The Arizona Cardinals did not start their final preseason game well. They allowed an opening-drive touchdown, turned the ball over and immediately gave up another touchdown to fall behind 14-0.
However, they rallied back with the defense rebounding and David Blough threw a touchdown pass and ran for another to rally the Cardinals to their second 18-17 win of the preseason.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Vikings 7, Cardinals 0
Got it done on the ground! @Debo323232
📺: @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/9IcXjvJlpY
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 26, 2023
The Cardinals started on defense and it looked like it did last week when the starters came out. The Vikings went down the field easily, marking 75 yards in 10 plays. They got on the board with a one-yard run by rookie DeWayne McBride. He rushed for 22 yards on the drive
Jon Gaines carted off
Rookie center Jon Gaines was hurt on the first play of the game.
He had to be helped off the field with trainers but was able to walk. He favored his right leg and then was carted to the locker room.
Tune sacked, fumbles
.@JWARD_4 💥💥💥 pic.twitter.com/a4gnvDjbDS
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 26, 2023
On third down, Clayton Tune was blitzed and leveled for a sack. He fumbled, and the Vikings recovered.
Vikings 14, Cardinals 0
One play after the turnover, Jaren Hall found Abram Smith for a five-yard touchdown.
Vikings 14, Cardinals 3
The Cardinals got on the board with a 38-yard field goal by Matt Prater.
Greg Dortch had a 26-yard catch and Keaontay Ingram has an 11-yard run but the drive stalled and they had to settle for a field goal.
OL Dennis Daley hurt
Guard Dennis Daley appeared to injure his left ankle in the second quarter and had to leave the game.
Daley has been basically the Cardinals’ sixth offensive lineman in the rotation, coming in as a tackle eligible a few times in the preseason.
Prater misses 46-yard FG
The Cardinals had a drive stall in the second quarter but didn’t get any points and Matt Prater was wide left on a 46-yard field goal.
Emari Demercado had a nice run in the possession.
Clayton Tune had a wide open Daniel Arias for a touchdown but instead threw errantly to a covered receiver for an incompletion.
Vikings 17, Cardinals 3
The Vikings added three points in the last minute of the first half.
After the Cardinals forced four consecutive punts, the Vikings went 75 yards in 10 plays but a third-down sack by Zach McCloud ended the drive and Greg Joseph hit a 26-yard field goal.
Viking 17, Cardinals 9
GO UP AND GET IT THEN 😤@14DDavis x #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/rmk3hBqut5
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 26, 2023
The Cardinals got in the end zone to open the second half.
They went 75 yards on 14 plays and quarterback David Blough, in the face of pressure connected with receiver Davion Davis for a 26-yard touchdown pass. Matt Prater’s extra-point try hit the upright and was no good.
Vikings 17, Cardinals 15
what a run from @CoreyClement_6 💪 pic.twitter.com/G1fAayDUbl
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 26, 2023
The defense came up with another stop and David Blough led a 66-yard drive. Corey Clement highlighted the possession with a 29-yard scamper.
The third-down pass interference call gave the Cardinals first-and-goal and Blough ran it in himself for a five-yard score, but the two-point attempt was no good.
INT! Sean Chandler picks off Jaren Hall
OUR BALL!!! pic.twitter.com/9ljlCHGI1H
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 26, 2023
The defense came up with a big play on third down. Facing third-and-2, Jaren Hall made a bad throw and safety Sean Chandler got the interception, giving the Cardinals the ball at Minnesota’s 32-yard line.
Cardinals 18, Vikings 17
After the takeaway, the Cardinals took the lead on a 27-yard field goal by Matt Prater.
They went 23 yards on seven plays. A holding penalty on first-and-goal by tackle Jackson Barton took the momentum away.
Missed FG! Cardinals 18, Vikings 17
The Vikings attempted a long field goal after their drive stalled but Greg Joseph was wide right from 53 yards.
Bobby Price broke up a third-down pass.
The Cardinals took over with the lead with 2:23 to go.
Cardinals can't run clock out
After the missed field goal, the Cardinals hoped to run the clock out. They went three-and-out and had to mount coming out of the two-minute warning.
The Vikings got the ball at their own seven with 1:54 to go.
Cardinals win!
Jaren Hall made an illegal forward pass, throwing the ball down the field after he crossed the line of scrimmage on fourth down, turning the ball over on downs.
The Cardinals then ran two kneeldowns to run out the clock.
They finish 2-1 in the preseason.
