Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2006 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-11-26, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 31–26 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Leinart (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with +7.10 total EPA, and +7.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, L. Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.04 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+25.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: 8-R.Longwell kicks 69 yards from MIN 30 to ARI 1. 28-J.Arrington for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +14.04 total EPA · 11 snaps · +1.28 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Johnson · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +13.58 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +12.73 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Leinart · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +7.10 total EPA · 54 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Robinson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +6.54 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Wiggins · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +6.01 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Taylor · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.51 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
8. 8 Bry. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Arizona Cardinals — J. Arrington (Q1 60:00)
• Minnesota Vikings — C. Taylor (Q1 54:45)
• Minnesota Vikings — M. Robinson (B. Johnson pass) (Q2 30:37)
• Minnesota Vikings — B. McMullen (B. Johnson pass) (Q3 25:41)
• Minnesota Vikings — J. Dugan (B. Johnson pass) (Q4 12:07)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Taylor (Q4 10:27)
• Arizona Cardinals — A. Boldin (M. Leinart pass) (Q4 0:58)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q2 43:31)
• Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q2 33:53)
• Minnesota Vikings — R. Longwell (Q3 21:42)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIN 30 (Q1 60:00) — 8-R.Longwell kicks 69 yards from MIN 30 to ARI 1. 28-J.Arrington for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q1 59:44) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q1 54:45) — (9:45) 29-C.Taylor up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 54:42) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–6. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the MIN 3 (Q2 43:31) — (13:31) 1-N.Rackers 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the MIN 32 (Q2 33:53) — (3:53) 1-N.Rackers 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 17 (Q2 30:37) — (:37) 14-B.Johnson pass deep left to 87-M.Robinson for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 30:31) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 10–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 9 (Q3 25:41) — (10:41) 14-B.Johnson pass short middle to 12-B.McMullen for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 25:37) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the ARI 22 (Q3 21:42) — (6:42) 8-R.Longwell 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 13–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 3 (Q4 12:07) — (12:07) 14-B.Johnson pass short middle to 83-J.Dugan for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 12:00) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q4 10:27); Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIN 9 (Q4 0:58) — (:58) 7-M.Leinart pass to 81-A.Boldin for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q4 0:39) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 60:00) — 8-R.Longwell kicks 69 yards from MIN 30 to ARI 1. 28-J.Arrington for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.3% · EPA +6.74]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:39) — (Onside Kick formation) 1-N.Rackers kicks onside 14 yards from ARI 30 to ARI 44. RECOVERED by ARI-52-M.Beisel. Penalty on MIN, Defensive Offside, declined. [WPA -18.9% · EPA -1.05]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 51:55) — (6:55) 32-E.James right guard to MIN 23 for -2 yards (51-B.Leber). FUMBLES (51-B.Leber), RECOVERED by MIN-95-K.Udeze at MIN 23. 95-K.Udeze to MIN 23 for no gain (82-L.Pope). [WPA -16.9% · EPA -5.73]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:02) — (:02) (Shotgun) 7-M.Leinart pass intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 24-D.Smith at MIN 0. Touchback. [WPA -16.7% · EPA -1.00]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 54:45) — (9:45) 29-C.Taylor up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.7% · EPA +2.47]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 10:27) — (10:27) 29-C.Taylor right guard to ARI 1 for no gain. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by ARI-24-A.Wilson at ARI 1. 24-A.Wilson for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by MIN and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by MIN at 10:0 [WPA -4.5% · EPA -13.35]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 60:00) — 8-R.Longwell kicks 69 yards from MIN 30 to ARI 1. 28-J.Arrington for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.3% · EPA +6.74]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 11:13) — (11:13) (Shotgun) 7-M.Leinart pass to 89-A.Bergen to ARI 36 for 5 yards (51-B.Leber). FUMBLES (51-B.Leber), RECOVERED by MIN-21-F.Smoot at ARI 45. 21-F.Smoot to ARI 16 for 29 yards (60-N.Leckey). [WPA -1.3% · EPA -5.98]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 51:55) — (6:55) 32-E.James right guard to MIN 23 for -2 yards (51-B.Leber). FUMBLES (51-B.Leber), RECOVERED by MIN-95-K.Udeze at MIN 23. 95-K.Udeze to MIN 23 for no gain (82-L.Pope). [WPA -16.9% · EPA -5.73]

Quarterback report card

M.Leinart led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Leinart (Arizona Cardinals) · 54 dropbacks · 57.4% completion · +7.2% CPOE · +0.13 EPA/play · +7.10 total EPA
• B.Johnson (Minnesota Vikings) · 48 dropbacks · 56.2% completion · +9.5% CPOE · +0.28 EPA/play · +13.58 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Arizona Cardinals +0.02, Minnesota Vikings +0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, +1.46 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 13 drives, +3.10 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Minnesota Vikings leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• L. Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Leinart (ARI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• B. Johnson (MIN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 60:00 · MIN 30 · Score 6-0
   8-R.Longwell kicks 69 yards from MIN 30 to ARI 1. 28-J.Arrington for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 59:44 · MIN 2 · Score 7-0
   1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
3. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 54:45 · ARI 1 · Score 7-6
   (9:45) 29-C.Taylor up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 54:42 · ARI 2 · Score 7-7
   8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
5. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 43:31 · MIN 3 · Score 10-7
   (13:31) 1-N.Rackers 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
6. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 33:53 · MIN 32 · Score 13-7
   (3:53) 1-N.Rackers 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
7. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 30:37 · ARI 17 · Score 13-13
   (:37) 14-B.Johnson pass deep left to 87-M.Robinson for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.
8. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 30:31 · ARI 2 · Score 13-14
   8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
9. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 25:41 · ARI 9 · Score 13-20
   (10:41) 14-B.Johnson pass short middle to 12-B.McMullen for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 25:37 · ARI 2 · Score 13-21
    8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
11. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q3 21:42 · ARI 22 · Score 13-24
    (6:42) 8-R.Longwell 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
12. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 12:07 · ARI 3 · Score 13-30
    (12:07) 14-B.Johnson pass short middle to 83-J.Dugan for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 12:00 · ARI 2 · Score 13-31
    8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
14. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 10:27 · ARI 1 · Score 19-31
    (10:27) 29-C.Taylor right guard to ARI 1 for no gain. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by ARI-24-A.Wilson at ARI 1. 24-A.Wilson for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by MI
15. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 0:58 · MIN 9 · Score 25-31
    (:58) 7-M.Leinart pass to 81-A.Boldin for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.
16. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 0:39 · MIN 2 · Score 26-31
    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.