Winners and Losers of Week 2 vs Cardinals

The Vikings lost in a great effort 34-33 game against the Arizona Cardinals, which moves them to an 0-2 record in the 2021 regular season. These lists are in no particular order as well just listed.

5 Winners of Sundays game

1. Danielle Hunter:

Here is the game that Vikings fans have been waiting on for over a year now. In Danielle Hunter's 2nd game back from a season-ending neck injury, he recorded, 7 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 7 pressures, and 4 QB hurries. It has been a long time coming for us to finally watch Danielle Hunter just dominate on the defensive line again. He now is in 2nd place for sacks with 4.0 on the season.

2. Dalvin Cook:

Dalvin Cook had an outstanding performance after "fumbling" the game away in Week 1. Cook paved the way in the running game rushing for 131 yards on 22 carries. He averaged 6.0 yards a carry with a long of only 16 yards. Cook was just hammering 6-12 yard runs all day long tiring that Cardinals Defensive Line with the help of a solid day from the Offensive Line. He also caught 2 passes for 17 yards in the passing game.

3. Kirk Cousins:

You couldn't ask more from Kirk Cousins in this game. He led the team on a drive that should have won them the game...if it was not for Greg Joseph missing the Field Goal. Kirk complete 22/32 passes for 244 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also was only sacked one time which you could say helped him considering what happened last game. Kirk also took 35 yards on the ground on 2 carries. Overall he had a very efficient and blameless game...you got to give the dude credit regardless of your opinion on him.

4. K.J. Osborn:

For the second straight week, I have been impressed by K.J. Osborn. The guy is giving good reason to think that he is a legit WR3 for the Vikings. He led the team with 91 yards and a touchdown on only 5 receptions, including a 64-yard touchdown on the first drive of the game to begin the high-scoring game. Osborn now leads a team with both Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson in receiving yards, with 167 yards on 12 receptions which also ties for 16th most in the league.

5. Nick Vigil:

Of all the Vikings signing this offseason, this would be one of the ones I would least expect to be one of the most impactful. Nick Vigil has come out and played fantastic for his second straight game with the team. He recorded 8 tackles, 4 solo tackles, 1 pass deflection, and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. Vigil made some clutch tackles as well as the pick-six which took the lead away from the Cardinals coming back after halftime.

HM: Patrick Peterson, Vikings OLine, Eric Kendricks, and Cam Dantzler.

5 Losers of Sundays game

1. Greg Joseph:

Well...what can you say other than, how? It seems no matter what the Vikings do the kicking curse will stay with them forever. Greg Joseph hit some pretty far and clutch Field Goals these past 2 games...but unfortunately we will only look at what he did wrong. Joseph missed a PAT in the first half of the game, to make matters worse that PAT would have made it a tie game at 34-34. Now to make matters even worse, the Vikings drove down the field, down 34-33 to set up Greg Joseph with a 37-yard field goal. I mean he is 2/2 at this point with a long of 52 yards in the game, so why wouldn't the Vikings feel good about this? Oh, well he missed it if you haven't figured it out by now.

2. Mike Zimmer:

Is it finally time for the Vikings to look themselves in the mirror and consider if they are going to bring Zimmer back in 2022. I'm surprised that he didn't decide to blame the entire loss on Kirk and the offense or Greg Joseph. It is beyond me that you have about 40 seconds left with a timeout while driving on offense and just settle with running out the clock and kick a 37-yard field goal. Should the kick have been made? Yes, but this is a kicker that has only started a handful of games in the last 3 seasons. I don't know why you would not just give it to Cook up the middle to gain some more yards or pass a few times to try and move the chains...it was 1st down.

3. Bashaud Breeland:

I don't have much to say besides the fact that I am disappointed. I thought that Bashaud Breeland would come in here and be the good corner that he's been for years. Is it the system, his offseason injury? I don't have an answer. He has now given up 150+ yards and 3 touchdowns in his 2 games as a Viking, as well as a 29.3 PFF grade.

4. Mackensie Alexander:

Mack Alexander gave up probably the second most heartbreaking play of the game. On 4th down he gave up a huge 30+ yard reception to set the Cardinals up to take the lead in the 4th. It was just super disappointing and hurt to see on a play that could have potentially won us the game.

5. Dede Westbrook:

Dede Westbrook has been pretty good on punt returning, but him returning that punt inside the 10-yard line and then moving even more back towards the end zone on the return was just horrendous to see.