The Arizona Cardinals Vs Minnesota Vikings Match Player Stats on December 1, 2024, was a tightly contested battle played at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Both teams entered the game with playoff hopes, making the stakes incredibly high. While the Cardinals controlled possession and led in nearly every major offensive category, it was the Vikings who pulled off a dramatic 23–22 win in the final minutes.
The game was filled with highlight plays, from Justin Jefferson’s clutch touchdown grabs to Kyler Murray’s dual-threat excellence on the field. Despite Arizona’s 406 total yards compared to Minnesota’s 273, they couldn’t hold off a late-game comeback engineered by Sam Darnold and a resilient Vikings defense.
Key Details
- Date: December 1, 2024
- Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
- Final Score: Vikings 23 – Cardinals 22
- Game Type: NFC Regular Season (Week 13)
- Attendance: 66,500
- Weather (Indoor Stadium): Dome, Climate Controlled
This game was a strong showcase of talent from both sides. Arizona showed better statistical performance on paper, but Minnesota was more effective in the red zone, smarter with turnovers, and capitalized on late-game opportunities.
“It doesn’t matter who racks up the stats — it’s who finishes strong,” said Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell postgame. That summed up a match where numbers and momentum told two different stories.
Team Stats Comparison – Cardinals vs Vikings
While the final scoreboard favored Minnesota, a close look at the full-game stats shows the Arizona Cardinals statistically dominated. They gained more yards, executed more plays, and controlled the clock better. However, as seen in many games, execution in crucial moments outweighed overall yardage. Here’s a breakdown of the core team statistics:
| Category | Arizona Cardinals | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 406 | 273 |
| Passing Yards | 252 | 205 |
| Rushing Yards | 154 | 68 |
| First Downs | 24 | 16 |
| 3rd Down Efficiency | 7/13 (54%) | 5/12 (42%) |
| Time of Possession | 34:19 | 25:41 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Penalties | 6 for 55 yds | 3 for 21 yds |
Despite gaining 133 more yards and holding the ball for nearly 9 more minutes, the Cardinals’ two interceptions and a few crucial defensive lapses in the fourth quarter cost them the game. Minnesota’s clean turnover sheet and red zone execution gave them the edge when it mattered most.
Key Offensive Player Stats
Quarterbacks’ Performance
Kyler Murray (ARI) showed his elite dual-threat capabilities, throwing for 260 yards and rushing for another 48 yards. However, his two interceptions — one in the red zone and one late in the fourth quarter — proved costly.
- Completions/Attempts: 31/45
- Passing Yards: 260
- Touchdowns: 1
- Interceptions: 2
- Rushing: 7 carries, 48 yards
Sam Darnold (MIN) played a more controlled game. While his yardage wasn’t high, he avoided turnovers and threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including the game-winner to Aaron Jones.
- Completions/Attempts: 21/31
- Passing Yards: 235
- Touchdowns: 2
- Interceptions: 0
Running Backs Breakdown
Arizona Cardinals:
- James Conner: 17 carries, 68 yards
- Kyler Murray: 7 carries, 48 yards
- Keontay Ingram: 4 carries, 21 yards
Minnesota Vikings:
- Aaron Jones: 13 carries, 51 yards
- Cam Akers: 5 carries, 17 yards
Arizona’s ground game was more efficient and diverse. Minnesota stuck to a simpler run plan with Jones leading the way, but the Vikings didn’t dominate on the ground.
Top Receivers & Yardage
Cardinals Receiving Leaders:
- Trey McBride: 12 receptions, 96 yards
- Marvin Harrison Jr.: 5 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD
- Michael Wilson: 5 receptions, 55 yards
Vikings Receiving Leaders:
- Justin Jefferson: 9 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TD
- T.J. Hockenson: 7 receptions, 68 yards
- Jordan Addison: 2 receptions, 28 yards
The standout was clearly Justin Jefferson, who hauled in two crucial touchdowns, including one on 3rd-and-long and another in tight coverage in the fourth quarter. McBride, however, was Arizona’s most consistent offensive weapon throughout the game.
Defensive Standouts & Key Plays
Defense played a massive role in this game, especially in deciding the final few drives. The Cardinals defense had more total tackles and forced pressure often, but the Vikings’ defense delivered when it mattered.
Top Arizona Defensive Players:
- Budda Baker: 10 tackles
- Zaven Collins: 1 interception, 3 solo tackles
- Isaiah Simmons: 7 tackles, 1 sack
Top Minnesota Defensive Players:
- Danielle Hunter: 2 sacks, 5 tackles
- Camryn Bynum: 8 tackles, 1 forced fumble
- Jordan Hicks: 9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
The game’s critical defensive moment came when Shaq Griffin intercepted Kyler Murray with under two minutes left, ending Arizona’s final drive and clinching the win for the Vikings.
Special Teams & Scoring Summary
Both teams relied heavily on their kickers, as field goals accounted for over half the total points in the game.
Scoring Summary by Quarter
| Quarter | Cardinals | Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 6 | 3 |
| Q2 | 7 | 3 |
| Q3 | 3 | 3 |
| Q4 | 6 | 14 |
| Total | 22 | 23 |
Kicking Game
- Chad Ryland (ARI): 4/4 (32, 31, 40, 23 yards)
- John Parker Romo (MIN): 4/4 (44, 28, 37, 31 yards)
The special teams unit from both sides was reliable. No missed kicks or returns impacted the result, but consistency from Romo and Ryland helped keep the scoreboard moving.
Game Flow & Momentum Shifts
The Cardinals led nearly the entire game.(Arizona Cardinals Vs Minnesota Vikings Match Player Stats) By the start of the fourth quarter, they had a 22–9 advantage. However, the final 10 minutes told a different story. A long touchdown drive by Minnesota followed by a quick 3-and-out from Arizona allowed the Vikings to mount one final drive.
Darnold connected with Aaron Jones on a screen pass that went for 26 yards and a touchdown, bringing Minnesota within one. The Vikings defense then forced a turnover, and they ran out the clock.
This comeback win displayed Minnesota’s late-game discipline and Arizona’s tendency to collapse in the fourth quarter, which had been a recurring theme all season.
What the Stats Reveal Beyond Numbers
Although Arizona put up better numbers in almost every category, the stats alone don’t show the whole story. They struggled in red zone efficiency, committed two turnovers, and failed to close out on defense. Minnesota, while less flashy on paper, was more efficient in high-pressure moments.
“We didn’t finish,” said Kyler Murray in the postgame press conference. “We had the game in our hands, and we gave it away.”
This game underlines the principle that situational execution, not just box scores, often defines winners in the NFL.
Season Impact for Both Teams
The win boosted Minnesota to an 8–4 record, extending their win streak to five games and strengthening their position in the NFC playoff picture. It gave them momentum and belief in their ability to come back from behind.
The loss dropped Arizona to 6–6, making their path to a wildcard slot more difficult. Despite improvement on offense, questions remain about the defense and decision-making in close games.
Next Week:
- Vikings vs Lions (divisional showdown)
- Cardinals vs 49ers (must-win game)
FAQs – Cardinals vs Vikings Stats
1. Who had better passing stats, Kyler Murray or Sam Darnold?
Kyler Murray had more passing yards (260 vs. 235), but Sam Darnold had a cleaner stat line with 2 TDs and no interceptions. Murray had 2 costly picks, which ultimately hurt Arizona’s chances.
2. Who was the top offensive player in the game?
Justin Jefferson stood out with 124 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. On Arizona’s side, Trey McBride caught 12 passes and Marvin Harrison Jr. added a touchdown.
3. Why did the Cardinals lose despite better stats?
Turnovers, poor red zone efficiency, and a defensive breakdown late in the game allowed Minnesota to steal the win despite being outgained in total yards.
4. How did special teams influence the outcome?
Both kickers were perfect, going 4-for-4. While special teams didn’t decide the game, their consistency kept the score close and allowed the Vikings to capitalize late.
5. What does this game mean for the NFC playoff picture?
The Vikings are now strong contenders in the NFC North with momentum on their side. The Cardinals’ path to the playoffs became more complicated after falling to 6–6.
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