The Vikings have to assess what happened in their game against the Cardinals. Minnesota had another winnable matchup where it couldn’t come up at the very end.
With the loss in the books, the Vikings are 0-2. Minnesota has some silver linings from the game, but this was a devastating defeat for the team to take.
Here is the stock report from the Week 2 loss:
Stock up: CB Cameron Dantzler
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler (27) celebrates a defensive stop in the end zone against the Arizona Cardinalsduring the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
After being inactive for Week 1, Dantzler made some big plays in Week 2 that may have helped him stay in the cornerback rotation. According to PFF, Dantzler was targeted five times in the game. He only gave up two receptions to finish with an overall grade of 70.5. His best play came when he had a nice pass breakup in the end zone on a pass intended for A.J. Green.
Stock down: K Greg Joseph
Sep 19, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates and Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) reacts after missing a potential game winning field goal against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
This one probably doesn’t need too much explaining. Joseph missed an extra point and a field goal in a game the Vikings lost by one point.
Stock up: WR K.J. Osborn
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Osborn won the wide receiver role after a great offseason. On Sunday, he showed what he was capable of. Osborn had his first career touchdown reception — a 64-yard play to open up the scoring. He finished with 91 receiving yards.
Stock down: WR Dede Westbrook
Sep 19, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Dede Westbrook (12) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals tight end Darrell Daniels (81) in the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports
The Dede Westbrook signing was tabbed as a great offseason decision, because the Vikings didn’t seem to have a good punt returner or wide receiver three at the time. However, Osborn has been the better receiver, and Westbrook had a disappointing performance in the return game on Sunday. He made a mistake when he backtracked on a punt return in the fourth quarter. On that play, he ended up getting tackled at the 1-yard line, which is where the Vikings were forced to set up for their first drive of the fourth quarter.
Stock up: The offensive line
Minnesota Vikings center Garrett Bradbury (56) against the Arizona Cardinalsduring the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Vikings offensive line played well against a good Cardinals defensive line. Ezra Cleveland had a PFF grade of 84.2, which is the highest mark of any Vikings offensive player (minimum 15 snaps). Garrett Bradbury had a PFF grade of 70.8. The team averaged 6.6 yards per carry.
Kirk Cousins was pressured off the edge at times, but the Vikings offensive line held up, and raised their stock in the process.
Stock down: The Vikings retooled defense
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws the ball away under pressure against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter in Glendale, Ariz. Sept. 19, 2021. Syndication: Arizona Republic
This offseason, the Vikings loaded up on defensive players through free agency. For the second week in a row, that didn’t really matter. The Cardinals torched the Vikings defense for 34 points. Kyler Murray had 400 passing yards. Arizona ran for 103 rushing yards. Minnesota had a pick six and the Vikings got to Murray at times, but overall, the unit held the team back yet again.
Stock down: The Vikings' 2021 playoff hopes
May 26, 2021; Eagan, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer at OTA at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings are 0-2 for the second consecutive season. Last year, Minnesota turned things around in the second half of the season, but the team couldn’t manage to make the playoffs. This year, the Vikings have pressure on them to perform with the team appearing to be in a playoff window. If you miss the postseason when your roster is built for the short term, then your team may be on the brink of rebuilding. Yes, the Vikings played their opponents close in both 2021 losses, but 0-2 is still 0-2, and it’s going to be tough for this team to win enough games to make the postseason now.
