This game started slowly for both teams as the first touchdown was not scored until there were just under five minutes left in the third quarter. The Vikings’ offense responded with a touchdown of their own before the Vikings’ defense shut down the Cardinals.
Aaron Jones Struggles and Fumbles Twice in 1st Quarter
Both offenses settled for field goals on their first drives of the game. Kyler Murray connected with three different tight ends on the first drive, and James Conner got involved in the run and passing games. Aaron Jones had two first-quarter fumbles, and the Vikings recovered one and the Cardinals recovered the other. The biggest play by either team in the opening quarter was an 18-yard screen to Johnny Mundt of the Vikings. The quarter ended with a score of 3-3 as both teams made one field goal.
Lucky But Sloppy Play Continues for the Cardinals
Off of Jones’ second fumble, the Cardinals settled for a field goal attempt after a couple of penalties stalled their drive. Their Kicker Chad Ryland, missed the field goal wide right though. Penalty flags flew all over the place during the middle part of the second quarter. Most of them went against the Cardinals. The Cardinals settled for another field goal attempt and Ryland made that one.
Both Teams Kept Kicking Field Goals
The Vikings have not used Aaron Jones since his second fumble in the first quarter, and they even chose to use Ty Chandler before using Jones. They finally went back to Jones with an attempted screen that lost yardage. Justin Jefferson got involved with a 9-yard reception and a 23-yard reception, but Darnold got sacked on a play right after the two minute warning. The Vikings settled for a 55-yard field goal attempt that John Parker Romo nailed to extend his streak to 10 straight made field goals.
Cardinals Take Advantage of Penalties on Vikings’ Defender
The Cardinals had a decent first drive of the second half with several nice runs by Conner, and a couple of nice passes, to go along with a pass interference penalty on Fabian Moreau of the Vikings. They ultimately settle for a field goal and lead 12-6. The Vikings went 3-and-out on their following drive and punted the ball back to the Cardinals. A big offensive holding call on Froholdt of the Cardinals potentially derailed the drive and put the Cardinals into a second down with 19 yards to go.
Moreau goy another pass interference penalty to move the Cardinals down to the 15-yard line. Then the Cardinals go after Moreau again with Marvin Harrison Jr. and they got the first touchdown of the game by either team. An extra point is good and the Cardinals’ lead was extended to 19-6.
Vikings’ Offense Starts To Take Off, Defense Gets A Turnover
Jalen Nailor and Cam Akers kickstarted the Vikings’ next drive with consecutive 18-yard gains. A couple of big completions to Justin Jefferson and TJ Hockenson set up a short TD pass to Johnny Mundt. The score was 19-13 in the Cardinals’ favor after the score. Conner started the next drive with a big 12-yard run. Murray continued to pick on Moreau. Murray scrambled to avoid a sack and then threw an interception right to Byron Murphy Jr.
The Vikings took over on the next drive looking to cut into the lead.. Incompletions on three straight throws set the Vikings up for another field goal attempt which Parker Romo nailed. The Cardinals still led 19-16.
Cardinals Continue to Settle For Field Goals, Vikings Get Another TD
Conner opened up the following drive with a 16-yard run. Penalties killed another Cardinals drive and they settled for a field goal to go up 22-16. A huge completion to Addison for 26 yards got Minnesota into Arizona territory. Another big completion to Jefferson kept the drive going. Darnold found Aaron Jones for a receiving TD, which ultimately redeemed his earlier fumbles.
Defense Seals Victory
Jonathan Greenard stripped the ball from Murray and Andrew Van Ginkel tackled Murray as he recovered the fumble. The pass rush almost got home before Murray scrambled and was chased down by Greenard. Shaq Griffin sealed the victory with an interception of a pass that was intended for the rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. The Vikings are 7-1 in one-score games in the 2024 NFL season.
