The 2005 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 45th in the National Football League (NFL), and Mike Tice's fourth and final season as head coach. The Vikings finished the season with a 9–7 record and missed the playoffs despite going 8–3 over the final 11 weeks. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper was injured after seven games, resulting in Brad Johnson taking over as starter. The loss of Culpepper and the departure of Randy Moss to the Oakland Raiders resulted in the Vikings dropping from 2nd in passing offense in 2004 to 20th in 2005. During the team's bye week in week 5, a scandal arose surrounding an alleged sex party aboard a pair of boats on Lake Minnetonka. Offseason In February 2005, Vikings owner Red McCombs agreed to sell the team to Arizona-based entrepreneur Reggie Fowler; however, Fowler was unable to prove his finances sound enough to complete the purchase and his application to buy the team was rejected by the league. He brought in various partners, including New York-based real estate developer Zygi Wilf, who took over as the lead owner, with Fowler as one of the minor partners. The deal to install Wilf as owner was concluded in May 2005. Acquisitions Departures Trades 2005 Draft The Vikings traded WR Randy Moss to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for Oakland's first- and seventh-round selections (7th and 219th overall), and LB Napoleon Harris. The Vikings traded their fourth- and fifth-round selections (120th and 154th overall) to the Washington Redskins in exchange for Washington's fourth-round selection (112th overall). The Vikings traded their seventh-round selection (230th overall) to the New York Jets for LB Sam Cowart. Preseason Schedule Game summaries Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs Week 2: at New York Jets Week 3: vs. San Diego Chargers Week 4: at Seattle Seahawks Regular season Schedule Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Game summaries Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Vikings opened the season with five turnovers on the way to their first opening-day loss since 2002. Free agent signing Darren Sharper started off the scoring for the Vikings by returning an interception 88 yards for a touchdown, but the Buccaneers defense was able to limit the Vikings to 26 yards rushing and intercepted reigning Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper three times, including two for cornerback Brian Kelly. By contrast, the Buccaneers' rookie running back Cadillac Williams managed 148 yards rushing in his