Sam Darnold rallies Vikings past Cardinals to extend winning streak

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Although the Minnesota Vikings were outgained by the Arizona Cardinals (406-273), that did not stop QB Sam Darnold from rallying the troops in the second half en route to a 23-22 victory.

After a 15-yard TD pass from QB Kyler Murray to WR Marvin Harrison Jr. put the Cardinals up 19-6 with 4:37 remaining in the third quarter, the Vikings’ chances of winning the game were looking slim.

That was until Darnold took over the game down the stretch.

Darnold connected with TE Johnny Mundt for a four-yard score late in the third quarter. The TD catch was the first of the season for the seventh-year player out of Oregon.

With Minnesota trailing 22-16 with under two minutes to play, Darnold led the Vikings on another TD drive. This time, he found RB Aaron Jones for a five-yard TD that proved to be the game-winner.

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 1, 2024

Four plays later, Vikings CB Shaquill Griffin intercepted Murray to seal the deal for the Vikings.

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 1, 2024

Darnold completed 21 of his 31 pass attempts for 235 yards and two TDs. While Darnold has struggled at times with 10 interceptions this season, including a three-interception game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 10, Sunday was one of his most complete performances of the season.

Darnold has now thrown six total TD passes and zero interceptions in the last three games.

The Vikings’ third-down woes (1-for-8) were a problem throughout the game. They clamped down on defense when it mattered most, though, as they held the Cardinals to only 1-for-6 in the red zone.

The Cardinals seemed to have things going in the right direction with a 6-4 record. After back-to-back losses, Arizona is 6-6. In those two losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Vikings, Murray had one TD and three interceptions. Before the losing streak, Murray had only accounted for three interceptions all season.

The Vikings (10-2) now have five straight wins for the second time this season after a 5-0 start and sit in the thick of the NFC race. Only the Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) and Detroit Lions (11-1) have more wins than Minnesota in the entire NFL.

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