PurplePTSD: Vikings Lose A Heartbreaker 34-33

Press release from the PurplePTSD:

Josh Frey

2021-09-19

The Minnesota Vikings went into Arizona to face the Cardinals trying to avenge a loss in Cincinnati last weekend. The first half of this game flew by as both offenses were rolling. The Vikings got off to an especially fast start on their opening drive with a two-play, 75-yard touchdown drive capped by a 64-yard TD reception by wide receiver K.J. Osborn. Dalvin Cook found holes in the Arizona defense early and often, and it resulted in his 16th career 100-plus yard rushing day. Cook finished with 22 carries and 131 yards. Both QBs were on fire as each of Kirk Cousins and Kyler Murray totaled three TDs in the first half. However, Arizona went into halftime with a 24-23 lead due to a missed PAT by Joseph following a score by Justin Jefferson. Jefferson finished the day

In the second half, it was the Vikings defense that really took over. It got started with a Nick Vigil pick-six to put Minnesota on top 30-24. Arizona answered right back with a steady drive capped off by a touchdown reception by A.J. Green off a scree route. Green had a decent day in his second game with the Cardinals, finishing with three catches for 44 yards and that touchdown.

With the score at 31-30, Minnesota’s offense stalled out on their first drive of the second half, in part because of one of the few penalties called on the o-line: a third down false start on Brian O’Neill. However, Murray once again bailed Minnesota out by throwing his second interception of the day; this time caught by Xavier Woods who also had an additional pass breakup on the day.

After a roughing the kicker call saved their drive, the Vikings worked down the field enough for Greg Joseph to hit his second field goal of the day, putting Minnesota up 33-31. However, after the teams split punts on the next two drives, Murray found Christian Kirk on a huge 4th and 5 conversion, bringing Arizona to Minnesota’s goal-line. It would be the end of Murray’s 400-yard passing day though as the Vikings defense held strong forcing a field goal.

Arizona then led 34-33, and after a pair of punts, the Vikings had a chance to win the game. Kirk Cousins made some beautiful throws to all of Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, and K.J. Osborn, and the Vikings ended up on the 27-yards line ready to kick a game-winning field goal. However, the kicking woes in Minnesota remain, as Joseph missed the kick at the buzzer wide right. Big days from both Cousins and Cook go for naught as Minnesota falls to 0-2 on the season. The Vikings will play their home opener at 3:25 next Sunday as the Seattle Seahawks come to town.

This press release was produced by the PurplePTSD. The views expressed here are the author’s own.