10 quick thoughts on the Vikings win over the Cardinals in Week 8

More rapid thoughts from Minnesota’s win over Arizona

Joseph still struggling at home: For whatever reason, Minnesota kicker Greg Joseph hasn’t been successful inside U.S. Bank Stadium this season. Joseph hasn’t converted a field goal attempt in the Vikings’ home building since Week 1, and he missed another one on Sunday.

This is something that absolutely needs to be fixed sooner than later because Minnesota cannot afford to continue to leave points on the field.

Cousins does his best impression of Murray: With Halloween right around the corner, Kirk Cousins looked like he was wearing a Kyler Murray costume during Minnesota’s first offensive drive of the game on Sunday.

Facing a 3rd-and-4 from the Arizona 17-yard line, Cousins decided to take off, and he scrambled for his second rushing touchdown of the season. Minnesota’s starting quarterback wound up rushing for a total of 22 yards and one score on Sunday, in addition to throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns.

Peterson swatting everything away: After grabbing his first interception in Week 6 against the Miami Dolphins, Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson was back to making plays in the secondary on Sunday.

Peterson broke up three passes against the Cardinals, and he’s now broken up 10 passes so far this season. His 10 pass breakups this year are the most he’s had in a single season since 2013.

Smith gives people a scare: After already notching two sacks in the game, Vikings outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith went down with what appeared to be a knee injury midway through the second quarter.

Smith was slow to get up, and he remained on the sideline for the rest of the first half. Luckily, he was able to return to the field when Minnesota came out of the locker room for the third quarter.