Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 2004 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-09-20, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 27–16 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with +19.44 total EPA.

On the individual side, D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +19.44 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-20.9% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (:58) 11-D.Culpepper up the middle to PHI 1 for 1 yard (51-N.Wayne). FUMBLES (51-N.Wayne), touched at PHI 1, RECOVERED by PHI-20-B.Dawkins at PHI 4. 20-B.Dawkins to PHI 4 for no gain (81-N.Burleson).

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 · +19.44 total EPA · 54 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
2. 2 D. McNabb · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +9.22 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Moss · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +8.01 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
4. 4 N. Burleson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +7.75 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.55 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Owens · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +6.00 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.50 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Wiggins · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.92 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Owens · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.01 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
8. 8 K. Campbell · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.83 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.92 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

• Philadelphia Eagles — L. Smith (D. McNabb pass) (Q1 50:51)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. McNabb (Q3 26:32)
• Philadelphia Eagles — T. Owens (D. McNabb pass) (Q4 7:48)
• Minnesota Vikings — R. Moss (D. Culpepper pass) (Q4 3:37)

Field goals

• Minnesota Vikings — M. Andersen (Q1 56:25)
• Minnesota Vikings — M. Andersen (Q2 42:10)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q2 36:41)
• Minnesota Vikings — M. Andersen (Q3 19:41)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q4 1:15)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–3. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the PHI 24 (Q1 56:25) — (11:25) 7-M.Andersen 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the MIN 11 (Q1 50:51); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q1 50:43) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the PHI 1 (Q2 42:10) — (12:10) 7-M.Andersen 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the MIN 20 (Q2 36:41) — (6:41) 2-D.Akers 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer..

The third quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–3. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the MIN 20 (Q3 26:32); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 26:22) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the PHI 21 (Q3 19:41) — (4:41) 7-M.Andersen 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte..

The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 10–7. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the MIN 45 (Q4 7:48); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q4 7:40) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the PHI 4 (Q4 3:37); Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q4 3:32) — 7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the MIN 29 (Q4 1:15) — (1:15) 2-D.Akers 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer..

Turning points

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

• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 30:58) — (:58) 11-D.Culpepper up the middle to PHI 1 for 1 yard (51-N.Wayne). FUMBLES (51-N.Wayne), touched at PHI 1, RECOVERED by PHI-20-B.Dawkins at PHI 4. 20-B.Dawkins to PHI 4 for no gain (81-N.Burleson). [WPA -20.9% · EPA -5.49]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 11:41) — (11:41) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 16-K.Campbell to PHI 23 for 20 yards (31-D.Wynn). [WPA +11.1% · EPA +3.35]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 35:59) — (5:59) 5-D.McNabb pass to 36-B.Westbrook to MIN 44 for 19 yards (29-B.Williams). FUMBLES (29-B.Williams), RECOVERED by MIN-27-B.Russell at MIN 43. [WPA -10.5% · EPA -3.34]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 31:42) — (1:42) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 89-R.Owens to PHI 2 for 18 yards (55-D.Jones). [WPA +10.2% · EPA +3.19]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 42:10) — (12:10) 7-M.Andersen 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte. [WPA -8.4% · EPA +0.03]

Impact plays

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

• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 30:58) — (:58) 11-D.Culpepper up the middle to PHI 1 for 1 yard (51-N.Wayne). FUMBLES (51-N.Wayne), touched at PHI 1, RECOVERED by PHI-20-B.Dawkins at PHI 4. 20-B.Dawkins to PHI 4 for no gain (81-N.Burleson). [WPA -20.9% · EPA -5.49]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 7:48) — (7:48) 5-D.McNabb pass to 81-T.Owens for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Eagles' Owens runs straight fly pattern to end zone and grabs McNabb pass inside the 5 and dives over the goal line for TD. [WPA +2.3% · EPA +4.20]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 5:08) — (5:08) (Shotgun) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 81-N.Burleson pushed ob at PHI 26 for 17 yards (26-L.Sheppard). [WPA +1.9% · EPA +3.62]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 9:19) — (9:19) 7-M.Andersen 44 yard field goal is No Good, Short, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte. [WPA -6.1% · EPA -3.37]

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) · 54 dropbacks · 68.5% completion · +0.36 EPA/play · +19.44 total EPA
• D.McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) · 31 dropbacks · 61.3% completion · +0.30 EPA/play · +9.22 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Philadelphia Eagles held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.28 vs +0.10), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Minnesota Vikings: 8 drives, +8.89 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 9 drives, +17.10 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Philadelphia Eagles 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.

1. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 56:25 · PHI 24 · Score 3-0
   (11:25) 7-M.Andersen 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
2. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 50:51 · MIN 11 · Score 3-6
   (5:51) 5-D.McNabb pass to 82-L.Smith for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Eagles' L.J. Smith ran a short cross, received the ball at the 8 and dived forward for the TD.
3. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 50:43 · MIN 2 · Score 3-7
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
4. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 42:10 · PHI 1 · Score 6-7
   (12:10) 7-M.Andersen 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
5. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 36:41 · MIN 20 · Score 6-10
   (6:41) 2-D.Akers 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
6. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 26:32 · MIN 20 · Score 6-16
   (11:32) 5-D.McNabb left end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Eagles' McNab scrambles out of pocket and three defenders, to run left and scamper for TD.
7. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 26:22 · MIN 2 · Score 6-17
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
8. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q3 19:41 · PHI 21 · Score 9-17
   (4:41) 7-M.Andersen 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
9. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 7:48 · MIN 45 · Score 9-23
   (7:48) 5-D.McNabb pass to 81-T.Owens for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Eagles' Owens runs straight fly pattern to end zone and grabs McNabb pass inside the 5 and dives o
10. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 7:40 · MIN 2 · Score 9-24
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
11. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 3:37 · PHI 4 · Score 15-24
    (3:37) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 84-R.Moss for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Vikings' Culpepper delivers ball to Moss who leaps up to catch ball seven yards deep on right si
12. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 3:32 · PHI 2 · Score 16-24
    7-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-12-G.Frerotte.
13. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q4 1:15 · MIN 29 · Score 16-27
    (1:15) 2-D.Akers 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.