Minnesota
38
Detroit36
Minnesota
Detroit
| FINAL | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Minnesota | 14 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 38 |
| Detroit | 14 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 36 |
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| Officials |
| Referee- Bill Carollo, Umpire- Butch Hannah, Head linesman- Paul Weidner, Line judge- Ben Montgomery, Field judge- Steve Zimmer, Side judge- John Parry, Back judge- Bob Waggoner |
| Attendance - Time |
| 60,233; 3:21 |
| Team Statistics | Minnesota | Detroit |
| First downs | 24 | 20 |
| Rushing | 8 | 4 |
| Passing | 14 | 14 |
| Penalty | 2 | 2 |
| 3rd-Down Efficiency | 7-12 | 7-14 |
| 4th-Down Efficiency | 1-1 | 1-2 |
| Total Net Yards | 450 | 386 |
| Total Plays | 66 | 64 |
| Average Gains | 6.8 | 6 |
| Net Yards Rushing | 154 | 93 |
| Rushes | 34 | 20 |
| Average Per Rush | 4.5 | 4.7 |
| Net Yards Passing | 296 | 293 |
| Completed-Attempted | 21-29 | 19-44 |
| Yards Per Pass | 10.2 | 6.7 |
| Sacked-Yards Lost | 3-16 | 0-0 |
| Had Intercepted | 1 | 3 |
| Punts-Average | 2-36 | 2-40.5 |
| Return Yardage | 45 | 7 |
| Punts-Returns | 0-0 | 1-5 |
| Kickoffs-Returns | 7-127 | 7-142 |
| Interceptions-Returns | 3-45 | 1-2 |
| Penalties-Yards | 7-79 | 6-60 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 3-1 | 1-0 |
| Time Of Possession | 34:31 | 25:29 |
The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions closed the season in opposite fashion.
Daunte Culpepper threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score as the Vikings held on for a 38-36 victory, handing the Lions their eighth straight loss.
With the jobs of both Detroit coach Marty Mornhinweg and team president Matt Millen possibly on the line, the Lions fell short again. Mornhinweg's record fell to 5-27 over two years, including losses in his first 12 games last season.
"I'm not going to talk about that," Mornhinweg said. "I support Mr. Ford's (Lions owner William Clay Ford) plans for this organization and I'll leave it at that. The staff and I will continue to coach these guys to play at their highest level."
The duo took over after the Lions just missed qualifying for the playoffs under interim coach Gary Moeller with a home loss to the Chicago Bears in the 2000 season finale. The 5-27 stretch is the worst two-year run in franchise history.
"This team is primed to make a run," Mornhinweg added. "We're a handful of players away. What we need are playmakers at least two on defense and two on offense. We need guys on defense who'll stop those third-and-long plays and guys on offense with the speed to take it to the house."
While Mornhinweg and Millen are unsure of their status, Mike Tice will return as coach of the Vikings and ended the year with a three-game winning streak. Minnesota finished 6-10, one more win than last season.
"Being able to finish with one more win than last year gives you something that you can reach out and touch," Tice said. "We're probably a little bit better than our record. I believe we could have been an 8-8 team."
An 18-yard field goal by Gary Anderson gave Minnesota a 38-30 lead with 69 seconds left. The Lions took over at their own 39-yard line and made things interesting.
Mike McMahon's 20-yard touchdown pass to Scotty Anderson with 13 seconds to go pulled Detroit within two points. But McMahon's pass on the two-point try was incomplete and the Vikings recovered an onside kick.
"I wanted to make sure that if they had to go that distance that they would have to go for the ultimate which was a touchdown and a two-point conversion," Tice said. "They weren't able to get it done. Again, we were able to make just enough plays. That field goal was a big field goal."
Culpepper completed 21-of-29 passes for 312 yard. He finished the year with 18 touchdown passes.
"We stuck together," Culpepper said. "A lot of teams fall apart. You hear about a lot of guys fighting and suing each other. Coach Tice did a pretty good job of keeping us together."
McMahon threw for a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter, but was also intercepted by Vikings safety Corey Chavous, who returned it 43 yards for a score. Culpepper added a two-yard touchdown run as the game was tied at 14-14 after one quarter.
Michael Bennett ran for a two-yard score and Culpepper hit Kelly Campbell for a 10-yard touchdown in the second quarter as Minnesota took a 28-17 lead into halftime. Bennett rushed 19 times for 82 yards.
The Vikings were poised to increase a 35-24 lead in the fourth quarter when Anderson set up for a 43-yard field goal. The kick was blocked and returned and Lions cornerback Todd Lyght returned it 75 yards for a touchdown.
It was Detroit's first blocked field goal return for a score since Melvin Jenkins did it against the Vikings on September 13, 1992.
Lions running back James Stewart had just 25 yards on 11 carries but still went over the 1,000-yard plateau for the second time in his career.
"As a running back, you want to rush for 1,000 yards," Stewart said. "I'm pleased with that, but I'm disappointed in the season."
Randy Moss had six receptions for 109 yards and Campbell added four catches for 60 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
"I watched him in college," Culpepper said about Campbell. "He's a great player, a great athlete. He has the knack to make the big plays. As long as he stays healthy, that will stay with him throughout his career."
McMahon made his second straight start in place of rookie Joey Harrington and completed 19-of-44 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns. His favorite target was Bill Schroeder, who caught six passes for 132 yards and a score.
Veteran Lions defensive end Robert Porcher scored the first touchdown of his 11-year career when he recovered a fumble by Culpepper in the end zone early in the second half.
Minnesota swept the two meetings with its NFC North rival. The Vikings posted a 31-24 victory in the first matchup at the Metrodome on October 13.
Could this be the end of the M&M Era??? After the Lions posted their eight straight loss, worst two year stretch since the NFL went to the 16 game format (5-27), and winless on the road in two years, all I will say is there better be some changes! The only good news was the Lions secured the 2nd pick overall for the 2nd straight year in the 2003 NFL Draft. As for the meaningless football game played Sunday against the Vikings, it was fitting to see the Lions come storming like back (as usual) and fall just short. What was very similar to the Green Bay 2002 Thanksgiving game, Mike McMahon led the Lions with a little over a minute left to a touchdown that pulled them within two points since the Lions missed early in the 4th on a 2 point conversion. But, they never had a shot of converting the two point conversion and lost in typical honolulu blue and silver fashion. The Defense had no answer to Culpepper and the Vikings and stopped them for the 1st time with less than 2 minutes left in the half. Although the Defense made some big plays in the 2nd half (Porcher recovering a fumble in the endzone) and Shaun Rogers blocking a field goal which Todd Lyght returned for a touchdown, they were unable to stop the Vikings Offense late in the game as Minnesota killed almost seven minutes setting up an 18 yard field goal. If there is one glaring stat to take away from the 2002 season is time of possession. Yet again, the Lions had the ball almost 10 fewer minutes than the Vikings. All in all, it was an entertaining game, just like Tampa, but with the same result: A loss!
Offense: --- B. Mike McMahon, making his 2nd straight start, had a decent day throwing, but had some costly interceptions. McMahon's ability to scramble, one asset Harrington lacks, helped the Lions several times against the Vikings. Does anyone think the Lions would have been any worse of off if McMahon played in all the games this year? I certainly don't. Until Harrington proves he was worth the 2nd pick overall, I still think the Lions made a big mistake drafting him over CB Quinten Jammer. Bill Schroeder had another big day, but had his usual drop on what should have been an easy touchdown in the 1st half. Right before Porcher recovered Culpepper's fumble for a touchdown, the Offense got stuffed FOUR times from within the 2 yard line. That is darn right embarrassing! Other than that, the offensive line played a good game and did not give up any sacks. The running game was non-existant as Mike McMahon, yes Mike McMahon, led the Lions rushing with 43 yards. James Stewart surpassed the 1,000 yard mark, but I hope the Lions part ways with him next year. Stewart is no where near worth $5 million a year he's making right now. With a new running back (hopefully some one in the draft) and another wide receiver, the Offense could be on their way to becoming half way decent.
Defense: --- D+. The Vikings have one of the best offenses in the NFL, and they showed it. The "D" had no answer to the Vikings Offense as Minnesota scored touchdowns on their first three drives. The Defense played much better in the 2nd half and it was nice to see Robert Porcher get his first touchdown from a fumble recovery in the end zone. But, the gave up 450 yards and 31 points, which will not win you many games in the NFL. Late in the game, the Defense needed a stop to give the offense a chance to win the game down five, but gave up almost a seven minute drive that resulted in a 18 yard field goal. Overall, the "D" gave up way too many points this year. Many players didn't even come close to playing up to their potential: Robert Porcher and Luther Elliss, just to name a few. If there is one position that needs to be fixed ASAP in the offseaon its cornerback. I would be shocked to see Lyght and Davis in the CB position in 2003. All in all a very poor year for the "D".
Special Teams: --- A-. Shaun Rogers blocked field goal that was returned by Lyght for a touchdown was their first block run back since 1992. Eddie Drummond had another strong peformance and deserves to be #1 returner next year. John Jett had another good day punting the ball and Hanson made his only field goal attempt. Jett and Hanson both had great years and hopefully will be around for years to come.
Coaching: --- F. Another bad day coaching for Marty! His decision not to challange a Vikings touchdown in the 1st half ended up costing the Lions seven points. It was clear that the Vikings didn't score. His decision to go for two points with over 11 minutes left ended up cosing the Lions a chance to tie the game. They were forced to go for two points late in the game because they went for two earlier.
Overall: --- F-. It was just two years ago that the Lions were 9-6 coming off an impressive victory over the Jets that gave them a chance to make the playoffs if they could beat the lowly Bears. Paul Edinger's 54 yard kick cost the Lions a chance at the playoffs and also led to the Ford's bringing in Matt Millen. At the time, I was optimistic and thought it was a good decision. Two years later, all I can say is it was the biggest mistake in recent Lions history. Never in my wildest dreams did I envision a 5-27 record, 0-16 on the road and the 2nd worst record in the NFL back to back years! Millen's out of context remarks on the Mike Dika Show was very embarrassing to the organization and his awful free agent pickups have created the mess the Lions find themselves in right now. As for Mornhinweg, the guy never should of been head coach in the first place. Mornhinweg has made some glaring errors coaching, none bigger than kicking off in overtime against the Bears. Hopefully Willam Clay Ford will see the glaring facts and will pull the plug on the M&M regime. It is never tough to start over with a new regime, but all you need to do is look at the New York Jets, who started with a new regime the same time as the Lions and now find themselves in the playoffs for the 2nd straight year. I would like to thank everyone for reading my game grades and commentary for the seventh straight year, longer than any Lions web site. I will be updating the site in the offseason if there are any key moves that happen.
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