Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints: 2002 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-12-15, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 32–31 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with +26.03 total EPA.

On the individual side, D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +26.03 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-33.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: 6-H.Epstein kicks 61 yards from MIN 30 to NO 9. 84-M.Lewis to NO 25 for 16 yards (27-B.Russell).

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 · +26.03 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Moss · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +13.65 total EPA · 13 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Brooks · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +11.47 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
4. 4 Ja. Reed · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +7.76 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.59 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Chamberlain · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.25 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Bennett · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.88 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
7. 7 K. Campbell · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.44 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.15 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Pathon · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.84 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.57 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 — D. Culpepper (Q1 53:25)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Culpepper (Q1 46:07)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Lewis (Q1 46:01)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Brooks (Q2 30:57)
• Minnesota Vikings — R. Moss (D. Culpepper pass) (Q2 30:18)
• New Orleans Saints — D. McAllister (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 5:30)
• Minnesota Vikings — R. Moss (D. Culpepper pass) (Q4 0:10)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q1 56:55)
• Minnesota Vikings — G. Anderson (Q2 42:02)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q2 35:29)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q3 15:59)

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 14–10. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the MIN 22 (Q1 56:55) — (11:55) 3-J.Carney 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q1 53:25) — (8:25) 11-D.Culpepper up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 53:21) — 1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 6 (Q1 46:07) — (1:07) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper scrambles left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 46:01) — 1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 30 (Q1 46:01) — 6-H.Epstein kicks 67 yards from MIN 30 to NO 3. 84-M.Lewis for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q1 45:48) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the NO 23 (Q2 42:02) — (12:02) 1-G.Anderson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the MIN 16 (Q2 35:29) — (5:29) 3-J.Carney 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 35 (Q2 30:57); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 30:53); Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 33 (Q2 30:18) — (:18) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, Run 0; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 30:12) — 1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the MIN 9 (Q3 15:59) — (:59) 3-J.Carney 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 8–8. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 17 (Q4 5:30) — (5:30) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 26-D.McAllister for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, Run 11; New Orleans Saints registered a safety from the MIN 2 (Q4 5:21) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 13 (Q4 0:10) — (:10) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 13, Run 0; Minnesota Vikings registered a safety from the NO 2 (Q4 0:05) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 11-D.Culpepper rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:05) — 6-H.Epstein kicks 61 yards from MIN 30 to NO 9. 84-M.Lewis to NO 25 for 16 yards (27-B.Russell). [WPA -33.4% · EPA -0.02]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:05) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 11-D.Culpepper rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. [WPA +31.6% · EPA +1.05]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 30:57) — (:57) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 86-Ja.Reed for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on MIN-21-C.Chavous, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. Pass 32, Run 3 [WPA +21.2% · EPA +5.13]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:10) — (:10) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 13, Run 0 [WPA +19.0% · EPA +4.13]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 5:30) — (5:30) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 26-D.McAllister for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, Run 11 [WPA +17.2% · EPA +3.94]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q1 46:01) — 6-H.Epstein kicks 67 yards from MIN 30 to NO 3. 84-M.Lewis for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.5% · EPA +6.00]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 30:18) — (:18) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, Run 0 [WPA +15.0% · EPA +5.38]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 30:57) — (:57) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 86-Ja.Reed for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on MIN-21-C.Chavous, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. Pass 32, Run 3 [WPA +21.2% · EPA +5.13]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:10) — (:10) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 13, Run 0 [WPA +19.0% · EPA +4.13]

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) · 48 dropbacks · 54.2% completion · +0.54 EPA/play · +26.03 total EPA
• A.Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 43 dropbacks · 48.8% completion · +0.27 EPA/play · +11.47 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 +0.26, New Orleans Saints +0.25) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Minnesota Vikings: 10 drives, +23.04 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +19.69 total EPA, 6 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. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 56:55 · MIN 22 · Score 0-3
   (11:55) 3-J.Carney 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
2. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 53:25 · NO 4 · Score 6-3
   (8:25) 11-D.Culpepper up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 53:21 · NO 2 · Score 7-3
   1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
4. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 46:07 · NO 6 · Score 13-3
   (1:07) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper scrambles left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 46:01 · NO 2 · Score 14-3
   1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 46:01 · MIN 30 · Score 14-9
   6-H.Epstein kicks 67 yards from MIN 30 to NO 3. 84-M.Lewis for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 45:48 · MIN 2 · Score 14-10
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
8. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 42:02 · NO 23 · Score 17-10
   (12:02) 1-G.Anderson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
9. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 35:29 · MIN 16 · Score 17-13
   (5:29) 3-J.Carney 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:57 · MIN 35 · Score 17-19
    (:57) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 86-Ja.Reed for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on MIN-21-C.Chavous, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. Pass 32, Run 3
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:53 · MIN 2 · Score 17-20
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin. PENALTY on MIN-79-K.Mixon, Leverage, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
12. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 30:18 · NO 33 · Score 23-20
    (:18) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, Run 0
13. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 30:12 · NO 2 · Score 24-20
    1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Liddiard, Holder-5-K.Richardson.
14. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 15:59 · MIN 9 · Score 24-23
    (:59) 3-J.Carney 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
15. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 5:30 · MIN 17 · Score 24-29
    (5:30) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 26-D.McAllister for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, Run 11
16. New Orleans Saints Safety (+2) — Q4 5:21 · MIN 2 · Score 24-31
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
17. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 0:10 · NO 13 · Score 30-31
    (:10) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 13, Run 0
18. Minnesota Vikings Safety (+2) — Q4 0:05 · NO 2 · Score 32-31
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 11-D.Culpepper rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.