Vikings Go Perfect in Kirk-tober, Beat Cardinals 34-26

Oct 30, 2022 Minneapolis, Minnesota, Usa Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) operates for a landing against the Arizona Cardinals basic safety Budda Baker (3) in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Usa Currently Athletics

The Minnesota Vikings secured a excellent 4- history in Kirk-tober by beating the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, 34-26. It was a sloppy effectiveness at occasions, but the Vikings defense stepped up in vital cases to secure Minnesota’s fifth consecutive victory.

In certain, Za’Darius Smith had a substantial recreation for Minnesota. He concluded the day with 3 sacks and four TFLs, which include a massive sack on Arizona’s previous-ditch exertion to tie the sport.

The recreation got off to a somewhat unusual start out as evidently Kirk Cousins arrived to U.S. Bank Stadium donning a Lamar Jackson costume. On Minnesota’s opening push, Cousins rushed for 21 yards, which includes a 17-garden scamper for a landing. Nevertheless, that would be about all the jogging Cousins would do for the working day, and he finished the video game with 22 hurrying yards.

For the Vikings protection, Smith performed nicely, but it was a rather sloppy overall performance crammed with penalties. The Vikings experienced a season-high 10 penalties for 67 yards. Fortunately for Minnesota, Arizona had just as sloppy a day with 10 penalties of their possess.

On top of that, it was a rough day for equally teams on special teams. Greg Joseph skipped two much more kicks (a blocked 56-garden area target and excess level attempt). He now has missed six kicks in the last four game titles. On the other aspect, Greg Dortch muffed a punt with 10 minutes still left in the fourth quarter.

It was recovered by Troy Dye and led straight away to a landing drive by the Vikings, capped off by a 5-lawn link involving Kirk Cousins and KJ Osborn. Cousins threw for 232 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the day. It was a robust recreation overall for the Vikings offense, with Sunday becoming the first time the eclipsed 30 details on the time.

A key explanation driving that offensive outburst was the Vikings managing video game. Dalvin Prepare dinner had his initially 100-lawn rushing recreation of the season, piling up 111 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Alexander Mattison added 40 yards and a landing of his own on eight carries.

Meanwhile, the only destructive from this emphasis on the operating sport is that it ended Justin Jefferson’s streak of video games with 100+ obtaining yards. He finished just shy of the mark with six catches that went for 98 yards. Nevertheless, he had one of the most crucial performs of the working day, snatching a crucial 17-garden go on a 3rd quarter TD drive that set Minnesota up by two belongings.

With this most up-to-date victory, the Vikings (6-1) head into Week 9 certain to be at the very least three game titles in advance of the Inexperienced Bay Packers (3-4) in the loss column. The Packers are nonetheless to play on Sunday as they will stop by the Buffalo Expenditures (5-1) for Sunday Night Football.

Minnesota will head on the highway future weekend to take on the Washington Commanders (3-4) in Kirk Cousins very first sport back at FedEx Discipline. It will be his second video game having on his previous staff, with the initial remaining a 19-9 victory by the Vikings on October 24th, 2019. The Arizona Cardinals (3-5) head home to consider on their division rival Seattle Seahawks (4-3).


Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O'Connell

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The Higher education of Idaho with a bachelor’s diploma in Innovative Crafting as very well as minors in Background, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, test out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.