Game story
In Week 5 of the 2011 NFL season on 2011-10-09, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 34–10 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
K. Kolb (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -16.43 total EPA, and -13.2% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, L. Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +3.85 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-8.5% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (9:12) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short right intended for 12-A.Roberts INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Allen (97-E.Griffen) at ARI 27. 21-A.Allen to ARI 24 for 3 yards (85-E.Doucet).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 28 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 34 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.85 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
- 2 D. Aromashodu · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.33 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
- 3 L. Booker · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +2.23 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.23 EPA/play
- 4 L. Booker · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.63 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
- 5 R. Housler · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +0.58 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
- 6 A. Smith · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +0.42 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 7 D. McNabb · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +0.12 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.00 EPA/play
- 8 L. Stephens-Howling · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +0.09 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
L. Fitzgerald — ARI · Receiving
L. Fitzgerald posted the highest total EPA (+3.85) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Arizona Cardinals's efficiency. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.48 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.86 EPA) came from Arizona Cardinals: (1:26) (Shotgun) 2-R.Bartel pass deep middle intended for 85-E.Doucet INTERCEPTED by 33-J.Sanford at MIN 35. 33-J.Sanford to ARI 13 for 52 yards (75-L.Brown).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Minnesota Vikings — A. Peterson
- Minnesota Vikings — A. Peterson
- Minnesota Vikings — D. McNabb
- Minnesota Vikings — A. Peterson
- Arizona Cardinals — C. Wells
Field goals
- Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely
- Minnesota Vikings — R. Longwell
- Minnesota Vikings — R. Longwell
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 28–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 4 (Q1 54:23) — (9:23) 28-A.Peterson left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 54:18) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-4-C.Kluwe.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 24 (Q1 54:02) — (9:02) 28-A.Peterson right guard for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 53:55) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-4-C.Kluwe.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 4 (Q1 51:31) — (6:31) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb scrambles up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 51:25) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-4-C.Kluwe.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 14 (Q1 47:48) — (2:48) 28-A.Peterson up the middle for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 47:41) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-4-C.Kluwe..
The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the MIN 33 (Q2 40:34) — (10:34) 3-J.Feely 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham..
The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIN 2 (Q3 23:26) — (8:26) (Shotgun) 26-C.Wells left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 23:23) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the ARI 8 (Q3 18:39) — (3:39) 8-R.Longwell 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-4-C.Kluwe..
The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 3–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the ARI 35 (Q4 2:14) — (2:14) 8-R.Longwell 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-4-C.Kluwe..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 54:12) — (9:12) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short right intended for 12-A.Roberts INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Allen (97-E.Griffen) at ARI 27. 21-A.Allen to ARI 24 for 3 yards (85-E.Doucet).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 53:22) — (8:22) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb sacked at ARI 22 for -7 yards (96-B.Robison). FUMBLES (96-B.Robison), RECOVERED by MIN-69-J.Allen at ARI 25. 69-J.Allen to ARI 25 for no gain (63-L.Sendlein).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 56:05) — (11:05) 5-B.Graham punts 38 yards to ARI 40, Center-82-M.Leach. 35-M.Sherels to ARI 18 for 22 yards (23-H.Abdullah; 49-R.Johnson).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 59:15) — (14:15) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass incomplete short left to 84-R.Housler (93-K.Williams).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 54:23) — (9:23) 28-A.Peterson left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 1:26) — (1:26) (Shotgun) 2-R.Bartel pass deep middle intended for 85-E.Doucet INTERCEPTED by 33-J.Sanford at MIN 35. 33-J.Sanford to ARI 13 for 52 yards (75-L.Brown).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 53:22) — (8:22) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb sacked at ARI 22 for -7 yards (96-B.Robison). FUMBLES (96-B.Robison), RECOVERED by MIN-69-J.Allen at ARI 25. 69-J.Allen to ARI 25 for no gain (63-L.Sendlein).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 54:12) — (9:12) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short right intended for 12-A.Roberts INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Allen (97-E.Griffen) at ARI 27. 21-A.Allen to ARI 24 for 3 yards (85-E.Doucet).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 10:55) — (10:55) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald to MIN 18 for 21 yards (25-Ty.Johnson).
Quarterback report card
K.Kolb led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- K.Kolb (Arizona Cardinals) · 48 dropbacks · 43.8% completion · -13.2% CPOE · -0.34 EPA/play · -16.43 total EPA
- D.McNabb (Minnesota Vikings) · 25 dropbacks · 40.0% completion · -20.5% CPOE · +0.00 EPA/play · +0.12 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Arizona Cardinals | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.310 | -0.071 |
| Offensive success rate | 37.5% | 41.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.398 | +0.005 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.273 | +0.025 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.071 | +0.310 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.8% | 62.5% |
By the numbers
Minnesota Vikings held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.07 vs -0.31), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Arizona Cardinals: 13 drives, -29.77 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Minnesota Vikings: 14 drives, -5.69 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.
- L. Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- K. Kolb (ARI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- D. McNabb (MIN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 54:23 · ARI 4 · Score 0-6
(9:23) 28-A.Peterson left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 54:18 · ARI 2 · Score 0-7
8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-4-C.Kluwe. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 54:02 · ARI 24 · Score 0-13
(9:02) 28-A.Peterson right guard for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 53:55 · ARI 2 · Score 0-14
8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-4-C.Kluwe. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 51:31 · ARI 4 · Score 0-20
(6:31) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb scrambles up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 51:25 · ARI 2 · Score 0-21
8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-4-C.Kluwe. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 47:48 · ARI 14 · Score 0-27
(2:48) 28-A.Peterson up the middle for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 47:41 · ARI 2 · Score 0-28
8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-4-C.Kluwe. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 40:34 · MIN 33 · Score 3-28
(10:34) 3-J.Feely 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 23:26 · MIN 2 · Score 9-28
(8:26) (Shotgun) 26-C.Wells left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 23:23 · MIN 2 · Score 10-28
3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q3 18:39 · ARI 8 · Score 10-31
(3:39) 8-R.Longwell 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-4-C.Kluwe. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 2:14 · ARI 35 · Score 10-34
(2:14) 8-R.Longwell 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-4-C.Kluwe.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings?
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Arizona Cardinals 34-10 in Week 5, 2011 on 2011-10-09.
What was the final score of Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings?
The final score was Arizona Cardinals 10, Minnesota Vikings 34 (ARI 10-34 MIN) in Week 5, 2011 on 2011-10-09.
What was the score by quarter in Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings?
Q1: Arizona Cardinals 0, Minnesota Vikings 28; Q2: Arizona Cardinals 3, Minnesota Vikings 0; Q3: Arizona Cardinals 7, Minnesota Vikings 3; Q4: Arizona Cardinals 0, Minnesota Vikings 3; Final: Arizona Cardinals 10, Minnesota Vikings 34.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings?
Minnesota Vikings touchdown — A. Peterson (Q1 54:23) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — A. Peterson (Q1 54:02) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — D. McNabb (Q1 51:31) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — A. Peterson (Q1 47:48) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — C. Wells (Q3 23:26) Arizona Cardinals field goal — J. Feely (Q2 40:34, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — R. Longwell (Q3 18:39, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — R. Longwell (Q4 2:14, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings?
K. Kolb (Arizona Cardinals), 43.8% completion, -13.2% CPOE, -0.34 EPA per dropback, -16.43 total passing EPA. D. McNabb (Minnesota Vikings), 40.0% completion, -20.5% CPOE, +0.00 EPA per dropback, +0.12 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings?
L. Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) led the game in total EPA with +3.85 on receiving plays. across 8 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.86 EPA): (1:26) (Shotgun) 2-R.Bartel pass deep middle intended for 85-E.Doucet INTERCEPTED by 33-J.Sanford at MIN 35. 33-J.Sanford to ARI 13 for 52 yards (75-L.Brown).. The biggest win-probability swing was -8.5%.
Season records after this game
Arizona Cardinals
Entered 1-3 Now 1-4 L
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 0-4 Now 1-4 W
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