ESPN.com - Minnesota Vikings

Final		1st	2nd	3rd	4th	T	ESPN
	Minnesota	0	14	7	7	28
	Chicago	6	3	0	7	16

Box Score| NFL.com Gamebook
Smith sets Vikings' career rushing mark in victory

NEXT GAME
Sun., Oct. 22	Buffalo 1:00 PM ET

Paup out six weeks


	Paup

The Vikings may be without defensive end Bryce Paup for six weeks with a fracture in his right leg. Paup, acquired by the Vikings this offseason, hyperextended his right knee on the Bears' first touchdown in the first quarter, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. The combination of Roy Barker and Gabe Northern is expected to fill in for Paup.

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Smith sets Vikings' rushing mark


	Smith

Running back Robert Smith became Minnesota's career rushing leader with a 170-yard effort, including a 72-yard touchdown run, in the Vikings' 28-16 victory over Chicago on Sunday evening. Smith needed just 23 carries (7.4 yards per carry) to get his yards. He passed Chuck Foreman (5,879) to become the Vikings' career rushing leader. Smith now has 5,954 career rushing yards.

Theismann: Give Thomas credit
There were two things Emmitt Thomas stressed when he took over the defensive coordinator's job: not allowing big plays and doing better on third down. Thomas has succeeded in both areas. The Vikings aren't getting beat deep. The defense is getting off the field and getting the ball in the hands of their potent, big-play offense. The offense then creates pressure for opposing teams. If the other team gets behind, the Vikings can focus on preventing big plays.

Joe Theismann's complete Cup O'Joe

AUDIO/VIDEO

Vikings news conference

Dennis Green talks about his team's 6-0 start.
RealVideo: | 28.8

FEATURES

Tuesday Morning Quarterback
You have to wonder if Mike Riley takes roll call. That's one of the things we pondered in Week 7.

The Vikings won their fifth consecutive game at Soldier Field, and eighth of the past nine trips to the Windy City, dating back to 1992.

2000 NFC CENTRAL STANDINGS
TEAM	W	L	HOME	ROAD	PF	PA
Minnesota	6	0	3-0	3-0	153	110
Detroit	4	2	2-2	2-0	115	120
Tampa Bay	3	3	1-1	2-2	150	97
Green Bay	3	4	2-2	1-2	148	139
Chicago	1	6	0-4	1-2	101	189
Complete Standings

SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Date	Opponent	Time/Results
Sep. 03	Chicago	Win 30-27
Sep. 10	Miami	Win 13-7
Sep. 17	@New England	Win 21-13
BYE WEEK
Oct. 01	@Detroit	Win 31-24
Oct. 09	Tampa Bay	Win 30-23
Oct. 15	@Chicago	Win 28-16
Oct. 22	Buffalo	1:00 PM ET
Oct. 29	@Tampa Bay	1:00 PM ET
Nov. 06	@Green Bay	9:00 PM ET
Nov. 12	Arizona	1:00 PM ET
Nov. 19	Carolina	1:00 PM ET
Nov. 23	@Dallas	4:05 PM ET
Nov. 30	Detroit	8:20 PM ET
Dec. 10	@St. Louis	1:00 PM ET
Dec. 17	Green Bay	1:00 PM ET
Dec. 24	@Indianapolis	4:15 PM ET

"It means a lot to me, but I don't think anything can take away from what Chuck Foreman means to the Minnesota Vikings."
-- RB Robert Smith in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune on becoming the Vikings all-time leading rusher

TEAM LEADERS
PASSING	ATT	COMP	YDS	TD
Culpepper	162	102	1420	11
RUSHING	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD
Smith	122	657	5.4	3
Culpepper	51	248	4.9	4
RECEIVING	REC	YDS	AVG	TD
Moss	28	511	18.2	6
Carter	31	445	14.4	1
Complete Team statistics \| Roster

TRANSACTIONS
Oct. 05 Signed defensive end Roy Barker; placed defensive end Michael Boireau on the injured reserve list with knee and hand injuries. Sep. 27 Extended the contract of coach Dennis Green through the 2004 season. Sep. 07 Signed linebacker Gabe Northern and released tight end Matt Cercone from the practice squad. Aug. 29 Released quarterback Billy Cockerham, tight ends Matt Cercone and Giles Cole, linebackers Antico Dalton and Troy Pelshak, wide receiver Darryl Daniel, offensive linemen Chris Harrison and Jay Humphrey, fullback John Henry Mills, cornerbacks Don Morgan, Roderick Mullen and Darnell Walker, guard Nick O'Brien and defensive end Fernando Smith.

DID YOU KNOW?

WR Chris Carter had seven receptions for 111 yards against Chicago. Entering the game, Carter had 132 receptions against the Bears, his most against any NFL team.

from the VIKINGS MESSAGE BOARD

"Emmitt Thomas has come to Minnesota and has done a fine job with a defense that was the second worst unit the last two years. He gets alot of credit and rightfuly so but the emergence of (Robert) Tate and the addition of (Cris) Dishman make all the difference in the world. Good corner play really is the main key to defensive flexibility and gives a defensive coordinator the confidence and ability to run his scheme more freely and take chances."
– TEXASVIKE

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