Final2021 Week 2

State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ

Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals, Week 2 2021

Minnesota Vikings

Away

33

Arizona Cardinals

HomeWon

34

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Vikings1497333
Cardinals7177334

MIN 33ARI 34 Final

  • Passing leader

    Kyler Murray

    ARI · QB

    35.1PPR pts

    29/36, 400 YDS, 3 TD, 2 INT, 1 RUSH TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Rondale Moore

    ARI · WR

    24.4PPR pts

    7 REC, 114 YDS, 1 TD

  • Vikings leader

    Kirk Cousins

    MIN · QB

    25.3PPR pts

    22/32, 244 YDS, 3 TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Nick Vigil

    MIN

    1 INT, 1 TD, 8 TKL

Cardinals 34, Vikings 33: Arizona holds off Minnesota

Arizona led 24–23 at halftime after a 17-point second quarter to win 34–33. The Cardinals finished with a 474–419 edge in total offense and averaged 7.9 yards per play.

The Vikings went 2-for-10 on third down.

Key advantages

  • +0.9 yards/play ARI 7.9 · MIN 7.0
  • +55 total yards ARI 474 · MIN 419
  • +13% third-down rate ARI 33% · MIN 20%

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Cardinals Won

Arizona won the efficiency, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Vikings vs Cardinals
VikingsStatCardinals
7.0Yards per play7.9
419Total yards474
20%Third-down conversion33%
Other team stats
60Plays60
0Turnovers2
28:08Time of possession31:52

Scoring Summary

The Cardinals scored four touchdowns and two field goals; the Vikings scored four touchdowns and two field goals.

Scoring plays, Vikings vs Cardinals
TimeTeamPlayMINARI
1st quarter
14:16MINKirk Cousins → K.J. Osborn, 64-yard TD Takes leadGreg Joseph XP70
5:49ARIKyler Murray → DeAndre Hopkins, 15-yard TD Ties gameMatt Prater XP77
0:24MINKirk Cousins → Adam Thielen, 7-yard TD Takes leadGreg Joseph XP147
2nd quarter
8:56MINKirk Cousins → Justin Jefferson, 14-yard TD Extends leadXP missed207
3:15ARIKyler Murray 12-yard TD runMatt Prater XP2014
1:33ARIKyler Murray → Rondale Moore, 77-yard TD Takes leadMatt Prater XP2021
0:21MINGreg Joseph 52-yard FG Takes lead2321
0:00ARIMatt Prater 62-yard FG Takes lead2324
3rd quarter
14:00MINNick Vigil 38-yard interception return TD Takes leadGreg Joseph XP3024
9:11ARIKyler Murray → A.J. Green, 9-yard TD Takes leadMatt Prater XP3031
4th quarter
14:12MINGreg Joseph 52-yard FG Takes lead3331
4:25ARIMatt Prater 27-yard FG Game winner3334

Fantasy Points: Vikings vs Cardinals, Week 2 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Kyler MurrayARIQB35.1 PTSQB1
  2. Kirk CousinsMINQB24.3 PTSQB7
  3. Rondale MooreARIWR23.4 PTSWR6
  4. K.J. OsbornMINWR20.1 PTSWR15

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Kyler MurrayARIQB35.1QB129/36400325311117.6Start/Sit →
Kirk CousinsMINQB24.3QB722/32244302350122.4Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Rondale MooreARIWR23.4WR6WR———871141
K.J. OsbornMINWR20.1WR15WR———65911Start/Sit →
Justin JeffersonMINWR18.5WR19WR———106651Start/Sit →
Dalvin CookMINRB16.8RB12RB22131032170
Maxx WilliamsARITE16.4TE4TE———77940
DeAndre HopkinsARIWR15.4WR28WR———44541
Adam ThielenMINWR14.9WR30WR———76391
A.J. GreenARIWR13.4WR39WR———63441
Chase EdmondsARIRB12.5RB19RB846055290
Christian KirkARIWR9.5WR53WR———43650
Alexander MattisonMINRB3.8RB52RB311011170
Tyler ConklinMINTE3.5TE32TE———42150Start/Sit →
James ConnerARIRB2.6RB59RB8260————
Ameer AbdullahMINRB0.0—RB———1000Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Minnesota Vikings

Snap Share

  1. Adam ThielenWR61 snaps100%
  2. Justin JeffersonWR53 snaps87%
  3. Tyler ConklinTE49 snaps80%
  4. Dalvin CookRB47 snaps77%
  5. K.J. OsbornWR36 snaps59%

Target Share32 targets

  1. Justin Jefferson31%, 10 targets
  2. Adam Thielen22%, 7 targets
  3. K.J. Osborn19%, 6 targets
  4. Tyler Conklin13%, 4 targets
  5. Dalvin Cook9%, 3 targets
  6. Other6%, 2 targets

Carry Share27 carries

  1. Dalvin Cook81%, 22 carries
  2. Alexander Mattison11%, 3 carries
  3. Kirk Cousins7%, 2 carries

Arizona Cardinals

Snap Share

  1. DeAndre HopkinsWR59 snaps97%
  2. A.J. GreenWR51 snaps84%
  3. Maxx WilliamsTE45 snaps74%
  4. Chase EdmondsRB39 snaps64%
  5. Christian KirkWR38 snaps62%

Target Share34 targets

  1. Rondale Moore24%, 8 targets
  2. Maxx Williams21%, 7 targets
  3. A.J. Green18%, 6 targets
  4. Chase Edmonds15%, 5 targets
  5. DeAndre Hopkins12%, 4 targets
  6. Other12%, 4 targets

Carry Share21 carries

  1. James Conner38%, 8 carries
  2. Chase Edmonds38%, 8 carries
  3. Kyler Murray24%, 5 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Adam ThielenMINWR61100%722%0
DeAndre HopkinsARIWR5997%412%0
Justin JeffersonMINWR5387%1031%0
A.J. GreenARIWR5184%618%0
Tyler ConklinMINTE4980%413%0
Dalvin CookMINRB4777%39%22
Maxx WilliamsARITE4574%721%0
Chase EdmondsARIRB3964%515%8
Christian KirkARIWR3862%412%0
K.J. OsbornMINWR3659%619%0
Rondale MooreARIWR2846%824%0
James ConnerARIRB2439%00%8
Darrell DanielsARITE1931%00%0
Ben EllefsonMINTE1626%00%0
Alexander MattisonMINRB1321%13%3
Chris HerndonMINTE1220%00%0
Demetrius HarrisARITE23%00%0
Dede WestbrookMINWR23%00%0
Ameer AbdullahMINRB12%13%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+16.1Kyler Murray35.1 PTS vs 19.0 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−3.2Tyler Conklin3.5 PTS vs 6.7 xFP
  • Highest expected volume19.2 xFPDalvin Cook16.8 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Dalvin CookMIN · RB16.819.2−2.477%81% car—02281%39%
Kyler MurrayARI · QB35.119.0+16.1100%36 att—36524%00%
Justin JeffersonMIN · WR18.516.8+1.787%31% tgt—000%1031%
Kirk CousinsMIN · QB25.315.4+9.9100%32 att—3227%00%
Chase EdmondsARI · RB12.513.6−1.164%38% car—0838%515%
Rondale MooreARI · WR24.413.5+10.946%24% tgt—000%824%
Adam ThielenMIN · WR15.911.8+4.1100%22% tgt—000%722%
Maxx WilliamsARI · TE16.411.8+4.674%21% tgt—000%721%
A.J. GreenARI · WR13.410.1+3.384%18% tgt—000%618%
K.J. OsbornMIN · WR20.110.1+10.059%19% tgt—000%619%
Christian KirkARI · WR9.56.7+2.862%12% tgt—000%412%
DeAndre HopkinsARI · WR15.46.7+8.797%12% tgt—000%412%
Tyler ConklinMIN · TE3.56.7−3.280%13% tgt—000%413%
James ConnerARI · RB2.65.1−2.539%38% car—0838%00%
Alexander MattisonMIN · RB3.83.6+0.221%11% car—0311%13%
Ameer AbdullahMIN · RB0.01.7−1.72%3% tgt—000%13%

Team totals: Vikings 32 targets and 27 carries; Cardinals 34 targets and 21 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Kirk Cousins Ran hot

MIN · QB · 25.3 pts on 15.4 expected

22 of 32 passing for 244 yards, 3 touchdowns; 2 carries for 35 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 15.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Kirk Cousins →

Kyler Murray Ran hot

ARI · QB · 35.1 pts on 19.0 expected

29 of 36 passing for 400 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions; 5 carries for 31 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 19.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Kyler Murray →

Dalvin Cook Volume, no payoff

MIN · RB · 16.8 pts on 19.2 expected

3 targets (9% of the team's), 2 catches for 17 yards; 22 carries (81% of the team's) for 131 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 19.2 expected.

Trend: Season high in carries (22).

Justin Jefferson Strong role

MIN · WR · 18.5 pts on 16.8 expected

10 targets (31% of the team's), 6 catches for 65 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 16.8 expected.

Trend: Season high in targets (10).

Start/Sit: Justin Jefferson →

Chase Edmonds

ARI · RB · 12.5 pts on 13.6 expected

5 targets (15% of the team's), 5 catches for 29 yards; 8 carries (38% of the team's) for 46 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.6 expected.

Rondale Moore Ran hot

ARI · WR · 24.4 pts on 13.5 expected

8 targets (24% of the team's), 7 catches for 114 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 13.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Trend: Season high in targets (8).

K.J. Osborn Ran hot

MIN · WR · 20.1 pts on 10.1 expected

6 targets (19% of the team's), 5 catches for 91 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 10.1 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: K.J. Osborn →

DeAndre Hopkins Ran hot

ARI · WR · 15.4 pts on 6.7 expected

4 targets (12% of the team's), 4 catches for 54 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 6.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Minnesota Vikings

  • Stock down: K.J. Osborn played 59% of the snaps, down from a 81% season average.

Arizona Cardinals

  • Stock up: Rondale Moore played 46% of the snaps, up from a 29% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Vikings defense and Cardinals defense
Points allowed toVikings DCardinals D
QBs18.516.5
RBs24.520.5
WRs40.537.9
TEs10.47.7

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Arizona opened at 60% win probability, fell as low as 14%, then rallied to win.

Cardinals win probability

Cardinals win probability by game minuteCardinals started at 60%, stood at 61% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 12 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −23Cousins → Thielen, 7-yd TD59% → 36%Q1 0:24
  2. +28Murray → Moore, 77-yd TD34% → 61%Q2 1:33
  3. −29Vigil 38-yd pick-six61% → 32%Q3 14:00
  4. +31Murray → Green, 9-yd TD30% → 61%Q3 9:11
  5. +32Prater 27-yd FG32% → 63%Q4 4:25

Swing in Cardinals win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Vikings vs Cardinals
Minnesota VikingsMeasureArizona Cardinals
60Plays60
55%Pass rate65%
7.3Yds / dropback9.5
6.6Yds / carry4.9
2/10Third downs3/9

Efficiency edge Arizona ran as many plays and gained 2.2 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • MIN Jefferson 31% · Thielen 22% · Osborn 19%
  • ARI Moore 24% · Williams 21% · Green 18%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Vikings vs Cardinals
ResultMINARI
Touchdowns34
Field goals22
Punts54
Turnovers02
Missed field goals10

MIN turnover edge: +2

  • The Vikings opened the scoring on their first possession, a 2-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Cardinals drained the clock with two second-half drives of four to five minutes.
All 23 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
MINQ1 15:002750:44Touchdown
ARIQ1 14:16322:20Punt
MINQ1 11:56381:31Punt
ARIQ1 10:259734:36Touchdown
MINQ1 5:499755:25Touchdown
ARIQ1 0:24381:10Punt
MINQ2 14:149845:18Touchdown
ARIQ2 8:5610755:41Touchdown
MINQ2 3:15391:29Punt
ARIQ2 1:461770:13Touchdown
MINQ2 1:338411:12Field goal
ARIQ2 0:213220:21Field goal
ARIQ3 15:00281:00Interception
ARIQ3 14:008754:49Touchdown
MINQ3 9:114222:51Punt
ARIQ3 6:205442:51Interception
MINQ3 3:2910354:17Field goal
ARIQ4 14:12593:49Punt
MINQ4 10:23371:32Punt
ARIQ4 8:5110554:26Field goal
MINQ4 4:25341:40Punt
ARIQ4 2:45310:36Punt
MINQ4 2:099582:09Missed FG
About these numbers

The Vikings' interception touchdown is counted as a Cardinals interception, not as a Vikings possession. Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Vikings vs Cardinals Head-to-Head

The Vikings and Cardinals first met in 1963 and have played 31 times since.

All-time series
19–12Vikings lead, 31 meetings since 1963
Postseason
2–0Vikings won in 1974 and 1998
Largest Vikings win
28–01991
Largest Cardinals win
56–141963

Since 2021

2–1 Vikings lead

3 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. V = Vikings win, C = Cardinals win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Vikings vs Cardinals
VikingsStatCardinals
8-9Record11-6
25.0Points per game26.4
362.8Yards per game373.6
5.7Yards per play5.6
25.1Points allowed per game21.5
383.6Yards allowed per game329.2

Vikings vs Cardinals Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
ARI −3.5Cardinals failed to cover by 2.5
Total
50.5Over: 67 points scored (by 16.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Cardinals27.034+7.0
Vikings23.533+9.5

Both offenses beat the market's expectation, and the Fantasy tab shows who cashed in.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Minnesota Vikings

Against the spread
1–1
Over/under
2–0
ATS as favorite
0–1
ATS as underdog
1–0
ATS on the road
1–1

Arizona Cardinals

Against the spread
1–1
Over/under
1–1
ATS as favorite
0–1
ATS as underdog
1–0
ATS at home
0–1

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Vikings and Cardinals in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Viking or a Cardinal, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Vikings vs Cardinals Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Vikings vs Cardinals Week 2 game?

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Minnesota Vikings 34–33 in Week 2 of the 2021 season. The game was played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ, on September 19, 2021. See the Cardinals' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Vikings vs Cardinals?

The final score was Cardinals 34, Vikings 33. The Cardinals led 24–23 at halftime, and the second half went Vikings 10, Cardinals 10.

What happened in the Vikings vs Cardinals game?

Arizona led 24–23 at halftime after a 17-point second quarter to win 34–33. The Cardinals finished with a 474–419 edge in total offense and averaged 7.9 yards per play. Kyler Murray led all players with 29 of 36 passing for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 5 carries for 31 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals committed 2 turnovers, the Vikings none.

What was the game-winning score in Vikings vs Cardinals?

Matt Prater's 27-yard field goal with 4:25 left in the fourth quarter gave the Cardinals a 34–33 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Vikings vs Cardinals?

Kyler Murray led the game with 35.1 PPR fantasy points, the QB1 of Week 2, on 29 of 36 passing for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 5 carries for 31 rushing yards and a touchdown. Kirk Cousins was next with 24.3 (QB7). See Kyler Murray's 2021 game log.

Who led Vikings vs Cardinals in passing, rushing and receiving?

Kyler Murray (ARI) led all passers with 29 of 36 for 400 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Dalvin Cook (MIN) led in rushing with 22 carries for 131 yards. Rondale Moore (ARI) led in receiving with 7 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Kyler Murray score against the Vikings?

Kyler Murray scored 35.1 fantasy points against the Vikings in Week 2 of the 2021 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 29 of 36 passing for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 5 carries for 31 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Vikings vs Cardinals?

Kyler Murray outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 35.1 PPR points on 19.0 xFP (+16.1). Tyler Conklin fell furthest short, with 3.5 points on 6.7 xFP (−3.2). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Cardinals come back to beat the Vikings?

The Cardinals' chances of winning fell as low as 14% in the first half. Matt Prater's 27-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Matt Prater's 27-yard field goal then put them ahead for good.

What is the all-time Vikings vs Cardinals record?

The Vikings lead the all-time series 19–12 across 31 meetings since 1963, including a 2–0 record in the postseason.

When did the Vikings and Cardinals last play before this game?

Before Week 2 of 2021, they last met in the 2018 season on October 14, 2018, when the Vikings beat the Cardinals 27–17.

Have the Vikings and Cardinals met in the playoffs?

Yes, 2 times, most recently in the 1998 playoffs. The Vikings are 2–0 against the Cardinals in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Vikings vs Cardinals?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Cardinals −3.5, making the Arizona Cardinals 3.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 50.5. That implied about 27.0 points for the Cardinals and 23.5 for the Vikings.

Did Vikings vs Cardinals go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 50.5, and the teams combined for 67 points, 16.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Vikings vs Cardinals?

The Vikings covered as 3.5-point underdogs against the closing line of Cardinals −3.5. The final margin was 1 point.