Game story
In Week 3 of the 2000 NFL season on 2000-09-17, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 21–13 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Bledsoe (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with -5.20 total EPA.
On the individual side, D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.09 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+43.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: A.Vinatieri kicks 70 yards from NE 30 to MIN 0. M.Williams to MIN 27 for 27 yards (K.Serwanga).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| New England Patriots | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Culpepper · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +10.09 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 2 M. Hatchette · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +7.15 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.58 EPA/play
- 3 K. Faulk · New England Patriots · Rushing · +2.46 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
- 4 J. McWilliams · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.00 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
- 5 K. Faulk · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.57 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
- 6 C. Walsh · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.44 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.44 EPA/play
- 7 J. Davis · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.30 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
- 8 C. Carter · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.18 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.12 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 (+10.09) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Minnesota Vikings's efficiency. Across 42 counted snaps, they averaged +0.24 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.59 EPA) came from Minnesota Vikings: (5:26) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass to M.Hatchette for 39 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 — unlisted player
- New England Patriots — unlisted player
- Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player
- Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player
- New England Patriots — unlisted player
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NE 4 (Q1 51:10) — (6:10) R.Smith left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 51:06) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIN 2 (Q1 49:20) — (4:20) 67 Anderson eligible K.Faulk left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q1 49:15) — A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-L.Paxton, Holder-L.Johnson..
The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 14–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q2 39:58) — (9:58) D.Culpepper pass to J.McWilliams for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 39:53) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NE 39 (Q2 35:26) — (5:26) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass to M.Hatchette for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 35:18) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger..
The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 6–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIN 8 (Q4 11:16) — (11:16) D.Bledsoe pass to T.Glenn for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 60:00) — A.Vinatieri kicks 70 yards from NE 30 to MIN 0. M.Williams to MIN 27 for 27 yards (K.Serwanga).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 17:56) — (2:56) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass INTERCEPTED by L.Milloy at MIN 21. L.Milloy ran ob at MIN 21 for no gain.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 35:26) — (5:26) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass to M.Hatchette for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 46:30) — (1:30) D.Culpepper pass to C.Carter to NE 36 for 27 yards. Lateral to R.Moss ran ob at NE 36 for no gain. Penalty on NE-L.Milloy, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.
- New England Patriots (Q1 49:25) — (4:25) D.Bledsoe pass incomplete to T.Glenn. PENALTY on MIN-C.Dishman, Defensive Pass Interference, 31 yards, enforced at MIN 33 - No Play.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 35:26) — (5:26) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass to M.Hatchette for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 19:10) — (4:10) R.Smith up the middle to NE 29 for 5 yards (L.Milloy). FUMBLES (L.Milloy), RECOVERED by NE-G.Spires at NE 29.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 17:56) — (2:56) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass INTERCEPTED by L.Milloy at MIN 21. L.Milloy ran ob at MIN 21 for no gain.
- New England Patriots (Q4 11:16) — (11:16) D.Bledsoe pass to T.Glenn for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
D.Bledsoe led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Bledsoe (New England Patriots) · 44 dropbacks · 47.7% completion · -0.12 EPA/play · -5.20 total EPA
- D.Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) · 42 dropbacks · 45.2% completion · +0.24 EPA/play · +10.09 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Minnesota Vikings | New England Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.067 | -0.040 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.6% | 42.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.240 | -0.118 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.112 | +0.057 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.040 | -0.067 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.1% | 58.4% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Minnesota Vikings generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs -0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, +6.74 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- New England Patriots: 11 drives, -3.05 total EPA, 2 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 51:10 · NE 4 · Score 6-0
(6:10) R.Smith left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 51:06 · NE 2 · Score 7-0
G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 49:20 · MIN 2 · Score 7-6
(4:20) 67 Anderson eligible K.Faulk left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 49:15 · MIN 2 · Score 7-7
A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-L.Paxton, Holder-L.Johnson. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 39:58 · NE 1 · Score 13-7
(9:58) D.Culpepper pass to J.McWilliams for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 39:53 · NE 2 · Score 14-7
G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 35:26 · NE 39 · Score 20-7
(5:26) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass to M.Hatchette for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 35:18 · NE 2 · Score 21-7
G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 11:16 · MIN 8 · Score 21-13
(11:16) D.Bledsoe pass to T.Glenn for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots?
The Minnesota Vikings beat the New England Patriots 21-13 in Week 3, 2000 on 2000-09-17.
What was the final score of Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots?
The final score was Minnesota Vikings 21, New England Patriots 13 (MIN 21-13 NE) in Week 3, 2000 on 2000-09-17.
What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots?
Q1: Minnesota Vikings 7, New England Patriots 7; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 14, New England Patriots 0; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 0, New England Patriots 6; Final: Minnesota Vikings 21, New England Patriots 13.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots?
Minnesota Vikings touchdown — unlisted player (Q1 51:10) New England Patriots touchdown — unlisted player (Q1 49:20) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — unlisted player (Q2 39:58) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — unlisted player (Q2 35:26) New England Patriots touchdown — unlisted player (Q4 11:16) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots?
D. Bledsoe (New England Patriots), 47.7% completion, -0.12 EPA per dropback, -5.20 total passing EPA. D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings), 45.2% completion, +0.24 EPA per dropback, +10.09 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots?
D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) led the game in total EPA with +10.09 on passing plays. across 42 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.59 EPA): (5:26) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass to M.Hatchette for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +43.3%.
Season records after this game
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 2-0 Now 3-0 W
New England Patriots
Entered 0-2 Now 0-3 L
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