The Minnesota Vikings ended their four game losing streak during week 11 of the NFL season against the Arizona Cardinals in a 30-24 victory.
What happens when two teams desperate for a win get together to play football? You get a smash-mouth game of football between the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals with the focus on executing their offense against strong, physically gifted defenses.
Thankfully, the Vikings were able to defend their home turf in week 11 against the Cardinals and end their four game losing streak. Here is what happened in the game as a recap of events leading to the victory.
Winning the coin toss, the Vikings chose to defer. They kicked off to the Cardinals, who immediately got a false start penalty thanks to the loud noise in U.S. Bank Stadium. Brian Robison got a hit and pressure on Carson Palmer on 3rd down, forcing an Arizona punt.
Marcus Sherels returned the punt 33 yards, then a nice catch by Adam Thielen put the Vikings on the edge of the red zone. A Bradford toss to Rudolph got called back for a hands to the face penalty on Sirles, but Minnesota was still able to convert with a 23 yard touchdown strike to Thielen. After the Kai Forbath extra point, the Vikings took a 7-0 lead.
Arizona took the kickoff and put together a nice drive. A defensive holding call on Captain Munnerlyn and a 22 yard pass to Fells put the Cardinals in the red zone. When they got to the goal line, they called upon David Johnson, who made his way into the end zone thanks to great blocking from their offensive line. The extra point was good, and the game was tied 7-7.
It is Minnesota’s turn again after a touchback on the kickoff. Sadly, they only picked up one first down before giving the ball back to the Cardinals, pinning them deep in their own territory.
David Johnson plowed his way down the field, adding in some nice passes, but got stopped before ending in end zone, and settled for a field goal, giving Arizona a 7-10 lead.
An efficient Vikings drive was helped by a big pass to Cordarrelle Patterson and a unique wildcat jet sweep flea flicker which drew a pass interference flag near the goal line. The touchdown was punched in by running back Matt Asiata, which needed a referee review to be called a score.
Starting with good field position thanks to a nice kickoff return, the Cardinals marched down the field. Carson Palmer tried a pass to the front corner of the end zone, but cornerback Xavier Rhodes stepped in front of the pass and returned it 100 yards for a score. After Forbath’s extra point, the Vikings led 20-10.
Arizona went back on offense, looking to David Johnson often. However, it was Jermaine Gresham who wouldn’t be denied. Breaking tackles and powering his way to the end zone, the Cardinals were able to narrow the Vikings lead to 17-20 before halftime.
Minnesota got the ball to start the second half, but the offense wasn’t necessary. Cordarrelle Patterson took the kick all the way to the house, making defenders miss and using great blocking to score the touchdown. After the Forbath extra point, the Vikings led 27-17.
Unable to do anything on offense, the Cardinals had to punt after a 3 and out. Minnesota put together a decent drive to respond, but was unable to convert a 4th down in Cardinals territory to keep the drive alive.
Back on offense, the Cardinals got pushed back by a Brian Robison sack, which forced them to punt the ball away again. Minnesota couldn’t do anything either, as penalties pushed them back in a big way.
With the two teams trading possessions, it looked as though the offenses would struggle going forward. That was exactly the case as Palmer took a deep shot to allow his player a chance to make a play. However, it was Xavier Rhodes who made the play instead, intercepting Palmer for the second time in the game.
On offense, the Vikings tried to get Diggs involved. Some short passes to Diggs, Patterson, and others and sprinkling in some run plays with Asiata and McKinnon. They were eating up clock on a long drive picking up first downs along the way. Penalties helped, as some shots on Bradford and Diggs drew flags.
Eventually, Minnesota settled for a field goal, making the score 30-17 heading into the final quarter of play.
Solid defense forced another Arizona 3 and out. When the Vikings took over on offense, This was a great drive for Cordarrelle Patterson, showing off his elusiveness and speed. Sam Bradford had his arm hit on the drive, and the question of whether it was a fumble or incomplete pass was brought to review.
After review, the officials decided it was an incomplete pass. However, the next play was a fumble after poor blocking from the left tackle allowed immediate pressure by Chandler Jones. Arizona took back over on offense.
David Johnson kept tearing up the Vikings. Whether it was on the ground or through the air, he was a force. So, it was fitting that the drive ended with Palmer fitting a pass to Johnson in a tight window was the scoring play of the drive.
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With the Vikings only up by 6, they struggled to move the ball again. Again, they had to give the ball away. However, this time Arizona couldn’t do anything thanks to great pressure from Danielle Hunter and the Vikings defense. Another punt put the ball in the hands of the Vikings.
Penalties during the punt return and offensive series put the Vikings back against the goal line. The pass attempt on 3rd down was short, forcing Locke to punt again.
The punt was a BOOMING one which bounced thanks to returner Brown deciding not to field the fair catch. Pinned deep, the Cardinals started their offense again.
Incomplete passes led to a third down sack from Harrison Smith. But a penalty for driving the quarterback to the ground on Tom Johnson let Arizona back in the game. The defense got the Cardinals in another 4th down situation.
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This time, there was no continuing the drive. A sack from Danielle Hunter ended the Cardinals drive as a turnover on downs. Minnesota took a knee and the game clock expired with the Minnesota Vikings getting a 30-24 victory in week 11.