FINAL SCORE: Cardinals have 3 turnovers in 34-26 loss to Vikings

The Arizona Cardinals were unable to win their second consecutive game. They fell behind early, struggled offensively, turned the ball over three times and then fell short at the end of the game.

Kyler Murray threw three touchdown passes and both DeAndre Hopkins and Rondale Moore had big games.

However, Murray was picked off twice in the second half and Greg Dortch muffed a punt, and those three turnovers were too much to overcome, despite have the opportunity for a game-tying drive at the end of the game.

The game ended with Murray getting sacked twice and the Cardinals lose 34-26, falling to 3-5.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

and

Vikings 7, Cardinals 0

The Cardinals win the toss and defer to the second half so the Vikings get the ball first and move down the field. They go 75 yards in 10 plays, and quarterback Kirk Cousins runs away from pressure on third down, going 17 yards for the first score of the game.

It is the fifth first-possession touchdown the Cardinals have allowed this season, most in the NFL.

Vikings 7, Cardinals 3

The Cardinals get a 44-yard field goal on their first drive. Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson is flagged for a horse collar and DeAndre Hopkins has a couple of receptions, making his 800th career catch, but Peterson breaks up a third-down pass to A.J. Green in the end zone and they have to settle on a field goal.

4th-down stop!

The Cardinals force a turnover on downs as the Vikings have incomplete passes on third and fourth downs in Arizona territory. They have used two timeouts already in the first half.

Vikings 14, Cardinals 3

The Vikings score a second touchdown on a Kirk Cousins one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Johnny Mundt. Dalvin Cook is tearing up the Arizona defense with 80 yards on nine carries in the first half. The Vikings are 4-for-5 on third down so far.

AMAZING ONE-HANDED TD CATCH BY HOP: Vikings 14, Cardinals 10

The Cardinals finally get a touchdown in the first half to pull within four points. They get it in spectacular fashion. On third-and-2 from the six-yard line, DeAndre Hopkins makes a fantastic one-handed grab in the end zone to score the touchdown.

It is a 10-play, 72-yard drive that started with a run from Murray. The touchdown was set up by an eight-yard from by Murray as well.

BLOCKED FG

The Vikings attempt a 56-yard field goal to end the first half. Leki Fotu blocks it with his helmet. The Cardinals trail at halftime 14-10 and get the ball first to start the second half.

Cardinals 17, Vikings 14

The second half starts slowly. The Cardinals’ first drive is thwarted by two consecutive holding penalties by tight end Trey McBride. But the Vikings go three-and-out after a negative run by Dalvin Cook and a J.J. Watt sack.

Kyler Murray connects with DeAndre Hopkins for a 33-yard pass and then, one play later, tight end Zach Ertz takes a short pass, runs through one defender, avoids the sideline and dives for an eight-yard touchdown to give the Cardinals the lead.

Vikings 21, Cardinals 17

The Vikings respond. Alexander Mattison gives the Vikings the lead back with a seven-yard touchdown run. The drive’s big play, though, was an amazing 30-yard catch by Justin Jefferson while covered well by Antonio Hamilton on third-and-6.

Kyler Murray picked off

After the Cardinals are pushed back with a personal foul on the kick return, Murray has no time to throw and it is badly underthrown on a deep attempt to Robbie Anderson. Harrison Smith intercepts the pass and the Vikings take over in Arizona territory.

Vikings 28, Cardinals 17

The Vikings turn the takeaway into points. Kirk Cousins connects with Justin Jefferson for 17 yards and Zach Allen is called for roughing the passer. Two plays later, Dalvin Cook runs it in from four yards out. The Vikings have a two-score lead.

Vikings 28, Cardinals 23

Rondale Moore has two big plays. He takes one short pass 27 yards and then another 38 yards for a touchdown. He now has five receptions for 77 yards and a score.

They go for two and fail so the deficit is five points.

STRIP SACK BY ISAIAH SIMMONS

On third down, Isaiah Simmons strips Kirk Cousins for a sack and receivers the football. The Cardinals take over at the Minnesota 24

Vikings 28, Cardinals 26

Matt Prater hits a 34-yard field goal after the turnover. The Cardinals get a first down but on third down, center Billy Price snaps the ball before Kyler Murray is ready and he just falls on the ball to not turn the ball over.

It’s a two-point game in the fourth quarter.

Muffed punt after 3-and-out

The Cardinals defense forces a three-and-out but Greg Dortch muffs the punt and the Vikings recover and take over at the Arizona 25.

Vikings 34, Cardinals 26

The turnover is critical. Cousins throws a five-yard touchdown pass to K.J. Osborn but Greg Joseph misses the extra point and it is an eight-point game. with 8:36 to go.

Kyler picked off

The Cardinals get past midfield but a miscommunication between Murray and Ertz leads to an interception by Camryn Bynum. The Vikings take over at their own 36.

Turnover on downs

The Cardinals fail to pick up a first down on fourth down as former Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks tackles Eno Benjamin just short of the line to gain. DeAndre Hopkins has a drop on second down and Murray can’t complete a pass to Greg Dortch on third down.

Story originally appeared on Cards Wire