Arizona Cardinals lose third straight game to Minnesota Vikings, go down 21-14

After starting the season undefeated, the Arizona Cardinals have now lost 3 games in a row to drop to 4-3, putting them one game behind the 1st Place 49ers.

In Week 7 of the 2012 NFL season, the Cardinals travelled to Minnesota to take on Adrian Peterson and the Vikings. Unfortunately, their losing streak against the Vikings continued.

With QB Kevin Kolb out with a rib injury, backup John Skelton got the start today (His first since Week 1). To put a long story short, it was not a spectacular performance. Although he was 25-36 for 262 yards, he did have two turnovers. One of those turnovers was a pick-6 to S Harrison Smith in the 3rd quarter (Which ultimately ended up being the deciding score). However, Skelton received little help from his O-line. He was sacked 7 times in the game, showing once again that the team's biggest weakness is the offensive-line. Skelton did have one TD; a 6 yard pass to Andre Roberts in the 4th quarter to put the Cardinals within 7. Larod Stephens-Howling led all Cardinals RB's, carrying the ball 20 times for 104 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, Vikings RB Adrian Peterson was able to carve up the Cardinals defense, rushing 23 times for 153 yards, and a TD. QB Christian Ponder went 8 for 17 for only 58 yards. Although he threw a 3 yard TD pass to WR Percy Harvin in the 2nd quarter, Ponder threw two interceptions (To LBers Paris Lenon and Sam Acho). LB Daryl Washington led the Cardinals defense with 6 tackles, and 2 sacks.

It was an uneventful day for the Cardinals special teams. K Jay Feely was 2-2 on extra points, however he did have a missed FG attempt. RB William Powell returned one kick for 13 yards, and CB Patrick Peterson returned 4 punts for only 7 yards.

The time of possession for the Cardinals was 35:05, vs. 24:55 for the Vikings. They had 6 punts, 21 1st downs, and 9 penalties, which resulted in 82 yards for the Vikings.

Next week, the Cardinals return home to take on the rival San Francisco 49ers, on Monday Night Football. Three weeks ago, this may have been a game Cardinals fans were confident about, but now, the team has inspired little hope among fans.

Maybe they'll be able to pull out the win. But for now, all eyes will again be on the QB's.