Editing Minnesota Vikings (section)

===2000s===
The Vikings entered the decade by winning the divisional championship and an appearance in the NFC Championship game, where they were defeated 41–0 by the New York Giants. The following season, they struggled by posting a 5–11 record in 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2001.htm |title=2001 Minnesota Vikings Statistics & Players |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=September 2, 2019 |archive-date=April 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416012124/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2001.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The team made the playoffs again in 2004,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2004.htm |title=2004 Minnesota Vikings Statistics & Players |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=September 2, 2019 |archive-date=November 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103203244/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2004.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> but did not win a divisional title again until 2008. Since the merger, the 2000s became the decade with the fewest playoff berths for the franchise.<ref name="pro-football-reference.com"/>

====2000====
{{Main|2000 Minnesota Vikings season}}
In [[2000 NFL season|2000]], the Vikings went 11–5.<ref name="g1781">{{cite web |title=2000 Minnesota Vikings Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |date=September 11, 2005 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2000.htm |access-date=August 6, 2024 }}</ref> The Vikings were 11–2 after 14 weeks, but slumped briefly, losing their last three to the [[2000 St. Louis Rams season|Rams]], [[2000 Green Bay Packers season|Packers]] and [[2000 Indianapolis Colts season|Colts]] while starting [[quarterback]] [[Daunte Culpepper]] was hampered by injury. Nonetheless, the Vikings made the playoffs for the fifth straight year. After easily beating the [[2000 New Orleans Saints season|Saints]] in the Divisional game 34–16, they traveled to New York City to face the [[2000 New York Giants season|Giants]] in the NFC Championship Game. Though they were the road team, the Vikings were favored to win the game (since most considered their 11–2 record with Culpepper more indicative than their 0–3 record when he was out); instead, the Vikings were defeated 41–0, their worst defeat in playoff history.<ref>{{cite web |title=2000 Minnesota Vikings Statistics & Players |url=http://www.profootballreference.com/teams/min2000.htm |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=December 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230050525/http://www.profootballreference.com/teams/min2000.htm |archive-date=December 30, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Robert Smith, who ran for 1,521 yards that season,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitRo00.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818071833/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitRo00.htm |archive-date=August 18, 2012 |access-date=August 29, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> retired at the end of the year after only playing eight NFL seasons.<ref name="h458">{{Cite web |date=February 7, 2001 |title=Smith leaves as Vikings' rushing leader |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/news/2001/0207/1068054.html#:~:text=The%20agent%20for%20the%2028,as%20an%20unrestricted%20free%20agent. |access-date=August 29, 2024 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated PRess}}</ref>

====2001–2005====
In [[2001 NFL season|2001]], after a disappointing 5–11 season, the Vikings bought out the contract of [[Dennis Green]], despite his successful coaching tenure with the team. [[Mike Tice]] coached the final game of 2001, losing to the [[2001 Baltimore Ravens season|Ravens]] 19–3.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 4, 2002 |title=Green, Vikings agree to buyout |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=1305597&type=news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211204805/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1305597&type=news |archive-date=December 11, 2008 |access-date=December 24, 2011 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Tice was named the permanent coach after the season, but he would not lead the Vikings back to the playoffs until 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike Tice Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/TiceMi0.htm |access-date=August 29, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In 2002, as part of the league's realignment with the addition of the [[Houston Texans]], the Vikings and their other traditional NFC Central rivals became part of the newly formed [[NFC North]].<ref name="u551">{{cite web | title=When the NFL added two divisions -- and weakened the AFC West | website=NBC Sports | date=May 22, 2014 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/when-the-nfl-added-two-divisions-and-weakened-the-afc-west | access-date=August 29, 2024}}</ref>

During the [[2003 NFL season|2003 season]], the Vikings came close to getting into the playoffs. However, the [[2003 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]] completed a game-winning touchdown on 4th-and-28 with 0:00 left, knocking the Vikings out of the playoffs.<ref name="o682">{{cite web | last=Patrick | first=Adam | title=20 years ago, Nate Poole shattered the playoff hopes of the Minnesota Vikings | website=The Viking Age | date=December 28, 2023 | url=https://thevikingage.com/posts/20-years-nate-poole-minnesota-vikings-arizona-cardinals | access-date=August 29, 2024}}</ref> The moment of Arizona's touchdown was actually the first moment the entire season in which the Vikings hadn't led their division. The Vikings became the second team in football history to miss the playoffs after getting off to a 6–0 start, following the [[1978 Washington Redskins]].<ref name="z250">{{cite web | agency=Associated Press| title=Vikings' Collapse Is Now Complete | website=Los Angeles Times | date=December 29, 2003 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-dec-29-sp-cardinals29-story.html | access-date=August 29, 2024}}</ref>

In [[2004 NFL season|2004]], [[Daunte Culpepper]] amassed MVP-like statistics, throwing for 4,717 passing yards (leading the NFL), 39 passing touchdowns (a Viking record), and 5,123 total yards (an NFL record).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/daunteculpepper/2500249/profile |title=Players: Daunte Culpepper |website=NFL.com |access-date=December 24, 2011 |archive-date=December 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224194725/http://www.nfl.com/player/daunteculpepper/2500249/profile |url-status=live }}</ref> In the wild card game, the Vikings [[2004–05 NFL playoffs#NFC: Minnesota Vikings 31, Green Bay Packers 17|defeated]] the rival [[2004 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] at Lambeau Field in their first-ever playoff meeting, 31–17.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballreference.com/teams/min2004.htm |title=2004 Minnesota Vikings Statistics & Players |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=December 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060521062333/http://www.profootballreference.com/teams/min2004.htm |archive-date=May 21, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In doing so, the Vikings became the second team in NFL history to have a .500 record (8–8) in the regular season and win a playoff game (The [[2004 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams]] did the same thing only a day earlier). In the divisional round, the Vikings [[2004–05 NFL playoffs#NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 27, Minnesota Vikings 14|were defeated]] by the eventual NFC champion [[2004 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 16, 2005 |title=Eagles outplay self-destructing Vikings |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=250116021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524122646/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=250116021 |archive-date=May 24, 2011 |access-date=December 24, 2011 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

On March 2, 2005, Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss was traded to the Oakland Raiders for linebacker [[Napoleon Harris]] and the Raiders' first-round draft pick. After struggling to a disappointing 2–5 start to the [[2005 NFL season|2005 season]], Vikings lost quarterback Daunte Culpepper to a season-ending knee injury.<ref name="z295">{{cite web | title=Culpepper out for year | website=Spokesman.com | date=November 1, 2005 | url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2005/nov/01/culpepper-out-for-year/ | access-date=August 29, 2024}}</ref> This injury was a very significant part to this Minnesota Vikings team due to the fact they also lost Moss. The dynamic duo from years earlier was now gone and a new leader would eventually emerge. The Vikings finished the 2005 season with a 9–7 record.<ref name="g178">{{cite web |title=2005 Minnesota Vikings Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |date=September 11, 2005 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2005.htm |access-date=August 6, 2024 }}</ref>

In October, 17 team members were part of a party of about 90 that went out on a pleasure cruise on local [[Lake Minnetonka]]. The incident [[Minnesota Vikings boat party scandal|erupted into scandal]] when media reported that a number of the players had performed sex acts and that [[prostitutes]] had been flown in. Four players were ultimately charged with misdemeanors related to the party.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 19, 2005 |title=Report: Wilf delivers profanity-laced address to Vikings |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2198052&CMP=OTC-DT9705204233 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731093303/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2198052&CMP=OTC-DT9705204233 |archive-date=July 31, 2013 |access-date=September 3, 2012 |website=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref>

Mike Tice was fired by owner [[Zygi Wilf]] after the 2005 season and was replaced by [[Brad Childress]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2006 |title=Tice out: Vikings fire head coach after 9–7 campaign |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2277493 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109190235/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2277493 |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |access-date=September 3, 2012 |website=[[ESPN.com]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

====2006–2008====
[[File:Adrian Peterson Vikings.jpg|thumb|[[All-Pro]] running back [[Adrian Peterson]] was selected 7th overall by the Vikings in the [[2007 NFL draft]], and played for the Vikings from 2007 to 2016.]]
Minnesota began the [[2006 NFL season|2006 season]] 4–2 (with Childress becoming the first Vikings coach to start his career 2–0), but finished the year at 6–10,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/minnesota-vikings/results/2006 |title=2006 Minnesota Vikings Schedule & Results – The Football Database |publisher=Footballdb.com |access-date=September 3, 2012 |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022031433/http://footballdb.com/teams/nfl/minnesota-vikings/results/2006 |url-status=live }}</ref> receiving the 7th pick in the [[2007 NFL draft|NFL draft]]; with it, the Vikings selected [[Adrian Peterson]] out of the [[Oklahoma Sooners football|University of Oklahoma]].<ref name="s184">{{cite web |title=Vikings grab RB Peterson with No. 7 pick |website=TwinCities.com |date=April 28, 2007 |url=https://www.twincities.com/2007/04/28/vikings-grab-rb-peterson-with-no-7-pick/ |access-date=August 6, 2024 }}</ref>

Peterson's first career touchdown was a 60-yard screen pass against the [[2007 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]] in his first career game. When the Vikings played the [[2007 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] in Week 6, Peterson broke the record for single-game All-Purpose (rushing, receiving, kick returning) yards (361 total yards, 224 rushing). In Week 9, Peterson broke the NFL single-game rushing record set by [[Jamal Lewis (American football)|Jamal Lewis]] in 2003 by rushing for 296 yards against the [[San Diego Chargers]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200711040min.htm |title=San Diego Chargers at Minnesota Vikings – November 4th, 2007 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |date=November 4, 2007 |access-date=September 3, 2012 |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111032457/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200711040min.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite a strong push in the middle of the season, winning five straight games, the Vikings lost their final two games to finish the season at 8–8 and missed the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2007.htm |title=2007 Minnesota Vikings Statistics & Players |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=September 3, 2012 |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905024955/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2007.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Week 13 of the [[2008 NFL season|2008 season]] against the [[2008 Chicago Bears season|Bears]], [[Gus Frerotte]] hooked up with [[Bernard Berrian]] and set the record for longest play in franchise history with a 99-yard touchdown pass.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2008.htm |title=2008 Minnesota Vikings Statistics & Players |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=September 3, 2012 |archive-date=August 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827043002/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2008.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 2009 season, Adrian Peterson led the NFL with 1760 rushing yards, breaking the franchise record. The Vikings clinched the [[NFC North]] championship for the first time after defeating the [[2008 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] 20–19 in Week 17, when kicker [[Ryan Longwell]] made the game-winning field goal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200812280min.htm |title=New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings – December 28th, 2008 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |date=December 28, 2008 |access-date=September 3, 2012 |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224121623/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200812280min.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Peterson had 19 carries for 109 yards and added a touchdown during the game.

On January 4, 2009, the Vikings hosted the [[2008 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]] for the wild-card round, their first home playoff game in eight years. The Eagles led the Viking 16–14 at halftime and, coming off a 44–6 victory over the [[2008 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]], went on to defeat the Vikings 26–14.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200901040min.htm |title=Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings – January 4, 2009 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |date=January 4, 2009 |access-date=September 3, 2012 |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224193306/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200901040min.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since 2006, the Vikings have been known especially for their strong run defense (#1 in the NFL in 2006, 2007, and 2008; they are the first NFL team to accomplish this since the AFL–NFL merger in 1970), anchored by the Williams Wall consisting of defensive tackle [[Kevin Williams (defensive tackle)|Kevin Williams]] and nose tackle [[Pat Williams (American football)|Pat Williams]] (no relation).<ref name="j279">{{cite web | last=Peters | first=Craig | title=Retiring Kevin Williams Recalls 'Awesome Time' | website=vikings.com | date=July 27, 2016 | url=https://www.vikings.com/news/retiring-kevin-williams-recalls-awesome-time-17361747#:~:text=I%20had%20short%20stints%20in,and%20had%20an%20awesome%20time.%22 | access-date=August 29, 2024}}</ref> With the addition of sack-leader [[Jared Allen]] in 2008, the dominant front four began being called by several nicknames, including "Thunder and Plunder" and "Shock and AWE" (an acronym of their surname initials).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dorsey |first=Jesse |date=October 7, 2010 |title=NFL Now or Never: 10 Players Who Need a Good Week 5 |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/485539-nfl-now-or-never-five-players-who-need-a-good-week-five |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521161801/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/485539-nfl-now-or-never-five-players-who-need-a-good-week-five |archive-date=May 21, 2013 |access-date=September 3, 2012 |website=Bleacher Report}}</ref>

====2009====
[[File:BFAVREVIKE.jpg|thumb|left|[[Brett Favre]] played for the Vikings in 2009 and 2010.]]

On August 18, 2009, after months of speculation and negotiations, twice-retired veteran [[quarterback]] [[Brett Favre]], who until 2007 had played 16 years for division archrival [[Green Bay Packers]], signed a two-year, $25&nbsp;million deal with the Vikings.<ref name="g782">{{cite web |last=Cimini |first=Rich |title=Purple reign: Favre signs with Vikings |website=ESPN.com |date=August 18, 2009 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4406963 |access-date=July 31, 2024 }}</ref>

On October 5, 2009, the Vikings hosted the Green Bay Packers as Favre played his former team for the first time. With a 30–23 victory on [[Monday Night Football]], the Vikings moved to a 4–0 record.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2009.htm |title=2009 Minnesota Vikings Statistics & Players |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |access-date=September 3, 2012 |archive-date=January 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131200822/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2009.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Favre became the first quarterback in NFL history to defeat all 32 current teams as a starter. Over 21.8&nbsp;million viewers tuned in to watch the game, beating the previous record for a [[cable television]] program set by a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the [[Dallas Cowboys]] in 2008 (18.6&nbsp;million viewers).<ref>{{cite news |title=Fox goes light on Favre fawning |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/richard_deitsch/11/02/media.circus/index.html |work=CNN |date=November 2, 2009 |access-date=May 4, 2012 |archive-date=November 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105022759/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/richard_deitsch/11/02/media.circus/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Vikings beat the New York Giants, 44–7, in Week 17 to help the team clinch the second seed in the conference and a first-round-bye with an Eagles loss later that same day.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> The Vikings ended the regular season with a 12–4 record, their best record since 2000 and the first 11-plus win season since their record-setting 1998 campaign.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> The Vikings played the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round on January 17, 2010, and won the game by a score of 34–3, advancing the Vikings to the NFC Championship game, the ninth in franchise history.<ref name="r377">{{cite web |title=Favre's 4 TD passes power Vikings past Cowboys 34-3 |website=Galesburg Register Mail |date=January 18, 2010 |url=https://www.galesburg.com/story/sports/2010/01/18/favre-s-4-td-passes/45515611007/ |access-date=August 6, 2024 }}</ref> This would also be the first NFC Championship game for the team since the 2000 season. Minnesota would travel to New Orleans the following week to face the top-seeded Saints in the first conference championship game held at the [[Louisiana Superdome|Superdome]]. Despite out-gaining the Saints on offense by nearly a twofold margin, the Vikings were severely hindered by five turnovers, including a Favre interception in the final minute of the fourth quarter in Saints territory. They were ousted in overtime, 31–28, as the Saints won the coin toss and kicked a 40-yard field goal on the first possession of overtime.{{NoteTag|Due in part to this outcome, during the subsequent off-season the NFL rules committee adjusted the overtime rules for the 2010 postseason, and in 2011 for both regular season and postseason games. The new rules state that unless the first possession of overtime ends in a touchdown or safety, both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball. Under the new rules, the Vikings would have had an opportunity to possess the ball after the Saints kicked a field goal on the overtime's first possession in the NFC Championship.<ref name="ReferenceA" />}}<ref name="n189">{{cite web | last=Wilner | first=Barry | title=Saints beat Vikings in OT, reach first Super Bowl | website=The Patriot Ledger | date=January 25, 2010 | url=https://www.patriotledger.com/story/sports/pro/2010/01/25/saints-beat-vikings-in-ot/40233171007/ | access-date=August 29, 2024}}</ref>