Vikings use two 100-yard returns to hold off Cardinals
The Sports Xchange
Nov 20, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS -- Xavier Rhodes returned one of his two interceptions 100 yards for a touchdown and Cordarrelle Patterson started the second half with a 104-yard kickoff return for a touchdown as the Minnesota Vikings held on for a 30-24 win against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Sam Bradford passed for 169 yards and an early touchdown to Adam Thielen for Minnesota (6-4), which snapped a four-game losing streak. The Vikings only amassed 217 total yards of offense but had two plays of more than 100 yards in the same game for the first time in franchise history.
Minnesota is the first team since Dallas in 1962 to have two 100-yard touchdowns on an interception return and kickoff return in the same game.
David Johnson had 160 total yards of offense and two touchdowns for Arizona (4-5-1). Carson Palmer was 20-of-38 passing for 198 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. Larry Fitzgerald finished with six catches for 63 yards.
Rhodes' first interception halted a promising Cardinals drive with just over three minutes remaining in the first half. Rhodes was in zone coverage in the end zone and Palmer's pass went wide of receiver John Brown, who was caught up with cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.
Rhodes stepped in front and outraced Brown and Palmer to the end zone for the longest interception return in team history and the longest in the NFL since the Chiefs' Sean Smith returned one 100 yards on Nov. 3, 2013.
Palmer came right back with a quick drive, culminating in a touchdown to tight end Jermaine Gresham with 50 seconds left in the half for a 20-17 halftime score.
However, Patterson opened the second half with his fifth career kickoff return for touchdown, going 104 yards. New kicker Kai Forbath converted a 27-yard field goal after having an extra-point attempt blocked earlier.
Arizona's defense would get the offense back into position. Bradford was sacked and stripped of the ball by Chandler Jones, setting up the Cardinals at the 27-yard line. Palmer completed the short drive with a passing touchdown to Johnson, who had a rushing and receiving score in the game.
Minnesota's defense was the key in their undefeated start, and the Vikings held Arizona to just 27 yards of offense in the second half. The Cardinals had five first downs in the second half after 19 in the first.
NOTES: Minnesota honored former coach Dennis Green before the game with another of his former teams on the other sideline. Green, who died on July 22 at age 67, is the second-winningest coach in Vikings' history behind Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant. He went 97-62 in 10 seasons for Minnesota and 12-4 in the playoffs. He was 16-32 in three years with Arizona. The two organizations presented a painting to Green's family. ... Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu missed his second straight game because of a shoulder injury. Starting DT Corey Peters missed his first game with a foot injury. ... CB Captain Munnerlyn and punt returner Marcus Sherels each returned for Minnesota after missing last week's game with ankle injuries. ... The Vikings scored touchdowns via pass, run, interception and kickoff for the first time in team history. The last team to record such a feat was Arizona in Week 2 last season. ... Cardinals RB David Johnson is the third player since 1970 with 100-plus scrimmage yards in each of his team's first 10 games. Edgerrin James accomplished the feat twice and Larry Brown did so in 1972.
Nov 20, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS -- Xavier Rhodes returned one of his two interceptions 100 yards for a touchdown and Cordarrelle Patterson started the second half with a 104-yard kickoff return for a touchdown as the Minnesota Vikings held on for a 30-24 win against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Sam Bradford passed for 169 yards and an early touchdown to Adam Thielen for Minnesota (6-4), which snapped a four-game losing streak. The Vikings only amassed 217 total yards of offense but had two plays of more than 100 yards in the same game for the first time in franchise history.
Minnesota is the first team since Dallas in 1962 to have two 100-yard touchdowns on an interception return and kickoff return in the same game.
David Johnson had 160 total yards of offense and two touchdowns for Arizona (4-5-1). Carson Palmer was 20-of-38 passing for 198 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. Larry Fitzgerald finished with six catches for 63 yards.
Rhodes' first interception halted a promising Cardinals drive with just over three minutes remaining in the first half. Rhodes was in zone coverage in the end zone and Palmer's pass went wide of receiver John Brown, who was caught up with cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.
Rhodes stepped in front and outraced Brown and Palmer to the end zone for the longest interception return in team history and the longest in the NFL since the Chiefs' Sean Smith returned one 100 yards on Nov. 3, 2013.
Palmer came right back with a quick drive, culminating in a touchdown to tight end Jermaine Gresham with 50 seconds left in the half for a 20-17 halftime score.
However, Patterson opened the second half with his fifth career kickoff return for touchdown, going 104 yards. New kicker Kai Forbath converted a 27-yard field goal after having an extra-point attempt blocked earlier.
Arizona's defense would get the offense back into position. Bradford was sacked and stripped of the ball by Chandler Jones, setting up the Cardinals at the 27-yard line. Palmer completed the short drive with a passing touchdown to Johnson, who had a rushing and receiving score in the game.
Minnesota's defense was the key in their undefeated start, and the Vikings held Arizona to just 27 yards of offense in the second half. The Cardinals had five first downs in the second half after 19 in the first.
NOTES: Minnesota honored former coach Dennis Green before the game with another of his former teams on the other sideline. Green, who died on July 22 at age 67, is the second-winningest coach in Vikings' history behind Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant. He went 97-62 in 10 seasons for Minnesota and 12-4 in the playoffs. He was 16-32 in three years with Arizona. The two organizations presented a painting to Green's family. ... Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu missed his second straight game because of a shoulder injury. Starting DT Corey Peters missed his first game with a foot injury. ... CB Captain Munnerlyn and punt returner Marcus Sherels each returned for Minnesota after missing last week's game with ankle injuries. ... The Vikings scored touchdowns via pass, run, interception and kickoff for the first time in team history. The last team to record such a feat was Arizona in Week 2 last season. ... Cardinals RB David Johnson is the third player since 1970 with 100-plus scrimmage yards in each of his team's first 10 games. Edgerrin James accomplished the feat twice and Larry Brown did so in 1972.
