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

Losers from Week 2

Bashaud Breeland – CB

Bashaud Breeland entered the 2021 season as one of Minnesota’s two starting corners. But after Sunday, a demotion to the bench for Breeland wouldn’t be surprising heading into the Vikings’ Week 3 game against the Seattle Seahawks. According to the Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson on Monday, Breeland is currently the worst-rated cornerback in the NFL by PFF (out of 99).

Greg Joseph – K

In Arizona, Greg Joseph joined an infamous group of kickers that have broken the hearts of Vikings fans over the years when he missed a 37-yard field-goal attempt as time expired in the fourth quarter.

Patrick Peterson – CB

Sunday was supposed to be Patrick Peterson‘s opportunity to prove to his former team that they made a mistake by letting him sign elsewhere this offseason. Well, after giving up two touchdown catches this weekend, he didn’t do a great job at making the Cardinals miss having him on their defense.

Dede Westbrook – WR

Minnesota’s punt return unit is much improved this season and a lot of this has had to do with the abilities of Dede Westbrook. So far this year, Westbrook is averaging 8.3 yards per punt return, almost double the average that the Vikings had on punt returns in 2020.

Despite him being an upgrade as a returner this year, Westbrook made a terrible decision on Sunday that almost turned into a disaster. In the fourth quarter, he fielded a punt around Minnesota’s 7-yard line and he proceeded to run back towards his own end zone.

He avoided a safety and wound up with a return of -4 yards, but this is a play that could’ve potentially eliminated the Vikings from having a chance to come away with a win at the end of the game.