Minnesota Vikings vs. Miami Dolphins: 2014 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-12-21, the Miami Dolphins took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 37–35 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 41 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Tannehill (Miami Dolphins) paced the passing game, with +25.32 total EPA, and +9.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. Tannehill (Miami Dolphins) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +25.32 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-33.9% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (:45) (Punt formation) 18-J.Locke punt is BLOCKED by 78-T.Fede, Center-46-C.Loeffler, ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY.

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 R. Tannehill · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +25.32 total EPA · 54 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Bridgewater · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +9.21 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Wallace · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +8.12 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.62 EPA/play
4. 4 G. Jennings · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +7.45 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.48 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Williams · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +6.57 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Wright · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.95 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.98 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Clay · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +5.24 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Asiata · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +3.67 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.22 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 — M. Asiata (Q1 49:34)
• Minnesota Vikings — G. Jennings (T. Bridgewater pass) (Q2 41:40)
• Miami Dolphins — D. Sims (R. Tannehill pass) (Q2 34:59)
• Miami Dolphins — M. Wallace (R. Tannehill pass) (Q3 23:38)
• Miami Dolphins — L. Miller (Q4 15:00)
• Miami Dolphins — M. Wallace (R. Tannehill pass) (Q4 6:44)
• Minnesota Vikings — J. Wright (T. Bridgewater pass) (Q4 4:59)
• Minnesota Vikings — M. Asiata (Q4 4:40)
• Miami Dolphins — D. Williams (R. Tannehill pass) (Q4 1:16)

Field goals

• Minnesota Vikings — B. Walsh (Q2 30:06)
• Minnesota Vikings — B. Walsh (Q4 9:56)

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 7–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the MIA 1 (Q1 49:34) — (4:34) 72-A.Wentworth reported in as eligible. 44-M.Asiata up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q1 49:23) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 10–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the MIA 21 (Q2 41:40) — (11:40) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep right to 15-G.Jennings for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 41:34) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the MIN 14 (Q2 34:59) — (4:59) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short left to 80-D.Sims for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 34:53) — 9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the MIA 1 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Walsh 18 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke..

The third quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the MIN 16 (Q3 23:38); Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 23:29) — 9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..

The fourth quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 23–18. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 26-L.Miller up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q4 14:57) — 9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the MIA 15 (Q4 9:56) — (9:56) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Walsh 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the MIN 7 (Q4 6:44) — (6:44) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 11-M.Wallace for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q4 6:39) — 9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the MIA 8 (Q4 4:59); Minnesota Vikings registered a safety from the MIA 1 (Q4 4:46); Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the MIA 5 (Q4 4:40); Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 4:35) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the MIN 3 (Q4 1:16) — (1:16) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 34-D.Williams for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q4 1:11) — 9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Miami Dolphins registered a safety from the MIA 89 (Q4 0:45) — (:45) (Punt formation) 18-J.Locke punt is BLOCKED by 78-T.Fede, Center-46-C.Loeffler, ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY..

Turning points

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

• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:45) — (:45) (Punt formation) 18-J.Locke punt is BLOCKED by 78-T.Fede, Center-46-C.Loeffler, ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY. [WPA -33.9% · EPA -1.30]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 4:46) — 3-B.Walsh kicks 50 yards from 50 to MIA 0. 14-J.Landry to MIA 6 for 6 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by MIN-32-A.Exum at MIA 5. [WPA -26.8% · EPA -6.29]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 18:48) — (3:48) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short middle intended for 44-M.Asiata INTERCEPTED by 79-D.Shelby [50-O.Vernon] at MIA 34. 79-D.Shelby to MIA 36 for 2 yards (79-M.Harris). MIA-98-J.Odrick was injured durin [WPA -18.0% · EPA -5.67]
• Miami Dolphins (Q2 42:32) — (12:32) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right intended for 14-J.Landry INTERCEPTED by 22-H.Smith at MIA 34. 22-H.Smith to MIA 23 for 11 yards (17-R.Tannehill). [WPA -16.2% · EPA -6.80]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 1:16) — (1:16) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 34-D.Williams for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.7% · EPA +1.08]

Impact plays

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

• Miami Dolphins (Q2 42:32) — (12:32) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short right intended for 14-J.Landry INTERCEPTED by 22-H.Smith at MIA 34. 22-H.Smith to MIA 23 for 11 yards (17-R.Tannehill). [WPA -16.2% · EPA -6.80]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 4:46) — 3-B.Walsh kicks 50 yards from 50 to MIA 0. 14-J.Landry to MIA 6 for 6 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by MIN-32-A.Exum at MIA 5. [WPA -26.8% · EPA -6.29]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 18:48) — (3:48) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short middle intended for 44-M.Asiata INTERCEPTED by 79-D.Shelby [50-O.Vernon] at MIA 34. 79-D.Shelby to MIA 36 for 2 yards (79-M.Harris). MIA-98-J.Odrick was injured durin [WPA -18.0% · EPA -5.67]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 41:40) — (11:40) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep right to 15-G.Jennings for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +4.7% · EPA +3.70]

Quarterback report card

R.Tannehill led all passers in efficiency for Miami Dolphins, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• R.Tannehill (Miami Dolphins) · 54 dropbacks · 64.8% completion · +9.6% CPOE · +0.47 EPA/play · +25.32 total EPA
• T.Bridgewater (Minnesota Vikings) · 36 dropbacks · 52.8% completion · +13.5% CPOE · +0.26 EPA/play · +9.21 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Minnesota Vikings +0.17, Miami Dolphins +0.12) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Miami Dolphins: 12 drives, +12.91 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, +13.42 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Miami Dolphins 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.
• R. Tannehill (Miami Dolphins) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• R. Tannehill (MIA) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• T. Bridgewater (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. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 49:34 · MIA 1 · Score 6-0
   (4:34) 72-A.Wentworth reported in as eligible. 44-M.Asiata up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 49:23 · MIA 2 · Score 7-0
   3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke.
3. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 41:40 · MIA 21 · Score 13-0
   (11:40) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep right to 15-G.Jennings for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 41:34 · MIA 2 · Score 14-0
   3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke.
5. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 34:59 · MIN 14 · Score 14-6
   (4:59) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short left to 80-D.Sims for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 34:53 · MIN 2 · Score 14-7
   9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
7. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · MIA 1 · Score 17-7
   (:06) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Walsh 18 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke.
8. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 23:38 · MIN 16 · Score 17-13
   (8:38) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short left to 11-M.Wallace for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official challenged the runner was in bounds ruling, and the
9. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 23:29 · MIN 2 · Score 17-14
   9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
10. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · MIN 1 · Score 17-20
    (15:00) (Shotgun) 26-L.Miller up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 14:57 · MIN 2 · Score 17-21
    9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
12. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 9:56 · MIA 15 · Score 20-21
    (9:56) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Walsh 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke.
13. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 6:44 · MIN 7 · Score 20-27
    (6:44) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 11-M.Wallace for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 6:39 · MIN 2 · Score 20-28
    9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
15. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 4:59 · MIA 8 · Score 26-28
    (4:59) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short right to 17-J.Wright for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on MIA-21-B.Grimes, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. The
16. Minnesota Vikings Safety (+2) — Q4 4:46 · MIA 1 · Score 28-28
    (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 44-M.Asiata rushes left tackle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. PENALTY on MIA-50-O.Vernon, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enf
17. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 4:40 · MIA 5 · Score 34-28
    (4:40) (Shotgun) 44-M.Asiata up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. Th
18. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 4:35 · MIA 2 · Score 35-28
    3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke.
19. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 1:16 · MIN 3 · Score 35-34
    (1:16) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 34-D.Williams for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 1:11 · MIN 2 · Score 35-35
    9-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
21. Miami Dolphins Safety (+2) — Q4 0:45 · MIA 89 · Score 35-37
    (:45) (Punt formation) 18-J.Locke punt is BLOCKED by 78-T.Fede, Center-46-C.Loeffler, ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY.