Record 9–7 Playoff finish did not qualify Start date 2003 | Division place 2nd NFC North Head coach Mike Tice | |
Home field Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome People also search for 2004 Minnesota Vikings season | ||
The 2003 Minnesota Vikings season was the team's 43rd year in the National Football League. The Vikings gained 6,294 yards on offense, by far the most in the league; however the team 416 points were only 6th best in the NFL.
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The Vikings won their first six games of the 2003 season, then lost their next four games, after which they alternated wins and losses for the remainder of the season. Green Bay won the division at 10–6, while the Vikings finished 9–7. The Vikings set a new mark for futility during the season when they lost to every 4–12 team (Giants, Chargers, Raiders, and Cardinals) during their 3–7 finish. Curiously, the Vikings went 4–2 against 2003 playoff teams, but only 5–5 against teams with losing records. The Vikings were 6–2 at home, and 8–3 in domes overall. (They only played one cold-weather game, a loss to Chicago in Week Fifteen.)
The Vikings were officially eliminated from postseason contention when a touchdown reception on 4th and 25 by Arizona Cardinals receiver Nate Poole handed the Vikings a dramatic last-second 18–17 loss in their final game.
The season is notable for Randy Moss leading the NFL with 17 touchdown receptions. It's the third time in his career that Moss led the league in that category.
After the past two seasons of inconsistency, a rejuvenated Daunte Culpepper was voted to play in the Pro Bowl after the season. It was Culpepper's second Pro Bowl appearance.