Minnesota Vikings strong on defence as Arizona Cardinals get third straight defeat – NFL Recap
After a thrilling start to the season, Arizona Cardinals seem to have lost their way as they got another defeat – their third in a row – on Sunday, October 21, when Minnesota Vikings put up a strong show on defence to win Week 7 encounter, 21 -14, at Mall
of America Field.
Vikings were dominant in the low-scoring game in which Cardinals also got good performance from their defence. However, the Vikings were far better on the offence and defence against Arizona.
Vikings’ pass game struggled badly in the game, but their running game ensured smooth sailing for them.
Quarterback Christian Ponder completed eight of his 17 passes for 58 yards and was sacked thrice for the loss of 15 yards. Ponder scored one touchdown and threw two interceptions.
Vikings’ running game was much better as they rushed for a total of 166 yards, while Adrian Peterson also provided a touchdown.
Cardinals’ passing game was much better, but they just could not get scoring moves. Moreover, their victory cause was hampered in the third quarter when Vikings scored a touchdown on an interception return.
Cardinals quarterback John Skelton completed 25 of his 36 passes for 262 yards and was sacked seven times for the loss of 32 yards. Skelton scored one touchdown and threw one interception.
Cardinals rushed for a total of 126 yards, while LaRod Stephens-Howling provided a touchdown.
Overall, only five scoring moves were created in the game. Vikings got three touchdowns, while the Cards got two.
Peterson scored for Vikings in the first quarter when he ran for 13 yards to reach the end zone.
Cardinals levelled the score in the second quarter when Stephens-Howling ran for three yards to reach the end zone. However, Ponder connected with Percy Harvin for a three-yard score later in the quarter to get the lead again.
Vikings increased their lead in the third quarter when Harrison Smith ran for 31 yards to get a score on an interception return.
In the final quarter, Skelton connected with Andre Roberts for a six-yard scoring move.
After making a 4-0 start to the season, the Cardinals have lost three straight games and they are now placed at second spot along with Seattle Seahawks in National Football Conference (NFC) West.
Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington said after the game:
“We’ve got to find a way. You lose one, and it’s, ‘We’ve got to get better.’ You lose two and it’s, ‘Now we really have to work hard.’ Now you lose three (straight) and it’s, ‘Wow, how do you overcome this?’”
He added:
“We have to find a way to dig out of this.”
Meanwhile, it was a welcome victory for the Vikings, who have won five of their seven games this season. Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said after the game:
“A good win for our football team.”
He added:
“We played a good football team today, one that I’m sure in December will be battling for a spot in the playoffs. They’ve got some good players. Our guys battled and battled, and found a way to get a win at home.”
Cardinals are going to play their next game against San Francisco 49ers, while Vikings will take on Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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