Arizona Cardinals run over in Twin Cities as Minnesota Vikings roll 27-17

The Arizona Cardinals are 1-5 and have one of the worst if not the worst run defenses in the NFL.

When you combine that with a pop-gun offense, it is a recipe for disaster.

That was the story in the Twin Cities as the Arizona Cardinals fell to the Minnesota Vikings 27-17.

Despite creating two turnovers on defense, including a Chandler Jones strip sack that resulted in a Budda Baker scoop and score, the Cardinals defense was just beat down by a putrid Vikings rushing attack.

The Vikings, who came in as the 31st ranked run team in attempts and yards, as well as the 32nd ranked team in rushing touchdowns, the Vikings had zero in their first five games, just physically dominated the Arizona Cardinals at the line of scrimmage,

The Vikings ran for 195 yards on 32 carries, rushing for over six yards per carry and two touchdowns.

Juxtapose that to the Cardinals rushing attack, who on 20 carries had 61 yards and a single David Johnson touchdown, tells the entire story of the game.

It was the most productive offensive outing on the season for the Cardinals who finished with 269 total yards on offense, but they also turned over the ball twice, including Josh Rosen throwing his second interception on the season.

Yet, when pressed late, you saw some of the potential the Arizona Cardinals offense has in terms of pushing the ball down the field.

The most perplexing possession of the game for the Cardinals was when, at the Vikings seven yard line at first and goal, the Cardinals ran the ball three times.

Yet, their personnel and play design seemed to lack and understanding of who they are as a team.

Defensively, it is more of the same.

You saw one of the better passing teams in the NFL in the Vikings struggle with turnovers, the Cousins fumble along with an interception, and giving up four sacks to the Cardinals, but the Cards inability to stop the run at all was the ultimate decider.

It is now a quick turnaround, as the Cardinals will play the the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football.

Let’s hope they get things figured out quickly.