The NFL Belt · reign 450
Minnesota Vikings
Took the belt from Miami Dolphins, 20–17, on December 21, 2002. Lost it to New York Giants, 29–17, on October 26, 2003.
7Defenses
309Days
15thReign for the franchise
+2Closest call · Dec 29, 2002
11.0Average winning margin
30thLongest of 609 reigns, by days
23rdMost defenses of 609 reigns
Defended against
Lions ×2PackersBears49ersFalconsBroncos
The seasons
- 2002: Minnesota Vikings finished 6–10–0, 25th of 32 by record; Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFL title; 2 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 8 times that season.
- 2003: New England Patriots had the best record (14–2–0); New England Patriots won the NFL title; 7 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 10 times that season.
Reign leaders
Most yards for Minnesota Vikings across the 8 belt games of this reign with a box score.
| Player | YDS | Games | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daunte Culpepper | 1,700 | 6 |
| 2 | Randy Moss | 937 | 8 |
| 3 | Moe Williams | 600 | 8 |
| 4 | Gus Frerotte | 505 | 2 |
| 5 | Kelly Campbell | 271 | 6 |
Every game of the reign
margins from Minnesota Vikings’ side| Belt game | Date | Result | Margin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,217 | Dec 21, 2002 | Minnesota Vikings beat Miami Dolphins 20–17 Game → | +3 | Title change |
| 1,218 | Dec 29, 2002 | Minnesota Vikings beat Detroit Lions 38–36 | +2 | Defense |
| 1,219 | Sep 7, 2003 | Minnesota Vikings beat Green Bay Packers 30–25 | +5 | Defense |
| 1,220 | Sep 14, 2003 | Minnesota Vikings beat Chicago Bears 24–13 | +11 | Defense |
| 1,221 | Sep 21, 2003 | Minnesota Vikings beat Detroit Lions 23–13 | +10 | Defense |
| 1,222 | Sep 28, 2003 | Minnesota Vikings beat San Francisco 49ers 35–7 | +28 | Defense |
| 1,223 | Oct 5, 2003 | Minnesota Vikings beat Atlanta Falcons 39–26 | +13 | Defense |
| 1,224 | Oct 19, 2003 | Minnesota Vikings beat Denver Broncos 28–20 | +8 | Defense |
| 1,225 | Oct 26, 2003 | New York Giants beat Minnesota Vikings 29–17 Game → | −12 | Title change |