 7-M.Andersen 27 yard field goal is BLOCKED, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte, recovered by MIN-85-J.Wiggins at GB 12. 85-J.Wiggins to GB 12 for no gain (50-H.Navies).
- Green Bay Packers (Q3 20:50) — (5:50) 4-B.Favre pass intended for 83-A.Chatman INTERCEPTED by 29-B.Williams at MIN 40. 29-B.Williams pushed ob at MIN 40 for no gain (83-A.Chatman).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 58:36) — (13:36) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 20-M.Williams for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Green Bay Packers (Q3 26:55) — (11:55) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass intended for 81-A.Thurman INTERCEPTED by 33-R.Brown (29-B.Williams) at 50. 33-R.Brown to GB 23 for 27 yards (67-G.Ruegamer).
- Green Bay Packers (Q1 53:50) — (8:50) 4-B.Favre pass intended for 80-D.Driver INTERCEPTED by 26-A.Winfield at MIN 40. 26-A.Winfield to MIN 43 for 3 yards (80-D.Driver).
- Green Bay Packers (Q2 37:25) — (7:25) 4-B.Favre pass intended for 84-J.Walker INTERCEPTED by 27-B.Russell at GB 42. 27-B.Russell to GB 28 for 14 yards (33-W.Henderson).
Quarterback report card
B.Favre led all passers in efficiency for Green Bay Packers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- B.Favre (Green Bay Packers) · 37 dropbacks · 59.5% completion · -0.18 EPA/play · -6.72 total EPA
- D.Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) · 35 dropbacks · 54.3% completion · +0.39 EPA/play · +13.68 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Minnesota Vikings | Green Bay Packers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.175 | -0.059 |
| Offensive success rate | 49.4% | 54.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.434 | -0.179 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.065 | -0.007 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.059 | -0.175 |
| Defensive success rate | 45.7% | 50.6% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Minnesota Vikings generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.17 vs -0.06), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Green Bay Packers: 12 drives, -4.79 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Minnesota Vikings: 12 drives, +13.80 total EPA, 5 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.
- 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.
- Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 58:36 · GB 68 · Score 6-0
(13:36) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 20-M.Williams for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 58:20 · GB 2 · Score 7-0
7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 54:57 · GB 20 · Score 13-0
(9:57) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 54:50 · GB 2 · Score 14-0
7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 51:12 · GB 17 · Score 17-0
(6:12) 7-M.Andersen 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte. - Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q1 47:47 · MIN 25 · Score 17-3
(2:47) 8-R.Longwell 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker. - Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 40:28 · MIN 4 · Score 17-9
(10:28) 4-B.Favre pass to 88-B.Franks for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 40:24 · MIN 2 · Score 17-10
8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 36:38 · GB 19 · Score 23-10
(6:38) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 36:33 · GB 2 · Score 24-10
7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte. - Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 13:39 · MIN 1 · Score 24-16
(13:39) 44-N.Davenport right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q4 13:37 · MIN 2 · Score 24-17
8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-R.Davis, Holder-9-B.Barker. MIN #29 (Williams) injured on play. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 10:26 · GB 34 · Score 30-17
(10:26) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 10:18 · GB 2 · Score 31-17
7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers?
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers 31-17 in Week 18, 2004 on 2005-01-09.
What was the final score of Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers?
The final score was Minnesota Vikings 31, Green Bay Packers 17 (MIN 31-17 GB) in Week 18, 2004 on 2005-01-09.
What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers?
Q1: Minnesota Vikings 17, Green Bay Packers 3; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 7, Green Bay Packers 7; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 7, Green Bay Packers 7; Final: Minnesota Vikings 31, Green Bay Packers 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers?
Minnesota Vikings touchdown — M. Williams (D. Culpepper pass) (Q1 58:36) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — R. Moss (D. Culpepper pass) (Q1 54:57) Green Bay Packers touchdown — B. Franks (B. Favre pass) (Q2 40:28) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — N. Burleson (D. Culpepper pass) (Q2 36:38) Green Bay Packers touchdown — N. Davenport (Q4 13:39) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — R. Moss (D. Culpepper pass) (Q4 10:26) Minnesota Vikings field goal — M. Andersen (Q1 51:12, 3 pts) Green Bay Packers field goal — R. Longwell (Q1 47:47, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers?
B. Favre (Green Bay Packers), 59.5% completion, -0.18 EPA per dropback, -6.72 total passing EPA. D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings), 54.3% completion, +0.39 EPA per dropback, +13.68 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers?
D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) led the game in total EPA with +13.68 on passing plays. across 35 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+6.81 EPA): (13:36) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 20-M.Williams for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +18.8%.
Season records after this game
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 8-8 Now 9-8 W
Green Bay Packers
Entered 10-6 Now 10-7 L
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