Minnesota Vikings Winners and Losers: Week 2 vs. the Arizona Cardinals

Winners from Week 2

Kirk Cousins – QB

Through two games this season, Kirk Cousins has played very well. Cousins ended the first half on Sunday with a 147.9 passer rating after completing 86.6 percent of his throws for 150 yards and three touchdowns. He cooled down a bit in the second half, but the Vikings still benefited from his impressive performance in the game’s first two quarters.

Danielle Hunter – DE

On Sunday, Danielle Hunter shut down any doubters about his chances to still remain one of the NFL’s top pass rushers after missing all of the 2020 season with a neck injury. Hunter racked up three sacks against the Cardinals and he would’ve probably had more if not for the mind-boggling elusiveness possessed by Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray.

K.J. Osborn – WR

The search for Minnesota’s No. 3 receiver is over. A week after hauling in seven catches against the Cincinnati Bengals, K.J. Osborn wasted no time on Sunday to make an impact. Osborn caught a pass from Cousins on the Vikings’ second play of the game and turned it into a 64-yard touchdown. He finished the contest with five catches for 91 yards.

Nick Vigil – LB

With Anthony Barr still dealing with a knee injury, Nick Vigil has been on the field for a good amount of Minnesota’s defensive snaps in the team’s first two games this season. Vigil came up with a bunch of plays on Sunday, including a pick-six in the third quarter that gave the Vikings a six-point lead.

Dalvin Cook – RB

Before he got a little banged up in the second half, Dalvin Cook was torching the Arizona defense all afternoon long. It felt like Cook was gaining at least 10 yards every time he touched the football. Minnesota’s top running back ended the matchup in Arizona with 131 rushing yards on 22 carries.