Like the previous weeks, it wasn’t an easy one for the Minnesota Vikings this last Sunday. The Vikings returned home after playing three straight games on the road, and took on the Arizona Cardinals and their scrambling and slippery quarterback Kyler Murray.
The teams each shared a field goal on the opening drive to make it 3-3. And after an Arizona punt, the Vikings had another miscue similar to previous weeks with another Aaron Jones fumble early in the game that would stall a drive, setting up Arizona up with good field position. Arizona would miss the field goal try on the ensuing drive, and after that the teams would exchange field goals in the second quarter bringing a halftime score of 9-6 in a defensive battle of both teams.
In the second half, it was a lot similar. The Vikings made up for the Arizona missed field goal in the second quarter by missing their own, and Arizona would add another field goal to make the score 12-6. After another stalled drive by the Vikings offense, the Cardinals would try adding to their lead and sealing the win with a touchdown from Kyler Murray to Marvin Harrison Jr. Making the score 19-6. The Vikings did not back down however answering with a touchdown drive with Sam Darnold connecting with Johnnie Mundt to make the score 19-13. The next Arizona drive would stall setting up the Vikings to cut into the deficit with another field goal by John Parker Romo to make it 19-16. Arizona would tack on another field goal to make it 22-16 with under 5 minutes to go in the game and that’s where the Minnesota offense would start to find their groove.
With 3:20 left in the game Sam Darnold would orchestrate a 70 yard drive ending with a touchdown pass to the struggling Aaron Jones who had two fumbles ( 1 lost) on the day to make the score 23-22, with the ball back in Arizona’s hands.
The Viking defense would answer the call next, sacking Kyler Murray on one play, and causing him to throw the game sealing interception just a couple plays later. The Vikings kneeled out the game, and improved to 10-2 on the NFL season.
Sam Darnold finished the day going 21-31 with 235 yards and 2 touchdown passes. Darnold was also tied for the lead in rushing yards with fellow ball carriers Aaron Jones and Cam Akers all totaling 22 rushing yards on the day. The recently quiet Justin Jefferson was the leading receiver for the Vikings with 7 catches totaling 99 yards on the day.
With the win, the Vikings kept pace with Detroit and Green Bay who won on Thanksgiving to make the continuing the race in the NFC North tight and suspenseful. At 10-2 the Vikings currently hold the 5th seed in the NFC playoff picture, and next week welcome back a familiar face to the franchise for many years. Next week, former signal caller for the Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins will make his return to US Bank Stadium with his new team the Atlanta Falcons with both teams needing a win to keep pace in the NFC playoff picture. Minnesota with a win keeps pace in the NFC North, the Falcons also need a win in order to keep pace in their own division after losing 3 straight. Will it be a happy homecoming for the former Viking quarterback or will boo’s rain down from the rafters of the place Kirk Cousins once called home?
Photo Credit: ESPN, The Minnesota Vikings, The Arizona Cardinals, the National Football League
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