The
2002 season was the
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. The Vikings compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. Founded in 1960 as ...
' 42nd in the
National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
, and the first under head coach
Mike Tice. Tice was the third of the Vikings' six head coaches to be promoted from within the team's coaching ranks but the first to have actually played for the team.
This for the first time since 1989,
Cris Carter
Graduel Christopher Darwin Carter (born November 25, 1965) is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles (1987–1989), the Minnesota Vikings (1990–2001 ...
was not on the opening day roster.
The Vikings lost their opening game in Chicago 27–23 after surrendering a 20–10 halftime lead, and ended up going 0–4 before their bye week. Results improved after the bye, but they ultimately went 6–6 in their remaining games, including a three-game winning streak to end the season. They finished the season with a 6–10 record and missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Second-year running back Michael Bennett enjoyed a successful year, rushing for 1,296 yards, resulting in a Pro Bowl selection at the end of the season. After losing
Cris Carter
Graduel Christopher Darwin Carter (born November 25, 1965) is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles (1987–1989), the Minnesota Vikings (1990–2001 ...
to retirement, Randy Moss had a career-high 106 receptions, but only had 7 touchdowns.
Offseason
2002 draft
Notes:
Undrafted free agents
Staff
Roster
Preseason
Schedule
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 2: at Buffalo Bills
Week 3: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 4: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Regular season
Schedule
Game summaries
Week 1: at Chicago Bears
Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 3: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 4: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions
Week 7: at New York Jets
Week 8: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 9: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 10: vs. New York Giants
Week 11: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 12: at New England Patriots
Week 13: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 14: at Green Bay Packers
Week 15: at New Orleans Saints
Week 16: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 17: at Detroit Lions
Standings
Division
Conference
Statistics
Team leaders
League rankings
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:2002 Minnesota Vikings Season
Minnesota Vikings seasons
Minnesota
Minnesota ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the so ...
Minnesota
Minnesota ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Upper Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario to the north and east and by the U.S. states of Wisconsin to the east, Iowa to the so ...