The Arizona Cardinals played a great defensive game against the Minnesota Vikings but lost their second consecutive game, falling 23-22 to the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 13.
After leading for almost the entire game, the Vikings scored a go-ahead touchdown with 1:13 to go and on Arizona’s final drive, Kyler Murray threw an interception on fourth down.
The Cardinals dropped to 6-6 and the Vikings improved to 10-2.
Arizona’s 10 penalties hampered the offense all game.
Here is how it went down.
Cardinals 3, Vikings 0
The Cardinals took an early lead on their first drive. James Conner rushed for 16 yards and Trey Benson had one for 10. Kyler Murray completed all five of his passes to four players, but Conner’s third-down reception in the red zone was not enough for a first down and Chand Ryland kicked a 32-yard field goal to get them on the board.
Cardinals 3, Vikings 3
The Sack Sensei comes up big 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Dic9ItFryT
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 1, 2024
The Vikings also had good offensive success, but L.J. Collier’s third-down sack of Sam Darnold after the Vikings got in the red zone forced a 44-yard field goal.
VIKINGS FUMBLE!
WE’LL TAKE THAT 😤 pic.twitter.com/piczXY97xv
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 1, 2024
Aaron Jones caught a five-yard pass and Sean Murphy-Bunting punched the ball out for the second time, forcing a fumble that Roy Lopez recovered at the Minnesota 19.
Missed FG
The Cardinals came up empty after the takeaway. It was a bad series. They were penalized twice, Greg Dortch had a catch for negative yards and then Ryland missed a 45-yard field goal wide right, the second straight game he has missed a kick.
Cardinals 6, Vikings 3
Ryland made a 31-yarder after the Cardinals stalled in the red zone again. They got the passing game going a little as Michael Wilson had a 22-yard grab and then snagged a deflected throw for 13. But they were penalized three times on the drive.
Cardinals 6, Vikings 6
The Vikings hit a 55-yard kick with 1:12 left in the first half. Mack Wilson sacked Sam Darnold on third down to force the kick. Darnold connected with Justin Jefferson for a 23-yard play, the biggest play of the game for the Vikings.
Cardinals 9, Vikings 6
Ryland hit a 24-yarder as the first half expired to give them the lead. The Cardinals went 64 yards on 12 plays. McBride had three catches and Murray had a couple of scrambles.
Missed FG!
Parker Romo missed wide left on the first possession of the second half after a pass interference penalty on Murphy-Bunting got the Vikings in Arizona territory. The Cardinals took over at their 33 following the miss from 43 yards.
Cardinals 12, Vikings 6
Ryland made a 40-yard kick to extend the lead to six points after a 10-play, 45-yard drive.
Mack Wilson’s 2nd sack leads to 3-and-out
Excuse me, @MackWilSr coming through 😳 pic.twitter.com/PE7yB3Ex8B
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 1, 2024
After the field goal, the Cardinals forced a three-and-out, made by Wilson’s second-down sack, his second of the game and the team’s fourth of the afternoon.
Murray to Marv TD! Cardinals 19, Vikings 6
Marvin Harrison Jr. ON DISPLAY pic.twitter.com/yRsXuA7xgl
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 1, 2024
After Fabian Moreau was penalized for pass interference, putting the ball in the red zone, Murray connected with Harrison for a 15-yard touchdown, the first touchdown of the game for either team.
Cardinals 19, Vikings 13
The Vikings woke up offensively, going 70 yards in six plays. Darnold found Johnny Mundt for a four-yard touchdown.
Murray picked off!
Murray was under pressure and threw a deep pass that was picked off by former Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy. The Vikings took over at their own 32.
Cardinals 19, Vikings 16
After the interception, Justin Jefferson had a big catch and the Vikings got into the red zone, but Darnold threw three consecutive incompletions and they tacked on three points with a 31-yard kick with 11:11 left in the game.
Cardinals 22, Vikings 16
The Cardinals got down to the five, but Tip Reiman was flagged for a false start and Murray was called for intentional grounding. He threw to McBride to get to the four on third down, but they elected to kick a 23-yard field goal to extend the lead to six rather than go for the touchdown. There was 3:22 left in the game.
Vikings 23, Cardinals 22
The Cardinals fall behind for the first time as Aaron Jones scored on a five-yard run. They would get the ball back with 1:13 left in the game.
Kyler picked off on 4th-down
Shaq Griffin picked off Murray’s fourth-down throw to Harrison, sealing the Minnesota win.
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