The Arizona Cardinals suffered a heartbreaking defeat Sunday, falling to the Minnesota Vikings 27-24 in a dramatic finish. Quarterback Sam Darnold, stepping up for the Vikings, led a game-winning drive that stunned the Cardinals in the final moments.
The Cardinals, led by Kyler Murray, appeared to have the game under control for most of the second half. Murray showcased his usual dual-threat prowess, passing for two touchdowns and rushing for another. However, crucial mistakes in the closing minutes proved costly.
A late interception thrown by Murray gave the Vikings excellent field position with under two minutes remaining. Darnold capitalized, connecting with rookie receiver Jordan Addison for a pivotal 25-yard completion that set up Greg Joseph’s game-winning field goal.
Arizona’s defense, which had held strong for much of the game, struggled to contain Darnold during the Vikings’ final drive. Linebacker Jordan Hicks, a former Cardinal, made several key stops for Minnesota, further adding to Arizona’s misery.
“This one hurts,” Murray admitted postgame. “We had our opportunities and didn’t capitalize. That’s on me.”
Darnold, who has faced skepticism since joining the Vikings, silenced critics with his poised performance under pressure. “I trust my guys, and tonight they showed why,” Darnold said after the game.
The loss drops the Cardinals to a disappointing 4-8 on the season, while the Vikings improve to 6-6, keeping their playoff hopes alive. The defeat raises questions about Arizona’s consistency, while Minnesota celebrates a thrilling victory that could reshape their season.
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