Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2024 Week 14 Recap

Game story

In Week 14 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-12-08, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 42–21 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +0.69 total EPA, and -7.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, S. Darnold (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +23.68 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+18.4% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (3:36) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 52 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 S. Darnold · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +23.68 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Jefferson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +13.64 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.95 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Mooney · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +11.27 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.61 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Addison · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +10.96 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.91 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Allgeier · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +5.37 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Hockenson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.18 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
7. 7 R. McCloud · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.98 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Akers · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +1.74 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.29 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

• Atlanta Falcons — T. Allgeier (Q1 54:01)
• Minnesota Vikings — J. Addison (S. Darnold pass) (Q1 45:46)
• Minnesota Vikings — J. Jefferson (S. Darnold pass) (Q2 32:05)
• Minnesota Vikings — J. Jefferson (S. Darnold pass) (Q3 18:36)
• Atlanta Falcons — B. Robinson (Q3 15:43)
• Minnesota Vikings — J. Addison (S. Darnold pass) (Q4 13:04)
• Minnesota Vikings — J. Addison (S. Darnold pass) (Q4 8:28)
• Minnesota Vikings — A. Jones (Q4 3:43)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q2 30:13)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q3 20:09)

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. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the MIN 6 (Q1 54:01) — (9:01) (Shotgun) 25-T.Allgeier right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 53:58) — 6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ATL 49 (Q1 45:46) — (:46) 14-S.Darnold pass deep right to 3-J.Addison for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q1 45:37) — 16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–3. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ATL 12 (Q2 32:05) — (2:05) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short middle to 18-J.Jefferson for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN [44-T.Andersen].; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 32:01) — 16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the MIN 2 (Q2 30:13) — (:13) 6-Y.Koo 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 11–7. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the MIN 11 (Q3 20:09) — (5:09) 6-Y.Koo 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ATL 52 (Q3 18:36) — (3:36) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 18:25) — 16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the MIN 13 (Q3 15:43) — (:43) (Shotgun) 7-B.Robinson right end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons registered a safety from the MIN 2 (Q3 15:39) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Robinson rushes right tackle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 27–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ATL 11 (Q4 13:04) — (13:04) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short right to 3-J.Addison for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 12:59) — 16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ATL 6 (Q4 8:28) — (8:28) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short right to 3-J.Addison for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 8:23) — 16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ATL 15 (Q4 3:43) — (3:43) 33-A.Jones right guard for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ATL 15 (Q4 3:38) — 16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright..

Turning points

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

• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 18:36) — (3:36) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.4% · EPA +5.64]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 13:04) — (13:04) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short right to 3-J.Addison for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.5% · EPA +2.65]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 45:46) — (:46) 14-S.Darnold pass deep right to 3-J.Addison for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.1% · EPA +3.92]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 58:38) — (13:38) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass deep right to 1-D.Mooney to MIN 28 for 28 yards (1-S.Griffin). [WPA +13.4% · EPA +3.57]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:59) — (:59) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass deep left to 1-D.Mooney to MIN 9 for 49 yards (24-C.Bynum). [WPA +12.0% · EPA +3.71]

Impact plays

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

• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 18:36) — (3:36) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.4% · EPA +5.64]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 12:59) — 16-W.Reichard kicks 65 yards from MIN 35 to ATL 0. 34-R.McCloud to ATL 31 for 31 yards (6-B.Asamoah). FUMBLES (6-B.Asamoah), RECOVERED by MIN-30-C.Ham at ATL 32. [WPA -5.7% · EPA -5.44]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 43:37) — (13:37) 18-K.Cousins pass deep right intended for 5-D.London INTERCEPTED by 44-J.Metellus at MIN 31. 44-J.Metellus to MIN 35 for 4 yards (5-D.London). [WPA -10.7% · EPA -4.84]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 6:34) — (6:34) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass deep right intended for 8-K.Pitts INTERCEPTED by 7-B.Murphy at MIN 2. 7-B.Murphy to MIN 2 for no gain. [WPA -3.5% · EPA -4.13]

Quarterback report card

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

• K.Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) · 40 dropbacks · 57.5% completion · -7.1% CPOE · +0.02 EPA/play · +0.69 total EPA
• S.Darnold (Minnesota Vikings) · 36 dropbacks · 61.1% completion · +13.2% CPOE · +0.66 EPA/play · +23.68 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 (+0.29 vs +0.00), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 10 drives, +0.04 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, +23.52 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.
• S. Darnold (Minnesota Vikings) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Cousins (ATL) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• S. Darnold (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. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 54:01 · MIN 6 · Score 6-0
   (9:01) (Shotgun) 25-T.Allgeier right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 53:58 · MIN 15 · Score 7-0
   6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
3. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 45:46 · ATL 49 · Score 7-6
   (:46) 14-S.Darnold pass deep right to 3-J.Addison for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 45:37 · ATL 15 · Score 7-7
   16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.
5. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 32:05 · ATL 12 · Score 7-13
   (2:05) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short middle to 18-J.Jefferson for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN [44-T.Andersen].
6. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 32:01 · ATL 15 · Score 7-14
   16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.
7. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:13 · MIN 2 · Score 10-14
   (:13) 6-Y.Koo 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
8. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 20:09 · MIN 11 · Score 13-14
   (5:09) 6-Y.Koo 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
9. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 18:36 · ATL 52 · Score 13-20
   (3:36) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 18:25 · ATL 15 · Score 13-21
    16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.
11. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 15:43 · MIN 13 · Score 19-21
    (:43) (Shotgun) 7-B.Robinson right end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Atlanta Falcons Safety (+2) — Q3 15:39 · MIN 2 · Score 21-21
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Robinson rushes right tackle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
13. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 13:04 · ATL 11 · Score 21-27
    (13:04) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short right to 3-J.Addison for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 12:59 · ATL 15 · Score 21-28
    16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.
15. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 8:28 · ATL 6 · Score 21-34
    (8:28) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short right to 3-J.Addison for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 8:23 · ATL 15 · Score 21-35
    16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.
17. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 3:43 · ATL 15 · Score 21-41
    (3:43) 33-A.Jones right guard for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Minnesota Vikings TD (+7) — Q4 3:38 · ATL 15 · Score 21-42
    16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.