The Vikings’ four-game losing streak is over.
Minnesota got a 103-yard kick return touchdown and a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, and the defense held up late to give the Vikings a 30-24 victory over the Cardinals.
Bradford and the Vikings put up just 217 yards of offense in the win.
After the Vikings defense forced a three-and-out to open the game, quarterback Sam Bradford hit Adam Thielen from 16 yards out.
Bradford. Thielen. End zone!
What. A. Play! #SKOL #SKOL #SKOL https://t.co/yVYZXnodgq
— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2016
Arizona responded with an 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a David Johnson touchdown.
The Cardinals then took a 10-7 lead in the second quarter when Chandler Catanzaro hit a 34-yard field goal.
Later in the second quarter, Bradford hit Cordarrelle Paterson for a 36-yard gain that put Minnesota in Cardinals territory. Three plays later, Matt Asiata punched in the football and Minnesota led 13-10.
The Vikings got on the board once more before the half when cornerback Xaiver Rhodes had a pick-6 that went 100 yards the other way. It was the longest interception returned for a touchdown in Vikings history.
🔥🔥 PICK-6 ALERT! 🔥🔥@XavierRhodes29_ takes Carson Palmer's pass 100 yards to the HOUSE. #AZvsMIN https://t.co/ImQE7C0QHL
— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2016
However, Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer led his team down the field for a touchdown before the half. The Vikings held a 20-17 lead going into halftime.
On the first play of the second half, Patterson took the opening kick-off to the house and the Vikings went up 27-17.
⚡ ➡️ 🏠https://t.co/Ez2bvXLbDD
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 20, 2016
Later in the third quarter, Rhodes picked off his second pass of the day on this spectacular play.
.@XavierRhodes29_ is just a beast.
His 2nd INT of the day! #SKOL #AZvsMIN https://t.co/bgltWx5sNo
— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2016
With the third quarter coming to a close, Bradford led the Vikings down the field and the drive ended with new kicker Kai Forbath kicking a 27-yard field goal, extending the lead t0 13 points.
As the final quarter wore on, a Bradford fumble in Vikings territory set up another David Johnson touchdown cutting the lead to 30-24.
With the offense continuing to stall out, Arizona had one last chance to tie things up, but had to drive nearly the length of the field.
Defensive lineman Danielle Hunter sacked Palmer on fourth-and-6, solidifying the win.
The win on Saturday puts the Vikings at 6-4 on the season. They’ll back in action on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit.
