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NFL · Week 14 · December 10, 2015 · 12 min read

Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2015 Week 14 Recap

Cardinals defeat Vikings 23–20 in Week 14

C.Palmer led Fantasy Impact as Cardinals prevailed in a 20–23 Week 14 finish.

Minnesota Vikings 20 8–5
Final 20–23
Arizona Cardinals 23 11–2 Winner
Winner
Arizona Cardinals
Final score
20–23
Halftime
Tied 10–10 at halftime
Top passer
Teddy Bridgewater
FantasyHQ MVP
C.Palmer
Game date
December 10, 2015

Top fantasy performers · Vikings

  • Teddy Bridgewater
    Teddy Bridgewater 25/42 · 320 YDS · 1 TD +13.3 Fantasy Impact
  • M.Wallace 3 REC · 42 YDS · 1 TD +5.2 Fantasy Impact
  • K.Rudolph 6 REC · 67 YDS +4.8 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

  • C.Palmer 25/39 · 301 YDS · 2 TD +14.1 Fantasy Impact
  • M.Floyd 5 REC · 102 YDS · 1 TD +6.2 Fantasy Impact
  • Jo.Brown 4 REC · 78 YDS · 1 TD +5.3 Fantasy Impact
View Vikings vs Cardinals box score View all 2015 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Arizona Cardinals
Final score
Arizona Cardinals 23–20 Minnesota Vikings
Halftime
Tied 10–10 at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
C. Palmer
Top passer
Teddy Bridgewater
Biggest EPA play
(11:25) (Shotgun) 28-A.Peterson right end to ARI 41 for -6 yards (97-J.Mauro). FUMBLES (97…
Game date
2015-12-10

Game summary

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Minnesota Vikings 23–20 on 2015-12-10. C. Palmer posted a game-high +14.09 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 17 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Minnesota Vikings73010020
Arizona Cardinals10076023

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

MINMinnesota Vikings
ARIArizona Cardinals

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 7:28FG
    CCC. Catanzaro

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIN 9
    Score
    0-3

    (7:28) 7-C.Catanzaro 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.

  2. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q1 4:05TD
    APA. Peterson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 9
    Score
    6-3

    (4:05) 28-A.Peterson up the middle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q1 3:57XP
    BWB. Walsh

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 15
    Score
    7-3

    3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.

  4. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 1:56TD
    CPC. Palmer

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIN 65
    Score
    7-9

    (1:56) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 12-Jo.Brown for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  5. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 1:43XP
    CCC. Catanzaro

    Points+1

    Yard line
    MIN 15
    Score
    7-10

    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.

  6. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q2 0:07FG
    BWB. Walsh

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 26
    Score
    10-10

    (:07) 3-B.Walsh 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke. Penalty on ARI-28-J.Bethel, Defensive Offside, declined.

  7. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q3 8:41TD
    MFM. Floyd

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIN 42
    Score
    10-16

    (8:41) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 15-M.Floyd for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  8. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q3 8:31XP
    CCC. Catanzaro

    Points+1

    Yard line
    MIN 15
    Score
    10-17

    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.

  9. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 15:00FG
    CCC. Catanzaro

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIN 5
    Score
    10-20

    (15:00) 7-C.Catanzaro 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.

  10. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q4 12:15FG
    BWB. Walsh

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 36
    Score
    13-20

    (12:15) 3-B.Walsh 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.

  11. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q4 5:00TD
    MWM. Wallace

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 7
    Score
    19-20

    (5:00) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 11-M.Wallace for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q4 4:55XP
    BWB. Walsh

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 15
    Score
    20-20

    3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.

  13. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 1:28FG
    CCC. Catanzaro

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIN 29
    Score
    20-23

    (1:28) 7-C.Catanzaro 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1C. Palmer · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +14.09 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
  2. 2Teddy BridgewaterTeddy Bridgewater · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +13.32 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
  3. 3M. Floyd · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.25 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
  4. 4Jo. Brown · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.33 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
  5. 5M. Wallace · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.19 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
  6. 6K. Rudolph · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.83 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
  7. 7R. Ellison · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.06 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.06 EPA/play
  8. 8D. Fells · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.03 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

C. Palmer — ARI · Passing

C. Palmer posted the highest total EPA (+14.09) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Arizona Cardinals. Across 39 counted snaps, they averaged +0.36 EPA per play.

C. Palmer's top snap (+5.57 EPA): (1:56) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 12-Jo.Brown for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (-6.00 EPA): A. Peterson — (11:25) (Shotgun) 28-A.Peterson right end to ARI 41 for -6 yards (97-J.Mauro). FUMBLES (97-J.Mauro), RECOVERED by ARI-57-A.Okafor at ARI 43. 57-A.Okafor to ARI 43 for no gain (11-M.Wallace).

Quarterback report card

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

  • Teddy BridgewaterTeddy Bridgewater (Minnesota Vikings) · 42 dropbacks · 59.5% completion · +7.2% CPOE · +0.32 EPA/play · +13.32 total EPA
  • C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) · 39 dropbacks · 64.1% completion · +6.1% CPOE · +0.36 EPA/play · +14.09 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatMinnesota VikingsArizona Cardinals
Offensive EPA/play+0.117+0.141
Offensive success rate46.2%47.6%
Pass EPA/play+0.317+0.361
Rush EPA/play-0.324-0.094
Defensive EPA/play-0.141-0.117
Defensive success rate52.4%53.8%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Minnesota Vikings +0.12, Arizona Cardinals +0.14) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Minnesota Vikings: +0.12 EPA/play (81st percentile vs. 2015 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: +0.14 EPA/play (86th percentile vs. 2015 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, +11.55 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • Minnesota Vikings: 9 drives, +9.39 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Minnesota Vikings — A. Peterson (Q1 4:05)
  • Arizona Cardinals — C. Palmer (Q1 1:56)
  • Arizona Cardinals — M. Floyd (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 8:41)
  • Minnesota Vikings — M. Wallace (Teddy Bridgewater pass) (Q4 5:00)

Field goals

  • Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro (Q1 7:28)
  • Minnesota Vikings — B. Walsh (Q2 0:07)
  • Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro (Q4 15:00)
  • Minnesota Vikings — B. Walsh (Q4 12:15)
  • Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro (Q4 1:28)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–7. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the MIN 9 (Q1 7:28) — (7:28) 7-C.Catanzaro 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 9 (Q1 4:05) — (4:05) 28-A.Peterson up the middle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 3:57) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIN 65 (Q1 1:56) — (1:56) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 12-Jo.Brown for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 1:43) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 3–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the ARI 26 (Q2 0:07).

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIN 42 (Q3 8:41) — (8:41) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 15-M.Floyd for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q3 8:31) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler..

The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 10–6. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the MIN 5 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 7-C.Catanzaro 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the ARI 36 (Q4 12:15) — (12:15) 3-B.Walsh 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the ARI 7 (Q4 5:00) — (5:00) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 11-M.Wallace for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 4:55) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the MIN 29 (Q4 1:28) — (1:28) 7-C.Catanzaro 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:13) — (:13) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater sacked at ARI 38 for -7 yards (54-D.Freeney). FUMBLES (54-D.Freeney), RECOVERED by ARI-93-C.Campbell at ARI 36. 93-C.Campbell to ARI 36 for no gain (79-M.Harris). [WPA -26.7% · EPA -1.80]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 8:41) — (8:41) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 15-M.Floyd for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.0% · EPA +4.82]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q1 1:56) — (1:56) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 12-Jo.Brown for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +20.5% · EPA +5.57]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q3 11:25) — (11:25) (Shotgun) 28-A.Peterson right end to ARI 41 for -6 yards (97-J.Mauro). FUMBLES (97-J.Mauro), RECOVERED by ARI-57-A.Okafor at ARI 43. 57-A.Okafor to ARI 43 for no gain (11-M.Wallace). [WPA -15.9% · EPA -6.00]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q2 8:19) — (8:19) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short middle to 17-J.Wright to ARI 15 for 8 yards (20-D.Bucannon). FUMBLES (20-D.Bucannon), RECOVERED by ARI-20-D.Bucannon at ARI 15. 20-D.Bucannon to ARI 15 for [WPA -14.9% · EPA -4.32]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Minnesota Vikings (Q3 11:25) — (11:25) (Shotgun) 28-A.Peterson right end to ARI 41 for -6 yards (97-J.Mauro). FUMBLES (97-J.Mauro), RECOVERED by ARI-57-A.Okafor at ARI 43. 57-A.Okafor to ARI 43 for no gain (11-M.Wallace). [WPA -15.9% · EPA -6.00]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q1 1:56) — (1:56) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 12-Jo.Brown for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +20.5% · EPA +5.57]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 8:41) — (8:41) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 15-M.Floyd for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.0% · EPA +4.82]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q2 8:19) — (8:19) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short middle to 17-J.Wright to ARI 15 for 8 yards (20-D.Bucannon). FUMBLES (20-D.Bucannon), RECOVERED by ARI-20-D.Bucannon at ARI 15. 20-D.Bucannon to ARI 15 for [WPA -14.9% · EPA -4.32]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 7:28 · MIN 9 · Score 0-3
    (7:28) 7-C.Catanzaro 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
  2. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 4:05 · ARI 9 · Score 6-3
    (4:05) 28-A.Peterson up the middle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 3:57 · ARI 15 · Score 7-3
    3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.
  4. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 1:56 · MIN 65 · Score 7-9
    (1:56) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 12-Jo.Brown for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  5. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 1:43 · MIN 15 · Score 7-10
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
  6. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 0:07 · ARI 26 · Score 10-10
    (:07) 3-B.Walsh 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke. Penalty on ARI-28-J.Bethel, Defensive Offside, declined.
  7. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 8:41 · MIN 42 · Score 10-16
    (8:41) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 15-M.Floyd for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  8. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 8:31 · MIN 15 · Score 10-17
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
  9. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 15:00 · MIN 5 · Score 10-20
    (15:00) 7-C.Catanzaro 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
  10. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 12:15 · ARI 36 · Score 13-20
    (12:15) 3-B.Walsh 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.
  11. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 5:00 · ARI 7 · Score 19-20
    (5:00) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 11-M.Wallace for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 4:55 · ARI 15 · Score 20-20
    3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-18-J.Locke.
  13. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 1:28 · MIN 29 · Score 20-23
    (1:28) 7-C.Catanzaro 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.

Key takeaways

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

  • Arizona Cardinals earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Teddy Bridgewater (MIN) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals on 2015-12-10?

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-20 in Week 14, 2015.

What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals?

Q1: Minnesota Vikings 7, Arizona Cardinals 10; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 3, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 0, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 10, Arizona Cardinals 6; Final: Minnesota Vikings 20, Arizona Cardinals 23.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals?

Minnesota Vikings touchdown — A. Peterson (Q1 4:05) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — C. Palmer (Q1 1:56) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — M. Floyd (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 8:41) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — M. Wallace (T. Bridgewater pass) (Q4 5:00) Arizona Cardinals field goal — C. Catanzaro (Q1 7:28, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — B. Walsh (Q2 0:07, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — C. Catanzaro (Q4 15:00, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — B. Walsh (Q4 12:15, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — C. Catanzaro (Q4 1:28, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals?

Teddy Bridgewater (Minnesota Vikings), 59.5% completion, +7.2% CPOE, +0.32 EPA per dropback, +13.32 total passing EPA. C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals), 64.1% completion, +6.1% CPOE, +0.36 EPA per dropback, +14.09 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals?

C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.09 total EPA on Passing plays. across 39 snaps. Their top snap (+5.57 EPA): (1:56) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 12-Jo.Brown for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Arizona Cardinals won 23-20 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Minnesota Vikings

Entered 8-4 Now 8-5 L

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 10-2 Now 11-2 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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