Admin December 1, 2024
The Vikings are back home at U.S. Bank Stadium today after completing a successful three-game road trip. Their task? To reach their second five-game winning streak of the season with a victory over the Arizona Cardinals. With the Lions and Packers both winning on Thanksgiving, this is a critical game for the Vikings as they look to stay ahead of Green Bay and keep their hopes alive of catching Detroit in the NFC North.
The 9-2 Vikings have gotten two consecutive excellent performances from Sam Darnold, and they’ll need him to continue taking care of the football in this game. The last time he played in Minneapolis, he threw two rough interceptions and was strip-sacked for a touchdown against the Colts. Darnold will look to play efficiently and create some more explosive plays while leaning on Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones. Starting left tackle Cam Robinson, who came into this weekend questionable, is active.
The 6-5 Cardinals figure to put up a fight. They’re a solid, balanced team that is looking to win the NFC West — a division where all four teams currently have either 5 or 6 wins. On offense, Kyler Murray is a dangerous dual threat whose weapons include Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., and James Conner. Defensively, the Cardinals are led by star safety Budda Baker. They’re finally getting the NFL debut for first-round rookie defensive lineman Darius Robinson.
The Vikings have won 15 of their last 20 games against the Cardinals and 11 in a row at home, most recently in 2022. The last time they lost to this franchise in Minnesota, the year was 1977 and the Cardinals were located in St. Louis. Kevin O’Connell’s team will look to keep that streak alive today.
Follow along below for live updates throughout the game.
0:00 — The Vikings sealed the deal on a Shaq Griffin interception, improving to 10-2.
Vikings 23, Cardinals 22
1:13 — Sam Darnold hits Aaron Jones for a touchdown and Romo’s extra point gives the Vikings their first lead of the game. There’s still work to do on defense, though.
Cardinals 22, Vikings 16
3:20 — A long Cardinals drive ends in just three points, largely due to an intentional grounding call in the red zone. The Vikings’ offense has a chance.
Cardinals 19, Vikings 16
11:08 — After a Byron Murphy Jr. interception, the Vikings get a couple big chunks but then stall in the red zone. They’ve cut the deficit back to three points.
Cardinals 19, Vikings 13
1:17 — The Vikings’ offense is awake. They just went 70 yards on 6 plays in a little over 3 minutes and scored on a Johnny Mundt TD reception. Sam Darnold was 5 of 5 for 52 yards. Lots of game left.
Cardinals 19, Vikings 6
4:37 — Now the Vikings are really in significant trouble. Kyler Murray just hit Marvin Harrison Jr. for a touchdown over Fabian Moreau, who is playing for an injured Stephon Gilmore.
7:08 — The boos are out from the home fans after another Darnold sack on a blitz leads to a three-and-out.
Cardinals 12, Vikings 6
8:33 — Chad Ryland’s fourth field goal makes this a 6-point game.
13:28 — Parker Romo had made his first ten field goal attempts in the NFL, but he just missed wide left from 43 yards out.
Halftime: Cardinals 9, Vikings 6
0:00 — The Cardinals add a third field goal to take the lead into the break. The Vikings get the ball to start the third quarter.
Cardinals 6, Vikings 6
1:12 — Sam Darnold was sacked for the third time in this first half and the second on a third down, but John Parker Romo hits a 55-yard field goal to knot the score.
Cardinals 6, Vikings 3
6:01 — The Cardinals stalled in the red zone again. They’re moving the ball well, but have just six points to show for three trips to the red zone.
14:18 — After an Aaron Jones fumble that was recovered by the Cardinals, Arizona’s offense went backwards and then missed a 45-yard field goal.
Cardinals 3, Vikings 3
4:42 — The Vikings match Arizona by stalling in the red zone on their own first series.
Cardinals 3, Vikings 0
9:02 — The Cardinals open the game with a short field goal after stalling in the red zone.