Week 12 Game Recap: Arizona Cardinals 26, Minnesota Vikings 31

What you need to know

Arizona Cardinals

QB Matt Leinart threw for a career high 405 yards and one touchdown, but also had two interceptions in a 31-26 loss to the Vikings. He completed 31 of his 51 pass attempts in the game and his large passing numbers may be a little skewed considering the Cardinals only attempted to rush the ball six times on Minnesota’s number one ranked run defense. The Cardinals lined up most the game in a three wide receiver set in an attempt to spread Minnesota’s defense and used the shot gun with regularity in the game. The strategy worked well outside of the red zone as Arizona moved the ball well, but the offense stalled each time in or around the red zone. The Cardinals also had two costly turnovers in the second half that led to ten points for the Vikings. The lack of a rushing game seemed to make Leinart’s job more difficult when they got in scoring range and there only offensive touchdown came with 39 seconds left in the game.

WR Anquan Boldin had a huge game with nine catches for 140 yards and one touchdown. Boldin did a good job of getting open over the middle and getting extra yards after the catch, while fellow WR Larry Fitzgerald worked the sidelines most of the game. Both receivers combined for 312 receiving yards in game in which Arizona attempted 51 passes.

WR Larry Fitzgerald had a career high 172 yards receiving from 11 receptions, but failed to get into the end zone. Most of Fitzgerald’s yards came in the second half as Arizona desperately tried to get back into the game. He made several athletic catches and seemed completely healthy in the game.

RB Edgerrin James had only 15 yards rushing on four carries. The Cardinals didn’t give much of an effort to run the ball against the top ranked Vikings rush defense as they only had six rush attempts the entire game.

RB J.J. Arrington took the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown return for Arizona’s first touchdown in the first quarter all season. He finished the game with 220 kick return yards.

Minnesota Vikings

QB Brad Johnson and the Vikings’ offense finally gave the defense some help this week by putting up some points on the board for a change. Minnesota came into this game with only 11 offensive touchdowns all season, but had four in this game. Johnson had his best game of the season by throwing for 271 yards and three touchdowns. Like usual, most of Johnson’s pass completions were in the short to medium range and his longest pass was for only 22 yards in the game. But Johnson and the offense were much more effective in converting third downs and finishing drives. Johnson found open receivers on critical plays and avoided making any turnovers.

RB Chester Taylor had big game rushing for 136 yards and scoring one touchdown. He started the game strong by rolling up 53 yards and touchdown on the Vikings' first drive of the game. Taylor ran the ball hard, breaking tackles and gaining big yardage after the initial contact from the defense. He almost had a second touchdown in the fourth quarter, but he fumbled near the goal line and the Cardinals returned it 99 yards for touchdown. It was the second consecutive week that Taylor had a fumble returned for a defensive touchdown in the fourth quarter. HC Brad Childress seemed unfazed by Taylor’s fumble and Taylor got the ball in Minnesota’s next two possessions as usual.

WR Marcus Robinson started the game in place of WR Troy Williamson and he responded with seven catches for 82 yards and one touchdown. He was clearly QB Brad Johnson’s favorite target in the game and he caught a big 17 yard touchdown pass with less then a minute left in the first half to put Minnesota ahead. The touchdown reception was a team high fourth for Robinson who appears to be the team’s first option in the passing game when healthy.

What you ought to know

QB Matt Leinart, Pass: 31 - 51 - 405 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0

Leinart had an impressive first half going 15 for 21 for 193 yards. The Cardinals went to a lot three receiver sets and spread the Vikings’ defense out. They only attempted to run the ball three times in the half and threw the ball out of the shotgun much of the time. The Cardinals were very successful in moving the ball on the Vikings by spreading out the defense but stalled each time they got near or into the red zone in the first half. Leinart and the offense failed to score a touchdown in the half.

The second half got off to a poor start as Leinart threw a bad interception. Leinart and the offense were able to move the ball on the Vikings in the second half, but were unable to get into end zone. The Cardinals once again stayed away from the running game in the second half and this seemed to really hurt the Cardinals when they got within scoring range or in the red zone. Turnovers were also costly as the Cardinals had two turnovers in the half that led to ten points for the Vikings. Even though the Vikings pass defense gave up a lot of yards in the second half they forced a couple of turnovers. Leinart’s only pass touchdown came with less then a minute left as he hit Anquan Boldin on a fourth down play. The Cardinals actually had a chance to win the game after they recovered the on-side kick and drove the ball into Minnesota territory with seconds left in the game. Leinart’s last second Hail Mary pass was intercepted in the end zone as time expired.

RB Edgerrin James, Rush: 4 - 15 - 0, Rec: 2 - 10 - 0 (2 targets)

James had a 14 yard run on his first run of the game but fumbled the ball away on his second carry. He only had one more carry in the half, not because of the fumble, but because the Cardinals didn’t attempt to run the ball against the Vikings number one run defense. In fact, James would only gain one more yard after his initial 14 yard carry in the first quarter. The Cardinals only had 17 yards rushing in the game. James finished with only 25 total yards and was pretty much a non-factor in the game.

RB J.J. Arrington, Rec: 1 - 1 - 0 (1 targets)

Arrington took the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown return for Arizona’s first touchdown in the first quarter all season. He averaged over 36 yards a kick return and had 220 total yards on six kick returns in the game. He only had one catch for one yard in the Cardinals' offense.

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Rec: 11 - 172 - 0 (13 targets)

Fitzgerald had his best receiving game of his career as he had 11 receptions for 172 yards. He had a very good scoring opportunity in the second quarter when Leinart threw a jump ball for him on a fade route in the end zone, but the ball was overthrown and it went incomplete. Fitzgerald finished the first half with four catches for 58 yards, and had most of his yards in the second half. His first catch in the second half came on an acrobatic catch along the sideline for 25 yards. He also caught an important 14 yard pass along the sideline late in the game on a fourth down to keep a drive alive. On the next play he caught 34 yard pass that Leinart threw up and Fitzgerald went up caught over two defenders on the Minnesota five yard line. It led to the Cardinals’ only pass touchdown of the game. Fitzgerald looked healthy in this game and his hamstring injury did not seem to affect him at all. He made several great athletic catches in this game.

WR Anquan Boldin, Rec: 9 - 140 - 1 (13 targets)

Boldin had a great game as he had 140 receiving yards and one touchdown. He caught a 29 yard pass up the middle of the field on the Cardinals first play from the line of scrimmage and it set the tone for what was to be a big game. He had a good first quarter catching three balls for 55 yards as he was clearly Matt Leinart favorite target early on in the game. He only had one catch for seven yards in the second quarter as Leinart started to spread the ball around to other receivers like Larry Fitzgerald and Bryant Johnson.

Boldin’s first catch in the second half came on a reception up the middle of the field again for 24 yards. He had three receptions for 45 yards late in the fourth quarter as Arizona attempted a comeback. He caught a nine yard touchdown pass with less then a minute left as the Cardinals pulled within five points. Almost all of his receptions came over the middle of the field throughout the game and he picked up extra yards by breaking tackles on many of his receptions.

WR Bryant Johnson, Rec: 4 - 48 - 0 (7 targets)

Johnson caught his first pass on 12 yard strike to the Minnesota five yard line in the second quarter. He had four catches for 48 yards in the first half. He was shut out in the second half as Boldin and Fitzgerald got almost all the passes throw in there direction.

WR Troy Walters (1 targets)

Only had one pass throw to him and it was a deep ball that Leinart just over threw him on late in the game.

TE Adam Bergen, Rec: 3 - 32 - 0 (3 targets)

Bergen had a costly fumble deep in Arizona territory in the fourth quarter. He did have three receptions for 32 yards in the game.

TE Leonard Pope, Rec: 1 - 2 - 0 (1 targets)

Pope only had one catch for two yards in the game.

PK Neil Rackers 2 - 3 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points

Rackers made a 21 yard and a 50 yard field goal in the second quarter. He missed a 41 yard attempt in the third quarter as the Cardinals were attempting to come back from an eight point deficit. Rackers only had two extra points in this game because the Cardinals attempted a two point conversion in the second half after they scored a defensive touchdown.

ARI Rush Defense

The Cardinals got a 99 yard touchdown return from a fumble recovery from Adrian Wilson when it looked like the Vikings were going to put the game away. It would be the only bright spot for the rush defense in this game as they gave up 136 yards of rushing to Chester Taylor.

ARI Pass Defense

They had a disappointing game as they gave up 271 yards of passing and three touchdowns to a struggling Brad Johnson and Minnesota offense that had only scored 11 offensive touchdowns coming into this game. They did not force a turnover in the game, but Karlos Dansby did have two sacks in the game.

QB Brad Johnson, Pass: 27 - 41 - 271 - 3 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - 15 - 0

Johnson had a good first half throwing for 132 yards and one touchdown. His only touchdown pass of the half came with less then one minute left before halftime on a 17 yard completion to Marcus Robinson. Johnson played pretty well in the half despite missing on a couple of deep balls. He did a good job of finding open receivers.

Johnson came out hot in the second half leading Minnesota on an 80 yard drive for touchdown to start the second half. He hit Billy McMullen on a nine yard slant for his second touchdown pass of the game. He managed the second half well, and did a good job of protecting the ball and not turning it over. Johnson’s third touchdown pass came in the fourth quarter to Jeff Dugan after a Cardinals turnover. He hit Dugan in the back of end zone on a three yard pass as he rolled out to his right after moving the offense 35 yards on the drive. Johnson had his best game of the year and having a healthy Marcus Robinson seemed to help him a lot. He targeted Robinson and tight end Jermaine Wiggins the most during the game.

RB Chester Taylor, Rush: 27 - 136 - 1, Rec: 3 - 35 - 0 (4 targets)

Taylor got off to a very good start racking up 53 yards and scoring a one yard touchdown on the Vikings first drive of the game. In that drive, he had a 28 yard run to the Arizona three yard line that set up Minnesota’s first score. Taylor got the touchdown after three consecutive shots near the goal line and punched the ball in on a fourth and goal play from the Arizona one yard line. Taylor had very productive first half by breaking tackles and making extra yards after contact. He was clearly the focal point the offense and had 107 total yards and averaged 5.8 yards a carry in the first half.

Taylor had a much quieter second half but did almost score on a 15 yard swing pass, but was pushed out of bounds on the one yard line. On the next play, Taylor got the ball and fumbled near the goal line. An Arizona defender picked up the ball and took it 99 yards for a touchdown. The play was reviewed and looked like Taylor’s knees were down before the ball came out, but the play was upheld. This was a huge play in the game and it was Taylor’s second consecutive week in which he coughed up the ball and had it returned for touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game. But outside of the costly mistakes, Taylor is clearly the team’s workhorse on offense and he had another very good game. His ability to pick up yards after contact is especially impressive since the Vikings offense line has been pretty average in there run blocking.

RB Mewelde Moore, Rush: 2 - 10 - 0

Moore saw little playing time in this game as Chester Taylor was used heavily in this game. He only got two carries for ten yards. He did not have any receptions in this game. Moore had been used quite a bit as a receiver out of the backfield in the Vikings last two games.

WR Marcus Robinson, Rec: 7 - 82 - 1 (10 targets)

Robinson was clearly Brad Johnson’s favorite target in the game and he was the Vikings most effective receiver in the game. Things started slow for him as his first catch came on an 11 yard reception in the second quarter for a first down. The Vikings went deep to him on a fade route but the pass was little short and was broken up. Had the pass been on target it probably would have been a big play. He caught a 17 yard touchdown pass with less then a minute left in the first half on fade route into the end zone. Robinson went up and caught the ball over a much smaller defender. Robinson had 22 yard reception on the second play of the second half and added another 21 receiving yards in the second half.

WR Travis Taylor, Rec: 5 - 56 - 0 (7 targets)

Taylor had five receptions for 56 yards in a solid performance. He started out strong catching a 17 yard pass on first drive of the game. He also had 7 yard completion for a first down in the first half. He caught an 11 yard catch on the first play in the second half for a first down. Taylor also caught a big 13 yard reception in the Arizona 15 yard line for a first down. On the same drive he drew a pass interference penalty that put the ball on the Cardinal five yard line. Taylor didn’t have huge numbers in the game but was effective possession receiver and made a few important catches for first downs.

WR Billy McMullen, Rec: 2 - 15 - 1 (2 targets)

His first catch of the game was a nine yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. He also had a six yard reception in the fourth quarter of the game.

WR Troy Williamson (1 targets)

Williamson had a deep ball thrown him and had the ball go through his hands. Coming into this game Williamson led the league with ten drops. He did not have another pass thrown to him in this game and saw very little playing time.

TE Jermaine Wiggins, Rec: 6 - 52 - 0 (7 targets)

Wiggins made a lot of tough catches over the middle in the game and was a one of the main target in the Minnesota offense. He finished the game with six catches for 52 yards, but was second on the team with seven targets. He caught a big fourth down pass with less then a minute in the first half for 17 yards and a first down. The play set up Minnesota’s second touchdown of the game. He had a pass broken up on the goal line in the fourth quarter on what turned out to be his best potential scoring opportunity.

TE Jeff Dugan, Rec: 2 - 5 - 1 (1 targets)

Dugan started for second consecutive week at fullback for injured starter Tony Richardson. He usually plays tight end, but has been converted to play full back because of Richardson’s injury. He caught a three yard touchdown pass from Brad Johnson in the fourth quarter.

PK Ryan Longwell 1 - 1 FG, 4 - 4 XP, 7 points

Longwell made a 40 yard field goal in the third quarter to give Minnesota a 24-13 lead. He also added four extra points in the game.

MIN Rush Defense

The Vikings recovered an Edgerrin James fumble in the first quarter on rare Cardinals’ running play. The Minnesota run defense didn’t have to do much as the Cardinals only attempted to rush the ball five times in this game. The Vikings’ rush defense has only given up 15 yards rushing in the last two games.

MIN Pass Defense

The pass defense gave up 405 yards passing but a big reason why they gave up so many yards was because the Cardinals didn’t even try to run the ball as they only attempted five running plays in the game. Arizona did attempt 51 passes. Dwight Smith intercepted Leinart on the Cardinals first play from scrimmage in the second half. Smith got his second interception on the last play of the game as Leinart threw up jump ball into the end zone as time expired. The Vikings’ defense only gave up one touchdown to the Arizona offense and that came with less then one minute left in the game on a fourth down play.