Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2018 Week 6 Recap

Game story

In Week 6 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-10-14, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 27–17 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with -14.09 total EPA, and +1.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Thielen (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.23 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-18.7% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (4:24) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins sacked at MIN 29 for -7 yards (55-C.Jones). FUMBLES (55-C.Jones) [55-C.Jones], RECOVERED by ARI-36-B.Baker at MIN 36. 36-B.Baker for 36 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 A. Thielen · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +7.23 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Kirk · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.09 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
3. 3 S. Diggs · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.56 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Seals-Jones · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.26 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Gresham · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.82 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.82 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Boone · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +1.72 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.72 EPA/play
7. 7 L. Treadwell · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.40 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
8. 8 S. Diggs · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +1.04 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.04 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

• Minnesota Vikings — L. Murray (Q1 50:41)
• Arizona Cardinals — B. Baker (Q2 34:24)
• Minnesota Vikings — A. Thielen (K. Cousins pass) (Q3 25:11)
• Minnesota Vikings — K. Cousins (Q3 21:42)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Johnson (Q4 7:01)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — P. Dawson (Q1 53:22)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Bailey (Q1 47:08)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Bailey (Q2 30:12)

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 10–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the MIN 8 (Q1 53:22) — (8:22) 4-P.Dawson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-A.Lee.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 21 (Q1 50:41) — (5:41) 25-L.Murray up the middle for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 50:33) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the ARI 19 (Q1 47:08) — (2:08) 5-D.Bailey 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 64 (Q2 34:24); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 34:13) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-A.Lee.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the ARI 30 (Q2 30:12) — (:12) 5-D.Bailey 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 14–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 13 (Q3 25:11) — (10:11) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 19-A.Thielen for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 25:06) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 7 (Q3 21:42) — (6:42) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 21:37) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q4 7:01) — (7:01) 31-D.Johnson right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q4 6:57) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-A.Lee..

Turning points

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

• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 34:24) — (4:24) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins sacked at MIN 29 for -7 yards (55-C.Jones). FUMBLES (55-C.Jones) [55-C.Jones], RECOVERED by ARI-36-B.Baker at MIN 36. 36-B.Baker for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -18.7% · EPA -7.54]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 50:33) — (5:33) 31-D.Johnson left end to ARI 30 for 5 yards (55-A.Barr). FUMBLES (55-A.Barr), RECOVERED by MIN-96-T.Johnson at ARI 31. 96-T.Johnson to ARI 31 for no gain (85-G.Holmes). [WPA -10.7% · EPA -5.36]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 54:44) — (9:44) 3-J.Rosen pass deep left to 13-C.Kirk pushed ob at MIN 11 for 35 yards (22-H.Smith). [WPA +9.6% · EPA +2.25]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 44:25) — (14:25) 8-K.Cousins pass short right INTERCEPTED by 33-T.Boston at MIN 47. 33-T.Boston to MIN 47 for no gain (14-S.Diggs). ARI-33-T.Boston was injured during the play. [WPA -8.1% · EPA -4.79]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 28:01) — (13:01) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 19-A.Thielen ran ob at ARI 45 for 13 yards. Arizona challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field stands. (Ti [WPA +7.6% · EPA +2.50]

Impact plays

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

• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 34:24) — (4:24) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins sacked at MIN 29 for -7 yards (55-C.Jones). FUMBLES (55-C.Jones) [55-C.Jones], RECOVERED by ARI-36-B.Baker at MIN 36. 36-B.Baker for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -18.7% · EPA -7.54]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 50:33) — (5:33) 31-D.Johnson left end to ARI 30 for 5 yards (55-A.Barr). FUMBLES (55-A.Barr), RECOVERED by MIN-96-T.Johnson at ARI 31. 96-T.Johnson to ARI 31 for no gain (85-G.Holmes). [WPA -10.7% · EPA -5.36]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 44:25) — (14:25) 8-K.Cousins pass short right INTERCEPTED by 33-T.Boston at MIN 47. 33-T.Boston to MIN 47 for no gain (14-S.Diggs). ARI-33-T.Boston was injured during the play. [WPA -8.1% · EPA -4.79]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 18:12) — (3:12) (Shotgun) 3-J.Rosen pass short middle intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 41-A.Harris at MIN 47. 41-A.Harris to MIN 47 for no gain (11-L.Fitzgerald). [WPA -2.5% · EPA -4.31]

Quarterback report card

K.Cousins led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• K.Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 39 dropbacks · 61.5% completion · +1.0% CPOE · -0.36 EPA/play · -14.09 total EPA
• J.Rosen (Arizona Cardinals) · 37 dropbacks · 56.8% completion · -5.4% CPOE · -0.29 EPA/play · -10.62 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Minnesota Vikings held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.17 vs -0.31), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, -23.87 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 14 drives, -14.88 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.
• A. Thielen (Minnesota Vikings) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Rosen (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.

1. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 53:22 · MIN 8 · Score 3-0
   (8:22) 4-P.Dawson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-A.Lee.
2. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 50:41 · ARI 21 · Score 3-6
   (5:41) 25-L.Murray up the middle for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 50:33 · ARI 15 · Score 3-7
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile.
4. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 47:08 · ARI 19 · Score 3-10
   (2:08) 5-D.Bailey 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile.
5. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 34:24 · ARI 64 · Score 9-10
   (4:24) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins sacked at MIN 29 for -7 yards (55-C.Jones). FUMBLES (55-C.Jones) [55-C.Jones], RECOVERED by ARI-36-B.Baker at MIN 36. 36-B.Baker fo
6. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 34:13 · MIN 15 · Score 10-10
   4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-A.Lee.
7. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 30:12 · ARI 30 · Score 10-13
   (:12) 5-D.Bailey 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile.
8. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 25:11 · ARI 13 · Score 10-19
   (10:11) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 19-A.Thielen for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 25:06 · ARI 15 · Score 10-20
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile.
10. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 21:42 · ARI 7 · Score 10-26
    (6:42) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 21:37 · ARI 15 · Score 10-27
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-6-M.Wile.
12. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 7:01 · MIN 1 · Score 16-27
    (7:01) 31-D.Johnson right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 6:57 · MIN 15 · Score 17-27
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-A.Lee.