Late fumble dooms Vikings in 23-20 loss to Cardinals

“Those were high records Kurt set”.

Although the Eagles managed to kick the injured Patriots while they were down, they’re up against a tough Bills side that just dropped 30 points on the Texans.

But past the initial sting of the Vikings’ 23-20 loss to the Cardinals on Thursday night, there could be a more important, longer-lasting benefit to what happened in the desert. Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (15.00) was the most valuable rusher of the game, but Cardinals RB David Johnson (14.70) wasn’t far behind.

Minnesota’s defense allowed 393 yards, but clamped down in the red zone, holding Arizona to field goals three times.

The play was conveyed clearly to everyone-the receivers would all head for the right sideline, and Bridgewater, taking the snap out of the shotgun, would either find someone outside the hash mark or throw the ball away. Palmer on the next play executed a kneel down and the game was done. But a sack on second and goal derailed the drive and the Cardinals had to settle for a field goal to go up 20-10.

After a 53-yard field goal by Vikings kicker Blair Walsh, Bridgewater, who was 25 of 36 for 335 yards, fired a 7-yard touchdown to wide receiver Mike Wallace to tie the score at 20.

“I think we took a big step as a unit”, Bridgewater said.

Let’s check out a few of the notable players and stats from this one so we can figure out why things played out the way they did. “We just shot ourselves in the foot with the three turnovers”. Andrew Sendejo (safety) had suffered a knee injury, while fellow safety Harrison Smith heals both his knee and hamstring. Granted, I don’t live in Arizona, but I’ve heard more about the 7-5 Steelers than I have about the Cardinals as a possible Super Bowl team.

The Vikings had their chances on Arizona’s final drive, only to come up short.

-The defense was competitive against a unsafe Cardinals offense, despite rookies Waynes, safety Anthony Harris and linebacker Edmond Robinson all getting their first starts.

But they still had Palmer and they still have perhaps the best speed in the NFL.

Johnson finished with 19 carries for 92 yards and added five catches for 31 yards in the 23-20 victory. On 2nd and 1 from the ARZ 9 yard line, Peterson took a Bridgewater handoff and ran to his right. Palmer was 12 of 16 for 161 yards.

That the Cardinals barely survived against second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings at home – Bridgewater led an 88-yard, game-tying drive in the fourth quarter – could be a sign of trouble for an Arizona team trying to clinch a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs.

NOTES: Cardinals S Tony Jefferson, who was listed as questionable with a pulled hamstring, played against Minnesota….

His touchdown Thursday was the 100th of his career and he moved ahead of Steven Jackson for 17th place on the NFL’s all-time rushing list.

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) celebrates after recovering a fumble in the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at University of Phoenix Stadium.