FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 1 · September 11, 2006 · 12 min read

Minnesota Vikings vs. Washington Commanders: 2006 Week 1 Recap

Vikings defeat Commanders 19–16 in Week 1

Buddy Johnson led Fantasy Impact as Vikings prevailed in a 19–16 Week 1 finish.

Minnesota Vikings 19 1–0 Winner
Final 19–16
Washington Commanders 16 0–1
Winner
Minnesota Vikings
Final score
19–16
Halftime
Minnesota Vikings 9–13 Washington Commanders
Top passer
Buddy Johnson
FantasyHQ MVP
Buddy Johnson
Game date
September 11, 2006

Top fantasy performers · Vikings

  • Buddy Johnson
    Buddy Johnson 16/36 · 223 YDS · 1 TD +14.7 Fantasy Impact
  • T.Williamson 4 REC · 77 YDS +10.1 Fantasy Impact
  • Calvin Taylor Jr.
    Calvin Taylor Jr. 3 REC · 43 YDS +3.6 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Commanders

  • S.Moss 3 REC · 69 YDS +5.4 Fantasy Impact
  • A.Randle El 5 REC · 34 YDS +4.0 Fantasy Impact
  • L.Betts 3 REC · 31 YDS +2.3 Fantasy Impact

Quick answer

Winner
Minnesota Vikings
Final score
Minnesota Vikings 19–16 Washington Commanders
Halftime
Minnesota Vikings 9–13 Washington Commanders at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Buddy Johnson
Top passer
Buddy Johnson
Biggest EPA play
(11:25) 14-B.Johnson pass deep right to 82-T.Williamson pushed ob at WAS 6 for 46 yards (2…
Game date
2006-09-11

Game summary

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Washington Commanders 19–16 on 2006-09-11, overcoming Washington Commanders's 13–9 halftime lead. Buddy Johnson posted a game-high +14.67 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4T
Minnesota Vikings6373019
Washington Commanders31030016

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

MINMinnesota Vikings
WASWashington Commanders

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

10 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q1 10:08TD
    Calvin Taylor Jr.

    Points+6

    Yard line
    WAS 4
    Score
    6-0

    (10:08) 29-C.Taylor left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. WASWashington Commanders
    Q1 1:58FG
    Justin Hall

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIN 9
    Score
    6-3

    (1:58) 10-J.Hall 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.

  3. WASWashington Commanders
    Q2 8:11TD
    CPC. Portis

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIN 5
    Score
    6-9

    (8:11) 26-C.Portis left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. WASWashington Commanders
    Q2 8:06XP
    Justin Hall

    Points+1

    Yard line
    MIN 2
    Score
    6-10

    10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.

  5. WASWashington Commanders
    Q2 1:09FG
    Justin Hall

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIN 9
    Score
    6-13

    (1:09) 10-J.Hall 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.

  6. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q2 0:03FG
    RLR. Longwell

    Points+3

    Yard line
    WAS 28
    Score
    9-13

    (:03) 8-R.Longwell 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.

  7. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q3 9:45TD
    Micah Robinson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    WAS 20
    Score
    15-13

    (9:45) 14-B.Johnson pass deep left to 87-M.Robinson for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  8. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q3 9:38XP
    RLR. Longwell

    Points+1

    Yard line
    WAS 2
    Score
    16-13

    8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.

  9. WASWashington Commanders
    Q3 4:28FG
    Justin Hall

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIN 4
    Score
    16-16

    (4:28) 10-J.Hall 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.

  10. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q4 1:04FG
    RLR. Longwell

    Points+3

    Yard line
    WAS 13
    Score
    19-16

    (1:04) 8-R.Longwell 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Buddy JohnsonBuddy Johnson · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +14.67 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
  2. 2T. Williamson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +10.14 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.53 EPA/play
  3. 3S. Moss · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +5.43 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.81 EPA/play
  4. 4A.Randle El · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +4.03 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
  5. 5Calvin Taylor Jr.Calvin Taylor Jr. · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.64 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
  6. 6Micah RobinsonMicah Robinson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.46 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.46 EPA/play
  7. 7B. McMullen · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.87 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.87 EPA/play
  8. 8Tyrod TaylorTyrod Taylor · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.77 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.77 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Buddy Johnson

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Buddy Johnson — MIN · Passing

Buddy Johnson posted the highest total EPA (+14.67) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Minnesota Vikings. Across 36 counted snaps, they averaged +0.41 EPA per play.

Buddy Johnson's top snap (+4.59 EPA): (11:25) 14-B.Johnson pass deep right to 82-T.Williamson pushed ob at WAS 6 for 46 yards (29-M.Rumph).

Quarterback report card

Buddy Johnson led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Buddy JohnsonBuddy Johnson (Minnesota Vikings) · 36 dropbacks · 44.4% completion · -2.5% CPOE · +0.41 EPA/play · +14.67 total EPA
  • M. Brunell (Washington Commanders) · 30 dropbacks · 56.7% completion · -1.9% CPOE · +0.07 EPA/play · +2.16 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatMinnesota VikingsWashington Commanders
Offensive EPA/play+0.044-0.007
Offensive success rate39.6%44.9%
Pass EPA/play+0.408+0.072
Rush EPA/play-0.162-0.139
Defensive EPA/play+0.007-0.044
Defensive success rate55.1%60.4%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Minnesota Vikings generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.01), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Minnesota Vikings: +0.04 EPA/play (68th percentile vs. 2006 team-game averages)
  • Washington Commanders: -0.01 EPA/play (53rd percentile vs. 2006 team-game averages)
  • Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, +3.97 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Washington Commanders: 10 drives, -0.49 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Calvin Taylor Jr.Minnesota Vikings — Calvin Taylor Jr. (Q1 10:08)
  • Washington Commanders — C. Portis (Q2 8:11)
  • Micah RobinsonMinnesota Vikings — Micah Robinson (Buddy Johnson pass) (Q3 9:45)

Field goals

  • Justin HallWashington Commanders — Justin Hall (Q1 1:58)
  • Justin HallWashington Commanders — Justin Hall (Q2 1:09)
  • Minnesota Vikings — R. Longwell (Q2 0:03)
  • Justin HallWashington Commanders — Justin Hall (Q3 4:28)
  • Minnesota Vikings — R. Longwell (Q4 1:04)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 6–3. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the WAS 4 (Q1 10:08) — (10:08) 29-C.Taylor left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the MIN 9 (Q1 1:58) — (1:58) 10-J.Hall 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost..

The second quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 10–3. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the MIN 5 (Q2 8:11) — (8:11) 26-C.Portis left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 8:06) — 10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the MIN 9 (Q2 1:09) — (1:09) 10-J.Hall 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the WAS 28 (Q2 0:03) — (:03) 8-R.Longwell 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–3. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the WAS 20 (Q3 9:45) — (9:45) 14-B.Johnson pass deep left to 87-M.Robinson for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q3 9:38) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the MIN 4 (Q3 4:28) — (4:28) 10-J.Hall 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost..

The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 3–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the WAS 13 (Q4 1:04) — (1:04) 8-R.Longwell 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Minnesota Vikings (Q4 2:50) — (2:50) 14-B.Johnson pass short right to 82-T.Williamson to WAS 39 for 13 yards (21-S.Taylor). PENALTY on WAS-21-S.Taylor, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at WAS 39. [WPA +19.9% · EPA +2.75]
  • Washington Commanders (Q4 0:17) — (:17) 10-J.Hall 48 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. [WPA -18.3% · EPA -2.02]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q1 11:25) — (11:25) 14-B.Johnson pass deep right to 82-T.Williamson pushed ob at WAS 6 for 46 yards (29-M.Rumph). [WPA +16.0% · EPA +4.59]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q3 11:47) — (11:47) (Shotgun) 14-B.Johnson pass deep middle to 12-B.McMullen to WAS 25 for 22 yards (40-A.Archuleta). [WPA +13.7% · EPA +2.87]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q3 2:08) — (2:08) 14-B.Johnson pass short right to 29-C.Taylor to WAS 36 for 24 yards (21-S.Taylor). WAS-93-P.Daniels was injured during the play. His return is Probable. [WPA +12.9% · EPA +2.61]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Minnesota Vikings (Q1 11:25) — (11:25) 14-B.Johnson pass deep right to 82-T.Williamson pushed ob at WAS 6 for 46 yards (29-M.Rumph). [WPA +16.0% · EPA +4.59]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q3 9:45) — (9:45) 14-B.Johnson pass deep left to 87-M.Robinson for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.7% · EPA +3.46]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q4 14:56) — (14:56) 8-R.Longwell 54 yard field goal is No Good, Short, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe. [WPA -6.9% · EPA -3.12]
  • Washington Commanders (Q2 8:44) — (8:44) 8-M.Brunell pass short left to 46-L.Betts to MIN 10 for 25 yards (42-D.Sharper). FUMBLES (42-D.Sharper), ball out of bounds at MIN 10. PENALTY on MIN-97-S.Johnson, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 5 ya [WPA +7.2% · EPA +2.91]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 10:08 · WAS 4 · Score 6-0
    (10:08) 29-C.Taylor left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q1 1:58 · MIN 9 · Score 6-3
    (1:58) 10-J.Hall 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.
  3. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 8:11 · MIN 5 · Score 6-9
    (8:11) 26-C.Portis left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 8:06 · MIN 2 · Score 6-10
    10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.
  5. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q2 1:09 · MIN 9 · Score 6-13
    (1:09) 10-J.Hall 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.
  6. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 0:03 · WAS 28 · Score 9-13
    (:03) 8-R.Longwell 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
  7. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 9:45 · WAS 20 · Score 15-13
    (9:45) 14-B.Johnson pass deep left to 87-M.Robinson for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  8. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 9:38 · WAS 2 · Score 16-13
    8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
  9. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q3 4:28 · MIN 4 · Score 16-16
    (4:28) 10-J.Hall 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.
  10. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 1:04 · WAS 13 · Score 19-16
    (1:04) 8-R.Longwell 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.

Key takeaways

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

  • Minnesota Vikings earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Buddy Johnson (Minnesota Vikings) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Washington Commanders on 2006-09-11?

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Washington Commanders 19-16 in Week 1, 2006.

What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs Washington Commanders?

Q1: Minnesota Vikings 6, Washington Commanders 3; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 3, Washington Commanders 10; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 7, Washington Commanders 3; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 3, Washington Commanders 0; Final: Minnesota Vikings 19, Washington Commanders 16.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs Washington Commanders?

Minnesota Vikings touchdown — C. Taylor (Q1 10:08) Washington Commanders touchdown — C. Portis (Q2 8:11) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — M. Robinson (B. Johnson pass) (Q3 9:45) Washington Commanders field goal — J. Hall (Q1 1:58, 3 pts) Washington Commanders field goal — J. Hall (Q2 1:09, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — R. Longwell (Q2 0:03, 3 pts) Washington Commanders field goal — J. Hall (Q3 4:28, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — R. Longwell (Q4 1:04, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs Washington Commanders?

Buddy Johnson (Minnesota Vikings), 44.4% completion, -2.5% CPOE, +0.41 EPA per dropback, +14.67 total passing EPA. M. Brunell (Washington Commanders), 56.7% completion, -1.9% CPOE, +0.07 EPA per dropback, +2.16 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Minnesota Vikings vs Washington Commanders?

Buddy Johnson (Minnesota Vikings) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.67 total EPA on Passing plays. across 36 snaps. Their top snap (+4.59 EPA): (11:25) 14-B.Johnson pass deep right to 82-T.Williamson pushed ob at WAS 6 for 46 yards (29-M.Rumph)..

Was Minnesota Vikings vs Washington Commanders a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Minnesota Vikings won 19-16 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Minnesota Vikings

Now 1-0 W

Washington Commanders

Now 0-1 L