Cardinals clip Vikings on late turnover, seal playoff berth
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Breaking down the Arizona Cardinals' 23-20 win against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday:
Big picture: Consider this a potential playoff preview, because both the Cardinals and the Vikings have proven they are worthy of playing in January. For the Cardinals, this win was particularly important to hold off the surging Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West. Arizona still has a three-game lead in the division, now with just three games to play, including the season finale against the Seahawks in Glendale. The Vikings have now dropped back-to-back games, though they should be encouraged by the way they played in Arizona, especially on a short week down four defensive starters. Now the Vikings will spend Sunday anxiously watching to see if the Green Bay Packers (who play at the Dallas Cowboys) can regain sole possession of first place in the NFC North.
Key moment: The Cardinals broke a tie game in the third quarter open by turning what looked like a busted offensive play into a 42-yard touchdown. Wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd both wound up open outside the right hash mark. Carson Palmer’s pass looked like it was intended for Fitzgerald near the sideline, but Floyd caught it first and ran to the end zone, with Fitzgerald as his lead blocker. When the catch-and-run was replayed on the video board at University of Phoenix Stadium, the crowd chanted “Larry, Larry, Larry” to show their love for the team’s all-time leading receiver after his vicious block on Minnesota safety Anthony Harris.
Breakout player: Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater took the loss, but this was a game that should help him shake his reputation that he’s not capable of leading an effective passing game. He threw for 335 yards and was particularly impressive in leading an 88-yard drive in the fourth quarter to rally the Vikings to tie the game at 20. He capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown to Mike Wallace, but earlier hit a 17-yard screen pass to Adrian Peterson and a 23-yarder to Wallace. But Bridgewater wasn’t perfect. He was leading another impressive drive late in the fourth quarter when he fumbled with five seconds remaining – effectively ending the game.
Key stat: Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who had only eight carries for 18 yards last week in a loss to Seattle, had a huge opening drive, rushing four times for 38 yards, including a ridiculous 9-yard touchdown. But the Cardinals were able to largely contain Peterson – on the ground, at least – for the rest of the game. He finished the game with 69 rushing yards, and lost a fumble in the third quarter on a blown trick play when he was supposed to hand off to Wallace.
What’s next: Get ready for more prime time Cardinals, who clinched a playoff berth on Thursday. Arizona’s Week 15 game at the Philadelphia Eagles was flexed to NBC’s Sunday Night Football. The Vikings will try to stop their losing streak with a home game against the Chicago Bears.
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