5 best Vikings wins on Monday Night Football since 2000

3. Culpepper’s Monday night debut (2000)

In his first year as the team’s starting quarterback, Daunte Culpepper led the Vikings to wins in each of their first four games of the 2000 season. Culpepper’s first big matchup on national television came in Week 5 on Minnesota’s home field against the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Before this game, only Vikings fans were really aware of the excitement surrounding the team’s 23-year-old quarterback. So during Minnesota’s primetime matchup with the Bucs, Culpepper made sure the rest of the country would know who he was.

Skilled as both a runner and a passer, the Vikings quarterback started off the night against Tampa Bay with an impressive 27-yard touchdown run. A few drives later, Culpepper tossed a 26-yard pass to tight end John Davis for another score that put Minnesota up 17-7.

Despite their efforts earlier in the game, the Vikings found themselves down 23-20 early in the fourth quarter. But thanks to Culpepper connecting with receiver Randy Moss for a 42-yard touchdown, Minnesota was able to eventually walk away with a 30-23 win.

During the victory, the Vikings quarterback ended up completing 15 of his 19 passes for 231 yards, two scores, and one interception. Culpepper also added another 35 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Unfortunately, the Bucs got their revenge in Week 9 when they handed Minnesota their first loss of the season.