Culpepper delivers Vikes

By By Richard Dark / EMG staff writer
Dec. 16, 2002
NEW ORLEANS The Minnesota Vikings' quarterback to receiver combination of Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss haven't had much success this season, but they can still find ways to damage the New Orleans Saints season.
That's exactly what happened when Moss hauled in a dramatic13-yard touchdown catch between two defenders and Culpepper followed it up with one of the strangest 2-point conversion runs you'll ever see to snatch the victory away from New Orleans, 32-31 in front of a stunned 67,851 in the Louisiana Superdome.
The loss coupled with a comeback win by NFC South division leader Tampa Bay, all but eliminates the Saints of any hopes of a division crown and a first round bye in the upcoming NFC playoffs. That is, of course provided they still go on to qualify for postseason play. Atlanta stayed a half-game back in the standings with an overtime loss and the New York Giants kept the playoff race heat on the Saints (9-5) with a convincing win over Dallas.
It was the first road win for Minnesota (4-10) in two years a string of 16 consecutive defeats.
But to their credit, the Saints defense, which had dug itself a hole in the first half, were able to hold Minnesota in check, that is until the final drive. And even then Culpepper &Company had to traverse 73 yards in 13 plays and 5:16 almost wasn't enough time, before the final two acts.
The highlight reel was the second score of the day for Moss, who snared a nifty 33-yarder that allowed them to retake the lead with 12 seconds left in the first half, less than a minute after Jake Reed awakened the crowd with a 53-yard TD catch from Brooks to give the Saints their second lead of the day at 20-17. Before that, both teams traded field goals.
In all, Moss continued his penchant for big time play against the Saints, racking up 11 catches for 113 yards.
But the Saints came out in the third quarter and proceeded to peck away at the seven-point deficit with a 27-yard chip shot by John Carney, which capped yet another three-field goal day for the veteran.
Deuce McAllister put the Saints out in front for the first time since the second quarter with a 17-yard TD grab from quarterback Aaron Brooks. Brooks found Joe Horn in the end zone for the 2-point conversion to make it 31-24 with 5:21 left.
But the Vikings refused to lie down, indicative of a team with only three wins, and when Moss clutch third and goal snag pulled the Vikes to within a single point, the Saints defense seemed like a deer in headlights, only watching helplessly as Culpepper dove in for the game-winning conversion, despite first fumbling the snap.
An understatement, to be sure. In all, Culpepper humiliated the Saints defense, with an astounding 26-of-36 pass completions for 312 yards to go with the scores. He also had a game-high 73 yards rushing and two touchdowns, the second of those a 6-yard scamper that gave the visitors a 14-3 lead in the first and the first one a 4-yarder got Minnesota on the board.
But special teams ace Michael Lewis made sure the Saints got the momentum back by speeding past everyone in uniform for a 97-yard kickoff return on the ensuing play. The Saints once again reached into their bag of opening-kickoff tricks, when Lewis handed the ball off to Philadelphias Fred McAfee, who took it to the Vikings 30 on a nifty reverse. But the drive died and Carney had to open the scoring from 40 yards away.
As for McAllister, on the day, Deuce touched the ball 21 times for 96 total yards, only 69 of those coming on the ground, but the NFL's leading rusher had an electrifying 78-yard TD jaunt called back midway through the third quarter because of holding on receiver Jerome Patron.
Brooks completed 21-of-33 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked four times and hit and pressured many more. But if there is a bright spot for Saints fans to look at, it's the fact that Brooks did not turn the ball over, nor did he re-injure his bruised shoulder.
But with only two games left, the Saints can't afford any more of those nights.