Game story
In the Wild Card of the 2000 NFL season on 2001-01-06, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 34–16 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +3.69 total EPA.
On the individual side, D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +19.94 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+43.9% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: M.Berger kicks 69 yards from MIN 30 to NO 1. F.McAfee to NO 32 for 31 yards (L.Hall; P.Bercich).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | 3 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 16 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 10 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 34 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Culpepper · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +19.94 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
- 2 C. Carter · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +9.87 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
- 3 R. Moss · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.26 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
- 4 W. Jackson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.56 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
- 5 C. Morton · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.34 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
- 6 A. Brooks · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +3.69 total EPA · 57 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
- 7 T. Walters · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.02 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
- 8 J. Kleinsasser · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +0.97 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.49 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 (+19.94) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Minnesota Vikings's efficiency. Across 34 counted snaps, they averaged +0.59 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.49 EPA) came from Minnesota Vikings: (13:43) D.Culpepper pass to R.Moss for 68 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
- Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player
- Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player
- New Orleans Saints — unlisted player
- Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player
- New Orleans Saints — unlisted player
Field goals
- New Orleans Saints — unlisted player
- Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player
- Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player
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 10–3. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 53 (Q1 57:05) — (12:05) D.Culpepper pass to R.Moss for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 7 (Q1 56:57) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the MIN 15 (Q1 52:50) — (7:50) D.Brien 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-K.Houser, Holder-T.Gowin.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the NO 5 (Q1 46:40) — (1:40) G.Anderson 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger..
The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 17 (Q2 31:35) — (1:35) D.Culpepper pass to C.Carter for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 31:29) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger..
The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 10–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 68 (Q3 28:43) — (13:43) D.Culpepper pass to R.Moss for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 28:33) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 2 (Q3 24:38) — (9:38) A.Brooks pass to D.Stachelski for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 24:33) — D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-K.Houser, Holder-T.Gowin.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the NO 26 (Q3 19:35) — (4:35) G.Anderson 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger..
The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–6. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q4 10:50) — (10:50) R.Smith left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 10:46) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 48 (Q4 2:29) — (2:29) (Shotgun) A.Brooks pass to W.Jackson for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 60:00) — M.Berger kicks 69 yards from MIN 30 to NO 1. F.McAfee to NO 32 for 31 yards (L.Hall; P.Bercich).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 57:05) — (12:05) D.Culpepper pass to R.Moss for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 48:42) — (3:42) D.Culpepper pass to C.Carter to NO 1 for 34 yards (A.Molden).
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 55:03) — (10:03) (Shotgun) A.Brooks pass to J.Reed to MIN 28 for 13 yards (T.Sawyer).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 51:55) — (6:55) D.Culpepper scrambles right end ran ob at MIN 41 for 10 yards.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 28:43) — (13:43) D.Culpepper pass to R.Moss for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:29) — (2:29) (Shotgun) A.Brooks pass to W.Jackson for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 15:23) — (:23) (Shotgun) A.Brooks pass intended for J.Reed INTERCEPTED by R.Tate at NO 30. R.Tate to NO 29 for 1 yard (J.Reed).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 57:05) — (12:05) D.Culpepper pass to R.Moss for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
A.Brooks led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- A.Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 57 dropbacks · 52.6% completion · +0.06 EPA/play · +3.69 total EPA
- D.Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) · 34 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.59 EPA/play · +19.94 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New Orleans Saints | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.019 | +0.167 |
| Offensive success rate | 36.6% | 38.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.065 | +0.586 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.270 | -0.174 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.167 | +0.019 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.5% | 63.4% |
By the numbers
Minnesota Vikings held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.17 vs -0.02), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, +15.21 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, -1.77 total EPA, 3 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 57:05 · NO 53 · Score 0-6
(12:05) D.Culpepper pass to R.Moss for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 56:57 · NO 7 · Score 0-7
G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 52:50 · MIN 15 · Score 3-7
(7:50) D.Brien 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-K.Houser, Holder-T.Gowin. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 46:40 · NO 5 · Score 3-10
(1:40) G.Anderson 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 31:35 · NO 17 · Score 3-16
(1:35) D.Culpepper pass to C.Carter for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 31:29 · NO 2 · Score 3-17
G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 28:43 · NO 68 · Score 3-23
(13:43) D.Culpepper pass to R.Moss for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 28:33 · NO 2 · Score 3-24
G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 24:38 · MIN 2 · Score 9-24
(9:38) A.Brooks pass to D.Stachelski for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 24:33 · MIN 2 · Score 10-24
D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-K.Houser, Holder-T.Gowin. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q3 19:35 · NO 26 · Score 10-27
(4:35) G.Anderson 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 10:50 · NO 2 · Score 10-33
(10:50) R.Smith left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 10:46 · NO 2 · Score 10-34
G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 2:29 · MIN 48 · Score 16-34
(2:29) (Shotgun) A.Brooks pass to W.Jackson for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New Orleans Saints vs Minnesota Vikings?
The Minnesota Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints 34-16 in Wild Card, 2000 on 2001-01-06.
What was the final score of New Orleans Saints vs Minnesota Vikings?
The final score was New Orleans Saints 16, Minnesota Vikings 34 (NO 16-34 MIN) in Wild Card, 2000 on 2001-01-06.
What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Minnesota Vikings?
Q1: New Orleans Saints 3, Minnesota Vikings 10; Q2: New Orleans Saints 0, Minnesota Vikings 7; Q3: New Orleans Saints 7, Minnesota Vikings 10; Q4: New Orleans Saints 6, Minnesota Vikings 7; Final: New Orleans Saints 16, Minnesota Vikings 34.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Minnesota Vikings?
Minnesota Vikings touchdown — unlisted player (Q1 57:05) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — unlisted player (Q2 31:35) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — unlisted player (Q3 28:43) New Orleans Saints touchdown — unlisted player (Q3 24:38) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — unlisted player (Q4 10:50) New Orleans Saints touchdown — unlisted player (Q4 2:29) New Orleans Saints field goal — unlisted player (Q1 52:50, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — unlisted player (Q1 46:40, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — unlisted player (Q3 19:35, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Minnesota Vikings?
A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints), 52.6% completion, +0.06 EPA per dropback, +3.69 total passing EPA. D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings), 50.0% completion, +0.59 EPA per dropback, +19.94 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New Orleans Saints vs Minnesota Vikings?
D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) led the game in total EPA with +19.94 on passing plays. across 34 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.49 EPA): (13:43) D.Culpepper pass to R.Moss for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +43.9%.
Season records after this game
New Orleans Saints
Entered 11-6 Now 11-7 L
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 11-5 Now 12-5 W
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