Vikings' Culpepper is on record pace for yardage, TDs

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Daunte Culpepper had a spring in his step as he walked toward the door of Minnesota's locker room, clutching a bag of fast food and carrying a whole lot of confidence.

The Vikings' burly quarterback is off to an incredible start, one that might be making Dan Marino a little nervous. Through five games, Culpepper has thrown for 1,766 yards and 18 touchdowns.

It's early, but that puts him on pace to beat the NFL records of 5,084 yards and 48 TDs that Marino posted for the Miami Dolphins in 1984. While conscientiously crediting the playcalling, his offensive line and his receivers for much of this success, Culpepper couldn't hide a huge grin when asked Monday about those video game-quality statistics.

"Amazed? I'm just excited about it, and hopefully we'll just keep going, you know?" he said. "Just try not to do too much. Let it happen. Just keep driving the car."

In his sixth season, fifth as a starter, Culpepper leads the league in just about every category -- including passer rating (127.0) and completion percentage (72.2). With only three interceptions and one lost fumble, the NFL-high 32 turnovers Culpepper had in 2002 are a fading memory.

"He's basically carrying us," Vikings coach Mike Tice said.

Culpepper passed a big test in Sunday night's 38-31 victory at New Orleans. All-Pro receiver Randy Moss strained his hamstring in the second quarter and watched the second half in street clothes -- the longest stretch Culpepper has ever gone without his favorite target.

The Vikings never slowed down, though, extending their league-record streak of 34 consecutive games with 300 or more total yards. Culpepper finished with a career-high 425 yards passing, set an NFL record with his third five-touchdown game of the season and led Minnesota to 605 yards of offense.

"We were still aggressive," said the 6-foot-4, 265-pound Culpepper, whose running ability has been backgrounded lately because he's throwing so well. "Everybody stepped up."

Moss might miss this Sunday's game against Tennessee, but the Vikings don't plan to change much of their plan if he sits out. Whether it's Nate Burleson, Marcus Robinson, Kelly Campbell, tight end Jermaine Wiggins or the starting running back du jour, someone will probably be open.

"He's working his personnel," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. "He has confidence in those guys, because they perform in practice during the week. They get ready.

"It doesn't matter who it is ... just got to go out there and run the system."

What has impressed Minnesota the most about Culpepper this season is his flair for recognizing a defense and changing a play at the line -- plus the quickness with which he has made amends for mistakes.

After his throw into the end zone was intercepted by the Saints on the Vikings' opening drive Sunday, Culpepper found himself in the same situation -- down, distance, field position and defense -- on the next possession. Instead of forcing it, this time he dumped the ball off to Moe Williams out of the backfield for a first down at the 2-yard line.

"Instantaneous corrections," Linehan said.

On third downs, Culpepper is 32-for-40 (80 percent) for 516 yards, nine TDs and one interception.

"He does so many things well," Wiggins said. "I've had an opportunity to play around some great quarterbacks, and he's definitely way up there on that list."

Strong safety Corey Chavous is full of football knowledge -- past and present. Asked if he's aware of his teammate's pursuit of Marino's record, he grins and spits out "5,084 yards, 48 TDs," in a split second.

"I certainly think it's possible," Chavous said. "You look at what Daunte's been able to do ... it's pretty unbelievable. I think you're seeing a lot of history. Right before your eyes."

For Culpepper, that's not the main concern.

"I'm all about winning," he said. "Whatever it takes to win."