Bryant - Game Recaps

To say the Vikings started the game slowly would be an understatement. Daunte Culpepper only completed one pass in the first quarter. It wasn't until the end of the half that Culpepper began to make some consistent completions, with 5 out of 6 passes for 66 yards. But poor clock management only allowed the Vikings to finish the drive with a 23-yard field goal.

Michael Bennett and Onterrio Smith both started the game in the backfield for the Vikings, though Smith got the first carry. Both were utilized throughout the game but Smith was the more impressive of the two. Smith finished with 80 yards on his 13 carries and made a great 24-yard touchdown rush in the fourth quarter. Bennett rushed for 18 yards on his 5 carries. All three of the Vikings' rushers made 2 receptions for 15 yards.

Even though they were able to keep it a close game in the second half of play. The Vikings are clearly missing Randy Moss and what he brings to their offense. The most effective of the wide receivers was Nate Burleson. He scored a 91 yard touchdown on a punt return. His only reception was for an 8-yard touchdown score in the third quarter. Marcus Robinson added 3 receptions for a meager 23 yards. Kelly Campbell only made 1 reception for 30 yards.

TE Jermaine Wiggins caught everything that came his way, led all the Vikings' receivers with his 5 receptions for 63 yards.

Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning had the upper edge in this battle of the NFL's top quarterbacks. He was near perfect with his 23 completions of 29 passing attempts for 268 yards and 4 touchdown passes.

The Colts scored touchdowns on their first two drives of the game. Peyton Manning completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne. The next drive, he completed a 10-yard touchdown strike to Marcus Pollard. In the second half, the scoring was done by both Colts' tight ends. Late in the third quarter Manning connected with Dallas Clark for a 4-yard touchdown pass. In the fourth quarter Marcus Pollard made his second reception of the game for a second touchdown.

The Colts opened the game with a steady dose of Edgerrin James who carried the ball 5 times for 36 yards. James' powerful rushing really opened up the passing game for the Colts, of which he was a part of with his 5 receptions for 56 yards. He finished with 123 rushing yards.

Marvin Harrison made his 800th career completion in the game. He set another record later in the game with his 664th reception from Manning which is the most ever by any passer-receiver combo in NFL history.

WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW

Minnesota Vikings

QB: Daunte Culpepper (16-19-169, 1 TD, 5-27 rushing) Culpepper fumbled on the first play of the game on a bad snap that was as much the center's fault as Culpepper's. The Colts were unable to recover the fumble, but it was for a 28-yard lost. Culpepper made only one passing attempt which was dropped by Kelly Campbell in the first quarter of play. His first completion was to tight end Jermaine Wiggins. Culpepper's best looking pass of the first half was a sharp 30-yard completion over the middle to Kelly Campbell. Culpepper rushed in for a 2 point conversion to tie the game after Nate Burleson's punt return touchdown. Culpepper made an 8-yard touchdown pass to Nate Burleson after going 5 of 5 passes for 53 yards to tie the game in the beginning minutes of the fourth quarter. Culpepper made a 9-yard rush on fourth and 1 late in the game. It was a key conversion as it led to Onterrio Smith's touchdown rush. All in all, he was excellent completing 16 of 19 but the fireworks just were not there without Moss.

RB: Onterrio Smith (13-80, 1 TD rushing, 2-15 receiving on 2 targets) Smith returned from his suspension and was the best of the Vikings' running backs with his 80 yards. He made a 5-yard run with the first carry of the game. He was very quick and made some good cuts to gain 9 yards on his second carry. Smith made a reception off of a pass that was tipped by Dwight Freeney to gain a first down for the Vikings. Smith broke a tackle for a 19-yard gain in the fourth quarter. Smith made a great 24-yard rush breaking tackles and making cuts to score a touchdown. It was his first rushing touchdown of the season.

Michael Bennett (5-18 rushing, 2-15 receiving on 3 targets) Bennett made a 12-yard gain up the middle during the Vikings' opening drive. Bennett made a 23-yard reception at the end of the third quarter that was brought back on a holding penalty.

Moe Williams (1-13 rushing, 2-15 receiving on 3 targets) Williams made a short catch on the Vikings first drive but it was all for naught. Mike Tice had called a time out before the play began but it was not recognized until after Williams catch with all of the stadium noise. Williams made a 13-yard run and had a 13-yard reception at the very end of the first half.

Mewelde Moore did not play and was seen on the sidelines in street clothes.

WR: Randy Moss did not play, ESPN's Chris Mortensen (and others) have speculated that he may miss another two weeks.

Marcus Robinson (3-23 receiving on 3 targets) Robinson caught everything that came his way. He made a 3-yard reception in the second quarter. He then made a 13-yard reception near the end of the first half.

Nate Burleson (1-8, 1 TD receiving on 1 target) Nate Burleson returned a punt 91 yards for a touchdown. He again scored on an 8-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter.

Kelly Campbell (1-30 receiving on 2 targets) Campbell dropped the first target early in the game, forcing the Vikings to punt. Campbell returned kicks and in the second quarter returned a kick 51 yards. Campbell made a 30-yard catch near the end of the first half over the middle and was hit hard on the play.

TE: Jermaine Wiggins (5-63 receiving on 5 targets) Wiggins was Culpepper's favorite and most efficient target. He made an 11-yard reception in the second quarter. Wiggins made 3 receptions for 43 yards during the Nate Burleson touchdown drive.

K: Morten Anderson (2-2 XP, 2-2 FG) Anderson converted 42-yard and 23-yard field goal attempts in the first half.

Pass Defense: The Vikings were unable to stop Peyton Manning. They did not get any pressure on him and he responded by throwing for 4 touchdowns and 268 yards. He was sacked only one time.

Rush Defense: Like the passing game, the Vikings were helpless against the rushing attack of Edgerrin James who rushed for 123 yards.

Indianapolis Colts

QB: Peyton Manning (23-29-268, 4 TD, 4-20 rushing) Manning led the Colts to touchdowns during their first two drives of the game. He connected with Reggie Wayne for a 5-yard touchdown strike, and then with Marcus Pollard for a 10-yard touchdown. After a shaky start to the second half, when the Colts were forced to punt on their first two drives, Manning connected deep for 41 yards with Marvin Harrison. He finished that drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Clark. In one of the best plays of the years, Manning avoided a sack and made a left handed shovel pass throw to Edgerrin James for 6-yards that extended the Colts' game winning drive. It was a "playground" Brett Favre type play from Manning who doesn't normally improvise like that.

RB: Edgerrin James (26-123 rushing, 5-56 receiving on 7 targets) James carried 5 times for 36 yards on the opening drive for the Colts. He gained 9 yards on his first carry to the outside. He broke tackles right up the middle for a 15-yard rush on his second carry. James was very effective in the fourth quarter, with the game tied. He rushed for 27 yards and made 2 receptions for 18 yards during the drive that led to Marcus Pollard's second touchdown. James effective running opened up the Colts' passing game.

Dominic Rhodes (1-1 rushing, 1-4 receiving on 1 target) Rhodes made a 4-yard reception in the second quarter.

James Mungro (1-4 receiving on 1 target) Mungro made a 4-yard reception for a third down conversion. He was in the game when James had lost his shoe.

WR: Marvin Harrison (6-81 receiving on 8 targets) Harrison was targeted in the end zone, but did not maintain possession on a pass which was tipped by a Viking defender. Harrison's first reception was a short 4-yard gain. He made a 16-yard reception in triple coverage. It was his 800th career reception. Harrison made a 41-yard reception in the third quarter and followed it with a great catch with his hands for 8-yards.

Reggie Wayne (3-22, 1 TD receiving on 5 targets) Wayne made a 10-yard reception during the Colts' first drive. Wayne made a 5-yard touchdown reception during the same drive. Wayne drew a defensive personal foul penalty on an incomplete reception that extended the Colts' drive at the end of the first quarter.

Brandon Stokley (2-34 receiving on 3 targets) Stokley made a 20-yard reception over the middle. He made a 14-yard reception two plays later.

TE: Marcus Pollard (2-29, 2 TD receiving on 2 targets) Pollard scored touchdowns with both of his targets in the game. He scored a 10-yard touchdown during the first play of the second quarter. He made a second 19-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.

Dallas Clark (3-38, 1 TD receiving on 4 targets) Clark made his first reception for 8 yards in the opening drive of the second half. Clark had his next target batted away. The very next play on a play action pass, Clark made a 27-yard reception over the middle to the 9 yard line. He made 4-yard touchdown reception in double coverage.

K: Mike Vanderjagt (4-4 XP, 1-1 FG) Vanderjagt scored the game winning field goal with just seconds left in the game.

Pass Defense: Dwight Freeney sacked Culpepper twice times in the game. He would have had a third sack but it was negated because of an offsides penalty. The Colts' defense held the very prolific passer to only 169 passing yards.

Rush Defense: The Colts had a real opportunity to recover Culpepper's fumble that started the game, but the ball kept slipping through their hands. They did give up 138 total rushing yards to the Vikings. But they were tough against the run through the first three quarters of play. 74 of the Vikings' yards came in the fourth quarter.