Game story
In Week 11 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-11-20, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 30–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -12.17 total EPA, and -7.1% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, A. Thielen (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.48 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-29.1% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (3:23) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left intended for 12-Jo.Brown INTERCEPTED by 29-X.Rhodes at MIN 0. 29-X.Rhodes for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 7 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Thielen · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.48 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
- 2 J. Gresham · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.57 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.78 EPA/play
- 3 D. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.21 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
- 4 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.69 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
- 5 D. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +1.63 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
- 6 D. Fells · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.41 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.41 EPA/play
- 7 M. Asiata · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +1.24 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
- 8 S. Diggs · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.15 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. Thielen — MIN · Receiving
A. Thielen posted the highest total EPA (+5.48) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Minnesota Vikings's efficiency. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +1.10 EPA per play.
The signature play (-10.72 EPA) came from Arizona Cardinals: (3:23) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left intended for 12-Jo.Brown INTERCEPTED by 29-X.Rhodes at MIN 0. 29-X.Rhodes for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Minnesota Vikings — A. Thielen (S. Bradford pass)
- Arizona Cardinals — D. Johnson
- Minnesota Vikings — M. Asiata
- Minnesota Vikings — X. Rhodes
- Arizona Cardinals — J. Gresham (C. Palmer pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — C. Patterson
- Arizona Cardinals — D. Johnson (C. Palmer pass)
Field goals
- Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro
- Minnesota Vikings — K. Forbath
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. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 16 (Q1 55:30); Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 55:25) — (Kick formation) 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q1 49:10) — (4:10) (Run formation) 31-D.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 49:07) — (Kick formation) 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-D.Butler..
The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 13–10. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the MIN 16 (Q2 40:08) — (10:08) (Field Goal formation) 7-C.Catanzaro 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q2 37:19); Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the MIN 9 (Q2 33:23); Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 33:07) — (Kick formation) 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIN 29 (Q2 30:58) — (:58) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 84-J.Gresham for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 30:50) — (Kick formation) 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-D.Butler..
The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 10–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 35 (Q3 30:00) — 7-C.Catanzaro kicks 69 yards from ARI 35 to MIN -4. 84-C.Patterson for 104 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 29:47) — 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the ARI 9 (Q3 15:07) — (:07) (Field Goal formation) 2-K.Forbath 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke..
The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIN 4 (Q4 7:28) — (7:28) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 31-D.Johnson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q4 7:24) — (Kick formation) 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-D.Butler..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q2 33:23) — (3:23) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left intended for 12-Jo.Brown INTERCEPTED by 29-X.Rhodes at MIN 0. 29-X.Rhodes for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 30:00) — 7-C.Catanzaro kicks 69 yards from ARI 35 to MIN -4. 84-C.Patterson for 104 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 1:12) — (1:12) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass incomplete deep middle to 12-Jo.Brown [92-Tom.Johnson]. PENALTY on MIN-92-Tom.Johnson, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at ARI 4 - No Play.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 38:48) — (8:48) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass short left to 84-C.Patterson pushed ob at ARI 36 for 30 yards (20-D.Bucannon).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 6:10) — (6:10) (Punt formation) 18-J.Locke punts 50 yards to ARI 21, Center-47-K.McDermott. 12-Jo.Brown pushed ob at MIN 47 for 32 yards (18-J.Locke).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q2 33:23) — (3:23) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left intended for 12-Jo.Brown INTERCEPTED by 29-X.Rhodes at MIN 0. 29-X.Rhodes for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 30:00) — 7-C.Catanzaro kicks 69 yards from ARI 35 to MIN -4. 84-C.Patterson for 104 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 9:16) — (9:16) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford sacked at MIN 26 for -11 yards (55-Ch.Jones). FUMBLES (55-Ch.Jones) [55-Ch.Jones], RECOVERED by ARI-20-D.Bucannon at MIN 27. 20-D.Bucannon to MIN 27 for no gain (44-M.Asi
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:37) — (:37) (Run formation) 8-S.Bradford kneels to ARI 20 for -1 yards.
Quarterback report card
C.Palmer led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- C.Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) · 47 dropbacks · 42.6% completion · -7.1% CPOE · -0.26 EPA/play · -12.17 total EPA
- S.Bradford (Minnesota Vikings) · 34 dropbacks · 58.8% completion · +3.0% CPOE · -0.05 EPA/play · -1.73 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Arizona Cardinals | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.132 | -0.103 |
| Offensive success rate | 43.5% | 41.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.259 | -0.051 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.063 | -0.212 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.103 | +0.132 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.7% | 56.5% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Arizona Cardinals -0.13, Minnesota Vikings -0.10) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, -12.13 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Minnesota Vikings: 13 drives, -7.76 total EPA, 4 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.
- A. Thielen (Minnesota Vikings) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- C. Palmer (ARI) 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 55:30 · ARI 16 · Score 0-6
(10:30) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass incomplete deep right to 19-A.Thielen. Minnesota challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 55:25 · ARI 15 · Score 0-7
(Kick formation) 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 49:10 · MIN 1 · Score 6-7
(4:10) (Run formation) 31-D.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 49:07 · MIN 15 · Score 7-7
(Kick formation) 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-D.Butler. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 40:08 · MIN 16 · Score 10-7
(10:08) (Field Goal formation) 7-C.Catanzaro 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-D.Butler. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 37:19 · ARI 2 · Score 10-13
(7:19) 44-M.Asiata up the middle to ARI 1 for 1 yard (20-D.Bucannon; 97-J.Mauro). Minnesota challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was R - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 33:23 · MIN 9 · Score 10-19
(3:23) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left intended for 12-Jo.Brown INTERCEPTED by 29-X.Rhodes at MIN 0. 29-X.Rhodes for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 33:07 · ARI 15 · Score 10-20
(Kick formation) 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 30:58 · MIN 29 · Score 16-20
(:58) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 84-J.Gresham for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 30:50 · MIN 15 · Score 17-20
(Kick formation) 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-D.Butler. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 30:00 · ARI 35 · Score 17-26
7-C.Catanzaro kicks 69 yards from ARI 35 to MIN -4. 84-C.Patterson for 104 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 29:47 · ARI 15 · Score 17-27
2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q3 15:07 · ARI 9 · Score 17-30
(:07) (Field Goal formation) 2-K.Forbath 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 7:28 · MIN 4 · Score 23-30
(7:28) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 31-D.Johnson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 7:24 · MIN 15 · Score 24-30
(Kick formation) 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-D.Butler.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings?
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Arizona Cardinals 30-24 in Week 11, 2016 on 2016-11-20.
What was the final score of Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings?
The final score was Arizona Cardinals 24, Minnesota Vikings 30 (ARI 24-30 MIN) in Week 11, 2016 on 2016-11-20.
What was the score by quarter in Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings?
Q1: Arizona Cardinals 7, Minnesota Vikings 7; Q2: Arizona Cardinals 10, Minnesota Vikings 13; Q3: Arizona Cardinals 0, Minnesota Vikings 10; Q4: Arizona Cardinals 7, Minnesota Vikings 0; Final: Arizona Cardinals 24, Minnesota Vikings 30.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings?
Minnesota Vikings touchdown — A. Thielen (S. Bradford pass) (Q1 55:30) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — D. Johnson (Q1 49:10) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — M. Asiata (Q2 37:19) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — X. Rhodes (Q2 33:23) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — J. Gresham (C. Palmer pass) (Q2 30:58) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — C. Patterson (Q3 30:00) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — D. Johnson (C. Palmer pass) (Q4 7:28) Arizona Cardinals field goal — C. Catanzaro (Q2 40:08, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — K. Forbath (Q3 15:07, 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?
C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals), 42.6% completion, -7.1% CPOE, -0.26 EPA per dropback, -12.17 total passing EPA. S. Bradford (Minnesota Vikings), 58.8% completion, +3.0% CPOE, -0.05 EPA per dropback, -1.73 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings?
A. Thielen (Minnesota Vikings) led the game in total EPA with +5.48 on receiving plays. across 5 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-10.72 EPA): (3:23) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left intended for 12-Jo.Brown INTERCEPTED by 29-X.Rhodes at MIN 0. 29-X.Rhodes for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -29.1%.
Was Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Minnesota Vikings won 30-24 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Arizona Cardinals
Entered 4-4 Now 4-5 L
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 5-4 Now 6-4 W
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