Game story
In Week 12 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-11-24, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 24–17 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with +4.49 total EPA.
On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.85 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-9.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (7:42) 1-G.Anderson 41 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| New England Patriots | 7 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +10.85 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
- 2 D. Culpepper · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +4.49 total EPA · 58 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
- 3 T. Brown · New England Patriots · Receiving · +4.11 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
- 4 C. Fauria · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.71 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.86 EPA/play
- 5 B. Chamberlain · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.46 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.15 EPA/play
- 6 A. Smith · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.71 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.36 EPA/play
- 7 D. Bates · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.51 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 8 M. Williams · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +2.40 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Brady — NE · Passing
T. Brady posted the highest total EPA (+10.85) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New England Patriots's efficiency. Across 38 counted snaps, they averaged +0.29 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.64 EPA) came from Minnesota Vikings: (5:06) 23-M.Bennett up the middle to NE 10 for no gain (95-R.Phifer). FUMBLES (95-R.Phifer), RECOVERED by NE-50-M.Vrabel at NE 10.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New England Patriots — C. Fauria (T. Brady pass)
- New England Patriots — C. Fauria (T. Brady pass)
- New England Patriots — T. Brown (T. Brady pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — D. Bates (D. Culpepper pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — K. Campbell (D. Culpepper pass)
Field goals
- Minnesota Vikings — G. Anderson
- New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIN 9 (Q1 48:30) — (3:30) 12-T.Brady pass to 88-C.Fauria for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q1 48:24) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter..
The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q2 42:34) — (12:34) NE 50-Vrabel eligible. 12-T.Brady pass to 88-C.Fauria for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 42:30) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIN 5 (Q2 38:05) — (8:05) 12-T.Brady pass to 80-T.Brown for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 38:02) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NE 6 (Q2 30:23) — (:23) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 85-D.Bates for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 30:19) — 1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson..
The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NE 7 (Q3 19:50) — (4:50) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 16-K.Campbell for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 19:45) — 1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the NE 20 (Q4 14:46) — (14:46) 1-G.Anderson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIN 16 (Q4 11:13) — (11:13) 4-A.Vinatieri 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 7:42) — (7:42) 1-G.Anderson 41 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 54:11) — (9:11) 1-G.Anderson 43 yard field goal is BLOCKED (93-R.Seymour), Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson, declared dead at NE 33.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 54:53) — (9:53) 11-D.Culpepper pass incomplete. PENALTY on MIN, Intentional Grounding, 17 yards, enforced at NE 10.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 15:44) — (:44) 11-D.Culpepper scrambles right tackle ran ob at NE 24 for 17 yards.
- New England Patriots (Q4 14:26) — (14:26) 12-T.Brady pass to 32-A.Smith to MIN 46 for 26 yards (25-E.Kelly).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 35:06) — (5:06) 23-M.Bennett up the middle to NE 10 for no gain (95-R.Phifer). FUMBLES (95-R.Phifer), RECOVERED by NE-50-M.Vrabel at NE 10.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 54:11) — (9:11) 1-G.Anderson 43 yard field goal is BLOCKED (93-R.Seymour), Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson, declared dead at NE 33.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 7:42) — (7:42) 1-G.Anderson 41 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 32:23) — (2:23) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss to MIN 31 for 8 yards (95-R.Phifer). FUMBLES (95-R.Phifer), RECOVERED by NE-93-R.Seymour at MIN 31.
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) · 58 dropbacks · 41.4% completion · +0.08 EPA/play · +4.49 total EPA
- T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 38 dropbacks · 55.3% completion · +0.29 EPA/play · +10.85 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Minnesota Vikings | New England Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.047 | +0.009 |
| Offensive success rate | 49.5% | 40.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.067 | +0.286 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.159 | -0.254 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.009 | +0.047 |
| Defensive success rate | 59.6% | 50.5% |
By the numbers
New England Patriots held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.05), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Minnesota Vikings: 12 drives, -4.52 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- New England Patriots: 13 drives, +0.78 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- New England Patriots 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.
- T. Brady (New England Patriots) 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.
- New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 48:30 · MIN 9 · Score 0-6
(3:30) 12-T.Brady pass to 88-C.Fauria for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 48:24 · MIN 2 · Score 0-7
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 42:34 · MIN 1 · Score 0-13
(12:34) NE 50-Vrabel eligible. 12-T.Brady pass to 88-C.Fauria for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 42:30 · MIN 2 · Score 0-14
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 38:05 · MIN 5 · Score 0-20
(8:05) 12-T.Brady pass to 80-T.Brown for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 38:02 · MIN 2 · Score 0-21
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 30:23 · NE 6 · Score 6-21
(:23) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 85-D.Bates for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 30:19 · NE 2 · Score 7-21
1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 19:50 · NE 7 · Score 13-21
(4:50) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 16-K.Campbell for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 19:45 · NE 2 · Score 14-21
1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 14:46 · NE 20 · Score 17-21
(14:46) 1-G.Anderson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson. - New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 11:13 · MIN 16 · Score 17-24
(11:13) 4-A.Vinatieri 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots?
The New England Patriots beat the Minnesota Vikings 24-17 in Week 12, 2002 on 2002-11-24.
What was the final score of Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots?
The final score was Minnesota Vikings 17, New England Patriots 24 (MIN 17-24 NE) in Week 12, 2002 on 2002-11-24.
What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots?
Q1: Minnesota Vikings 0, New England Patriots 7; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 7, New England Patriots 14; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 7, New England Patriots 0; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 3, New England Patriots 3; Final: Minnesota Vikings 17, New England Patriots 24.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots?
New England Patriots touchdown — C. Fauria (T. Brady pass) (Q1 48:30) New England Patriots touchdown — C. Fauria (T. Brady pass) (Q2 42:34) New England Patriots touchdown — T. Brown (T. Brady pass) (Q2 38:05) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — D. Bates (D. Culpepper pass) (Q2 30:23) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — K. Campbell (D. Culpepper pass) (Q3 19:50) Minnesota Vikings field goal — G. Anderson (Q4 14:46, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q4 11:13, 3 pts) 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. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings), 41.4% completion, +0.08 EPA per dropback, +4.49 total passing EPA. T. Brady (New England Patriots), 55.3% completion, +0.29 EPA per dropback, +10.85 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots?
T. Brady (New England Patriots) led the game in total EPA with +10.85 on passing plays. across 38 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.64 EPA): (5:06) 23-M.Bennett up the middle to NE 10 for no gain (95-R.Phifer). FUMBLES (95-R.Phifer), RECOVERED by NE-50-M.Vrabel at NE 10.. The biggest win-probability swing was -9.6%.
Was Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. New England Patriots won 24-17 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 3-7 Now 3-8 L
New England Patriots
Entered 5-5 Now 6-5 W
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